(Re)Int Officer

Before submitting an application, UNHCR staff members intending to apply to this Job Opening are requested to consult the IOM-FOM issued for this Compendium / Fast Track exercise, as well as the  Revised Policy and Procedures on Assignments (UNHCR/HCP/2015/2 refers). (Re-)Integration Officer

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The incumbent works with senior staff members to provide policy advice and technical support relating to the assistance of urban, rural and camp based refugees in a country of asylum or returnees in a country of origin, the host communities and IDPs in their achievement of sustainable solutions. The job requires direct contact with the target population in assessing needs and taking into account aspects of age, gender and diversity mainstreaming in planning, the needs of host communities and political and socio-economic context.

The staff member could represent a UNHCR office in developing a (re)integration strategy and an inter-agency programme in collaboration with the Government, UN agencies and other stakeholders.  The staff member also works closely with UNHCR's Programme, Protection and Technical units to ensure that UNHCR Operation in a concerned country reflects the (re)integration strategy of its programme components and also that UNHCR's protection principles are reflected in the strategy.

The staff member is directly supervised by Snr. Programme Officer, Snr. Reintegration Officer or Head of Sub-Office and receives guidance and advice on technical matters from the Branch Office/ Bureau and relevant Units at HQ, especially, DPSM/OSTS.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

Accountability

- UNHCR's operation has a well-articulated and effective inter-agency multi-year durable solutions strategy clearly focusing on reintegration in the country of origin and/or local integration in the country of asylum, which is aligned with global and regional priorities to protect and assist all persons of concern (POCs).
- In a protracted displacement situation, UNHCR's operation has an inter-agency multi-year transitional solutions' strategy to support communities hosting refugees/IDPs and impacted by the presence of refugee/IDPs.
- UNHCR's reintegration/local integration strategy is in line with broader recovery/development plan and the needs of persons of concern are included in broader national/area-based recovery or development plans.
- UNHCR's operation has strategic partnership with government offices, development agencies, civil societies and the private sector.
- Opportunities for reintegration and/or local integration are maximized through advocacy.
- UNHCR's policies on durable solutions are consistently and coherently applied to the country operation.

Responsibility

- Stay abreast of the challenges posed by the local political, economic and socio-cultural context impacting on reintegration and/or local integration opportunities and advise the country-office senior management ; stay abreast of UNHCR and UN policies on durable solutions, reintegration, local integration, peace-building and UN joint programming.
- Participate in inter-agency programming processes, namely joint needs assessments, CCA/UNDAF, national development plan, or other joint programming, at national and sub-national levels, which lead to broader national or area-based recovery and development plans; ensure the inclusion of reintegration and local integration needs into these plans.
- Manage a consultative process within the office and with external partners to draft UNHCR's reintegration and/or local integration strategies and to ensure their harmonization with broader national or area-based development plans.
- Participate in UNHCR's operation's planning; advise on activities to meet basic needs, improve socio-economic self-reliance of persons of concern,  build peaceful coexistence between persons of concern and host communities and sustainable solutions; and ensure the inclusion of reintegration and/or local integration priorities into the country operation plan.
- Develop and maintain strategic partnership with development agencies, bilateral agencies, civil societies and the private sector to bring area-based development programmes to communities hosting persons of concern.
- Participate in inter-agency coordination meetings on early recovery/transition projects and represent UNHCR when appropriate.
- Promote global/UNHCR's policies, guidelines and standards on durable solutions, peace-building and joint programming with Office and partner staff.
- Liaise with the Division of Programme Support and Management/Operational Solutions and Transition Section (DPSM/OSTS) and other relevant offices at HQs and provide inputs into global policies, standards and indicators related to durable solutions and peace-building.
- Conduct training activities aimed at building the capacity of UNHCR and partner staff to achieve durable solutions, peaceful coexistence and effective partnership.
- Monitor durable solutions and peace-building activities, collect and analyze data on the status of persons of concern in order to inform durable solutions programmes and evidence-based advocacy.
- Organize evaluations and/or reviews of UNHCR's reintegration programmes in order to allow for informed revisions of operational priorities including exit strategies.
- Participate in inter-agency joint project proposals and advocate for financial support to reintegration and/or local integration of persons of concern.
- Supervise staff and exercise effective managerial oversight, direction, guidance and support.
- Perform other duties as required.

Authority

- Represent UNHCR at the appropriate level in negotiations with government offices and development agencies on their engagement in transition/development programmes at the country level and in areas hosting persons of concern as well as on the inclusion of reintegration and local integration priorities into recovery and development plans.
- Clear the reintegration and/or local integration components of the country strategy and operation plan before submission to senior management.
- Initiate inter-agency consultations, partnerships and joint project proposals to further UNHCR re(integration) priorities.
- Enforce compliance of country operation with global policies, guidelines and standards on durable solutions, transition and peace-building.
- Enforce global and UNHCR's standard and indicators in reviewing the country operation reintegration/local integration/transitional solutions' programmes.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

- University Degree in Economics or Development Studies, Political Sciences, Policy Studies or other related fields. 
- Minimum 8 years (6 years with Advances University degree) of previous relevant work experience.
- Field experience in reintegration/local integration situations.
- Excellent knowledge of English and working knowledge of another UN language.

(In offices where the working language is not English, excellent knowledge of 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

- Of the University Degree listed as the essential qualification, a degree in Economics or Development Studies is highly preferred.
- Familiar with Peace-building (Fund), UNDAF, UN joint programming process and inter-agency collaboration is desirable.
- Experience with development agencies is an added value. C001L3 - Accountability Level 3
C002L3 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 3
C003L3 - Communication Level 3
C004L3 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 3
C005L3 - Client & Result Orientation Level 3
C006L3 - Organizational Awareness Level 3
M001L3 - Empowering and Building Trust Level 3
M002L3 - Managing Performance Level 3
M004L3 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 3
X001L3 - Analytical Thinking Level 3
X007L3 - Political Awareness Level 3
X008L3 - Stakeholder Management Level 3

Please note that the closing date for all vacancies in the Add. 3 to March 2017 Compendium is Thursday, 3 August 2017 (midnight Geneva time).