Associate Field Officer

Hardship Level

A (least hardship)

Family Type

Family

Family Type

Family

Residential location (if applicable)

Grade

NOB

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

National Professional Officer

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Remote work accepted

No

Target Start Date

2024-01-12

Job Posting End Date

December 24, 2023

Standard Job Description

Associate Field Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Associate Field Officer is normally supervised by the Senior Field Coordinator or Field Officer or Head of Sub-Office/Field Office depending on the structure of the Office. S/he may receive indirect guidance from other sections and units relevant to the country/regional programme(s). UNHCR Manual, programme and protection objectives, Operations Plans, UN and UNHCR financial/budgetary rules and regulations will guide the work of the incumbent.

The incumbent may supervise some support staff. S/he has daily contacts with staff in the various field offices and with the functional units at the Country/Regional Office. S/he also has close liaison with a range of local civilian and military authorities and counterparts in NGOs and UN agencies to discuss matters of common interest.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR’s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties

• Identify vulnerable groups or individuals who may need special attention or special arrangements and make recommendations on the needs of different groups of refugees.
• Assess protection and assistance needs of refugees and asylum-seekers in the region and monitor implementation of refugee assistance programmes.
• In co-ordination with implementing partners, handle the reception, registration and provision of assistance to persons of concern to UNHCR.
• Provide inputs for project submissions and periodic narrative and financial reports for the annual programme.
• Develop and maintain relations with local authorities ensuring smooth negotiations in all aspects of UNHCR’s mandate for the benefit of refugees.
• Monitor the security situation in the area and intervene as appropriate with the local authorities.
• Submit recommendation for protection interventions to the designated officer.
• Negotiate with local authority counterparts, partners and populations of concern.
• Approve expenditures within the DOAP.
• Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Professional Work Experience

Years of Experience / Degree Level

For P2/NOB – 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education

Law, Political Sciences or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses

UNHCR Protection Learning Programme.

UNHCR Operations Management Learning Programme.

(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Field experience.

Desirable

Knowledge of refugee law.

Good knowledge of UNHCR’s programmes.

Functional Skills

IT-Computer Literacy

PG-UNHCR’s Programmes

(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements

For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.

For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.

For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Desired Candidate Profile

Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme or as an intern is subject to successful reference checks, and integrity clearances.

PLEASE DO NOT USE TURKISH CHARACTERS IN YOUR NAME & SURNAME INFORMATION.

Staff members should serve for a minimum of one year following assignment before being considered eligible to apply for another position within the same category. This requirement is waived in respect of staff members whose position is being changed or whose assignment/appointment through the joint staff/management review body is in a replacement capacity.

UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).

Only short-listed candidates will be notified. The recruitment process might include written test and/or oral interview for this job opening. No late applications will be accepted.

The primary nationality of the candidate should be Turkish. The minimum educational requirement for this position is a completed university degree.

For further information on how to apply, please visit the ‘UNHCR – Application and Selection’ page, at https://www.unhcr.org/how-to-apply.html.

Relevant years of experience and relevant job experience in field/protection.

• Understanding of protection and programme management principles, sound knowledge of UNHCR protection concepts in theory and practice (including asylum system in Türkiye, relevant domestic legislation, GBV prevention, mitigation and response, child protection, community-based protection, communication with communities, durable solutions, as well as social cohesion).
• Proven managerial skills, including solid understanding of HR processes, commitment to staff welfare and promoting a harmonious workplace. Must be a proactive and mature team leader, adept at handling interpersonal conflicts and staff grievances.
• Communication skills and stakeholder management skills, in the context where one deals with diverse range of counterparts, including local authorities, security and law-enforcement agencies, NGOs ranging from conservative to progressive organizations, refugee-led and community-based organizations, and community leaders.
• Demonstrated analytical skills, planning, and organizing skills, ability to handle and process large volumes of information.
• Political and institutional awareness – understanding of local dynamics in Central and Eastern Anatolia and Black Sea region, including against the broader political situation in Türkiye in factoring in concerns related to anti0refugee sentiments and social-cohesion concerns.
• Excellent drafting skills

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

,

,

Desired languages

,

,

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

The general security situation in Ankara remains calm and stable, with security level assessed as 1 (Minimal) in line with the general threat assessment. There have been no serious security incidents recorded in Ankara since 2016. The Turkish security forces are trained, well-resourced and effective. Although thefts and burglaries have been reported in Ankara from time to time, the crime rate is assessed as low and Residential Security Measures (RSMs) do not apply in Ankara. The UN is not considered as a direct target, although the situation can change rapidly due to regional and/or international developments. Civil unrest and protest demonstrations occur in parts of Ankara, against different socio-political and socio-economic issues and likely to continue in the foreseeable future,. Hazard incidents including road traffic crashes, extreme weather conditions, and occasional stray dog bites remain a concern for the safety of staff. UNHCR security management is guided by the UN Common Security Management System and security advisories are shared with staff as and when required.

