Assc Resett Officer

Associate Resettlement Officer

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

An Associate Resettlement Officer position is typically located at Regional Office, Branch Office or Field Office. Under supervision, the incumbent's primary role is to assist in providing, in close coordination with concerned sections within UNHCR as well as external parties such as resettlement countries, IOM and NGOs, a continuous support to resettlement operations by ensuring that resettlement polices are correctly implemented and operations are supported in establishing comprehensive protection and solutions strategies. The Associate Resettlement Officer takes part in assessing cases for resettlement and conducting interviews as well as monitoring procedural compliance and quality of case submissions. The role of the Associate Resettlement Officer may involve managerial responsibilities in supervising, coaching and training junior staff, and assisting in implementing organisational objectives and priorities.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

Accountability

- Resettlement delivery in the country is needs-based, non-discriminatory and prioritized for refugees most in need of this solution.
- UNHCR's resettlement policies and standards are correctly and coherently applied.
- Persons of concern are made aware of UNHCR's resettlement procedures and have fair and transparent access to and participation in the resettlement process.
- Fraud in the resettlement process is promptly identified and addressed.

Responsibility

- Stay abreast of political, legal, social and economic developments that have an impact on the protection environment.
- Assist in implementing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for promoting the resettlement of persons of concern as protection tool and durable solution in the context of comprehensive solution strategies.
- Assist in the development of country resettlement strategy and annual resettlement planning exercise.
- Assist in promoting and monitoring the implementation of UNHCR's global resettlement policies, procedures and guidelines.
- Propose the development and enhancement of policy and guidelines for resettlement practices.
- Assist in guiding and capacitating the country operation to prepare consistent and quality resettlement submissions.
- Assist in monitoring resettlement activities to ensure progress against targets, transparency and efficiency in case submissions and appropriate follow-up with resettlement countries and other key stakeholders.
- Identify, interview, assess resettlement needs, and process persons identified for resettlement following established procedures; undertake field missions as required; provide counselling to individuals.  
- Assist selection missions by resettlement countries to the country.
- Systematically apply an Age, Gender and Diversity perspective in all aspects of the resettlement process; comply with UNHCR policy and guidelines on HIV/AIDS.
- Assist in mitigating resettlement fraud through oversight (including in-country travel), advice and guidance.
- Assist the country operation with group resettlement procedures, including planning, profiling, logistical arrangements, verification and post-verification follow-up.
- Maintain regular contact and close cooperation with resettlement countries and partners to ensure effective resettlement delivery and adherence to adequate protection and resettlement standards.
- Participate, where appropriate, in country-level discussions with resettlement countries and partners.
- Assist in managing a process to ensure that persons of concern and partners receive up-to-date and accurate information on UNHCR's resettlement policies and procedures.
- Assist in the submission of up-to-date and accurate statistics, resettlement reports and needs assessments are submitted to management as required.
- Identify and recommend relevant training activities of UNHCR staff and implementing partners.
- Contribute to a communications strategy that generates support for UNHCR's operations from external partners.


Authority

- Decide and prioritize resettlement interviews of persons of concern.
- Approve submissions for resettlement.
- Represent UNHCR's resettlement positions.
- Enforce compliance with, and integrity of, resettlement standard operating procedures.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

- Education: University degree in international law, international relations, political science, social sciences or related fields of discipline.
- Job experience: At least 4 years (2 years with Advanced University degree) of professional work experience relevant to refugee protection work).
- Excellent knowledge of English and working knowledge of another UN language.

(In offices where the working language is not English, excellent knowledge of UN working language of duty station and working knowledge of English.)

***For National Officer positions, very good knowledge of local language and local institutions is essential.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

- Diverse field experience desirable.
- Ability to understand and implement UNHCR's policy and global strategic priorities, such as AGDM, IDP, Statelessness, and HIV/AIDS, in the area of responsibility at appropriate level.
- Good IT skills including database management skills.
- Completion of the Protection Learning Programme, RSD- Resettlement Learning Programme.