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Lead migration and displacement thematic work, support national societies, coordinate partnerships, and require advanced degree, 10+ years experience, and humanitarian diplomacy skills.
Last checked: 3 hours ago
Closing date: Friday, 3 July 2026
Country: Malaysia
Duty station: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Contract type: National
Grade: N/A
Applicant eligibility: Not explicit in source
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The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191 member National Societies. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” The IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises. The IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of the IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.
The Asia Pacific region is the most disaster-prone in the world. Many countries face overlapping challenges of natural hazards amidst various disease outbreaks such as COVID-19. Extreme weather events like flooding, severe winters, tropical cyclones, and typhoons – compounded by climate change and rapid urbanization – are growing in scale, magnitude, and intensity, putting many vulnerable communities at risk and leading to widespread displacement and migration including forcing millions of people to settle in disaster-prone areas. Urbanization also places an increasing demand on systems including food, water, transport, and health. There is also a high risk of urban heatwaves, coastal hazards, and sea-level rise. Furthermore, countries positioned on the Pacific 'Ring of Fire' are prone to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis. Human-induced and technological disasters, including conflict-related displacement, and epidemics also affect communities in the region. Although economic development is gradually reducing inequality between nations, there is a trend of increased inequality within nations, in some cases affecting social cohesion.
Migration is one of the five Strategic Priorities of the IFRC Strategy 2030 and included in the IFRC’s Secretariat Strategic Plan 2021-2025. A Movement Migration Strategy was adopted by the Council of Delegates in 2024 and sets the direction for National Societies, the IFRC Secretariat and the ICRC until 2030.
The Thematic Lead, Migration and Displacement leads in ensuring appropriate implementation of s2030 and the Movement Migration Strategy in the Asia Pacific Region. S/he focuses on ensuring both a targeted approach to address the needs of vulnerable migrants and displaced persons, and the mainstreaming of issues related to migration and displacement across the work of the IFRC network.
The Thematic Lead, Migration and Displacement – reporting to the Head of Health, Disaster, Climate and Crisis (HDCC) Unit and with a technical line to the Global Migration and Displacement Manager – is responsible to lead the the regional strategy of migration and displacement and coordinate its implementation across all Federation-wide programmes and operations in the Asia Pacific region.
This position will oversee the design and execution of all related deliverables and coordinate delivery in this important area of work in relation to humanitarian diplomacy and capacity strengthening activities.
The Thematic Lead oversees regional policy advocacy and application in these areas; ensures coordination and technical support for implementation of the Migration and Displacement frameworks, NS capacity strengthening, long term projects and programmes, emergencies, and support to protracted crisis and supervises the adaptation and use of related guidance, standards and tools for use of the IFRC network in Asia Pacific. The Strategic Lead has regional responsibility to influence and advise senior leadership in the organization as well as other strategic level discussions with external stakeholders on related areas of work, while positioning IFRC and the NS in the region as key actors in Migration and Displacement. The Strategic Lead provides overall coordination support and contributes to the achievement of IFRC’s global commitments towards Migration and Displacement.
Strategic leadership, direction, programmatic coherence, and capacity enhancement:
Management:
Coordination and networking:
Representation:
Required
Advanced degree in International Law, Human Rights Law, International Relations, Refugee Law or related field.
Preferred
Basic Delegates Training Course (BTC), WORC, IMPACT or equivalent knowledge.
Required
Minimum 10 years of professional experience in migration, displacement, human rights and protection issues; with a grasp of migration issues and trends in the Asia Pacific region
Demonstrated experience in programme design and implementation related to migration
Experience in the provision of high-quality technical and policy advice to stakeholders at all levels of organizational hierarchy on migration and displacement issues
Experience in humanitarian diplomacy in negotiating support and involvement of affected people, partner organizations, donors and government on migration matters
Experience working within the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, or a humanitarian aid organization, in a developing country and/or working with migrants and refugees
Experience of successful fundraising and managing donor relations
Experience in narrative and financial reporting
Experience in a developing country
Preferred
Management or supervisory experience in a multicultural environment
Experience in legal/academic writing and drafting
Self-supporting in computers (Email, Internet, spread sheets, word-processing, etc.)
Strong knowledge of International Law, Refugee Law, Human Rights, Humanitarian Law and other legal and normative frameworks related to migration
Ability to gather, analyze, and evaluate facts and prepare and present concise oral and written reports for internal and external audiences
Ability to work within a matrix management structure and utilize talent and experience of other team members effectively
Ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
Results oriented and demand-driven individual
Demonstrated leadership and management skills
Excellent oral, written and presentation skills
High degree of discretion, tact and sensitivity in dealing with internal and external clients and stakeholders at all levels with complete integrity and confidentiality
Strong research and analytical skills
Awareness of the IFRC Strategy 2030 and its Plan and Budget
Fluently spoken and written English
Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic)
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