Operations Assistant – Counter‑Trafficking Projects

About the role

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission and the direction of the Senior Project Officer, the Operations Assistant will manage and implement the Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) project for victims of trafficking and support counter‑trafficking prevention activities. This part‑time (60‑80%) fixed‑term position is based in Bern, Switzerland, from 1 December 2026 to 31 July 2027.

Key responsibilities

• Develop project documents and budgets, submit to donors and seek financial support.
• Oversee implementation, financial tracking, and produce narrative and financial reports.
• Provide return‑relevant information to the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration, cantonal counselling offices and NGOs.
• Deliver operational return assistance for individual returnees in coordination with IOM missions and Swiss counterparts, including the SIM‑program.
• Coordinate reintegration assistance with missions and SEM, and prepare detailed case closures with payment information.
• Process beneficiary files, enter data into databases, handle invoices and communications, and share casework with a colleague.
• Organise and participate in annual coordination meetings with donors, NGOs and counselling offices.
• Support preparation and delivery of training sessions for return counselling offices and NGOs.
• Assist the project manager in fundraising and planning of counter‑trafficking awareness‑raising activities, including drafting documents and compiling materials.

Required profile

• University degree (Bachelors) in International Administration/Relations, Social Sciences or related field with at least two years relevant experience, or secondary school certificate with five years experience.
• Experience in combating human trafficking, communication or prevention campaigns, and knowledge of migration issues in Switzerland.
• Proven ability to liaise with governmental authorities, NGOs and other stakeholders at national and cantonal levels.
• Experience organising events and managing the full project cycle.
• Fluency in German, English and French; additional languages such as Italian are an advantage.
• Demonstrated competencies in teamwork, delivering results, knowledge sharing, accountability and communication as defined by the IOM competency framework.