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Head of Field Office

Aarhus

  • Organization: UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
  • Location: Aarhus
  • Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
  • Closing Date: Closed

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). Head of Field-Office

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Head of a UNHCR Field Office (HoFO) is a senior managerial position within a given country operation. The incumbent carries the full delegated authority of the UNHCR Representative (or the country Manager or Head of Sub-Office) of the country, who will exercise entire supervisory managerial responsibility over the position. The position, on the other hand, provides all information on developments in relation to the protection (legal protection issues relating to the persons of concern to UNHCR), security (Physical security in relation to the UNCR staff and the persons of concern to UNHCR) and operational matters (programme and office management / administration) within the domain of its geographical area of responsibility to the UNHCR Representative (or the country manager) on a regular and timely manner. Subject to the specific legal or socio economic or security developments in the Area of Responsibility (AOR), Representative will direct and guide the Head of Field Office to take the most appropriate course of action. Concerning overall physical security concerns, HoFO will liaise directly with the competent UN security coordinator while keeping the UNHCR Representative fully informed.

While the functional responsibility of a Head of Field Office will always remain the same despite its grade level, the other parameters (therefore the depth and breadth of the competencies) such as the size of the population of concern to UNHCR, their specific legal/security concerns, volume of assistance, Number of operational / Implementing partners and the size of the Office (i.e. number of UNHCR staff and their grade levels) will determine the appropriate grade level. The operational autonomy also depends upon the same parameters/competencies.

As the most senior UNHCR staff member within the given geographical area, he/she is required to liaise with all the relevant senior government officials, security organs in the area, the Head of various Non-Governmental Organisations (both national and internationals based in the area), Civilian/tribal leaders/elders, local opinion makers and the local media net-work to ensure his/her assigned responsibilities are effectively and efficiently discharged.

As the extended field representative of UNHCR at the front line of High Commissioner's operations, he/she remain as the effective advocate and assistant to the local authorities to ensure that the respective government authorities in the area implement their conventional responsibilities in favour of refugees and others of concern to UNHCR.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

Accountability

- The Convention concerning the treatment of asylum seekers, IDPs, refugees, returnees and the stateless, where applicable, is disseminated to the local authorities.
- UNHCR policies and standards are applied consistently in the AOR to ensure quality protection of populations of concern.
- A healthy, safe and respectful working environment is provided to the workforce in the AOR.

Responsibility

1. Monitor and report on the implementation of refugee conventional responsibilities and international obligations of the local authorities Vis a Vis the population of concern to UNHCR within the given geographical area; based on local situations/developments make appropriate recommendation to the UNHCR Representative/HoSO.
2. Advocate and promote UNHCR  standards concerning the treatment of asylum seekers, refugees and returnees as well as IDPs, where applicable; Advocate, promote and encourage the concerned authorities and local opinion makers to uphold established UNHCR standards that have become the international norms.
3. Ensure that the basic needs of the concerned population are properly assessed with the participation of the beneficiaries themselves, the host governments and/or the competent Implementing partners and/or UNHCR itself.
4. Subject to the needs, ensure that the planning, formulation and budgeting of identified assistance projects are done as per UNHCR programme cycle; upon approval of assistance project, ensure the timely implementation and rigorous monitoring  of identified assistance activities
5. Ensure through the subordinate staff that all deadlines for monitoring and reporting of UNHCR operational activities (i.e. include assistance as well as Administrative) are met on a regular basis.
6. Manage all UNHCR resources, both human, financial/material, at an optimum level for the wellbeing of the concerned population and the UNHCR staff.
7. Ensure that all security measures of UNHCR office (and residential, where ever applicable) compounds are always up to date; any security breaches and/or potential security threat should be reported immediately to competent UN security coordinator in the country.
8. Ensure that staff welfare, both in terms of working and living conditions, are maintained at a satisfactory level within the constraints in the operational area; this requires remaining current in health and medical facilities locally available and evacuation options available in a moment of medical urgency.
9. Guide, coach and advocate the subordinate staff to maintain highest standards of conduct and behaviour thorough one's own practice and deeds.
10. Prepare and submit regular reports, both verbally and written, to the UNHCR Representative/HoSO. In the event of substantial telephone conversation that leads to specific action or non-action, it should be recorded and share with the other party.
11. Any other responsibilities/functions deemed necessary or as delegated by the UNHCR Representative of the country in order to meet the level of the services in the organization.

