Associate Durable Solutions Officer

UNHCR is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. Every year, millions of men, women and children are forced to flee their homes to escape conflict and persecution. We are in over 125 countries, using our expertise to protect and care for millions.

Title: Associate Durable Solutions Officer

Duty Station: Brazzaville

Duration: 9 months

Contract Type: International UN Volunteer Specialist

Closing date: 08/02/2022

Start date: 01/04/2022

Organizational context

Context

In the Republic of Congo, UNHCR operates from three locations: Brazzaville, Bétou, and Gamboma supporting the protection needs of refugees, IDPs, host communities, and people at risk of statelessness. IDPs, host communities, and people at risk of statelessness. In the context of a relatively welcoming legislative framework, refugees in Congo can move around without restriction and have access to social services (health, education) as well as to the judicial system in the same way as the Congolese population, as well as to employment (albeit with some restrictions). This generosity is reflected in Development Policy Letter 609.17 / MPSIR / CAB, through which the government of the Republic of Congo committed as early as August 2017 to promote the socio-economic integration of refugees and improve the delivery of basic services for their host communities. UNHCR in Congo works at the intersection of the recent CAR emergency response, protracted situations, and development under the Global Compact for Refugees. In 2017, the government committed to promoting the socio-economic inclusion of refugees and improving the provision of basic social services to their host communities and has since shown interesting results. In this context, UNHCR is strongly committed to strengthening partnerships with the government, humanitarian actors, development partners, and the private sector to further enhance refugees’ inclusion in national systems and access to solutions. The Republic of Congo is at the forefront of the global fight against statelessness and could become one of the first countries to eradicate statelessness. UNHCR is actively supporting the government to achieve this through awareness raising and capacity building, in partnership with the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Justice. The UN Volunteer will be based in Brazzaville and will be an integral part of the UNHCR Country Office

Duties and responsibilities

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Snr Protection Officer, the UNV Associate Durable Solutions Officer will:

• Provide guidance and input to the annual programme planning to identify adequate resources and means to implement the programme in the office.

• Participate in the planning of, and advice on opportunities for alternative solutions, including available regional and national legal frameworks.

• Participate in consultative processes within UNHCR and with a broad range of regional and national external partners to promote voluntary repatriation, local integration and resettlement.

• Implement activities in accordance with the comprehensive solutions strategy, with a view to finding durable solutions to the maximum number of PoCs.

• Monitor the design/implementation of the durable solutions strategy and provide advice for improvements.

• Contribute to fostering and maintaining strategic partnerships with relevant stakeholders.

• Advise on populations of concern’ appropriate engagement for the identification of the most appropriate solutions, including through participatory assessments and other forms of community based assessments.

• Advise on the integration and mainstreaming of self-reliance as a key component of a durable solutions strategy and ensure the involvement of PoCs in transition projects, peace-building and development initiatives.

• Analyses statistics, trends, and other documents, and draft reports regarding durable solutions.

• Conduct training activities aimed at the capacity building of UNHCR and partner staff on durable solutions, peace building/coexistence and partnership.

• Interview candidates for local integration and prepare the appropriate documentation for onward submission to local authorities or partners, in line with Local Integration SOPs.

• Implement and contribute to the designing of national and regional comprehensive durable solutions strategies.

• Engage national and local interlocutors on durable solutions issues.

Results/expected outputs:

• Livelihood activities that foster self-reliance are implemented as part of local solutions for PoCs

• The durable solutions strategy is adopted and implemented in a manner which ensures that all available solutions are complimentary and reinforce each other.

• The durable solutions strategy is implemented in a manner which capitalizes on regional mobility frameworks and partnerships.

• Durable solutions are integrated in all protection and programmatic activities, linking security, legal, economic and social welfare issues.

• Appropriate durable solutions are offered to a maximum number of Persons of Concern.

• The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on the job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-governmental counter-parts, including Implementing Partners (IPs): Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment. A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

Essential minimum qualifications and professional experience required

Required experience

3 years of experience in local integration or implementing livelihoods with development agencies, and NGOs which includes working on local economic development and community-based development projects; excellent policy and development programming skills, strong and up-to date knowledge of development; community and peace-building in fragile and conflict-affected situations. Training Certificates and/or Licenses below is an asset: • HCR Protection Learning Programme • HCR Resettlement Learning Programme • HCR RSD Learning Programme Area of Expertise • Human rights Mandatory • Protection of refugees, asylum seekers and IDPs Optional • Other Emergency management experience Optional Area of Expertise Requirement: Areas of Expertise: • Durables solutions and Resettlement. Computer skills in MS Office, including Excel, World and PowerPoint and Data management. Competence in planning of reintegration activities and sustainable development; Field experience is Africa is a plus; Knowledge and exposure to the social and cultural values of the region concerned is a distinct asset.

Area(s) of expertise

Community development

Driving license

–

Languages

French, Level: Fluent, Required English, Level: Working knowledge, Required

Required education level

Bachelor degree or equivalent in Law, Political Science, Social Science, International Relations, International Law, Economics or other relevant field.

Competencies and values

• Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and responsive and client-oriented;

• Accountability: mature and responsible, ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations

• Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;

• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest, capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and tittle comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary;

Location

The successful candidate will be based with the team in Brazzaville

Conditions

Living conditions and remarks

The incumbent of the position will be required to work most of the time in Brazzaville, though it is expected that she/he would have to go on mission in other regions were UNHCR operations are unfolding. Brazzaville is the Republic of the Congo’s capital and largest city. It is situated on the northern side of the Congo River, immediately opposite the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s capital, Kinshasa. Since the country is located on the Equator, the climate is consistent year-round, with the average day temperature a humid 24ºC (75ºF) and nights generally between 16ºC (61ºF) and 21ºC (70ºF). The dry season is from June to August, while in the majority of the country the wet season has two rainfall maxima: one in March-May and another in September-November. Brazzaville is a beautiful colonial city, with a vibrant art scene and welcoming locals. The population is 1.5 million. Accommodation is very expensive in Brazzaville. There are several Supermarkets in town but consumer items are generally very expensive (as everything is imported). For food, local markets offer a much cheaper alternative. Brazzaville is considered family duty station. Transport in Republic of the Congo includes land, air and water transportation. Taxis are a popular mode of transport for getting around the city. The Duty Station was classified B, despite lack of Good health facilities. In the Congo, business culture is influenced by French traditions. French is the language of business. International schools are the preferred option for many expat families in Brazzaville. The Lycee Saint-Exupery offers a curriculum taught in French. The American International School of Brazzaville established in 2012, provides teaching in English. The schools organize a wide range of after school activities, including sports, dancing, crafts and cookery. The unit currency of the Congo is the Franc BEAC (XAF). US dollars and travel checks are exchanges. Payments by credit cards are accepted in supermarkets and hotels. ATMs are functional. In addition to French, there are two major spoken languages in RoC, namely Lingala and Kituba. Security issues: The current UN security level for Brazzaville is Level 2 and upon arrival, all UN staff are required to attend a security briefing conducted by both UNDSS Security section. As a reminder, all UN staff members are required to complete the UN security course Basic Security in the Field (BSITF).