Return Counsellor

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.

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM), direct supervision of the Senior Project Associate and, in collaboration with the State Secretariat for Migration – SEM – and other partners in the Federal Asylum Centres (FACs), the Return Counsellor is responsible for return counselling in the FAC in Alststätten (80%) and, should the need arise, other centers in the region of East Switzerland and Zurich airport as a temporary replacement. The selected candidate will collaborate with the existing team of 9 IOM return counsellors working in other FACs around Switzerland, while supporting the Senior Project Associate with the overall implementation and coordination of return counselling with other other return counsellors in the region and in Switzerland.

Responsibilities

1. Provide specific return counselling services and extensive information on Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) to all asylum seekers residing in the FAC in the duty station  (or centers in East Switzerland under IOM’s return counselling mandate);

2. Organize and facilitate a well prepared and safe journey home in cooperation with relevant Swiss governmental authorities (SEM, SwissREPAT) while screening and giving special support to vulnerable cases;

3. Organize travel documents in coordination with SEM for migrants who do not possess them;

4. Regularly liaise with IOM Bern when using its various AVRR support services such as the “Return Information Fund” (RIF) and when booking flights via SIM “Swiss-REPAT-IOM Movement”, as well as “Reintegration Assistance for Switzerland” (RAS);

5. Input all activities in the eRetour and IOM database (Mimosa), and maintain complete documentation on individual cases. Participate in drafting and updating project reports, statistical and narrative reports, handbooks dedicated to return counselling and the internal newsletter Going Home;

6. Liaise with all relevant partners in the respective reception centres and ensure efficient information flows with all involved partners, especially with the designated focal points of SEM on Return and Dublin; participate in regular meetings and esnure efficient cooperation on cases and information flows with return counsellors in the East Switzerland region;

7. Liaise with consulates, consular sections of embassies  for the issuance of travel documents, where applicable;