The grammar pattern is "to be to [verb]". It means the action is expected. I am to give a speech this evening. He is to become king. She is to take over the business when her mother retires. They were to arrive at eight, but the flight was delayed.

Like the review before me stated, this is not very common in American English, especially spoken English. Regardless, to answer your question, another way of thinking about this is adding the word "going" to the sentence: "Men need to work far away from home if they are 'going' to find employment." Translating it as "if they want to find employment" works as well, so you have the right idea - it's just an odd phrase.

I speak English. I therefore do not know, or specifically follow, any rules. ;) However - you are mostly correct in your interpretation. It is usually a bit more definite than 'want'. I think that it is also getting to be a rather archaic usage, and rather British...

....wo Arbeit zu finden ist. It means exactly the same.

What if I explain it this way. Suppose your parents/spouse gives you a command. "Erkan, today you are to go and find a job!" So now, you must go travel if you are to find a job. Does that help any?