Expert on Counselling and Awareness (Migrant Resource Centre)

Organisational overview
The International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) is an international organisation, with 21 Member States and working in more than 90 countries worldwide. Contributing to the development of better and safer migration policies and programmes, ICMPD takes a holistic approach to migration: structurally linking policy and research, cooperation, community outreach, and capacity development. With over 500 staff members, it takes a regional approach in its work towards efficient cooperation and partnerships along key migration routes, with a focus on Africa, Central and South Asia, Europe, Mediterranean, and the Middle East.

Project background
The project “Migration Awareness, Access to Reintegration and Strengthening capacities in Iraq (MAARC)”, funded by the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration and implemented by ICMPD, focuses on the set up and operationalisation of Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) in Erbil as a one- stop-shop would serve to respond to the needs of the potential, outgoing, and returning migrants in making their migration decisions in an informed and safe manner through an array of services i.e. counselling, outreach and referral– while at the same time increasing the capacity of the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) in migration management by providing such information through their participation in the awareness raising and knowledge building activities on migration. The MRC setup and functionalities are ensured in coordination with the Joint Crisis and Coordination Centre, supported by the Ministry of the Interior in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. Programmatically, the work of MRC-Erbil contributes to the implementation of the Vision on Sustainable Reintegration of Returnees in Iraq and its Action Plan, produced in a joint collaborative effort amongst the governmental and non-governmental entities in Iraq as part of the whole of government and
whole of society approach, with the support of ICMPD.
The second project “Swedish- Iraq Cooperation on Migration Governance” (SI-COM) funded by Ministry of Justice has one project component focusing on strengthening and expanding the network of Migrant Resource Centres (MRCs) in Iraq through three key initiatives. Firstly, it involves establishing 

an MRC in Sulaymaniyah, focusing on developing its structure, methods, and systems to align with other MRCs. Secondly, it entails developing and implementing a comprehensive MRC Baghdad Development Plan to elevate it into a “Centre of Excellence” in awareness raising, reintegration, and capacity building. Lastly, it includes an expansion plan for the MRC network within the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA), aiming to identify pilot areas and assess needs and capacities across provincial offices to tailor specialized services. These efforts align with the Vision on Sustainable Reintegration of Returnees in Iraq, focusing on increasing capacity and awareness, supporting flexible reintegration services, and enhancing referral mechanisms at various levels.

Both projects are implemented under the Nordic Cooperation on Return and Reintegration in Iraq (NORAQ) with the aim to secure an aligned, sustainable, and transparent reintegration services for all returnees to Iraq and to support the establishment of a robust and professional migration management capacity in Iraq.

This call for Expert will cover two positions in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah for a duration of three months. Strating timeline for position in Erbil will be 01 March- 30 May 2025 and in Sulaymaniyah from 01 May- 30 July 2024

Objective:
Working closely with the respective Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) Project Manager, the Expert/ counsellor will assist with the implementation of MRC activities and workplans, in support of effective communication, information and service delivery. S/he contributes to the organisation of events, day to day activities and outreach activities organised by the MRC. S/he works collaboratively with the MRC Coordinator and other Counsellors, administrative support staff, project teams, relevant local counterparts, and Units at Headquarters, ensuring the effective and timely delivery of MRC activities and services, in accordance with ICMPD rules and procedures.

Tasks:
The tasks to be completed by the Counselling and Awareness Raising Expert within this assignment are the following:

 

1. Support to MRC Activities: Via various means and platforms such as face-to-face, phone and online, counselling, guidance, referral and information provided to a variety of clients (prospective or returning migrants, migrants, families of migrants, etc.) who visit or attend MRC activities, initiating and following up on referrals, linking them with relevant agencies depending on their needs, e.g. technical and vocational institutes to upgrade their skills or with the relevant authorities for the processing of their documents for overseas employment. Outreach activities supported via the use of media and social media and participation in online discussions, forums or symposiums, conferences, and other related events. In collaboration with the MRC Coordinator the MRC website and database, Facebook page and other social media accounts regularly updated.

 

2. Support to Outreach Activities: In cooperation with relevant agencies both in the public and private sector, networks and contacts effectively established. Community events and outreach activities organised such as briefings in academic and training institutions, symposia with civil society, training of education or emigration consultancies, and the setting-up of booths, kiosks, or similar structures in public places to disseminate information and materials on safe, orderly, and regular migration, including on return and reintegration.

