Senior Operations Officer

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

E (most hardship)Non Family with Residential LocationDanger PayNairobi (CO), KenyaPR4Professional

* 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 AssignmentNo2024-01-01November 28, 2023

Senior Operations Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Operations Officer normally works under the direct supervision of the Senior Operations Coordinator or Head of the Office and may have alternative reporting relationships depending on the structure and size of the Operation. S/he and will be the focal person responsible for liaising with Partners through sector meetings and other coordination mechanisms in the Area of responsibility (AoR). S/he will liaise with relevant sections at HQ/Region/Field on a wide range of issues concerning the operations such as protection, resource mobilization and allocations, human resources, budget, compliance, staff welfare and security matters. The incumbent may supervise professional and/or support staff. S/he will actively support the regional operational planning process, reporting and monitoring as well as mapping of areas where persons of concern are currently located in the AoR. The incumbent will contribute to progress on issues such as negotiations on Partnership Project agreements, contractual service agreements, and management of Administrative Budgets related to the AoR.
Within UNHCR, the incumbent has regular contact with other sections/units at Headquarters and with field offices on issues related UNHCR's programme in the operations/countries within the AoR. External contacts are with, UN agencies and NGOs on UNHCR's programmes in the operations/countries covered under the AoR.

Duties
- Serve as the focal point for the operations within the AoR and follow up on situational realities, challenges and developments which may have an impact on the refugees, IDP situations, and other persons of concern.
- Analyse information received concerning new refugee situations in the AoR and present coherent, consistent and credible proposals to address the emergency needs.
- Manage the process of gathering information, preparation of analytical papers and formulating recommendations for action for the operations within the AoR.
- Contribute to the preparation of action plans to address any operational/legal gaps that have been identified; and ensure advice/guidance is provided to field offices to improve the delivery of assistance of refugees and other persons of concern (PoCs).
- Provide guidance and support for communication, and sharing of best practices amongst countries/operations in the AoR as well as with other entities in the field and at Headquarters.
- Coordinate with field offices for provision of timely, coherent, consistent, quality information about their operations.
- In the bureaux, support senior staff in the preparation of the official submissions to the meetings of the Budget Committee and Contracts' Committee, and advocate for resources required for the operations to meet their objectives, especially during Annual Planning Reviews, Mid-Year Reviews and ad hoc resource allocation consultations. Analyse Country offices' requests concerning material requirements and staffing and initiate/coordinate appropriate action to provide Country offices with relevant and timely decisions and direction.
- In the field, coordinate and supervise the field activities in the areas of protection and programme in the AoR. Build the capacity of local partners and civil society through training and other initiatives. Liaise with local Government authorities and operational partners on issues relating to the protection and assistance of PoCs. Supervise and monitor the implementation of UNHCR projects.
- Monitor the implementation of programmes within the AoR through regular missions and participate in on-going needs assessments.
- Keep the various sections and technical units at the Bureau and HQ informed on issues related to the implementation of UNHCR's programmes within the AoR.
- Maintain a wide range of external contacts with Permanent Missions, donors, and civil society organization.

- 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.

- 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 P4/NOD - 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
Political Science; Economics; Social Science;
Business Administration; Law; or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Programme Management;

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Experience in field operations. At least 5 years of relevant experience in an international capacity. Understanding of UNHCR mandate and operations.
Desirable
Strong operational background and political awareness. Experience working with UNHCR; or other UN entities or partners preferably in the area of refugee or humanitarian operations. Proven track record in emergency preparedness, response and management.

Functional Skills
MG-Field Operations Management;
MG-Coordination;
(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 very complex and diverse political and operational context in the overall country require proven ability to work collaboratively with government counterparts and other stakeholders in a highly evolving environment. Given the sensitivities on the ground and the diverse team coupled with diverse population, the incumbent should possess strong interpersonal, networking, negotiating, advocacy and diplomatic skills and the ability to manage teams effectively.

