Result of Service

The implementation of the policies on prevention of Trafficking in Persons in Africa (TIP ) and Prevention of Smuggling of Migrants in Africa.

Work Location

Addis Ababa

Expected duration

11

Duties and Responsibilities

BACKGROUND
International migration has recently received much attention because of the demographic, economic, social, political, and cultural implications in countries of origin, transit and destination. Human mobility across borders has been on an exponential increase since the Second World War. Globalization has opened further avenues for migration. First, distances are no longer barriers. Second, information is widely available, and people can easily know where opportunities are available. Thus, globalization has increased the interconnectedness of nation states and therefore has increased migration flows. According to Laing (2015), the world is experiencing an era of unprecedented human mobility, a period in which people are on the move than ever before. More than 1 billion in a world of 7 billion are on the move. Of these, 250 million are international migrants and 750 million are domestic migrants.
With these growing numbers in migration, the responses have been varied. Some countries of origin actively promote emigration as a source of remittances and have even established official programs of diaspora involvement in development. However, in other countries of origin, especially where governance issues have led to collapse of economies and resulted in the exodus of citizens as economic refugees, they perceive migrants as opponents or indifferently. The responses of recipient countries have varied mainly on the level of restriction to entry and rights of migrants once in the country. In host countries, local citizens have taken sides on either being pro-migration on or anti-migration. Thus, the emotive nature of migration has resulted in the issue being politicized and influenced public policy in most countries. According to Collier (2015) Migration policy has been fought over through using competing values rather than competing evidence.
Evidence suggests the rise of larger scale irregular migratory flows, including the numbers of migrants returning to their countries of origin, and with it, the focus on reintegration initiatives, as well as the diversity of actors involved in migration management and governance. Sustainable reintegration is a key aspect of the migration process, and part of comprehensive migration management. In view of this, several frameworks have shaped the overall African approach to migration issues. The Migration Policy Framework for Africa which was adopted in 2006 and revised in 2018 aims to assist governments and RECs in the formulation of their own national and regional migration policies in accordance with their own priorities and resources. The overarching principle that guides the ECA and AUC work on migration is contained in the Addis Ababa Declaration on Population and Development in Africa beyond 2014 that emphasizes the commitment to reinforce and establish bilateral, regional, and global partnerships on migration to progressively reduce barriers on movement while upholding the fundamental human rights of all migrants and make migration an instrument of mutual development for the benefit of migrants and countries. At the level, the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular migration – GCM sets out 23 objectives and affirms that migration is a source of prosperity, innovation, and development, but can also give rise to risks and challenges in origin, transit, and destination countries.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Chief of the Social Policy Section, Gender Poverty and Social Policy Division and the direct supervision of the AUC, Head of Division for Labour, Employment & Migration based at the African Union commission (AUC), the successful candidate will substantively support the coordination and implementation of the project.
a. Provide technical support in the implementation of the Policies on the prevention of Trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants in Africa and their 5 Year implementation Plans of Action.
b. Support the coordination of the work of the AU Horn of Africa including the implementation of its Work Plan.
c. Assist in popularization of the above-mentioned policies through development and implementation of a robust popularization and awareness strategy.
d. Support the focal point on all issues and interventions on combating irregular migration in Africa.
e. Assist in the development of relevant strategic and annual activity work-plans, technical proposals, and budgets.
f. Develop and implement relevant monitoring of initiatives and programs on irregular migration and providing timely reports and briefing notes.
g. Assist in liaising with relevant AU departments, offices and other relevant stakeholders, including the Continental Operational Center in Sudan to enhance collaboration and complementarity of interventions.
h. Participate and contribute to resource mobilization including development of relevant proposals for funding.
i. Support in the organization and hosting relevant regional and international forums and meetings on combating irregular migration
j. Participate in the work of the Joint AU-EU-UN Task force on the issues of stranded migrants in SAHEL Regions including relevant interventions.
k. Perform other duties as assigned by the Supervisor

Qualifications/special skills

An advanced degree (Master’s Degree) in migration, political/social science, international relations or other related disciplines is required. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
A minimum of 5 years of demonstrable experience in the areas of combating irregular migration in Africa, especially on issues of trafficking in person and smuggling of migrants.
Experience in working in the law enforcement area on issues of transnational crime is highly desirable.
An in-depth knowledge and specialization in the field of human trafficking and migrant smuggling in Africa.
At least 5 years working experience working in a national or multilateral institution dealing with issues of TIP or SOM in Africa.
A good analytical and problem-solving skills, sound judgement, including ability to identify and contribute to the solution of problems/issues.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in either working language is required. Knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.