MENA Programme Officer

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Position description

International Detention Coalition (IDC) is a unique global network, of over 200 civil society organisations and individuals in more than 75 countries, that coordinates with members and partners on advocacy, research, coalition and capacity building, to eliminate immigration detention and advance rights-based alternatives to detention.

Role Purpose

IDC is seeking a highly organised and motivated MENA Regional Officer based in Morocco, with a strong background in advocacy on migration, human rights, refugee protection and alternatives to immigration detention. Administrative and organizational skills are central to this role.

The ideal candidate will support regional project coordination, advocacy engagement, member relations, events, research, communications and institutional reporting across the MENA region, with particular attention to North Africa including Mauritania.

Strong organisational skills, excellent writing, planning, stakeholder engagement experience and solid knowledge of migration and human rights in the MENA region are essential.

Role Summary

The MENA Regional Officer will play an important role in supporting IDC’s work in the MENA region. Working closely with the MENA Regional Manager and relevant IDC team members, the Regional Officer will contribute to the implementation of regional programmes, advocacy strategies, events, consultations, member engagement and capacity development activities.

The role combines coordination, administration, research, communications, advocacy support and stakeholder engagement. The MENA Regional Officer will help strengthen relationships with IDC members, civil society partners, government actors, national human rights institutions, UN agencies, regional bodies, donors and other relevant stakeholders.

The Regional Officer will be based in Morocco and available to travel within the MENA region as required.

Role Responsibilities

Project implementation, admin support and support to IDC members and partners

• Contribute to the implementation of national and regional projects, advocacy initiatives, workshops, consultations and events across the MENA region.
• Provide technical, administrative, logistical and coordination support to the MENA Regional Programme in collaboration with the MENA Regional Manager, IDC staff, members and partners.
• Support the implementation of IDC’s mission and strategic priorities in the MENA region through strong operational coordination and advocacy engagement.
• Support IDC members and partners in the region, including through regular communication, follow-up, capacity strengthening and network building.
• Maintain clear systems for project timelines, deliverables, documentation, meeting follow-ups and internal coordination.
• Support administrative and financial processes linked to the MENA Regional Programme, including budget tracking, payment follow-up and documentation.

Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement

• Support the development and implementation of advocacy strategies related to immigration detention, alternatives to detention, migrant rights, refugee protection and regional migration governance.
• Engage, in coordination with the MENA Regional Manager, with a wide range of stakeholders, including civil society organisations, migrant and refugee-led organisations, government representatives, national human rights institutions, UN agencies, regional networks and donors.
• Contribute to drafting advocacy materials, briefing notes, talking points, concept notes, letters, policy updates and strategic communications tailored to different audiences across the MENA region.
• Maintain regular contact with IDC members and partners to identify policy gaps, advocacy opportunities, protection concerns, partnership spaces and needs for coordinated action.
• Assist in planning and facilitating stakeholder consultations, trainings, workshops, peer-learning exchanges and regional events promoting rights-based alternatives to detention.
• Support advocacy engagement in North Africa including Morocco and Mauritania, including mapping relevant actors, policy spaces, institutional entry points and civil society priorities.

Communication

• Assist with developing print and digital communication materials for the MENA region, including social media content, event material, newsletters, updates and member communications.
• Support the dissemination of IDC resources among members and partners through relevant platforms and communication channels.
• Contribute to media monitoring and tracking relevant developments on migration, detention, and other relevant issues in the MENA region.
• Support the documentation of promising practices, member initiatives, advocacy progress and policy developments.

Internal Systems, Monitoring, Fundraising, and Institutional Support

• Contribute to IDC’s fundraising efforts by supporting background research, donor identification and mapping, proposal drafting, coordination of inputs and preparation of concept notes aligned with regional priorities.
• Support accurate and timely monitoring and reporting of programme activities in line with IDC’s monitoring, evaluation and learning systems.
• Maintain organised records of project outcomes, stakeholder engagement, advocacy activities, meetings and communications to support institutional memory and knowledge sharing.
• Assist in preparing high-quality reports, updates, presentations and documentation for internal use, funders, members and external partners.
• Support budget tracking, planning and financial monitoring in collaboration with the MENA Regional Manager, Executive Director and relevant IDC staff.

Core Responsibilities

• Actively contribute to a culture of collaboration, teamwork, accountability and care within IDC.
• Demonstrate strong alignment with IDC’s mission, vision and core values of innovation, collaboration, respect, representation and solutions-focused work.
• Demonstrate understanding of IDC policies, including IDC’s safeguarding policy for children and vulnerable adults, and contribute to a safe and respectful working environment.
• Engage with organisational systems, processes and infrastructure to support sustainability, safeguarding of institutional knowledge and continuity of core activities.

Qualifications

Essential Criteria

• Demonstrated understanding of migration, human rights, refugee protection and advocacy in the MENA region, with strong knowledge of North Africa.
• A university degree in a relevant field such as international relations, law, migration studies, political science, human rights, development studies or social sciences.
• A minimum of five years of professional experience in project coordination, stakeholder engagement, advocacy, migration, human rights or civil society work.
• Proven experience in reporting, documentation and follow-up, including contributions to monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) processes and reporting experience.
• Strong communication, writing, coordination and organisational skills, with the ability to manage several priorities in a remote working environment.
• Experience engaging with diverse stakeholders, including governments, civil society, migrant-led groups, UN agencies and other relevant actors.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organise and facilitate meetings, workshops, trainings, consultations and advocacy activities.
• Excellent attention to detail, follow-up skills and ability to maintain clear internal systems.
• Ability to take initiative, work autonomously, manage competing deadlines, prioritise workload and remain flexible in a regional working environment.
• Proficiency in digital communication tools, online collaboration platforms and social media.
• Ability to travel within the MENA region for the role.
• Residing in Morocco, with the legal right to work in the country of residence.
• Fluency in Arabic and English, written and spoken, is mandatory. French would be considered an asset.
• Strong commitment to IDC’s mission and values, including safeguarding, child protection, inclusion, equity and representation.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience working on immigration detention, alternatives to detention or migration governance including with migrant-led, refugee-led or community-based organisations.
• Knowledge of regional mechanisms, national human rights institutions and migration policy spaces in North Africa and the wider MENA region.
• Experience supporting fundraising, donor reporting or proposal development.

Application instructions

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