As part of UNHCR Sudan 2023-2025 multiyear strategy, SO Gedaref has commenced shifting the overall operational outlook from emergency to a more stabilized situation with a longer-term view of maintaining the overall protection response, including monitoring, coordination, technical support and supervision while taking necessary action to integrate the same within the Government local services structures. The overall strategy for 2023-2025 revolves around the following protection, solutions and operational areas: (i)Safeguard the Institution of Asylum, (ii) Improve Delivery of Services, (iii)Emergency Preparedness and Response, (iv) Engagement with Host Communities, (v) Search for and Implementation of Durable Solutions, (vi)Monitoring and Evaluation and (vii) Credible and timely protection information.

The incumbent should be able to:
• Strengthen community engagement: Further strengthening or establishing Community Based Protection Networks amongst the refugees, displaced, and host communities. Strengthen the referral, feedback and tracking mechanisms to respond to most urgent protection needs.
• Ensure effective documentation and registration: advocate for all the be registered and assisted with documentation including birth certification.
• Address Sexual and Gender Based Violence/Sexual exploitation and abuse: Work with persons we serve, host communities and partners to ensure prevention, mitigation, and response.
• Monitor onward movement, trafficking and smuggling and take necessary action.
• Ensure access to justice for the persons we serve.
• Ensure protection of children at risks
• Ensure protection advocacy and coordination: Step up the protection coordination and advocacy particularly in areas with newly arriving asylum seekers, refugees and IDPs.
• Solutions pathways: for active cases in urgent need of moving out of the country, and mapping refugees requesting support to return home.
• Community-based approaches/Conflict sensitive programming: including support to persons with specific needs, conflict and protection monitoring leveraging the Protection Sector to inform conflict sensitive programming.
• Ensure availability of credible Protection data and analysis

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations

Nature of Position

The operational context in Sudan changed drastically when, on 15 April 2023, armed conflict broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The ongoing conflict is the latest development in Sudan’s stunted transition to democratic governance following the military takeover on 25 October 2021. The conflict has dramatically worsened the humanitarian conditions in Sudan, exacerbated by pre-existing intercommunal and ethnic tensions, and triggered massive displacement. As of 29 October 2023, over 5.5 million people have been displaced by the conflict, including 4.2 million internally and over 1 million who fled outside the country in search of safety and security. Current interagency estimates for internal displacement are higher than the recorded IDP movements of the last four years combined, highlighting the largescale humanitarian crisis unfolding in Sudan and which continues to affect its neighbouring countries. The inter-agency Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) for Sudan estimates that the number of people in need in the country increased from 15.8 million in November 2022 to 24.7 million in May 2023, mainly because of the ongoing conflict.

Sudan has historically hosted one of the largest refugee populations in Africa. Prior to the conflict, Sudan hosted 1.1 million refugees, majority of whom resided in Khartoum State. Since the start of the conflict, UNHCR and partners have been able to map the internal movement of refugees within Sudan. An estimated 187,000 have moved towards safer areas. As of end-July 2023, an estimated 963,400 refugees and asylum seekers remain in Sudan.

Despite the conflict, UNHCR remains committed to stay and deliver inside Sudan. International and national staff are present in eight locations across the country, delivering protection and assistance to the forcibly displaced population both in response to the emergency and in line with UNHCR’s regular programmes. UNHCR Representation in Sudan has continued presence in five main regions of Darfur, Kordofan, East Sudan, White Nile, Blue Nile and the Country Office, which was initially based in Khartoum, has been strategically restructured into three separate locations of Port Sudan, Gedaref and Nairobi to better facilitate its oversight functions. New field offices have been established in Northern state and Jazirah state and Wadi Halfa field offices, in addition to Wad Madani Sub Office.

Historically, East Sudan has some of the most protracted refugees in the world, with the first influx of Eritrean refugees more than 50 years ago. The famine from October 1984 to March 1985 resulted in 300,000 Ethiopian refugees fleeing to Sudan, the majority being from Tigray. While many of the Ethiopians have returned over the years, most of the Eritrean refugees stayed in Fao 5 and Um Gargour, because of the dire conditions and continued fear of persecution in Eritrea. Eastern Sudan, and in particular, Kassala State, has been a platform for smugglers and traffickers for years, and it is thought that many new arrivals use Sudan as the starting point for onward movements through Libya to Europe.

