Dur Sol 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). Durable Solutions Officer

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The Durable Solutions Officer is a focal point for solutions related issues in a country, and reports to the Senior Durable Solutions Officer, Senior Protection Officer or, where appropriate, to the Assistant or Deputy Representative.  The incumbent may have supervisory responsibility for durable solutions staff, who may include staff within the functional groups of durable solutions, reintegration, repatriation, and resettlement. She/He works closely with protection and programme staff and ensures operational standards and practices in solutions delivery at the country level. 

The Durable Solutions Officer is relied upon to assist in the development, implementation and adherence to a durable solutions strategy.   The Durable Solutions Officer should provide planning and foresight to advance progress in Protracted Refugee situations, where applicable, and/or to prevent new situations from becoming protracted.  Assisting the Country Office in fostering an environment to enhancement partnerships is a critical element of the work, as are activities designed to strength the involvement of refugee communities and their hosts in the design and implementation of solutions strategies.  A maximum number of persons of concern should benefit from appropriate durable solutions.  Broader development plans should be considered.  Frequent travel is expected.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

Accountability

- The durable solutions strategy is implemented in a manner which ensures that all available solutions are complimentary and reinforce each other.
- The durable solutions strategy is implemented in a manner which capitalizes on regional mobility frameworks and partnerships.
- Durable solutions are integrated in all protection and programmatic activities, linking security, legal, economic and social welfare issuesAppropriate durable solutions are offered to a maximum number of PoCs.

Responsibility

- Implement activities in accordance with the comprehensive solutions strategy, with a view to finding durable solutions to the maximum number of PoCs.
- Participate in the planning of, and advise on opportunities for alternative solutions, including available regional and national legal frameworks.
- Participate in consultative processes within UNHCR and with a broad range of regional and national external partners to promote voluntary repatriation, local integration and resettlement.
- Contribute to fostering and maintaining strategic partnerships with UN, national, and  regional development agencies, civil societies and the private sector.
- Advise on populations of concern' appropriate engagement for the identification of the most appropriate solutions, including through participatory assessments and other forms of community based assessments.
- Provide guidance and input to the annual programme planning to identify adequate resources and means to implement the programme country-wide
- Advise on the integration and mainstreaming of self-reliance as a key component of a durable solutions strategy and ensure the involvement of PoCs in transition projects, peace-building and development initiatives.
- Monitor the implementation of the durable solutions strategy and provide advice for improvements.
- Analyse statistics, trends, and other documents, and draft reports.
- Conduct training activities aimed at the capacity building of UNHCR and partner staff on durable solutions, peacebuilding/coexistence and partnership.
- Monitor the implementation of the programme through managing the human and financial resources and identify gaps to ensure optimum use of available funds.

Authority
- Implement and contribute to the design of national and regional comprehensive durable solutions strategies.
- Engage national and regional interlocutors on durable solutions issues.
- Represent UNHCR in meetings related to durable solutions.
- Clear documents and reports coming out of the Durable Solutions Unit.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

- Education: University Degree in Law/International Law, Political Science, Social Science, Economics, International Relations or related field.
- Job Experience: Minimum 8 years (6 years with Advanced University degree) relevant professional experience with a minimum of 2 years field experience.
- 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.
- Good knowledge of MS Word, Excel, ProGres and MSRP.
- Completion of the RSD- Resettlement Learning Programme, Protection Learning Programme and Management Learning Programme desirable. 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
M002L3 - Managing Performance Level 3
M004L3 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 3
X001L3 - Analytical Thinking Level 3
X005L3 - Planning and Organizing Level 3
X008L3 - Stakeholder Management Level 3 The incumbent should have excellent knowledge of UNHCR programme and protection (including RST and RSD) rules and procedures, to be able to advise on UNHCR¿s regional comprehensive durable solutions strategy and engage regional interlocutors on durable solutions issues. 

The incumbent must also possess excellent communication skills to represent UNHCR in negotiations and meetings relating to durable solutions, and conduct training activities aimed at the capacity building of UNHCR and partner staff on durable solutions.   

The incumbent must also be conversant with MSRP, FOCUS and ProGres.

Fluency in French is essential. Good working knowledge in English is also required as more and more reports, internal as well as external, are requested in English. In 2016-2017, conflicts between the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) and armed groups led to the constant displacement of populations in the North Kivu, including Rwandan refugees who were displaced several times.  Clashes resulting from the above dominate the humanitarian working environment in East DRC. The general context of ethnic conflicts linked with attempts to control access to mineral resources and land, the presence of various national and international armed groups, the uncontrolled circulation of arms and widespread impunity due to the weakness and/ or absence of state and judicial systems contribute to the serious security and political challenges as well as human rights violations due to the country¿s fragile administration.

IDPs are caught in a cycle of violence caused by recurrent sporadic clashes between various local and foreign armed groups operating in the East. They total more than half a million who are internally displaced in North Kivu, of whom the majority stay with host families. Their living conditions remain precarious despite the humanitarian response to provide protection and assistance.

Rwandan refugees, the majority of whom arrived in the 90`s, are still scattered in Eastern provinces, where local populations believe that they support the armed group called Front Democratique pour la Liberation du Rwanda (FDLR). Due to hostility against the refugees, who live side by side with IDPs, there are many challenges for UNHCR and its partners to intervene and provide humanitarian assistance.  The non-conductive atmosphere makes it difficult to have a smooth implementation of a comprehensive solutions strategy. In South Kivu, a Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRRP) was launched in May 2015 and was subsequently revised because the situation in Burundi remains very volatile despite the conclusion of the electoral process with the re-election of President Nkurunziza.  However, the outflow of refugees continues to neighbouring countries in the sub-region.  Since April 2015, some 27,276 individuals are sheltered at Lusenda site. Today, weekly arrival rates have reached up to 800 refugees in DRC.

In view of new developments, the operation in Eastern DRC is adjusting its staffing structure to prioritize durable solutions in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, in line with UNHCR 2018-2019 strategic objectives.

The Durable Solutions Officer will report directly to the Head of Sub-office and act as a designated focal point to supervise and coordinate solutions related activities in the two provinces. She/he will work closely with protection and programme staff and ensure operational standards and practices in solutions delivery in the two provinces. Goma is the capital of North Kivu province, bordering Rwanda.  It has an estimated population of some 1 million.  Despite the fact that Goma is an important gateway to eastern DR Congo, it remains isolated from other DRC cities due to bad road infrastructure.  Boat transport is used extensively to commute with other towns bordering the Kivu lake (e.g. Bukavu)

Staff reside in commercial accommodation available in town. 

There are limited medical facilities in Goma that are equipped to deal with moderate medical cases.  Evacuation opportunities are limited.  However, air ambulance evacuation can be organized for life threatening emergencies during day time.  Candidates with conditions requiring regular treatment or medical supervision should be appropriately advised. 

The climate is classified as tropical wet and dry. 

There are banking facilities at Goma. There is an acceptable access to communication means, such as internet, telephone sim cards etc. Goma is a security level 3 duty station.

Despite all the security measures, UN staff remains at risk due to rampant and persistent criminality fuelled by economic hardship, ill-paid police and military personnel and presence of armed groups. Staff members are exposed to house break-ins, ambushed, car-jacking, and violent criminals. Strict adherence to security measures will be advised to all staffs in order to preserve them from being victims of serious security incident and enable a smooth and secure conduct of UN operations. The presence of a live volcano (Nyiragongo) is another factor that impact the life in Goma due to the emanation of gaz (CO and sulfur).
Goma is affected by earthquake. Last earthquake was in August 2015 with a level of 5.7 on Richter scale.
Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

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).