Applications are welcome from internal and external candidates. For all IOM vacancies, applications from qualified and eligible first-tier candidates are considered before those of qualified and eligible second-tier candidates in the selection process. For the purpose of this vacancy, internal candidates are considered first-tier candidates.
Context
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) offers personal return counselling to migrants interested in voluntary returns in Berlin, Rhineland-Palatinate and Bremerhaven. The purpose of the return counselling is to help migrants understand their individual options and make an informed decision. Here, great importance is placed on individual unbiased counselling.
Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM) and the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Assistant (AVRR) and in close coordination with the Project Assistants the incumbent will be responsible for providing counselling services for migrants in different locations in Rhineland-Palatine, Germany, with a particular focus on Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR).

QUALIFICATIONS

Education
Completed High School degree from an accredited academic institution, with four years of relevant professional experience in the field of migration.
OR
University degree in Social Work, Social Science, Social pedagogics or a related field from an accredited academic institution, with up to two years of relevant professional experience, preferably in similar roles;
Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database .

Experience

• Counselling in a social context (preferably migration)
• Experiences of working with vulnerable groups an advantage
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge on migration with a focus on implementing and processing AVRR activities in Germany is an asset;
• Previous work experience with national, regional or international public bodies and knowledge about the AVRR landscape in Germany would be an advantage;

Skills

• Driver’s license and willingness to travel is required
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is required.

Languages

• English (Fluent) and German (Fluent)
• Knowledge of other official IOM languages (French, Spanish) an advantage as well as knowledge of Turkish, Russian Macedonian, Serbian, or Arabic.

IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish.
Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Assist in planning, organizing and delivering the AVRR counselling service to migrants in several locations in Rhineland-Palatine (e.g. asylum reception centres)
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- Visit and counsel migrants in appointed areas in relation to AVRR and what it entails for migrants throughout the process;
- In coordination with the Programme Assistant, provides information and counselling on relief offers, governmental support and/or private services to potential returnees;
- Provides up-to-date, objective and reliable information on AVRR support available and, if possible, the situation in countries of return, and by doing so, assists in migrant’s informed decisions on return or other available options, as required, initializes support concerning return and reintegration;
- Refers the migrants for further counselling pertaining to vulnerabilities identified and regarding asylum and legal possibilities to stay, if applicable
- Maintain records of all activities and contacts with applicants as well as individual inquiries and report these records periodically in a timely manner
- Support the Programme Assistant in annual project reporting and monitoring to the donor as well as in sharing of information with other IOM Missions or counterparts;
- Supports the Programme Assistant with design materials for outreach and visibility of the availability of return-counselling in the reception centers.
- Exchanges experience and collaborates with other players in the sector of migration counselling in Germany;
- Supports the organization and preparations of regular meetings and joint thematic events targeting other migration actors in different locations in Germany;
- Assists the Programme Assistant in the development and implementation of a strategy to inform the target group about possibilities of the voluntary return through the existing programs in Rhineland-Palatine;
- Acts as a replacement of team members when and if necessary;
- Performs any such other duties as may be assigned by the immediate supervisor and/or CoM.