Authority

- Represent UNHCR in inter-agency fora and with local authorities in the AOR.
- Enforce compliance with UNHCR's global protection, programme, finance, human resources and security policies and standards.
- Submit project proposals for assistance to refugees and other persons of concern to UNHCR Representation or Sub-Office in coordination with local authorities and NGOs.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

- Advanced University degree in Management/Personnel Administration or Law or Political Science or International Relation or Economics or a related field.
- At least 10 years (12 years with university degree) of relevant work experience.
- In-depth knowledge in all aspects of UNHCR mandate and its Field level application.
- Applied knowledge of protection principles, operational arrangements/standards in relation to protection, assistance, UNHCR office management and staff administration.
- Should be conversant in the current priorities in the organisation and existing mechanisms within the organisation to implement those priorities.
- Basic computer skills and working knowledge in MS office software.
- Excellent knowledge of English with working knowledge of another relevant UN language.

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

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

- Working experience both in UNHCR HQ and/or a Regional Office and the Field
- UNHCR Specific learning/training activities ( i.e. Learning Programme in Management & Operations)
- Proficiency of the language(s) that are used within the Sub Office area. 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
M006L3 - Managing Resources Level 3
M005L3 - Leadership Level 3
M002L3 - Managing Performance Level 3
M004L3 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 3
X005L3 - Planning and Organizing Level 3
X001L3 - Analytical Thinking Level 3
X007L3 - Political Awareness Level 3 For the successful discharge of the functions of Head of Field Office, Tartus, well-rounded and experienced field profiles are critical, and so are strong political sense, mature diplomatic and negotiation skills, knowledge of the Syria Operation, as well as awareness of the local and regional political dynamics surrounding it. Moreover, prior managerial experience with complex emergencies, involving IDPs, returnees and refugees (both camp and urban caseloads) is important, and so is demonstrated ability to lead, manage and deliver successfully in stressful high security risk environment.

The incumbent should be proactive by nature and able to implement successfully under adverse security conditions. S/he should have demonstrated political awareness and be able to deal effectively with authorities and national partners. S/he must be a team leader with excellent interpersonal skills to be able to motivate and effectively lead a team of international and national staff of different backgrounds and varying experiences. The Head of Field Office will be expected to coordinate activities in his/her respective areas of responsibilities, including in the UNHCR-led Protection & Community Services and Shelter/NFIs sectors, as well as in the Health and Education Sectors. Leadership and effective management of various planning and implementation processes, as well as direct involvement in field monitoring, analysis and reporting are implied in the functions of this position. Therefore, in addition to analytical thinking and forward planning skills, effective written and oral communication skills are paramount for the successful discharge of the function of this position.

The Head of Field Office is based in Tartus and reports directly to the Head of Operations. In addition to her/his direct responsibilities within UNHCR Syria, s/he may be requested to perform duties of the Area Security Coordinator. The need for the position of Head of Field Office, P-4, in Field Office Tartus is prompted by the scaling up of the humanitarian response to the Syrian IDP crisis and IDP/refugee return operations in addition the decentralization of the decision-making process closer to the point of delivery. The delegation to the Field Office of greater authorities and responsibilities across all functional areas, including admin/finance, field/operation, protection, field safety/security, supply, programme, livelihood, imposes on the Head of the Field Office a much higher level of accountability.

The operational environment in Syria, in general, and in Tartus, in particular, is characterized by volatile security, limited access to persons of concern, multiple administrative and logistical challenges, limited number of implementing partners and enormous political sensitivities, including ever-increasing politicization of the humanitarian response to the IDP crisis, whereby the UN¿s very principles of humanity, neutrality and impartiality are often questioned by external actors (e.g. media). The present security situation in Syria also creates pressures at work and in daily life as priorities are frequently upended for other urgent ad hoc tasks. The incumbent should be prepared to work under such conditions and be able to manage stressful situations. Syria is officially a non-family duty station with a four-week R&R cycle and the security situation remains volatile. Given that fluency in English is not common, be it among local government officials, implementing partners or beneficiaries in the area of coverage of the position, Arabic language skills will be an asset.

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).

This vacancy is now closed.
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