Counsellor Associate (AVRR Counselling) area Rhineland-Palatinate

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) offers personal counselling to migrants interested in voluntary returns in Berlin and Rhineland-Palatinate as part of the AVRR project. 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 guidance of the Senior National Policy and Programming Officer and the direct supervision of the National Project Manager (Counselling) the incumbent will be responsible and accountable for the following: 

1. Provide counselling and information about voluntary return. Clarifies the individual perspectives concerning abode and return of persons seeking information and provides up-to-date, objective and reliable information on the situation in countries of return and concerning offers of support for AVRR, and by doing so, assists in migrant’s informed decisions on return or other available options;
2. Provide information and counselling concerning potential additional (municipal) incentives and assistance schemes;
3. Provide information concerning partner organizations, state-run and private contact points and local relief organizations and arranging contacts with these institutions for persons seeking information;
4. Provide information on relief offers, governmental support and/or private services to potential returnees (current programme promotes reintegration, potential direct assistance, Medicare and counselling service in the Country of Origin)
5. As required, initialize support concerning return and reintegration (within the scope of existing AVRR programmes of IOM Germany);
6. Liaise with employees of the local public governmental and non-government authorities  and hold consultations; Participates in informal meetings to exchange information and to coordinate the work of the centre;
7. Exchange experience and collaborates with other players in the sector of migration counselling
8. Organize and prepare regular meetings and joint thematic events targeting other migration actors in Germany.
9. Develop and implement strategy to inform the target group about possibilities of the voluntary return through the existing programs.
10. Organize, prepare and conduct mobile counselling sessions 
11. Organize and coordinate the day-to-day business of the AVRR Counselling Centre at duty station. 
12. Distribute information and public relations concerning the counselling centre and its work.
13. Perform any other duties as assigned. 
     

EDUCATION

• University degree in in Political or Social Sciences or Social Work/ Pedagogy, education as Social Counselor or a related field from an accredited academic institution, with at least three year of relevant professional experience, preferably in similar roles;
  OR

• Completed High School degree from an accredited academic institution, with at least five years of relevant working experience, preferably in similar roles. 

   

EXPERIENCE &SKILLS

• Relevant working experience concerning migration issues and/or project-related work and Counselling services

• Knowledge of German and EU institutions and German and EU migration policies is an asset; 

• Demonstrated experience and knowledge on migration with a focus on AVRR is an asset; 

• Previous work experience with national, regional or international public bodies and knowledge of AVRR landscape in Germany would be an advantage.

• Driver's license valid in Germany. 

LANGUAGES

Fluent knowledge of English and German (Oral and written) is required for this position. Knowledge of other official IOM language an advantage as well as knowledge of Russian, Turkish, Urdu or Arabic.