Migration and Asylum Programme Officer

The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN) is looking for a MIGRATION AND ASYLUM PROGRAMME OFFICER based in its Copenhagen office

Closing date for receipt of applications: Sunday 22 June 2014 (24:00)

The EMHRN is looking for a dedicated and dynamic new Programme Officer to coordinate and implement its Migration and Asylum programme. The position is based in Copenhagen, Denmark (with possible relocation in the region at later stage).

BACKGROUND

The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN) is a network of more than 80 human rights organizations in 30 countries. Its mission is to promote and strengthen human rights and democratic reform within Euro-Mediterranean relations, the European Neighbourhood Policy and other EU- Arab cooperation frameworks. The Network seeks to develop and strengthen partnerships between NGOs in the Euro-Med region, disseminate human rights values and increase members' capacity in this regard (see also www.euromedrights.org). EMHRN's headquarters are in Copenhagen, and it has offices in Brussels, Paris, Tunis and Amman.

Migration and border control have become central issues in the framework of Euro-Mediterranean cooperation. European migration policies increasingly focus on limiting access to EU territory, while countries in the south and east Mediterranean are reluctant and struggling to become migrant- and refugee-hosting countries. In this context, the purpose of the EMHRN's work is to foster a human-rights based approach to migration issues and to support local organisations engaging in the promotion and protection of the rights of migrants and refugees in the Euro-Mediterranean region. To do so, it monitors political and legislative developments in the field, carries out joint advocacy initiatives, and engages in capacity building for local organisations. The EMHRN also seeks to reinforce networking, exchange of expertise and cooperation between actors from the different countries around the Mediterranean (South-South, North-South and North-North cooperation). To foster this regional collaboration, it has set up a Working Group on Migrants, Refugees, and Asylum Seekers (MRA WG), which brings together European and South/East Mediterranean civil society organisations active in protecting and promoting migrant and refugee rights.

THE JOB

As EMHRN Migration and Asylum Programme Officer, you will be responsible for implementing and developing the EMHRN programme in the field of migration and asylum. You will work under the supervision of the Programme Director, and in close contact with members of EMHRN's Executive Committee and the MRA WG.

Applicants should have as a minimum a university/Master degree in political or social science, law, human rights or related fields. Applicants should be strongly committed to working in the field of human rights and have a previous international experience with migration and/or asylum issues of minimum 2 to 5 years. They should in particular be able to demonstrate experience in:

• Working effectively with civil society organisations, in particular coordinating activities and building alliances  to achieve common objectives;
• Identifying, analyzing and understanding the trends and strategic developments in the field of migration and asylum in Europe, in North Africa/Middle East and within the relations between these two regions;

Main qualifications are:

• Proven track record with civil society work in the Middle East/North Africa
• Experience within project management, preferably in an NGO
• Knowledge of migration and asylum related issues
• Knowledge of EU policies and experience engaging with EU institutions, particularly in the field of migration.
• Excellent English and French and (both written and spoken)
• Computer literacy (Word and Excel required).

Other key qualifications, experience and assets include:

• Good communication skills (oral and written)
• Ability to draft clearly and succinctly
• Ability to establish and maintain contacts with NGOs, government representatives and representatives of inter-governmental institutions
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to maintain excellent working relationships
• Ability to deal with multiple, sometimes conflicting priorities, and to adapt to changing environments
• Knowledge of human rights standards and international law (beyond migration and asylum issues) will considered an advantage
• Knowledge of Arabic will be considered an advantage
• Ability to keep strict deadlines and deal with several projects simultaneously

For a full description of the position, please see here.

CONTRACT

Start of assignment: 15 August 2014 at the latest

Contract: one year time-limited contract (under Danish law) with possibility of a time-unlimited contract after one year.

Location: EMHRN office, Copenhagen

Relocation after a year: the EMHRN is considering a possible relocation of the project in the region (Amman or Tunis) after a year. The decision of relocating, and its implementation if decided, will be made in close consultation with the Programme Officer.

Salary:  based on EMHRN internal salary scale for Copenhagen-based staff (providing for a competitive remuneration package)

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS

Applicants should forward 1) a letter of application and 2) a CV, by email and in English, before Sunday 22 June2014 (24:00) to Fabrice Liebaut, Head of Administration Finances and Human Resourcesat fli@euromedrights.net. The email as well as the attached documents should refer to "EMHRN Migration". Letters or CVs drafted in another language than English or received after the deadline will NOT be considered.

All applicants will be informed about of the outcome of their application shortly after the above-mentioned deadline.

The interviews will be held in EMHRN in Copenhagen or via Skype as soon as possible after the above deadline. Interview swill be conducted in English and French and will last approximately 60 minutes. Shortlisted applicants will be requested to discuss their credentials on the following main issues, amongst other topics:

• Knowledge of and experience with migration/asylum issues (including EU migration policies)
• Experience with NGO work, in particular in a North-African/Middle East context
• Organisational and coordination skills

FURTHER INFORMATION

You are welcome to contact Marit Flø Jørgensen, Programme Director, at mfj@euromedrights.net for further information on the position. For information on EMHRN projects on migration and asylum, seehttp://www.euromedrights.org/eng/2012/09/24/migration-refugees-working-group/andhttp://euromed-migrasyl.blogspot.com/. For overall information on the EMHRN, please refer towww.euromedrights.org

Download a pdf version of the document here