Project Officer, Regional Mixed Migration Secretariat - National position

Background

The Horn of Africa is an important departure point for people in mixed migration flows. Each year tens of thousands of people leave or pass through Somalia and its neighbouring countries, including Yemen, in the hope of finding a safer or brighter future elsewhere. On-going coordination of mixed migration work in the region through Mixed Migration Task Forces (MMTFs) in Somalia and Yemen, as well as other forums have identified many of the overall regional migration challenges as have the Regional Conferences on mixed migration in the Gulf of Aden, held in Yemen in 2008 and Djibouti in 2009. A meeting in Djibouti in March 2011 served to specifically consult on and discuss the establishment of such a secretariat.

This establishment of the RMMS is based on extensive consultations between the partners to discuss the protection gaps, needs and how key stakeholders can best collaborate to address gaps and improve mixed migration management and response. In addition the experience of operating a regional migration coordination system in Eastern Europe neighbourhood, namely the Söderköping Process, is being used to inform the design of the RMMS. It is important that the work of the new Secretariat remain focused on improving information flow and coordination among the already existing forums in the region and avoid duplicating their efforts. The Secretariat is thus not an implementing agency, but rather a coordination and research service.

The RMMS is hosted and managed by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) Regional Office for the Horn of Africa and Yemen, in Nairobi. It officially commenced its work in July 2011.

Purpose

The overall objective of the Regional Mixed Migration Secretariat (RMMS) is to support agencies, institutions and forums in the Horn of Africa and Yemen sub-region to improve the management of protection and assistance response to people in mixed migration flows in the Horn of Africa and across the Gulf of Aden or Red Sea in Yemen. It will from the onset concentrate on the so-called “northern route” mixed migration flows from Somalia and Ethiopia and through Somalia; Ethiopia and Djibouti to Yemen, but may in time look at the “southern” flow through Kenya as well. With the current drought crisis in the region the issue of survival migration and the increased refugee / migrant flows into Kenya and Ethiopia will also need special attention.

The RMSS Project Officer will assist the RMMS Coordinator in a wide range of activities as part of the overall strategy of the Regional Mixed Migration Secretariat.

Key Responsibilities:

The key responsibilities of the Project Officer can be summarized as offering high caliber support to the Coordinator and the RMMS specifically around the work of sourcing, synthesizing and processing information and data.

The key activities of the Project Officer will include:

• Information management and research comprising: the gathering and dissemination of existing data, information, legislation, news items, news archives, policies and conventions, reports, best practice experiences and working methods related to mixed migration.


• To perform analysis of regional mixed migration data, strategies, policies and legislation, and production and dissemination of quality reports under guidance from the RMMS Coordinator;


• Maintain and manage a web portal (using a user-friendly Content Management System), to make information and analysis available to regional MMTF agencies, state authorities and other stakeholders;


• Assist with the coordination and management of research initiatives in areas of interest related to mixed migration;


• Assist with advocacy, promotion of regional dialogue, networking and coordination by assisting the RMMS to facilitate and coordinate consultation/technical working workshops and conferences/meetings, and to assist in the identification of areas for research or tools development;


• Assisting the RMMS support to capacity building and advice in the region in relation to mixed migration;

Reporting Arrangements:

• The Project Officer of the Regional Mixed Migration Secretariat will be supervised by the RMMS Coordinator.


• The overall strategy and outline for the work of the RMMS will be laid and approved by the Steering Committee of the RMMS. The RMMS Coordinator will report to the Steering Committee on a quarterly basis, and work according to the rolling 6 months’ work plans approved by the Steering Committee.

Terms & Conditions

• Location: Based in Nairobi with possibility of travel within the region for specific duties


• Start of Contract & Duration: Start: 3 August 2015 – 31 December 2015 (renewable)


• Status of position: Open to Kenyan nationals only

Qualifications & Experience

• University degree (minimum) and preferably a Master’s degree in International Law, Political Sciences or similar discipline;


• A minimum of 3-5 years of experience in similar positions involving information management, research and communications;


• A minimum of 3-5 years of experience in positions requiring planning, analysis and problem solving;


• An active knowledge of the region and the socio-economic and political dynamics affecting it;


• Some human rights/protection knowledge and international refugee law and/or proven interest and/or track record in the humanitarian agenda;


• Having some understanding and interest in the regional mixed migration dynamic in the Horn of Africa and Yemen;


• Good IT command and close familiarity with the maintenance and management of template-style websites (but IT specialization is not required);


• Strong analytical and writing skills in English is essential; good command of one of the following languages is a strong added advantage: French, Arabic, Somali and/or Amharic;


• The successful candidate will have the ability to perform a series of tasks requiring the application of specialized and general skills;


• He/she must be comfortable working against set objectives with some degree autonomy when required and able to act with initiative;


• Although this is essentially a non-representational position, the RMMS Project Officer will be required to represent the Secretariat in meetings and in the absence of the Coordinator;


• The RMMS will be a small team and it is essential that candidates thrive in conditions of transparency and active team work;

About DRC

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a private, independent, humanitarian organization working on all aspects of the refugee cause in more than twenty five countries throughout the world. The aim of DRC is to protect refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) against persecution and to promote durable solutions to the problems of forced migration, on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. DRC works in accordance with the UN Conventions on Refugees and the Code of Conduct for the ICRC and NGOs in Disaster Relief.
The protection and assistance to conflict affected population is provided within a long-term, regional and rights-based approach in order to constitute a coherent and effective response to the challenges posed by today’s conflicts. Assistance consists of relief and other humanitarian aid, rehabilitation, support to return and repatriation as well as promotion of long-term solutions to displacement and its causes. In addition, support and capacity building of local and national authorities and NGOs form an integral part of DRC’s work.

How to apply:

Interested candidates who meet the required qualifications and experience are invited to submit updated CV and cover letter explaining their motivation and why they are suited for the post.

We only accept applications sent via our online-application form on www.drc.dk under Vacancies.

Please forward the application and CV, in English through the online application hereno later than 16 July, 2015

If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please contactjob@drc.dk

For general information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult www.drc.dk