In November 2020, conflict erupted in Tigray, Ethiopia resulting in an influx into the region particularly into Gedaref state, thus overwhelming an already fragile humanitarian situation. The Gedaref operation hosts around 60,000 Ethiopian refugees in 4 camps; Um Rakuba, Tunaydbah, Babikri and Um Gargour - based on ethnicity, and transit centers in Village 8, Hamdayet and Gallabat.

The Government of Sudan has maintained an open-door policy so that individuals fleeing from Ethiopia have access to territory and asylum upon arrival in Sudan. Those of Tigrayan ethnicity who fled the conflict are granted refugee status on a group basis. A forced encampment policy is in place and there are restrictions to freedom of movement, with travel permits needed for refugees to be able to leave the camps. The signing of the Cessation of Hostilities agreement between the Government of Ethiopia and TPLF in November 2022 may open a window of opportunity for the eventual voluntary return of refugees. Currently, refugees in the camps are in a “wait-and-see” situation.

Due to restrictions on movement in and out of the camps, the refugee population, in general, rely heavily on relief assistance. In the urban settlement, there exist old caseloads of refugees that comprise South Sudanese, Tigrayans and Eritreans. The South Sudanese refugee population in Gedaref state is yet to be verified with most of them integrated with the local community and accessing host community services.

Maintaining the civilian character of the camps is a priority. Refugees and asylum-seekers at the border sites face protection risks due to their proximity to the border with Ethiopia. Lack of awareness of refugees’ rights and obligations under the national law of Sudan, such as the need to obtain travel permits and work permits to seek employment opportunities outside of refugee sites, puts refugees and asylum-seekers at heightened protection risks. Social tensions between refugees and host communities as well as seasonal workers are also increasing. Gender-based violence (GBV) risks persist among refugee women and girls. Limited livelihood opportunities and lack of basic services prompt refugee adults and children to resort to negative coping strategies , notably child labour, early marriage, survival sex, and illicit alcohol brewing, and are also exposed to risky onward movement through smuggling and trafficking.

Fighting in Sudan has resulted in devastating consequences for civilians. Over 5.5 million people have been internally displaced across the country (4.4 m) and externally (1.1 m). As of Mid-Oct according OCHA. To date, humanitarian agencies have reached 3.5 m people (19.3 per cent) with humanitarian assistance of 18.1M people targeted under this year’s Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP). As of 31 August 2023, 33 per cent ($842 m) of 2.6 billion requested under the 2023 HRP has been received. As per the IOM DTM, Gedaref hosts 267 824 IDPs, sixth in terms of number of states hosting the largest number of IDPs, Kassala (107,067) and Red Sea (96,938) while Blue Nile (Damazine hosts 53 441 as of Oct 16.

Living and Working Conditions

Gedaref is classified as category E - non-family duty station. SO Gedaref supports staff responding to emergency in Ethiopia emanating from the conflict in the Tigray region. Gedaref Sub-office has two guesthouses with about 30 international staff including two medical personnel from Iqarus  and 72 national staff. Both guesthouses are equipped with satellite TV and with a common room which has a flat TV screen and BeIn satellite decoder. The city of Gedaref has two approved UNDSS hotels, Al -Rabwah hotel and Almotwakil. Food stuffs are readily available in local markets and one can eat/buy at two restaurants usually in the evenings. Bottled water and water dispensers are recommended as the quality of the tap water in Gedaref is hard and salty, therefore bodywash and soap that can lather in hard water are recommended. There is a resident UNHCR doctor in Gedaref, and a nurse at all times as government hospital and private hospitals in Gedaref state are not of the established UN standards. In case of emergency the UNHCR doctor will support with evacuation processes. There are no recreational activities in Gedaref and internet connectivity even though stable, can be erratic at times. All offices and guesthouses have UNHCR internet connection. Gedaref is usually hot but cold during the raining season with possible flooding. Staff are strongly recommended to bring with them books, sunscreen, windbreakers, gumboots, mosquito nets as well as Malaria medication.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Bachelor of Arts (BA): Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Economics, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political Science, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Social Science

Certifications

Programme Management - Other

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Managing performance, Managing resource, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Teamwork & collaboration

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

Compendium

Add. 1 to Bi-annual Compendium 2023 - Part B

Additional Information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

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