Associate Resettlement & Complementary Pathways Officer / UNOPS IICA-1

Job Opening: 34608

Contract Type: UNOPS IICA-1

Location: Tegucigalpa

Duties and Qualifications

General Background:

Honduras is characterized by a situation of protracted internal displacement due to violence. It continues to be affected by high levels of violence representing a challenge in terms of protection and assistance. Despite the fact that forced displacement was recognized by the Government in 2013, an adequate response remains a challenge due to: i) multiple flows of people within the same high risk zones (people in risk of displacement, IDPs, deportees, and the population as a whole); ii) high risk cases unable to access international protection; iii) a crisis of rule of law due to governance problems that inhibit an adequate response to human rights violations and widespread violence mainly, but not exclusively, in urban settings.

The Government faces the challenge of strengthening their governance structure and overcoming issues of corruption and impunity. The country has one of the highest number of gangs (maras y pandillas) per territory, and they are mostly located in urban areas in Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba, exercising territorial control over most of the neighbourhoods. The situation has worsened since 2000 when Honduras became a key narcotraffic route in the Central American Region.

Regarding mixed movements, the reformulation of migration routes in the past 5 years alongside Honduras’ geographic position means that there are continuous flows of people in transit. Honduras is also a reception country for Refugees and Asylum Seekers. This condition takes special relevance after the political crisis in Nicaragua in 2018 that created an increased need of protection in the region. Honduras adhered to the Comprehensive Regional Protection and Solutions Framework (known as MIRPS in Spanish) in 2017.

IDPs and returnees living in high-risk communities share similar obstacles to access employment and self-reliance opportunities due to a stigmatization process based on the place of residence and the age. In 2017, UNHCR introduced the Protection Transfer Arrangement (PTA), a regional resettlement program. IDPs who have been persecuted and/or are at high risk of future persecution are identified and evaluated in Honduras and submitted to different RST countries.

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The incumbent’s primary role is to support resettlement and complementary pathways activities in his/her Area of Responsibility (AOR) through identification of needs, submission of cases, monitoring procedural compliance, integrity and quality of case submissions, and ensure progress against targets. S/he takes part in assessing cases for resettlement and conducting interviews as well as monitoring procedural compliance and quality of case submissions. The role may also involve managerial responsibilities in supervising staff and affiliate workforce. S/he contributes to comprehensive protection and solutions strategies and needs to make resettlement both strategic as well as responsive to the needs of people of concern to UNHCR.

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, interview, assess resettlement and complementary pathways needs, and process cases identified for resettlement and complementary pathways following established procedures; provide counselling to individuals.
• Support monitoring of activities for resettlement and complementary pathways, as applicable, to ensure progress against targets, transparency and efficiency in case submissions and appropriate follow-up with resettlement countries and other key stakeholders.
• Review and provide timely feedback and guidance on resettlement submissions prepared in the country office/ by country offices to harmonize quality and consistency of resettlement delivery.
• Support the management of processes to ensure that persons of concern and partners receive up-to-date and accurate information on UNHCR’s resettlement and complementary pathways policies and procedures.
• Support the implementation of UNHCR’s global resettlement and complementary pathways policies, procedures and guidelines in the AOR.
• Ensure Standard Operating Procedures for identification of cases for resettlement and resettlement case management are in place and in line with UNHCR Global Standards.
• Support and contribute to measures that enhance the prevention, detection and response to fraud committed by persons of concern generally and in resettlement and complementary pathways in particular.
• Support senior management in maintaining regular contact and close cooperation with resettlement countries and partners to ensure effective delivery of resettlement and complementary pathways; and adherence to adequate protection standards.
• Support government officials and partners undertaking missions related to resettlement and complementary pathways.
• Assist selection missions by resettlement countries to the region/country operations.
• Stay abreast and analyse the implication of political, legal, social and economic developments in the AOR and recommend policy / strategic approaches to further UNHCR objectives with respect to resettlement and complementary pathways.
• Contribute to the development and enhancement of policy and guidelines for resettlement and complementary pathways practices.
• Systematically apply an Age, Gender and Diversity perspective in all aspects of the resettlement and complementary pathways process; comply with UNHCR policy and guidelines on HIV/AIDS.
• Promote and support the establishment of mechanisms for preventing fraud in resettlement and complementary pathways activities to maintain the integrity of the resettlement and complementary pathways process in the AOR.
• Assist in the production of up-to-date and accurate statistics, analytical reports on resettlement and complementary pathways, updates and briefing notes, including with regard to the trends, the country/ region’s performance in meeting resettlement targets, challenges and responses.
• Contribute to comprehensive protection and solutions strategies in the country operation or region.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For a UNOPS IICA-1 position – 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:

Political Science;
Social Sciences;
International Law;
Law;
International Public Law;
International Refugee Law;
International Human Rights Law;
Refugee and Forced Migration International Relations;
or other relevant field.
(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience

Essential:
At least 1 year of professional work experience relevant to refugee protection work, preferably within the international capacity. Demonstrated experience in casework or case management, preferably in a refugee or immigration context.

Desirable:
Sound understanding and ability to implement UNHCR’s policy and global strategic priorities, such as AGDM, IDP, Statelessness, and HIV/AIDS, in the area of responsibility at appropriate level. Diverse field experience. Experience working in a multi-cultural environment.

Functional Skills
DM-Database Management
PR-Refugee Resettlement programs
PR-Resettlement Anti-Fraud Policy and Procedures
PR-Mixed migratory movement management
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

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.

Eligible Applicants:

This position is advertised to internal and external applicants. Honduran nationals are not eligible to apply.

Position Competencies:

Accountability
Communication
Organizational Awareness
Teamwork & Collaboration
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies:

Empowering and Building Trust
Managing Performance
Judgement and Decision Making

Cross-Functional Competencies:
Analytical Thinking
Planning and Organizing
Political Awareness

Additional Information:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. No late applications will be accepted.

Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a technical assessment or written test (eliminatory or complementary) and later on, invited for an oral interview.

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

Duration: initially for a period of one (1) year.

Engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19.

Language Requirements:

Working knowledge in English and Proficiency in Spanish is essential.

Closing Date:

The closing date for submission of applications is 30 March 2022 (midnight Geneva time).