UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency
Family Type
Non Family with Residential Location
Residential location (if applicable)
Accra, Ghana
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
2023-11-30
Job Posting End Date
December 21, 2023
Standard Job Description
Resettlement and Complementary Pathways Officer
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The position for Resettlement and Complementary Pathways Officer may be based in Country Operations, Regional Bureaux or Headquarters.
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 and enforcing procedural compliance, integrity and quality of case submissions, and ensure progress against targets. He/she 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
The role may also involve managerial responsibilities in supervising staff and affiliate workforce.
The incumbent works in close coordination with the Resettlement and Complementary Pathways Service in the Division of International Protection in Headquarters, and protection teams in Bureaux and country operations.
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.
- Monitor 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.
- Manage a process 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.
- Promote and monitor the implementation of UNHCR’s global resettlement and complementary pathways policies, procedures and guidelines in the AOR.
- Provide guidance and advice on policies, protection standards and procedures for resettlement and complementary pathways.
- Ensure Standard Operating Procedures for identification of cases for resettlement and resettlement case management are in place and in line with UNHCR Global Standards.
- Promote 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.
- Maintain 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.
- Guide and 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 put in place 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.
- Ensure that resettlement and complementary pathways activities are reflected in the country operations plans, the protection and solutions strategies in line with the regional strategy.
- Contribute to comprehensive protection and solutions strategies in the country operation or region.
For jobs in the Regional Bureaux only:
- Review and provide feedback and advice to country operations on their resettlement and complementary pathways strategies and priorities, to ensure that they are coherent and consistent with the regional strategy and are fully integrated into country operations plans; Assist offices in the annual planning exercise for resettlement and complementary pathways.
- Review and provide timely feedback and guidance on resettlement submissions prepared by country offices to harmonize quality and consistency of resettlement delivery; monitor procedural compliance.
- Conduct periodic field missions to provide advice on the quality and consistency of resettlement submissions, decisions and activities.
- Assist in negotiating with resettlement countries the design and development of regional resettlement programmes and complementary pathways involving governments and non-governmental organisations in close consultation with the Resettlement and Complementary Pathways Service in the Division of International Protection at Headquarters.
- Coordinate with DIP, other entities within the Bureau and country operations to ensure a comprehensive and consistent approach in the prevention, detection and response to fraud committed by persons of concern across the region.
- Collect resettlement and complementary pathways related information to be used by the Resettlement and Complementary Pathways Service in the Division of International Protection for external publications.
- Assist in assessing training needs, draw regional training plan and strategy and deliver resettlement, complementary pathways and related training to UNHCR staff, partners and other stakeholders as required.
- Contribute to a communications strategy that generates support from external parties for the expansion of resettlement and complementary pathways.
- 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
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
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.
Certificates and/or Licenses
Protection Learning Programme; RSD- Resettlement Learning Programme; MLP;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
At least 6 years ( 5 years with Graduate degree) of professional work experience relevant to refugee protection work, of which 2 years in an 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. Knowledge of and experience with Complementary Pathways programmes. Diverse field experience. Experience working in a multi-cultural environment. Knowledge of additional UN languages.
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)
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 candidate must have experience in resettlement management and casework as well as team management. S/he must have excellent English writing and oral skills and good French language skills.
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 this link:
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
Nature of Position:
As of 31 October 2023, Niger hosts over 320.000 refugees and asylum seekers, mainly from Mali, Nigeria and Burkina Faso. Most are in protracted situations, though the continued insecurity in surrounding countries continues to generate new arrivals in Niger. In addition, Niger hosts over 335.000 IDPs and is a transit country on the mixed migration route towards north Africa and the Mediterranean.
The UNHCR Niger Operation processes resettlement submissions of vulnerable refugees evacuated from Libya through the Emergency Transit Mechanism which was established in 2017. Over 4200 persons have been evacuated since then. In addition to evacuees from Libya, the Niger operation submits for resettlement refugees recognized by the government of Niger through its asylum procedure, mainly Nigerian and Malian refugees. Their identification is done through referrals from Protection, Field and Community based Protection staff, Mental Health /Psychosocial Support colleagues as well as partner organizations.
The Niger operation also identifies and supports refugees who are eligible for family reunification or complementary pathways to third countries. Interviews are conducted with interpreters who speak French, English, Tigrinya, Somali, Hausa, Tamashek and/or Arabic. Meetings with UNHCR Staff and partners present in the field are conducted in French.
Socio political context and living conditions
Socio-political tensions rose in Niger after the 26 July 2023 coup d’état ousting President Mohamed Bazoum. As a consequence of the sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), including the closure of land borders, notably with Benin, institutions and individuals grapple with prolonged power outages, liquidity challenges, and scarcity and price hikes of essential goods. There are several supermarkets though because of the sanctions, foreign goods are rare. A number of restaurants offering Lebanese, Chinese, French, Italian and other foods are available in Niamey. There are several banks and ATMs available in the capital.
After the temporary closure of airspace following the coup d’état was lifted, regular international commercial flights in and out of Niamey resumed.
Accommodation in Niamey is available but challenging due to frequent power cuts, and the increasing price of rent including advances of 3 to 4 months. Communication by mobile is acceptable.
The Medical Section in Geneva has recommended two clinics safely accessible by UNHCR staff in Niamey though the medical technical services are limited.
There are 3 seasons in Niger: rainy (June-Sept), cool (Oct-Feb), and very hot (March-May).
Security Considerations:
As of November 2023, the security level is 4 in Niamey. Niamey is a category E duty station, non-family and has an 8-week R&R cycle.
In residential areas in Niamey, there is almost no red zone, but international staff must reside within a certain perimeter, preferably in areas located maximum 30 minutes from the office. In addition, the United Nations system has established a curfew measure between 10.30PM and 6AM to mitigate risk to personnel.
UNHAS flight services are available to most field locations. Missions by road to field locations travel under armed escort depending on the context, the area and according to the assessment by the administrative authority, either the governor or the prefect of the location. Travel for missions by land takes place between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. The request for armed escort is submitted 7 days in advance and the request for Security clearance must be positively approved before any mission. Rampant crime constitutes a substantial security challenge and affects the civilian population in certain locations of the country, and those who find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time. A weekly UNDSS radio check takes place and security advisory communiqués are disseminated by UNDSS/SFSO UNHCR.
Skills
Additional Qualifications
Education
Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Relations, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Social Science
Certifications
HCR Management Learning Program – UNHCR, HCR Protection Learning Program – UNHCR, HCR Resettlement Learning Program – UNHCR
Work Experience
Annual Budget OL in Operation/Office, Number of Persons of Concern Served, Number of Workforce in Operation/Work Setting, Workforce to Supervise, Working with Persons of Concern: Refugees
Competencies
Accountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Policy research & development, 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.