Return Counselor

Context: 

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM) and direct supervision of the Senior Project Associate (and, in collaboration with State Secretariat for Migration – SEM – and other partners in the Federal Asylum Centres, FACs), the Return Counsellor is responsible for undertaking return counselling in the FACs in Perreux and Bure. The selected candidate will collaborate with the existing team of 8 return counsellors, while supporting the project manager with the implementation and coordination of return counselling in the FACs and in close coordination with the other Return Counsellors. 

Core Functions / Responsibilities: 

1. Provide specific return counselling services and extensive information on Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) to all asylum seekers residing in those centers (or centers in this region under IOM’s return counselling mandate);
2. Organize and facilitate a well prepared and safe journey home in cooperation with relevant Swiss governmental authorities (State Secretariat for Migration, SwissREPAT) while screening and giving special support to vulnerable cases;
3. Organize travel documents in coordination with SEM for migrants who do not have them; IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive environment. Internal and external candidates are eligible to apply to this vacancy. For the purpose of the vacancy, internal candidates are considered as first-tier candidates.
4. Regularly liaise with IOM Bern when using its various AVRR support services such as the “Return Information Fund” (RIF) and when booking flights via SIM, as well as “Reintegration Assistance for Switzerland” (RAS);
5. Input all activities in the eRetour and IOM database (Mimosa), as well as filing on individual cases. Participate in drafting and updating project reports, statistical, narrative reports, handbooks dedicated to return counselling and the internal newsletter Going Home;
6. Liaise with all relevant partners at the reception centre and ensure good information flows for all involved partners, especially with the designated focal point of SEM on Return and Dublin;
7. Liaise with consulates, consular sections and country missions for the issuance of travel documents, where applicable;
8. Provide information to IOM missions and other counterparts on Swiss AVRR case processing and counselling experience. Cooperate on capacity-building and skills exchange projects aiming at empowering AVRR activities in Switzerland and abroad;
9. Ensure the visibility of the presence of IOM in the center and its role as Return Counsellor;
10. Regular travels to Bern for team meetings or other gatherings (5-6 times per year) and to Federal Asylum Center Bure (once a week) required.
11. Coordinate within the team covering the same region in view of replacement;
12. Perform other duties as may be assigned, as agreed with the IOM Switzerland Chief of Mission or the Program Manager.