UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency
Family Type
Family
Residential location (if applicable)
Grade
PR3
Staff Member / Affiliate Type
Professional
- Staff members will not normally serve in International Professional positions in the country of their nationality. In addition, in case of a first appointment upon recruitment, the assignment must be outside the staff member’s country of nationality.
In practical terms this means that you are not eligible to apply for International Professional vacancies advertised in the country where you are national of.
Reason
Regular > Regular Assignment
Remote work accepted
No
Target Start Date
2024-03-01
Job Posting End Date
December 21, 2023
Standard Job Description
Head of Field Unit
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Head of Field Unit (HoFU) carries the full delegated authority of the UNHCR country Manager or Head of Sub-Office/Field Office, who will exercise entire supervisory managerial responsibility over the position. The position, on the other hand, provides all information on developments in relation to the protection (legal protection issues relating to the persons of concern to UNHCR), security (Physical security in relation to the UNCR staff and the persons of concern to UNHCR) and operational matters (programme and office management / administration) within the domain of its geographical area of responsibility to the UNHCR Representative (or the country manager) on a regular and timely manner. Subject to the specific legal or socio economic or security developments in the Area of Responsibility (AOR), Representative/Head of Sub/Field-Office will direct and guide the Head of Field Unit to take the most appropriate course of action. Concerning overall physical security concerns, HoFU will liaise directly with the competent UN security coordinator while keeping the UNHCR Representative/Head of Sub/Field-Office fully informed.
While the functional responsibility of a Head of Field Unit will always remain the same despite its grade level, the other parameters (therefore the depth and breadth of the competencies) such as the size of the population of concern to UNHCR, their specific legal/security concerns, volume of assistance, Number of operational / Implementing partners and the size of the Office (i.e. number of UNHCR staff and their grade levels) will determine the appropriate grade level. The operational autonomy also depends upon the same parameters/competencies. The position of HoFU at P3 grade level normally reports to the Representative or Head of Sub/Field-Office at grade level P4 or above.
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
- Monitor and report on the implementation of refugee conventional responsibilities and international obligations of the local authorities Vis a Vis the population of concern to UNHCR within the given geographical area; based on local situations/developments make appropriate recommendation to the UNHCR Representative/HoSO/HoFO.
- Advocate and promote UNHCR standards concerning the treatment of asylum seekers, refugees and returnees as well as IDPs, where applicable; Advocate, promote and encourage the concerned authorities and local opinion makers to uphold established UNHCR standards that have become the international norms.
- Ensure that the basic needs of the concerned population are properly assessed with the participation of the beneficiaries themselves, the host governments and/or the competent Implementing partners and/or UNHCR itself.
- Subject to the needs, ensure that the planning, formulation and budgeting of identified assistance projects are done as per UNHCR programme cycle; upon approval of assistance project, ensure the timely implementation and rigorous monitoring of identified assistance activities.
- Ensure through the subordinate staff that deadlines for monitoring and reporting of UNHCR operational activities (i.e. include assistance as well as Administrative) are met on a regular basis.
- Manage UNHCR resources, both human, financial/material, at an optimum level for the wellbeing of the concerned population and the UNHCR staff.
- Ensure that security measures of UNHCR office (and residential, where ever applicable) compounds are always up to date; any security breaches and/or potential security threat should be reported immediately to competent UN security coordinator in the country.
- Ensure that staff welfare, both in terms of working and living conditions, are maintained at a satisfactory level within the constraints in the operational area; this requires remaining current in health and medical facilities locally available and evacuation options available in a moment of medical urgency.
- Guide, coach and advocate the subordinate staff to maintain highest standards of conduct and behaviour thorough one’s own practice and deeds.
- Prepare and submit regular reports, both verbally and written, to the UNHCR Representative/HoSO/HoFO. In the event of substantial telephone conversation that leads to specific action or non-action, it should be recorded and share with the other party.
- Any other responsibilities/functions deemed necessary or as delegated by the UNHCR Representative of the country in order to meet the level of the services in the organization.
- Represent UNHCR in inter-agency fora and with local authorities in the AOR.
- Enforce compliance with UNHCR’s global protection, programme, finance, human resources and security policies and standards.
- Submit project proposals for assistance to refugees and other persons of concern to UNHCR Representation or Sub/Field-Office in coordination with local authorities and NGOs.
- Lead risk assessments and discussions with team(s) to proactively manage risks and seize opportunities impacting objectives. Ensure that risk management principles are integrated in decision-making both at strategic and operational levels. Allocate resources for planned treatments with resource requirements in Strategic Plans. Ensure that risks are managed to acceptable levels and escalate, as needed. If a Risk Owner, designate the Risk Focal Point and certify that the annual risk review is completed and ensure that the risk register is updated during the year, as needed.
- Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P3/NOC – 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
Economics; International Relations; Law;
Management; Political Science; Personnel Administration;
or other relevant field.
Certificates and/or Licenses
HCR Learning Prog; HCR Managing Operatns Lrng Prg;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
- In-depth knowledge in aspects of UNHCR mandate and its Field level application.
- Applied knowledge of protection principles, operational arrangements/standards in relation to protection, assistance, UNHCR office management and staff administration.
Desirable
Working experience both in UNHCR HQ and/or a Regional Office and the Field.
Functional Skills
- UN-UN/UNHCR Mandate and Global Strategic Priorities
- PR-International protection concepts and principles
- MG-Office Management
- HR-Administration of Staff Contracts and Benefits
(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
The HoFU is experienced on managing field operations, ensuring a comprehensive protection and humanitarian response to the mixed movement of refugees and migrants, showing reporting, programming, and interagency and institutional coordination skills. The HoFU is experienced in complex institutional settings, comfortable working in remote field locations, coordinating with various partners, and able to mainstream principled protection in humanitarian projects for refugees, asylum seekers and the population in transit.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
Spanish
,
,
Desired languages
,
,
Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations
Nature of Position
The position reports to the Deputy Representative, focusing on the management of the protection and humanitarian response of mixed movement of refuges and migrants in Darien, interagency and institutional coordination. The HoFU is experienced in complex authorities’ settings, comfortable working in the field in mixed responses, coordinating with a range of different partners, and able to mainstream principled protection in humanitarian projects for the population in transit, and in crisis situations.
Living and Working Conditions
Meteti, Darien’s hardship is classified as a “C” Duty Station (family). It is a municipality in the Panamanian province of Darién.
Darien is Panama’s largest and poorest province. Bordering Colombia, the province hosts a 60-mile-deep jungle, the only breaking point of the Pan-American highway, linking the continent from south to north. Despite being one of the most dangerous jungles in the world, Darien is a transit location for thousands of refugees and migrants, most of them coming from Venezuela, Ecuador, Haiti, and African and South Asian nations.
The Darién region is a jungle and swampy area located on the border of Central America (Panama) and South America (Colombia), which has functioned as a natural barrier to road communication between both countries. Because there are currently no land transportation routes that cross the area (mainly because it is the part where the Pan-American highway, which connects most of the countries of the American continent, is interrupted), it has been called the Darién Gap.
Regarding security and public order, Darien province has a low level of risk. Meteti, is located 4h drive from the capital city, with basic social facilities, housing, etc. There is the possibility of hiking at the national park and a few other basic sports. There is a small international community. There are supermarkets and convenience stores for food, furnishing, and other necessities.
Most international and national staff reside in separate houses and apartments in town. The facilities could include electricity and water but are not furnished. Internet, TV, cable, cooling systems are needed and should be arranged separately. The dry season is short, warm, and cloudy. The rainy season is prone to flooding with an increase in waterborne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever.
The cost of living is cheaper than in Panama City, especially for housing and food.
The UNHCR Multi-Country Office is in the Canal Zone, in a green area outside the Panama City centre, called ‘Ciudad del Saber’, where most of the other UN agencies are also located, as well as international schools, NGOs and research centres.
The government offers the possibility for UN spouses to get work permits and provides UN staff members with tax exemption cards for shops and restaurants.
Skills
Additional Qualifications
AD-Petty cash management, CL-Inter-Agency Leadership/Coordination, CO-Strategic Communication, EM-Development and coordination of preparedness action plans, FO-Complex field emergency operations, MG-Coordination, MG-Field Operations Management, MG-Team building (development/facilitation), PR-Accountability to Affected People – Principles and Framework, PR-Area-based protection programming, PR-Mixed migratory movement management, SO-Interpersonal skills
Education
Bachelor of Arts (BA): Economics, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Relations, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Management, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Personnel Administration, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political Science
Certifications
HCR Learning Program – UNHCR, Programme Management (PM) 1 – UNHCR
Work Experience
Case Management: Mixed Migration, Emergency Preparedness & Response, Field Operations, Protection, Work Context: Interagency Coordination, Work Context: Mixed Migration, Work Context: Operational Response, Workforce to Supervise, Working with Persons of Concern: Asylum Seekers, Working with Persons of Concern: Others of Concern, Working with Persons of Concern: Refugees
Competencies
Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaboration
UNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Compendium
Add. 2 to Bi-annual Compendium 2023 – Part B
Additional Information
Functional clearance
This position doesn’t require a functional clearance
To apply for this job please visit unhcr.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com.