Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The position for Associate 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 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.
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; assist the supervisor in monitoring 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 (DIP) 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 DIP 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.
Minimum Qualifications
Years of Experience / Degree Level For P2/NOB – 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) Certificates and/or Licenses Protection Learning Programme; Resettlement Learning Programme; (Certificates and Licenses 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) 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
Taking under consideration the operational context, the desired profile is a colleague able to immediately demonstrate UNHCR’s protection lead; whilst bolstering the Tri-Cluster. The team has for one year been without a protection person dedicated to the cluster, whilst the Shelter/NFI cluster is being revitalized and the CCCM has not been activated.
Without a protection profile dedicated to the cluster, the national staff double hatted and moreover, covered for the post of the P3 Protection Officer. Thus, the protection team built sufficient knowledge of coordination and foremost of response and assistance. What is currently required are the strategies which will direct and guide, as most strategies and SOPs are not in place, including within the inter-cluster. Hence, guidance and assistance to sectors covered by Areas of Responsibility leads is key.
The team has mainly worked as in an office-based mindset. Yet, Gao is a sub-office and thus should function as such. Hence, the candidate must be ready to lead, plan and manage sub-office wide coordination and protection delivery with a demonstrated ability to guide and train others for whom s/he will have technical supervision.
Experience with development of and implementation of the Refugee Coordination Model in response to mixed situations in which both IDP and refugees, amongst other POCs, simultaneous flee. Experience in mixed movements, particularly with trafficking and smuggling are equally of import.
To promote integration, mainstreaming and centralization of protection, and to ensure information shapes the overall humanitarian response, the candidate will support and utilize evidence-based mechanisms, which enhance reporting and information sharing; thereby enhancing the ability to make decisions.
Experienced with resource mobilization, candidate must be ready to draft project proposals including in inter-agency funding appeals as well as be ready to train NGOs to be able to successfully apply for such funding.
Candidate should be ready to develop and help strengthen national legislation relevant to internal displacement and durable solutions. Moreover, as the Office transition beyond emergency response; experience with linking humanitarian and development action, whilst enhancing activities that build and sustain peace are important. Thus, experience in nexus approach is crucial.
Development of and implementation of innovative responses.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
French
,
Desired languages
,
Operational context
Background information
The political and security crisis that the country has been experiencing since 2012 continues to generate flows of refugees and internally displaced persons, particularly in the central and northern regions (Mopti, Ségou, Timbuktu, Gao, Ménaka and Kidal), but also, to a lesser extent, in certain regions in the south of the country.
The forced displacements of Malian populations inside the country are not only caused by attacks and threats from terrorist groups and inter and intra-community conflicts, but also by the effects of climate action, including the drought which is extends to more than 80% of the regions with the corollary of a scarcity of water resources and an exponential increase in food needs (1.8 million people are at risk of severe food insecurity), as well as by the displacement of people who are victims of the slavery by descent (representing 5% of internally displaced persons), the majority of which are in the Kayes region.
There are several challenges, including: the destruction/closure of many public infrastructures, including civil registry centers, because of exactions by armed groups; the likely impact on local populations of ongoing discussions on the delimitation of Mali’s borders; the complex situation of long-standing refugees; and the low birth registration rate since the 2012 crisis, particularly among nomadic populations.
The mixed flows of displacements observed since 2019 are due to the worsening of the political and security crisis, the various types of violence (tensions and community clashes) observed in the northern and central regions and the operations of armed actors in localities adjoining the borders of the Burkina Faso and Niger (Liptako-Gourma region).
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations
Security Considerations
On a 1 to 6 overall security level scale, Bamako is at 4 (substantial) while the central and northern parts of the country are at 5 (high). The capital city is at the same security level as the Southern regions which is higher than those of the Western regions. Notwithstanding Bamako ‘s security level, staff are discouraged from using accommodations that are not recommended by UNDSS or renting apartments in unrecommended suburbs. All accommodations need to be approved, and residential security measures (RSM) implemented.
The capital city ‘s security level 4 rating hides high levels of security threats related to terrorism, civil unrest and criminality. Past incidents and frequent security threats demonstrate that these threats remain a concern. Recent attacks at Kati military barrack (15 km from Bamako) by extremist combatants, reported presence of sleeping cells of terrorist groups in Bamako highlight the intention to harm within Bamako. Furthermore, with a long-lasting socio-political crisis, demonstrations are recurrent in Bamako and other urban locations and are set to take place very often. Up regions, road movements remain the main challenge to the access of POCs due to asymmetric warfare of extremist groups. Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and highway banditry are frequent. UN humanitarian agencies enjoy the broad acceptance by communities through their leaders, but criminals and Non-State Actors are beyond the control of the community leadership. Al Qaeda affiliated groups are present in the center of Mali (Mopti and Tombuktu) while the Islamic State in the Great Sahara operates mostly around Gao and Menaka, yet their demarcation lines of influence overlap very often.
The UN staff remain potential targets of crime, armed assaults, and robberies. The crime threats exist both in Bamako and elsewhere in Mali and are becoming more and more violent. Road Traffic accidents also represent a substantial threat with scores of careless ridings of motorcyclists and driving irresponsibility.
For additional information on occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:
Nature of Position
The humanitarian crisis that is affecting Mali since 2012 continues deteriorating with an increase of human rights violations, protection incidents causing massive displacements in both inside and in neighbor countries. In addition, the situation of neighbor countries worsened with movements to Mali especially from Burkina Faso and Niger. Gao is considered as one of the most affected regions. With an increase of different types of violence such as intercommunal conflicts as well as attacks from different non-state armed groups Gao is counting a total of 58038 IDPs out of the 440436 in total as registered by the CMP (Commission Mouvement de Population) in September 2022. This number is not capturing those who might be displaced in areas that are not accessible due to the increase of access constraints. In addition to that, Gao is a transit area on the roads of mixed movements, and the identification of UNHCR PoCs remains a challenge. In such complex situation, physical security with an increase of arbitrary arrests, SGBV, Child Protection, civil documentation and statelessness related issues, human trafficking in its different forms, are the main protection concerns faced by IDPs, refugees and returnees and migrants.
Under the supervision of the Head of Sub Office and in clause collaboration with the Senior Protection Cluster Coordination Officer , the Associate Protection Officer (Cluster) will reinforce the capacity of the cluster to organize and conduct needs assessments, and support the Cluster to ensure centrality of protection and strengthen protection mainstreaming in order to have a humanitarian response more protection sensitive. This includes the provision of strategic orientations on protection to the various protection actors, contribute to build capacities of protection, non-protection actors and authorities. The Associate Protection cluster coordination Officer will also closely work closely the different areas of responsibilities (Child protection, GBV, Mine Action, House land and Property) to ensure better implementation of the Protection strategy. It is expected from the incumbent to have a good knowledge of the humanitarian architecture to build strategic partnerships with different forums such as the CIMIC, access groups as well as key UN agencies and NGOs leading working groups such as UNICEF, UNFPA, UNMAS and NRC.
In view of this operational context, the Associate Protection Officer (Cluster) in Gao is expected to have significant:
‘ Standards of accountability and a high level of negotiation and conflict resolutions skills.
‘ Knowledge of International Protection and Mixed movements
‘ Experience in Refugee protection in emergency
‘ Experience with IDPs/Cluster approach and multi-partner coordination capability
‘ Experience of working with a UN peacekeeping mission
‘ Ability to work/Experience of high-risk assignment areas
Given the frequent rotation of staff in connection with the short R&R cycle, the incumbent could be exceptionally the backup of the Protection officer. Therefore, a cross-sectional experience with different areas of protection within UNHCR ‘s operations is essential for the position.
Living and Working Conditions:
Gao is a `E’ category Non-family duty station with 18 months of SAL. Its climate is hot, dry and dusty, the average annual temperature is about 40 °C . The medical facilities are very limited. International United Nations staff members have access to primary health care at the MINUSMA Camp in Gao. For security reasons, local markets, places of worship, playgrounds, entertainment and other gathering places are not recommended. In terms of place for provisions, MINUSMA has a shop (B&S) selling some basic necessities accessible to international staff from United Nations agencies, including UNHCR.
Seven Banking services are available in Gao, the main currency of transaction being XOF. Possibilities of accommodation renting are relatively limited in particular because of the security aspects. UNHCR office has a guest house. R&R for international staff is 4 weeks cycle with Dakar as designated R&R location. UNHAS and MINUSMA are providing flight support to liaise with Bamako. Armoured vehicles are available for movements inside Gao city and around.
Additional Qualifications
Skills
Education
BA: International Law (Required), BA: International Relations (Required), BA: Political Science (Required), BA: Social Science (Required)
Certifications
HCR Protection Learning Program – UNHCR, HCR Resettlement Learning Program – UNHCR
Work Experience
Annual Budget OL in Operation/Office, Number of Workforce in Operation/Work Setting, Workforce to Supervise, Working with Persons of Concern: Asylum Seekers, Working with Persons of Concern: Internally Displaced Persons, 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, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaboration
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Compendium
Add. 3 to Bi-annual Compendium 2022 – Part B
Additional Information
Functional clearance
This position doesn’t require a functional clearance
How to apply
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
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).
Closing date of receipt of applications: 16 March 2023 (midnight Geneva time)
