Associate Resettlement Case Worker, UNOPS IICA-1, Kakuma

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is offering a UNOPS ICA (Individual Contractor Agreement) position within the Resettlement Unit in our Country Office Kenya.

Title: Associate Resettlement Case Worker

Duty Station: Sub-Office Kakuma

Duration: Initial period until 31 Dec 2022

Contract Type: UNOPS International ICA -1 (equivalent to P2)

Closing date: 06 April 2022

Start date: immediately

Organisational context

Refugees in Kenya are primarily identified for resettlement due to protection needs in line with the resettlement criteria in the Resettlement Handbook. In Kakuma, refugees are identified for resettlement through internal and external referrals and the office is looking into the use of a new tool to identify those refugees most in need of resettlement. The United States receives the largest percentage of resettlement submissions; over 90%. Canada and Norway also receive cases from the Kenya operation. In 2022, selection missions from various countries are planned.

Duties and responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Resettlement Officer in Kakuma the UNOPS IICA 1 will perform the following duties:

• Interview refugees, undertake necessary action / assessments to finalise the resettlement assessment, including, refugee status determinations and complete RRFs for cases deemed by the office to meet the resettlement criteria;
• Complete Resettlement Referral Forms (RRFs) to meet agreed targets in Kakuma. The consultant is expected to complete target of 6 RRFs per week in consultation with the supervisor or a NFF in lieu of an RRF when and if the case interviewed is recommended for closure;
• Liaise with other functional units with UNHCR and partner agencies to ensure necessary action is taken / assessments made to finalise documentation on resettlement submissions;
• Actively participate in expedited resettlement verification and quality assurance/review activities if requested by the Resettlement Officer;
• Attend to field coverage activities for protection counselling covering also resettlement;
• Fulfil other resettlement related duties as directed by the supervisor.

2. Monitoring and Progress Controls

UNOPS ICA holders will be required to enter appropriate events in ProGres for each case that will enable the manager to easily compute the number of RRFs drafted or reviews completed.

Further, the UNOPS ICA holder will be required to prepare reports following standard forms and deadlines:

• Weekly reports
• Statistical and narrative reports
• A Final Report (at the end of the assignment or end of the year)
• A Performance Appraisal Report (PAR) as per Annex N (UNOPS)

The Performance Appraisal Report (PAR) must be signed by the direct UNHCR supervisor and by the Senior Protection Coordinator/ Senior Protection Officer.

Essential minimum qualifications and professional experience required

a. Education

• university degree in relevant area (e.g. international law / refugee law, political science, social sciences – preferably in social work etc.) thorough understanding of the principles of refugee law and UNHCR’s mandate;
• 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

b. Work Experience

Essential

• Minimum 3 years relevant work experience with 1 year of professional experience in ; Assisting refugees in a resettlement context, case advocacy, assisting with family reunification, identifying resettlement needs, preparing resettlement referrals/submissions etc. – required.
• Professional experience in the area of refugee law or advocacy on behalf of refugees – required;
• Professional experience writing detailed submissions on complex issues related to refugee law or refugee matters – desirable;
• Experience conducting refugee status determinations and resettlement assessments – required;
• Experience drafting resettlement submissions – required;.

Competencies:

Fluency in English language, strong drafting skills – required.

• Knowledge of and/or preparedness to become familiar with and abide by UNHCR’s principles, code of conduct and humanitarian goals – required.
• Knowledge of the international legal framework governing refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons and statelessness – required.
• Knowledge of UNHCR guidelines on refugee status determination / resettlement. – desirable;
• Awareness of gender issues – required.
• Knowledge of rights and community-based approach to identify and respond to specific needs – desirable.
• Awareness of the importance of preventing fraud – required.
• Awareness of ways to mitigate risks – desirable.
• Respect for diversity. Ability to work in a multicultural environment. Adherence to the principles of transparency, confidentiality and fair treatment of refugees – required.
• Excellent interviewing and counselling skills – required;
• Ability to conduct assessments and identify protection risks of individuals and groups – desirable;
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in teams – desirable;
• Ability to work in stressful situations and in hardship locations – desirable;
• International/field experience – particularly with NGOs or UN agencies working with refugees in countries of refuge – highly desirable.
• Working knowledge of ProGres – essential.

Location

The successful candidate will be based within the team in Kakuma, Kenya.

Conditions

This position is for an initial period until 31 Dec 2022. It is a full-time role with working hours starting from 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday (40 hours per week).