Nature of Position:

Head of Ankara Field Unit reports to the UNHCR Representative in Türkiye and supervises some 20 staff, working in field and protection functions. The incumbent will lead the work of the unit, as well as oversee and implement coordination and cooperation with functional units of UNHCR Türkiye, such as protection, PDU, program, supply, resettlement, ODM, etc.

Ankara Field Unit (AFU) covers 49 provinces of Central and Eastern Anatolia, and the Black Sea region. Priority of the work of the Field Unit is on the provinces with the highest number of Syrian nationals and other TP holders, such as Konya, Ankara, Kayseri, Diyarbakir, Nevshehir, Samsun, and others; provinces with high numbers of IP applicants and beneficiaries, such as Ankara, Eskishehir, Konya, Aksaray, Kirshehir, Afyonkarahisar, Kayseri; and the eastern provinces bordering with Iran, lying on the most frequently used irregular migration routes, such as Van, Agri, Igdir, and the transit provinces of Erzurum, Bitlis, Mus, and others.

AFU conducts field/protection monitoring of the provinces within its area of responsibility, maintaining regular communication with the local actors, including public institutions, NGOs, and refugee representatives, as well as universities, to identify protection concerns and make interventions/advocacy at the local level as necessary, including through direct implementation of projects with various counterparts. AFU monitors and reports on irregular migration patterns and trends, from the provinces bordering with Iran, as well as Iraq. AFU also monitors and intervenes in (as appropriate) social tension incidents to mitigate their impact and avoid flaring anti-refugee sentiments. AFU conducts voluntary repatriation monitoring in Ankara, Konya, and Kayseri provinces. AFU also works to explore livelihood opportunities for the refugees, particularly in Central Anatolia. AFU supports the efforts of UNHCR country offices in monitoring implementation of project partnership agreements with NGOs working in AFU area of responsibility, and engages local NGOs, including refugee-led organizations and community-based organizations to strengthen the network of organizations with capacity and interest in supporting the refugees, including in the context of the localization agenda. AFU also works in coordination with the protection unit of UNHCR, to identify and provide protection to individual cases, conduct detention monitoring and deal with cases of deportation/refoulement.

Excellent command of Local language and specific local knowledge is required.

Living and Working Conditions:

UNHCR in Turkey operates through a branch office in Ankara with three field offices in Gaziantep, Istanbul and Van, as well as three field units in Izmir, Hatay and Sanliurfa. The total number of staff in the operation is 410 around 80-20% local-international staff ratio respectively, as well as around 7% of affiliated staff.

Climate in Ankara: Ankara has a continental climate with cold, snowy winters due to its elevation and inland location, and hot, dry summers. Rainfall occurs mostly during the spring and fall. Because of Ankara’s high altitude and its dry summers, nightly temperatures in the summer months are pleasantly cool. July and August tend to see the highest temperatures, exceeding 30°C / 86°F. Light cotton clothing is recommended for summer and light jackets may be needed for cool summer nights. For winter, warm clothes, coats and boots are recommended. Particularly the central areas of the big cities in Turkey are not very different from any other Western city. There is a good choice of hotels in Ankara and Istanbul but the choice is somewhat limited in many other parts of the country, except for summer resorts. The prices of hotels are subject to continuous changes due to domestic inflation and changes in the value of the Turkish Lira on foreign exchange markets. The usual practice for renting an apartment is to consult real-estate agents or advertisements in the local English language newspaper. Single houses with surrounding gardens are very scarce in Ankara. When available, they are generally more expensive than apartments. Therefore most international personnel live in apartments. New arrivals are usually able to find an apartment in about a month of arrival. The main cities have a number of hospitals where well trained specialists and surgeons in all branches of medicine can easily be found. Prescribed medicines are not always available in the hospital and may need to be purchased from a pharmacy. Private clinics are generally well equipped and offer services of an acceptable quality. There are also private hospitals of top international standards in Ankara and Istanbul. The number of this type of hospitals is increasing day by day. Laboratory tests are available both in these hospitals and in established private laboratories. There are only a few schools in Turkey that cater to foreign residents. These range from kindergarten through primary to high school level. Courses are in one or more foreign language although some subjects are taught in Turkish in some schools. The American, British, French, and Pakistan Embassies sponsor their own private schools in Ankara.

Skills

Additional Qualifications

IT-Computer Literacy, PG-UNHCR’s Programmes

Education

Bachelor of Arts (BA): Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political Science

Certifications

HCR Protection Learning Program – UNHCR, Programme Management (PM) 1 – UNHCR

Work Experience

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Judgement & decision making, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

UNHCR Salary Calculator

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Additional Information

Functional clearance

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance