Senior Policy Adviser - Global Compact on Refugees

Only candidates who are not nationals of the country of assignment are eligible to apply to this position

H (no hardship)FamilyPR5Professional

* 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 AssignmentNo2023-10-13November 9, 2023

Senior Policy Adviser

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The role of the Senior Policy Adviser is to lead the development of policies on a variety of protection and solution challenges in the region, including protection strategies and operational responses, building on comprehensive responses outlined in the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR). The incumbent may be based in the Division/Field/Regional Bureau. S/he will normally report to and be guided by the Director/Deputy Director/Representative and may supervise a small team of local and international staff.

The Senior Policy Adviser will provide strategic advice to the management as well as coordinate with other Bureaux and Divisions on policy matters with the aim of ensuring harmonization across regions and in global policy matters of UNHCR.

S/he will consult and closely coordinate with the Division of Resilience and Solutions, the Division of International Protection, the Division of Programme Management and Support and other Divisions as well as other Regional Bureaux and operations as required as is most relevant according to the matters to be dealt with as well as ensuring due information and coordination with concerned states.

S/he will focus in particular on issues pertaining to inclusion and development, which represent a wide range of challenges and opportunities which crucially require working with new partners, including with local government actors, civil society, academia and the private sector. UNHCR has a role to play as a facilitator in integration dialogue engaging a diversity of partners. The incumbent is also expected to support and undertake new initiatives in regional fora which can extend UNHCR's influence and promote solutions for refugee situations in the region. The incumbent will also provide strategic advice and analytical support to the management.

In the Regional Bureaux, the incumbent is responsible for ensuring, in an effective and efficient manner which supports the Organization's Mandate, overall quality assurance and managerial support of operations, in line with the Bureau's 2nd line function, within the three lines of defence conceptual framework for effective control and risk management adopted by the UN system.

S/he will, further, cover the full spectrum of managerial oversight, manage performance and monitor the adherence of Country Operations to UNHCR's rules and regulations, monitoring, identifying and addressing any emerging issues and risks as appropriate. The incumbent also promotes a culture that is results-oriented, efficient and based on trust and pursues measures to ensure that inclusion, gender balance and diversity are taken into due consideration in staffing, resource allocation and representation at all levels throughout the AoR.

As a key custodian of the organization's standards of conduct, s/he will proactively establish a working environment where all personnel feel safe, heard, equipped and empowered to speak up; demonstrate no tolerance for sexism, gender inequality, discrimination of any kind, abuse of power, harassment or sexual harassment; foster ongoing dialogue on those matters; take seriously all issues of inappropriate behaviour and actions reported, whether formally or informally; and seek guidance and support as necessary to ensure that appropriate follow-up is taken, working on the basis of zero tolerance for any form of misconduct.

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
- Facilitate the development and articulation of the strategies and policies in the area of responsibility (AoR) by supporting their use and application, through consultative processes among senior managers in the field, and reflecting major global developments influencing UNHCR's work, such as the Global Compact on Refugees and UNHCR's support to applying comprehensive responses included therein.
- Review and analyse information related to solution perspectives in the AoR, ensuring overall harmonization and coherence of the solution strategies, policies and operations.
- Ensure effective representation and engagement with strategy and policy development and evaluation processes on selected cross-cutting protection and policy issues, both within UNHCR and, as appropriate, on the inter-agency level, or with relevance to government-led comprehensive responses at national or regional levels.
- Advise the Director on key strategic issues pertaining to solutions.
- Lead the development and formulation of solutions oriented strategies which would be sub-regional and country specific, as necessary, taking into account the local context.
- Contribute to fostering and maintaining new partnerships with UN, whole-of-government including local authorities as applicable, private sector, civil society, academia, development partners, regional organizations and other actors geared towards achieving solutions in line with the GCR and application of comprehensive responses.
- Closely coordinate work related to strategy development within the Bureau, with other Bureaux and Divisions at HQ, Regional and Country Representations, governmental departments, other major stakeholders, including in private sector, at high level. Reach out to People of Concern and their involvement in the process of the search for adequate solutions is key.
- In Regional Bureaux, contribute to strengthening the Bureau's capacity for results-based management, monitoring and the evaluation of operational performance through the development of relevant tools and approaches and identifying and meeting capacity-building needs.
- Provide substantive guidance on the implementation of the solutions strategy and relevant ongoing activities to operations in the region and appropriate Divisions and Services at HQ.

- 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 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
Public Policy; Public Administration; Law; International Law; Political Science; Social Science; or other relevant field.

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Prior experience with an international organisation, development organisation or with government as part of solution-oriented or similar programmes supported by international actors. Demonstrated ability to conceptualise, develop and implement strategy and policy. Experience in both headquarters and the field, working with multiple priorities in high-pressure environments.

Desirable
Experience in coordination of UNHCR interventions with other actors, in a refugee context. Experience in applying legislative policies in international organization or the public sector. Training in UNHCR's Protection and management learning programmes, including thematic protection learning programmes.

Functional Skills
UN-Policy Advocacy in UNHCR
MG-Policy Development, Evaluation, Research, Publication
CO-Drafting and Documentation
(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.

The incumbent would demonstrate the following experience:

 Conceptualizing and coordinating global, multilateral, multi-stakeholder policy processes and events, ideally linked to the GCR
 Substantial knowledge of the GCR and engagement in the GRF
 Operationalizing GCR-related policies and initiatives through systems development internally and externally with States and partners
 Managing cross-functional teams involving Headquarters and the field to develop and operationalize policy
 Relevant Headquarters and field policy experience
 Understanding of UNHCR’s mandate, processes, and partnership landscape, including Geneva-based processes
 Diplomacy and advocacy through engagement States and other actors
 Outstanding ability to communicate strategically about the GCR, orally and in writing
 High degree of leadership, strategic thinking, political awareness, organization, and judgment
 Effective management and leadership of teams and high visibility deliverables

,

,

French

,

,

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations

The position is based in Geneva, Switzerland, and can accommodate the specific needs for qualified candidates.

Nature of Position

The Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) sets out responsibility-sharing arrangements in support of comprehensive refugee responses, including the Global Refugee Forum (GRF), High-Level Officials Meeting (HLOM), regional and national arrangements, and a programme of action, underpinned by multi-stakeholder and partnership approach.

The Assistant High Commissioner for Protection (AHC-P) maintains a global overview of GCR implementation and leads the associated normative and policy work. The AHC-P is supported in this role by the GCR Coordination Team headed by the Senior Policy Adviser (SPA). Reporting to the AHC-P, the SPA works in close collaboration with the Country Offices, Bureaux, Divisions, and HQ teams and engages senior management, governments, and key partners strategically to facilitate progress and consolidate, streamline, and guide GCR implementation.

This includes guiding and supporting development, implementation, and cultivation of Global Refugee Forum (GRF) pledges and initiatives; advising on GCR mainstreaming in UNHCR and the UN systems, including reporting, training, planning, programming, risk management, policy processes, and communications; monitoring and analyzing progress through the GCR indicator report, pledge follow-up process, and the GCR digital platform; conceptualizing and organizing global events (GRF, HLOM, and High Commissioner’s Dialogues); and maintaining momentum through building ownership, sustaining and expanding external engagement, advocacy, diplomacy, public speaking, and strategic communications.

Living and Working Conditions

Geneva is a HQ duty station offering high standard living conditions with a relatively high cost of living. Switzerland is in general a safe place with very little crime.

Staff members assigned to Geneva have also been granted the opportunity to reside in neighbouring France on the understanding that the preconditions to acquiring a French residency permit are respected.

Medical care is up to international standards. Under the Swiss Federal Health Insurance Act health insurance coverage is compulsory for all persons domiciled in Switzerland within three months of taking up residence or being born in the country. International staff members and their family members holding a Carte de légitimation or an attestation delivered by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs are exempt from this compulsory insurance provided that they are covered by another health insurance scheme (i.e. UNSMIS).

With regard to educational facilities in the Geneva area, international schools (La Grande Boissière, Châtaigneraie and Pregny) have difficulties to find places for new admissions. It is therefore advisable to make requests for admission for children as early as possible. For more information on this subject, staff can contact the Association Genevoise des écoles privées in Geneva (www.agep.ch), tel: (+41 22 735 7671).

Staff members at the grade of P-5 and above, who reside in Switzerland, enjoy diplomatic status in Switzerland and may purchase goods tax-free in Switzerland. They are also entitled to the Swiss petrol card and CD plates.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

MG-Diplomacy, SO-Presentation skillsBachelor of Arts (BA): International Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political Science, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Public Administration, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Public Policy, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Social Science

Certifications

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Managing performance, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Policy research & development, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Bi-annual Compendium 2023 Part B - October 2023

Additional Information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

---