Resett Officer (Exclusion)

Resettlement Officer (Exclusion)

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Security considerations are an essential factor in shaping policy responses and developments relevant to international refugee protection. In an overall environment increasingly marked by concerns about security threats resulting from terrorism and other forms of transnational criminality, UNHCR is called upon to ensure that measures to counter serious crime and to address threats to national or international security and public order, including in the context of terrorism and other forms of transnational crime, comply with international legal obligations towards persons of concern to UNHCR, and more specifically, provisions in international refugee law governing exclusion on the grounds of criminal conduct, expulsion, exceptions to the principle of non-refoulement and other measures to address possible threats to security and public order. At the same time, UNHCR is required to redouble its efforts to preserve the integrity of its own procedures and operations, notably in the context of individual case processing for the purposes of resettlement and other forms of admission. UNHCR is conducting its mandate activities in ever more complex settings, where events in one operation may have far-reaching repercussions for UNHCR operations elsewhere, and the exercise of core protection activities may expose the Office to reputational risks as well as potential security threats at an unprecedented level. It is essential, therefore, to ensure that UNHCR operations involved in processing individual cases or caseloads involving complex and/or sensitive profiles receive expert guidance, advice and support.

The Protection & National Security (PNS) Section within the Division of International Protection (DIP) leads UNHCR¿s efforts in this area, including through upholding rigorous standards for the handling of cases raising exclusion and/or security issues by UNHCR with a view to protecting the integrity of UNHCR's processes and operations. This includes working with Field Offices and Regional Bureaux, in close coordination with relevant parts of Headquarters, notably the Resettlement Service, to ensure consistent application of principles and standards by operations dealing with individual cases and/or populations involving complex and sensitive profiles in the context of processing for resettlement and other forms of admission. The Section provides advice and support to operations, Bureaux as well as other parts of DIP on legal and procedural questions concerning exclusion, cancellation, revocation, extradition, terrorism and other security-related issues arising in the context of individual case processing, as well as in terms of developing case processing strategies and responses to ensure that individual cases involving complex and/or sensitive profiles are handled with due diligence and to minimize potential reputational and/or security risks. The Section also engages with States and other relevant external counterparts on issues related to UNHCR's approach to identifying cases raising potential exclusion and/or security issues in the context of processing for resettlement and other forms of admission.

The Resettlement Officer (Exclusion) works within the Protection and National Security (PNS) Section in DIP (Policy & Law). Under the overall guidance of the Senior Coordinator and Chief of Section, the incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Senior Officer (Protection & National Security), to ensure that sound guidance is provided to the Field, the Regional Bureaux and relevant parts of DIP, notably the Resettlement Service, regarding the interpretation and application of the exclusion criteria and/or potential security concerns arising in the context of processing individual cases for the purposes of resettlement or other forms of admission. The Resettlement Officer (Exclusion) will review and analyse cases where exclusion and/or security issues arise at any stage of processing, with a view to informing decisions on UNHCR's course of action. The Resettlement Officer (Exclusion) will also contribute to the design and implementation of processing strategies for caseloads involving complex and/or sensitive profiles. The incumbent of this post must possess expert knowledge of exclusion and cancellation under international refugee law, extradition law, as well as relevant criteria in international criminal law and international humanitarian law. The incumbent must also be fully conversant with UNHCR's legal and procedural guidance on exclusion and related issues. (S)he requires strong interpersonal and communication skills, excellent analytical and drafting skills, discretion and judgement, and strong political acumen. He or she should also have good training skills and experience, particularly in exclusion and cancellation matters, be flexible and have the ability to handle a number of competing priorities at the same time and still produce high quality work.

In exercising his/her functions, the Resettlement Officer (Exclusion) will work closely with the RST Service and other relevant Units in DIP and Divisions, the Regional Bureaux, including Regional RSD Officers, and Field Offices.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

Accountability
- UNHCR¿s policies and standards in the areas of exclusion, cancellation, extradition and other relevant areas are consistently and coherently applied by UNHCR staff.
- Close coordination and liaison with DIP's Resettlement Service on issues related to exclusion, cancellation, extradition and other relevant areas is ensured.
- The quality of submissions for resettlement and other forms of admission is strengthened.
- The integrity of UNHCR's procedures for resettlement and other forms of admission are strengthened.

Responsibility
- Maintain current knowledge and understanding of UNHCR¿s positions and policies concerning exclusion and related matters as well as procedural standards for RSD, RST and other forms of admission, and support their correct interpretation and implementation by UNHCR staff and partners.
- Undertake review of individual cases processed by UNHCR for the purposes of resettlement or other forms of admission at any stage of the process.
- Provide constructive and timely guidance, advice and operational support to UNHCR Field Offices, Regional Bureaux and other units at HQs on issues related to exclusion and/or security concerns arising in the context of case processing for the purposes of resettlement and other forms of admission.
- Undertake support missions to selected UNHCR operations and make recommendations on measures to strengthen the quality and efficiency of individual case processing.
- Maintain current knowledge and understanding of developments in the area of exclusion and related matters in the context of processing for resettlement and other forms of admission globally as well as the challenges faced by individual UNHCR operations.
- Analyse trends and challenges involving exclusion, security and related matters arising in the context of resettlement and other forms of admission, and make recommendations regarding appropriate responses.
- Monitor, compile and analyse data concerning exclusion and related matters arising in the context of individual case processing for resettlement and other forms of submission.
- Contribute to designing and implementing procedures to ensure that cases raising exclusion and related issues in the context of resettlement processing are reviewed as appropriate prior to re-submission.
- Contribute to designing and implementing case processing strategies for caseloads involving complex and/or sensitive profiles in contexts related to resettlement or other forms of admission.
- Contribute to the development of training tools related to exclusion and resettlement.
- Deliver training on exclusion and related issues in the context of processing for resettlement and other forms of admission.
- Maintain a gender equality, age and diversity perspective throughout the above.

Authority
- Review RSD decisions as well as relevant SOPs and case processing strategies, and formulate recommendations as to the way forward.
- Provide specialized training to UNHCR personnel involved in processing cases for the purposes of resettlement or other forms of admission.
- Represent UNHCR on exclusion issues in engagement with resettlement countries and in state-led fora.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Advanced university degree in Law/Public International Law, with preference for International Refugee, Human Rights or Humanitarian Law.
- Minimum 6 years (8 years with university degree) of relevant work experience in progressively responsible functions in an office/organisation that deals with refugee protection/human rights protection, preferably within the UN, of which at least four years should be in the areas that are directly relevant to the current position.
- Minimum two years' experience in refugee status determination in a UNHCR or Government capacity, with a particular focus on exclusion and related areas.
- In-depth knowledge of international refugee law, especially with regard to exclusion, and related areas such as cancellation, extradition, as well as relevant aspects of international criminal law and international humanitarian law.
- In-depth knowledge of UNHCR's standards and policies on exclusion, security and related matters, and on resettlement processing and ability to apply the relevant principles and standards.
- Exposure to provision of legal and policy support services in an international organization.
- Excellent drafting skills.
- Demonstrated ability to deal with multiple tasks in a courteous and service oriented manner under demanding working conditions that often have short deadlines.
- Excellent knowledge of English (writing, reading, speaking and comprehension).

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- Exposure to UNHCR specific training/learning activities and experience with training
- Knowledge of other UN languages, preferably French, Arabic or Russian.