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Protection of Family Links Field Officer

Application deadline
Place of work
Maputo, Mozambique
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The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), based in Geneva, is a humanitarian organization that provides protection and assistance to people affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence. It employs more than 20,000 staff and is present in 80 countries. The ICRC Delegation in Maputo is looking for a suitable candidate to fill the following vacancy: (one) Protection of Family Links (PFL) Field Officer.

Purpose:

The PFL Field Officer is based in Maputo and is primarily responsible for providing technical support and operational guidance to the Cruz Vermelha de Moçambique (CVM) and the ICRC field structures in Pemba Sub-Delegation and field offices in Cabo Delgado, monitoring the implementation of PFL activities and ensuring their coherence with the Movement's Restoring Family Links (RFL) strategic framework and institutional guidelines. To this end, the PFL Field Officer maintains regular dialogue with the CVM National PFL Focal Point and relevant provincial structures, providing technical support through field visits, training and operational follow-up. In coordination with the Cooperation Department, the PFL Field Officer contributes to the development and monitoring of joint plans of action, including the identification of priorities, resources and capacity-strengthening needs, and participates in relevant coordination meetings.

Functional Responsibilities:

  • Contributes to the analysis of PFL needs of individuals and families affected by armed conflict, displacement, detention, migration, natural disasters and other situations of violence in Mozambique, with particular attention to separated families and families of missing persons.
  • Contributes to the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the PFL program in Mozambique, with particular focus on the follow-up of individual cases, the management of search activities and the provision of technical support and capacity building to the CVM and the ICRC field structures.
  • Supports the management of the Protection/Tracing Office of the Mozambique Delegation, ensuring the centralization, registration, administration and analysis of individual PFL cases and related information. Coordinates case follow-up with ICRC field structures, the CVM and other ICRC delegations, as relevant, ensuring appropriate communication with the individuals and families concerned and compliance with data protection procedures.
  • Contributes to the preparation and monitoring of the annual budget related to PFL activities, particularly those concerning case management, field activities, training and CVM capacity strengthening. Supports expenditure monitoring and financial forecasting under the supervision of the PFL Delegate.
  • Prepares and contributes to internal and external reports, operational updates and official correspondence related to PFL activities, including communications addressed to relevant Mozambican authorities, humanitarian partners and other interlocutors, in coordination with the PFL Delegate.
  • In coordination with the Protection and Communication teams, contributes to the preparation, adaptation, updating and review of PFL communication and dissemination materials, ensuring that they are appropriate to the Mozambican context, accessible to affected communities and consistent with ICRC operational guidelines and data protection standards.
  • Supports the implementation of the Central Tracing Agency (CTA) activities in Mozambique, ensuring the quality and timely follow-up of individual PFL cases, proper registration of RFL activities and consolidation of statistics related to PFL services provided by the ICRC and the CVM. Ensures regular communication and coordination with the CVM and, when relevant, other ICRC delegations and members of the Family Links Network, while providing regular feedback to affected individuals and families
  • Ensures the accurate collection, consolidation and reporting of PFL statistics, including Red Cross Messages (RCMs), tracing requests, allegations of arrest or detention, Safe and Well Messages (Salamats), family contact activities in detention, visits to ICRC and CVM offices, and follow-up actions related to individual cases.
  • Under the supervision of the PFL Delegate, contributes to strengthening the CVM's participation in the regional and global Family Links Network, facilitating exchanges of information, good practices and operational experiences. When relevant, contributes to technical meetings, consultations, training initiatives and the development of joint strategies and plans of action.
  • Supports the PFL Delegate and the Cooperation Department in the development and implementation of multidisciplinary initiatives aimed at strengthening Protection within the Movement, promoting the Minimum Protection Approach (MPA) and encouraging greater CVM engagement in protection-related activities
  • Handles all information with the required level of confidentiality, ensuring compliance with ICRC data protection standards and the principles of informed consent and do no harm.
  • Provides briefings, technical guidance and operational support to ICRC and CVM staff and volunteers involved in Protection within the Movement activities, under the supervision of the PFL Delegate and in coordination with the relevant Protection and Cooperation teams.

We are looking for someone methodical, responsible, beneficiary-oriented, organized with good organizational skills, good sense of teamwork, good communication skills, commitment, initiative and respect for the ICRC's values.

We offer dynamic and rewarding work in a humanitarian and multicultural environment, with attractive salaries and social benefits, and opportunities for development through internal training.

The ICRC does not ask for any kind of benefit in exchange for a vacancy. The ICRC reserves the right to cancel any application resulting from illegal acts.

Please send your application: CV, cover letter, copies of diplomas/certificates by e-mail with the mention in the subject line "Protection of Family Links Field Officer" to: map_recruitment_services@icrc.org

Only applications with all the necessary documentation will be considered

Only selected candidates will be contacted. Last day for applications: 20 November 2026

Start Day: earliest possible.

Profile - Minimum required and Experience:

  • University degree in Social Sciences, International Relations, Law, Humanities or another relevant field is essential;
  • A Master's degree in a relevant field is an asset;
  • At least 2–3 years of professional experience in humanitarian, protection or social work, preferably with direct engagement with conflict-affected communities;
  • Previous experience with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is a strong asset;
  • Fluency in Portuguese and a good command of English, with strong written and oral communication skills, are essential;
  • Knowledge and experience in Protection of Family Links (PFL), Restoring Family Links (RFL), tracing activities or working with missing persons and their families are strong assets;
  • Knowledge and experience in protection activities related to armed conflict, displacement, detention or migration are desirable;
  • Experience in project planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting is an asset;
  • Experience in case management, including the collection, documentation and follow-up of sensitive individual cases, is highly desirable;
  • Proven ability to work autonomously and represent the organization professionally with authorities, humanitarian partners and other external interlocutors;
  • Experience working with volunteers, particularly in training, technical support and capacity strengthening, is an asset;
  • Knowledge of local languages spoken in Cabo Delgado and Nampula, particularly Makuwa, Kimwani or Makonde, is a strong asset;
  • Good computer literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook), and the ability to learn and use information management tools and databases are essential;
  • Availability and willingness to undertake regular field missions, including to areas affected by armed conflict and displacement, subject to security conditions and operational needs;
  • Proven ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and meet deadlines;
  • Ability to work within a diverse and multi-cultural team; 
  • Ability to manage diverse files in a multi-cultural and regional working environment;
  • Ability to work efficiently across multiple priorities and people. 

The PFL Field Officer is primarily responsible for providing technical support and operational guidance, monitoring the implementation of PFL activities and ensuring their coherence with the Movement's Restoring Family Links (RFL) strategic framework and institutional guidelines.

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