Officer, Migration and Displacement

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191-member National Societies (NSs). The overall aim of IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by NSs with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.

IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services.

IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. IFRC also has country cluster delegations and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles.

Job Purpose

The Migration and Displacement Officer provides technical and operational support to IFRC and the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) in the context of migration and displacement. This support is provided in line with the IFRC Asia Pacific Migration and Displacement Framework for Action and the IFRC Global Migration Strategy, as well as relevant Red Cross and Red Crescent Policies and Guidelines on Migration and Displacement. Priorities areas of support include community and longer-term programming; emergencies; advocacy and diplomacy; and capacity strengthening at all levels. 

In the context of Afghanistan, a migration and displacement officer typically serve a crucial role in addressing the challenges faced by internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees within the country, where ongoing conflict and natural disasters have contributed significantly to displacement, the role of a migration and displacement officer is critical in providing humanitarian assistance, protection, and support to vulnerable populations.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Strengthening the capacity of the Afghan Red Crescent Society

• Provide capacity strengthening support to ARCS (at HQ and branch level) to understand the role of the movement in Migration and Displacement and within the Afghanistan country context.
• Continuously monitor and analyse migration and displacement-related trends and dynamics.
• Develop contextualised training on migration and displacement, ensuring all training and awareness-raising materials are based on Movement principles on migration and displacement, and core IFRC standards, including related to community engagement and accountability (CEA) and protection, gender, and inclusion (PGI).

Supporting Operations and Programmes

• Support ARCS and the IFRC to effectively respond to the humanitarian needs of IDPs and returnees in Afghanistan, through implementing preparedness, health, and social programmes.
• Coordinate assessments of humanitarian needs related to migration and displacement during disasters or emergencies and in non-emergency longer-term contexts.
• Conduct a needs assessment for the displaced people and returnees in order to provide practical recommendations to IFRC and ARCS for future responses and assistance.
• Provide regular updates and technical advice to the IFRC Afghanistan Country Delegation and Asia Pacific Regional Office based on contextual and situational analysis.
• Conduct a feasibility study for establishing Humanitarian Service Points (HSPs) at key points of vulnerability in Afghanistan as a mechanism to assist and protect people on the move.
• Explore and advocate for durable solution for displaced people.

External engagement, advocacy and diplomacy

• Facilitate and engage in strategic dialogue and coordination among relevant stakeholders at national and provincial levels in the context of migration and displacement.
• In coordination with the IFRC Afghanistan CD, IFRC Regional Thematic Lead for Migration and Displacement, IFRC Regional Humanitarian Diplomacy Advisor, and the ARCS, represent the IFRC at key external fora and events related to migration and displacement.

Reporting and Communications

• Support high quality and regular reporting as required.
• Contribute to production of IFRC communication outputs related to migration and displacement in the context of Afghanistan.

Education

Required:

Advanced university degree in Social Sciences, International Human Rights or Refugee Law, International Relations, or related field .

Experience

Required:

• Minimum 3 years of professional experience in migration and displacement, including provision of high-quality technical advice.
• Demonstrated experience in programme design and implementation related to migration and displacement.
• Experience designing and implementing training courses.
• Experience in designing and conducting situation analysis and needs assessment.
• Experience of project management including monitoring, evaluating, and reporting on activities.
• Experience working in a team environment, with remote team members.
• Experience of coordinating and engaging with relevant stakeholders.

Preferred:

• Experience working within the International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement or another humanitarian organization and/or working with migrants and displaced people.
• Relevant experience of budget management.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Required:

• Understanding of migration and displacement issues and dynamics related to Afghanistan, including relevant legal and policy frameworks.
• Excellent oral, written and presentation skills.
• Time management and organisational skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to build effective partnerships and maintain working relationships within the organisation and with external partners.
• Ability to gather, analyse, and evaluate facts and prepare and present concise oral and written reports for internal and external audiences.
• Computer skills – competency in the use of relevant software and other applications, such as word processing, spread sheets, internal databases, Internet, etc.
• Fluently spoken and written English.
• Fluently spoken and written Dari/Pashto.

Preferred:

• Knowledge of International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement principles and approach.

Competencies, Values and Comments

Role Model Competencies: Accountability, Diversity, Integrity, Professionalism.

Collaboration: Teamwork.

Achievement: Communication, Self-Managing performance.

Commitment to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and seven principles.