 

3. Preparation of Information Materials: In collaboration with the ICMPD team and whenever applicable, with consultants or experts, research or mapping undertaken of available migration-related programmes, services, and activities of various stakeholders. Knowledge materials compiled on migration that are helpful in the full operation and functioning of the MRC. Additional knowledge products and information materials revised, prepared, or further developed, as necessary, such as brochures, handbooks, audio-visual products, web-based information documents, etc. Online discussions relevant to migration, regularly maintained and populated, initiating regular and timely responses to issues raised and information requested.

 

4. Support to the MRC Coordination Activities: Assistance provided to the respective MRC Coordinator to ensure the timely, efficient, and effective implementation of MRC activities, and with the monitoring and updating of the workplans, as necessary, ensuring that outputs and outcomes are aligned and integrated with the national priorities and strategies of government partners, and of the projects. Substantive contributions provided to the preparation of relevant reports, responses to client feedback and monitoring and reporting to relevant agencies on any policy or programmatic recommendations. Information materials compiled and prepared for dissemination. The MRC database regularly updated recording relevant activities, events and outreach activities undertaken. Effective support provided to the MRC Coordinator in preparing weekly, quarterly and annual progress reports, work plans and budget, meeting agendas and minutes, activity and mission reports, expenditure plans and advance budget requests on agreed formats, and other documentary requirements.

 

Deliverables:

The Expert on Counselling and Awareness is expected to provide the following deliverables:

 

• Provide reports on counselling sessions, including the number of clients served, types of services provided, and follow-up actions taken.
• Summarize outreach activities supported via media, social media, and participation in online forums, conferences, and other events.
• Maintain records of referrals made, including the agencies involved and the status of follow-ups.
• Regularly update the MRC website, Facebook page, and other social media accounts with relevant information and resources.
• Establish and document networks and contacts with relevant agencies in the public and private sectors.
• Report on community events and outreach activities organized, including briefings, symposia, and training sessions.
• Compile and curate knowledge materials on migration for MRC operations.
• Develop new or revise existing brochures, handbooks, audio-visual products, and web-based information documents.
• Provide regular updates and summaries of online discussions relevant to migration, including responses to issues and information requests.
• Regularly monitor and update MRC workplans to ensure alignment with national priorities and strategies.
• Contribute to the preparation of weekly, quarterly, and annual progress reports, work plans, budgets, meeting agendas, minutes, activity and mission reports.
• Regularly update the MRC database, recording relevant activities, events, and outreach initiatives.

These deliverables will be submitted on day to day/ weekly/ monthly basis as per the requirements of the tasks, stated above and agreed timelines set with the MC Coordinator and Project Manager.

 

Reporting lines:

The Expert will report to the Project Manager ICMPD who will be in charge of the overall supervision both in terms of administrative and content issues and who will provide input and comments on deliverables as needed.

Qualifications and Experience:

 

Specific Expertise:

• Solid organizational, planning and prioritizing skills and abilities.
• Upon consultation with the supervisor, ability to make decisions in full compliance with ICMPD’s operational regulations and rules.
• Analytical thinking to gather, analyse and compile information, identifying critical relationships and patterns among data and proposing workable solutions.
• An understanding of migration dynamics in the country.
• Experience in the area of migration in the country.
• High sense of initiative and good judgement to be able to work independently with minimum supervision.
• Strong sense of client orientation and good understanding of effective service delivery, community engagement, outreach, and social work.
• Ability to work effectively with people of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds.
• Capability to establish effective relationships across the organisation at all levels.

 

Qualifications, Experience and Language Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree related to the area of work
• Minimum of 2 years of position-specific experience
• Working experience with international organisations, is an asset
• Experience in office administration and management
• Experience in working with local authorities and businesses
• Solid organisational skills
• Proficiency in verbal and written English and the language(s) of the duty station
• Proficiency in the use of standard IT tools.

 

Background information/documentation to be provided by ICMPD:

• Project document
• Documents related to outreach and awareness activities related to Migrant Resource Centre

 

Administrative Information:

• Travel

The Expert shall receive from ICMPD a travel itinerary and be entitled to receive a daily subsistence allowance (DSA) for the foresee out-stationed activities. Travel and mission related payments will be processed according to ICMPD Travel Rules applicable at the time when the travel takes place.

• Payment

Fees for the assignment are paid upon satisfactory delivery of services, in line with the payment schedule stated in the contract and upon submission of required documentation.

Application Process:

 

Interested experts should send their CV with a reference to this announcement in the subject line of the email to Hussein.Al-Barazanje@icmpd.org

The subject line should state “Expert on Counselling and Awareness (Migrant Resource Centre)” Applications without this title will not be considered.

 

Due to the high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The applicants should be available for a face-to face meeting or an interview via videoconference.

The assignment is subject to project funds availability and/or final approval by the donor. The invitation to an interview does not establish any right to future employment.