UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency
Family Type
Non Family with Residential LocationDanger Pay
Residential location (if applicable)
Niamey, Niger
Grade
PR5
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
2024-07-01
Job Posting End Date
December 21, 2023
Standard Job Description
Head of Sub-Office
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
Head of a UNHCR Sub-Office (HoSO) is a senior managerial position within a given country operation. The incumbent carries the full delegated authority of the UNHCR Representative (or the country Manager) of the country, 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 will direct and guide the Head of the Sub-Office to take the most appropriate course of action. Concerning overall physical security concerns, HoSO will liaise directly with the competent UN security coordinator while keeping the UNHCR Representative fully informed.
While the functional responsibility of a Head of a Sub-Office 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.
As the most senior UNHCR staff member within the given geographical area, he/she is required to liaise with all the relevant senior government officials, security organs in the area, the Head of various Non-Governmental Organisations (both national and internationals based in the area), Civilian/tribal leaders/elders, local opinion makers and the local media net-work to ensure his/her assigned responsibilities are effectively and efficiently discharged.
As the extended field representative of UNHCR at the front line of High Commissioner¿s operations, he/she remain as the effective advocate and assistant to the local authorities to ensure that the respective government authorities in the area implement their conventional responsibilities in favour of refugees and others 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
- 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.
- 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 all deadlines for monitoring and reporting of UNHCR operational activities (i.e. include assistance as well as Administrative) are met on a regular basis.
- Manage all UNHCR resources, both human, financial/material, at an optimum level for the wellbeing of the concerned population and the UNHCR staff.
- Ensure that all security measures of UNHCR office (and residential, wherever 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. 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.
- 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 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
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P5 – 12 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 11 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 10 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
Human Resources Management;
Personnel Administration;
Law;
Political Science;
International Relations;
Economics;
or other relevant field.
(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Certificates and/or Licenses
HCR Management Lrng Prg;
HCR Managing Operatns Lrng Prg;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
In-depth knowledge in all aspects of UNHCR¿s Field level operation. Applied experience of protection principles, operational arrangements/standards in relation to protection, assistance, UNHCR office management and staff administration. Should be conversant in the current priorities in the organisation and existing mechanisms within the organisation to implement those priorities.
Desirable
Working experience both in UNHCR HQ and/or a Regional Office and the Field.
Functional Skills
IT-Computer Literacy;
IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software;
MG-Office Management;
PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators;
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
Desired candidate with previously worked as Head of sub-Office or occupied management positions, solid field and HQ experience, solid experience in emergency context including IDPs, refugee returnees, stateless. The candidate who developed competencies in coordination of the UNHCR multi-functional team, monitoring and evaluation of partner activities, working with refugees, IDPs and returnees in coordination with the various stakeholders, including state authorities, UN agencies, development actors and protection cluster members, The candidate with proved security management and cluster coordination experiences.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
French
,
,
Desired languages
,
,
Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel.
Nature of Position:
The Tillaberi region, more precisely, the departments and communes which border Mali to the north and Burkina Faso to the west, continue to face repeated incursions from non-state armed groups (GANEs) coming from border countries and which regularly target the positions of the defense and security forces (FDS) and the civilian population.
The state of emergency declared since March 3, 2013 remains maintained in all 13 departments of the Tillaberi region due to the continued activism of the GANE, characterized by kidnappings and targeted assassinations of civilians and soldiers, poses improvised explosive devices, extortion in the form of forced Zakat, ultimatums issued to the population to leave their places of residence under penalty of reprisals, cattle theft and community tensions targeting certain communities considered complicit with the GANES.
The region from Liptako-gourma to Park W, is the theater of large-scale circulation of weapons and other illicit trafficking, is considered to be dependent on security instability in all departments up to the limits of Niamey.
