Ramboll trusted with two high-stake projects to help German authorities deal with the rising number of asylum seekers

In the course of just one week, Ramboll has been trusted with two high-stake projects to help German authorities deal with the rising number of asylum seekers.

COPENHAGEN, 22-9-2015 — /EuropaWire/ — When several hundred thousand refugees are on the move across Europe it is not only stressful for the refugees. Alien authorities, reception centres and the likes are under pressure and some are hardly operational due to immense workload.

One of these reception centres is the Central Immigration Authority in Saxony, Germany. Located in Chemnitz some 30 km from the Czech border the reception centre handles the initial reception and housing of refugees, clarifies the status of the asylum seekers and finally handles the distribution of asylum seekers to municipalities all over Saxony.

200 new employees

Due to the escalating number of asylum seekers in Germany, the reception centre brings in some 200 additional staff. But how to set up smart work routines, fast and efficient workflows, and integrate new colleagues whilst treating asylum seekers respectfully and providing humane conditions? This is the task Ramboll recently has been chosen to support.

The work entails an analysis of the current setup as well as assessments and recommendations for the future organisation and processes. However, according to Hamburg-based Senior Consultant Christiane von Bernstorff, it is not the typical optimisation project:

– To be really successful in this kind of work we will not only focus on the work processes and organisational design but also on the employees knowing that keeping them motivated, healthy, and acting respectfully are a vital part of the equation. I think that this is actually what sets us apart from other consultancies. Also, we draw on our vast experience in the field of migration – not just in Germany but also on EU level, in Denmark, and Sweden.

Onto the labour market

Same field but minor scale: Further north in Hamburg, Ramboll Management Consulting assists the Senate of Work to a fast and sustainable integration of refugees onto the labour market in Germany’s second largest city.

The Senate aims to develop standardised business processes to assess the individual life-situation and the potentials of the refugees in order to speed up the process to get refugees into work. To do so a number of authorities have to work together. Ramboll was asked to moderate the initial process between the responsible stakeholders and to plan and develop the work stream. This also includes facilitation of complex workshops.

Bettering the society

Managing Director in Ramboll Management Consulting, Tonny Johansen, is happy with the two recent assignments in Germany. Not so much for the business volume but more so for the societal impact:

– In Ramboll we think of ourselves as ‘sustainable society consultants’. By this we mean being a consultancy that takes on some of the most challenging projects to help shape and better the society around us. In some cases within liveable cities, in others within school reforms, labour market conditions or social affairs – or in this case in the field of refugees and migration. This is part of our DNA and a large part of why we are in business.

Aside from the German clients, Ramboll has in recent years undertaken numerous projects on behalf of Migrationsverket (Swedish Migration Agency) and Social- og Integrationsministeriet (The Danish Ministry of Children, Gender Equality, Integration and Social Affairs) as well as the EU Commission.

Contact

Christiane von Bernstorff
Senior Consultant
M +49 (30) 302020-207
E chrw@ramboll.com

Henning Werner
Business Manager
Tel +49 (0) 40 54 80 91-23
E henw@ramboll.com

SOURCE: Ramboll Group

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