EU Project: “Beyond Irregularity: Towards a sustainable approach to dealing with irregular migration from Sub-Saharan Africa to Europe” 

Project Summary
The overarching objective of the “Beyond Irregularity: Towards a sustainable approach to dealing with irregular migration from Sub-Saharan Africa to Europe” project is to create an evidence base which will enable individual governments, the EU and others to better manage and prevent irregular migration from Sub-Saharan African countries and transit in Morocco to the EU, and to institutionalise a dialogue about these issues between them.

The project’s specific objectives are to:

• analyse recent trends regarding irregular migration between Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe through collaborative action-oriented research
• enhance through training and collaborative research the institutional capacity of governments and civil society actors in countries of origin and transit to combat irregular migration, migrant smuggling and human trafficking
• strengthen the protection of migrants’ rights in transit countries
• raise awareness about the risks of irregular migration and exploitation by trafficking networks
• provide a strategic and sustainable framework for dialogue and cooperation around irregular migration and trafficking between EU member states and countries of origin and transit.

The project is coordinated by the Institute of Public Policy Research (ippr) and PICUM is one of several project partners. More information on the project is available at: www.picum.org

PICUM’s role in this two-year project will end on 30 June 2013.

Project Officer Position
The Project Officer will report to the Director and will work in close cooperation with other staff members.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Develop an advocacy training programme and run it with at least 20 members from the civil society in both Morocco and Nigeria; develop a training toolkit that will serve as a medium for participants to train other staff members from the same organisation but also for wider dissemination within the sector
• Support the Moroccan and Nigerian partners in setting up two social and professional reintegration schemes
• •Support partner organisations in setting up a network of stakeholders to serve as an advocacy force (advocating for reform of current legislation regarding irregular migrants)
• •With the PICUM director, co-lead the setting up of the Euro-Med CIMRA (Consortium for Irregular Migration Research and Advocacy) with the Sussex Centre for Migration Research
• •Actively participate in the project advisory group meetings, stakeholder meetings and conference
• •Attend and make presentations about the project findings at PICUM board meetings and PICUM’s Annual General Assembly.
• •Report on news and events related to the project for PICUM’s monthly newsletter, website and social media tools.
• •Liaise with PICUM’s Advocacy, Communications, and Membership Officers to relate project developments to PICUM’s relevant strategies in these areas and its overall work towards the EU institutions.
• •Prepare regular reports for project funder on project implementation.

Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:

• Experience in working in an international environment, with previous professional experience in the Magreb and/or sub-Saharan Africa preferred
• Fluency (or near native level) in written and spoken French and English; Arabic and/or other languages from the region an asset
• Demonstrated ability to do outreach to and work with a wide range of organizations and actors working on the local and national levels, including NGOs, researchers, international institutions, professionals, governmental representatives
• Strong organizational skills, initiative and follow-through, ability to work quickly and accurately under pressure and juggle multiple tasks, and ability to be collegial and team-oriented yet able to work independently;
• Ability to produce excellent, polished written material under tight deadlines;
• Ability to think analytically, creatively and strategically;
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate group meetings and/or workshops
• Deep knowledge of international human rights framework;
• An advanced (graduate) degree in law, international relations, migration studies, social sciences or a related field;
• A commitment to supporting the human rights of all migrants, irrespective of nationality, immigration status, or other matters.

Terms of Appointment

• This is a four-fifths (80%) position (30 hours/week).
• Conditions are according to Belgian legislation including the legal ability to live and work in Belgium.
• We offer an unlimited contract, with a six-month trial period. Additional benefits include meal vouchers, hospitalization insurance and end-of-year bonus (13th month).
• Required starting date: Monday 5 March 2012.
• Salary according to the wage scales of the Flemish integration sector, approximately € 2,315.00 gross salary/month.
• PICUM is an equal opportunities employer. Applications are welcomed from candidates regardless of race, sex, marital status, disability or sexuality.

To Apply
Please send an application form (download from www.picum.org) in English by Sunday 19 February 2012, addressed to Ms. Michele LeVoy, Director, to the email address of: alex@picum.org. Please note that only completed application forms will be accepted (not CVs or cover letters), and only by email (not by post).

Interviews will be scheduled on Monday 27 February 2012. Please note that only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

Employers want to know how you found their job advert so please state that you found this position advertised on the EurActiv JobSite. 
 

The JobSite can give you more...
Get a bi-weekly newsletter featuring the latest jobs published online here.
Become the JobSite's fan on Facebook.
Follow us on Twitter and receive the latest news and job of the day.
 

Disclaimer: EurActiv is not responsible for the content of the job vacancies published. Reproduction or redistribution of the above text, in whole, part or in any form, requires the prior consent of the original source. Terms and Conditions apply.