Senior Emergency Officer

UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships In view of the increased emergency preparedness and response needs, for both refugee and IDP situations, in the context of complex humanitarian operations where UNHCR¿s leadership and coordination role is increasingly important, UNHCR¿s emergency capabilities have been adjusted and reinforced to proactively anticipate, prepare for and respond to emergencies with urgency, speed and nimbleness, as outlined in the Policy on Emergency Preparedness and Response (UNHCR/HCP/2017/Rev. 1).

In light of these new challenges, the Division of Emergency, Security and Supply (DESS) has been reconfigured its functions and established an emergency coordination, preparedness and response structure with a view to build a more robust and predictable emergency response and organizational preparedness based on effective leadership and coordination at senior level; strong engagement with governments; the community-based approach for protection and assistance services; and effective emergency information management.

The incumbent will be a member of the Emergency Response Team, led by the Principal Emergency Coordinator, report to Senior Emergency Coordinator and be on permanent standby for emergency deployment. When deployed on an emergency, the incumbent will receive specific ToRs for the mission, including reporting lines during the deployment.

The Emergency Response Team is based at HQs in Geneva, but s/he will be deployed within 72 hours when called and expected to spend in total some 50% of time on mission outside HQs. S/he will deploy as part of the Team or individually to prepare and respond to new refugee and/or IDP emergencies and provide coordination and operational support to the UNHCR Representative in the country or region. In situations, Senior Emergency Officer will act as a team leader to lead and coordinate a team of ERT deployees and other emergency staff. In an IDP operation where the cluster approach is activated, the incumbent may assist Senior Emergency Coordinator in the coordination of the cluster at national level. While in Geneva between emergency missions, the Incumbent will be assigned geographical regions to cover and regularly liaise with the relevant regional bureaus to support on planning and preparedness actions. The incumbent will also participate in capacity building and emergency simulation activities in the regions concern and support emergency training activities, as required.

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 – In the event of an emergency, be ready for deployment within 72 hours. – Assist in managing an inclusive and constructive process with all relevant partners to address the priority emergency needs of persons of concern. – Initiate and/or manage the development of a broad network of partners, and good coordination practices in line with the Refugee Coordination Model. – Manage a consultative process to ensure a consistent approach of the organization¿s emergency criteria and policies for the selection of partners. Guide the process with government counterparts, partners and persons of concern to develop and implement a comprehensive protection and solutions strategy, ensuring that this forms the core basis for all sector/cluster planning and the overall humanitarian response. – Ensure that key elements in the protection and solutions strategy include SGBV prevention and response mechanisms, community and individual feedback mechanisms, as well as other systems to protect children, including access to education, from the outset of an emergency – Ensure the establishment of protection monitoring systems in order to improve evidence-based programme planning. – Ensure that gender equality considerations inform all protection planning and programme design. – Promote international and national law and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards and codes of conduct in particular Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and advocate that all sectors and /or in clusters in applicable operations fulfil their responsibilities mainstreaming protection. – Design, deliver and monitor programmes on an AGD basis to address identified protection needs. – Provide technical guidance and support to UNHCR and partners on all protection related issues in the emergency operation. – Assist in managing a transparent, consultative and responsible process for the approval of country-level emergency budgets and the allocation of resources. – Ensure and monitor compliance with financial rules and regulations. – Ensure the timely submission of projects to donors, CERF and pooled funding mechanisms (as applicable) and adequate reporting. – Assist in the drafting of the strategic response plan/appeal, ensuring an inclusive process with all relevant partners. – Provide timely submissions to the LCC/Hqs CoC as applicable. – Support the offices by identifying, disseminating and applying good practices of innovative emergency response with a view to improving protection and assistance to persons of concern. – Undertake assessment and preparedness planning missions in conjunction with other team members, relevant Bureaux and Divisions, in order to determine and guide appropriate programme interventions before the emergency occurs. – Ensure that project partnership agreements are prepared on time and take into account available resources and contributions of UNHCR, partners and persons of concern – Advise Bureaux and operations on emergency programme preparedness and protection strategies and response interventions. – Work closely with the relevant Regional Bureau and operations to ensure that timely and adequate emergency preparedness measures are taken. – In collaboration with PDES, undertake “real time evaluations” of emergency response, as required. – Provide lessons-learned of programme emergency preparedness and response, and facilitate related emergency training and learning events as applicable. – Set targets for impact and performance monitoring. – Coordinate a consultative process with government counterparts, partners and persons of concern to develop and implement a comprehensive protection and solutions response strategy. – Coordinate the design and implementation of participatory, community and rights-based protection approaches. – Clear the submission of the country emergency operations plans as well as funding submission, appeals and reports. – Negotiate partner agreements. – Chair and represent the protection working group/cluster in inter-sector/cluster meetings at sub-national level. – Represent UNHCR in inter-agency operations and programme fora. – Represent DESS in emergency coordination meetings (as requested) at HQs or regional level. – Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level For P4 – 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education Business Administration, Social Science, Economics, International Relations or other relevant field. (Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Certificates and/or Licenses Emergency Management HCR Snr Emergency Leadership Security Management Learning Programme HCR Protection Learning Programme HCR Management Learning Programme (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience Essential Previous job experience relevant to the function, including emergency operations. Understanding of the Transformative Agenda and the Refugee Coordination Model. Team-building qualities and creative thinking for rapid and effective solutions.

Desirable Good knowledge of UNHCR financial rules, procedures and processes. Experience in providing training and in developing training materials. Knowledge of UNHCR specific programmes (MSRP, Focus, etc.).

Functional Skills *PR-Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) *PR-Developing Strategic Protection Framework *TR-Training and Capacity Building of Governments and/or national programs *MG-Field Operations Management *PR-Accountability to Affected People – Principles and Framework *PR-Assessment of IDPs Status, Rights, Obligation *MG-Coordination *CL-Protection Cluster Coordination *CL-Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) *PR-Refugee Coordination Model (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.

Position Competencies

C001L3 – Accountability Level 3 C002L3 – Teamwork & Collaboration Level 3 C003L3 – Communication Level 3 C004L3 – Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 3 C005L3 – Client & Result Orientation Level 3 C006L3 – Organizational Awareness Level 3 M002L3 – Managing Performance Level 3 M006L3 – Managing Resources Level 3 M005L3 – Leadership Level 3 M003L3 – Judgement and Decision Making Level 3 M004L3 – Strategic Planning and Vision Level 3 X005L3 – Planning and Organizing Level 3 X001L3 – Analytical Thinking Level 3 X007L3 – Political Awareness Level 3

How to apply

For a full job description and to apply, interested candidates are requested to visit the UNHCR career page at www.unhcr.org/careers – click on the Vacancies tab and enter job ID 38555.

The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.

Please note that UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing, training or any other fees).

Please note that the closing date for positions advertised in the Addendum 3 to March 2022 Compendium is Wednesday 20 July 2022 (midnight Geneva time).


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