Faced with this complex situation, the State of Niger and its strategic partners continue to implement measures aimed at the safety of people and the security of its territorial space. The strengthening of the operational capacity of police, Gendarmerie and military units is more effective. A joint regional committee under the leadership of the Governor of the region was set up to facilitate humanitarian access to beneficiaries sometimes located in conflict zones, 2 civil-military coordination mechanisms are also operational in the region and which cover the zones which border with Mali (Almahoui) and the border areas with Burkina Faso (Niya) all under the coordination of OCHA and with the support of other agencies which participate in the various coordination meetings. An ASMT meeting is held once a week UNHCR chairs the meeting with the support of UNDSS.
Many organizations contribute to providing protection and assistance to beneficiaries. At the state structure level, several decentralized structures are present at least up to the departmental level and continue to provide public service. The only pitfall observed was access to so-called road areas and the lack of material and logistical resources for the fulfillment of their responsibilities.
UN agencies are also present and provide considerable support for the implementation of the Economic and Social Development Plan (PDES) through an increasing number of operational partners.
Displaced populations have many cultural and ethnic affinities with the host communities, and they coexist peacefully despite peaks of social tension observable around the sharing of rare and insufficient natural resources (access to water for consumption and agropastoral production, access to arable land).
The region hosts 243,230 displaced persons including 42,147 Malian refugees, 29,988 Burkinabe asylum seekers and 171,095 internally displaced people as of August 31, 2023. Malian refugees account for 17.33%, asylum seekers 12.32% and internally displaced persons 70.63%
The strategic orientation of the operation in 2024 will be focused on protection, assistance and the search for lasting solutions with attention to prioritizing means of subsistence for Malian refugees settled since 2012 in Niger and for those continuing coming to seek refuge in Niger, asylum seekers from Burkina Faso and internally displaced persons.
The Head of Sub-Office will report to the Deputy Representative, while working closely with the Senior Management in the CO Niamey. She/he will have overall supervisory and management role at the Sub-Office Tillaberi, and over the Head of Field Units at its two Field Units in Abala and Ouallam.
Living and Working Conditions:
Tillabery is located at a distance around 120 km from the capital city Niamey and takes about 1h30 minutes by car. Tillabery remains close to Malian and Burkina Faso frontiers due to deteriorating security situation.
Tillabery is a non-family high risk duty station with 6 weeks R&R cycle, and the designated R&R location is Niamey.
Temperatures are above 40 degrees Celsius for most of the year with the hottest months of March to June where daytime temperatures hovers above 42 Celsius.
Financial Issues: There are banking facilities in the country, however accessing cash from personal foreign bank account can be done only in Niamey. There is only one ATM facility available in Tillabery town, but most of the time out of service. The monthly estimated cash for basic personal expenses in Tillabery can be around 900 USD.
Accomodation
There is no UNHCR guest house in Tillabery, hence staff can rent house within the authorized area in the region, however finding house for rent is challenging (a local property dealer can assist). The rental vary as per region, and the average cost of rent can be estimated around 300 – 500 USD per month.
Electricity and water supplies are quite unreliable, and generators are used to back up the latter.
Staff travel are arranged by office vehicle due to the proximity of its distance from the branch office. Travel to the field where refugees are located are arranged by office vehicle accompanied by military escort.
Health services
A regional health center is operational offering basic health services.
Security
Security level in Tillabery is 4.
Since the end of 2018, Tillabery region has experienced an escalation in terrorist acts, with several cases of incursion or infiltration. On the other hand, crime is quite high with targeted kidnappings and killings and looting by armed elements, especially in outskirts of main towns. These incidents incurred repetitively around refugee camps.
Tillabery region will continue to remain influenced by concerns attributed to terrorism. Staff requires extreme caution and strong adherence to security measures. UNHCR has a FSA on ground for any security related issues while participating in daily field missions. The state of emergency is still in force and night movements are restricted.
Security Clearance is required and can be requested via Travel Advisory. Requests for clearance should be submitted 7 days prior travel.
Skills
Additional Qualifications
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
Competencies
Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Political awareness, Strategic planning & visions, 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.