Head of Field Office

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

- University degree in Management/Personnel Administration or Law or Political Science or International Relation or Economics or a related field.
- At least 8 years (6 years with advanced 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 The Head of Field Office (Protection), is a senior managerial position within a given country operation, with a specific protection focus. The incumbent carries the full delegated authority of the UNHCR Representative of the country, who will exercise entire supervisory managerial responsibility over the position. Subject to the specific legal or socio economic or security developments in the AOR, the Representative will direct and guide the HoFO to take the most appropriate course of action. Concerning overall physical security concerns, the HoFO will liaise directly with the competent UN security coordinator while keeping the Representative fully informed.
At the same time, from a protection perspective, the HoFO will be responsible, in line with the priorities of the office, for ensuring that protection standards are mainstreamed in all field office activities, as well as ensuring protection delivery at the local level. In this capacity, the incumbent will plan and implement quality, timely, and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern. These responses will be shaped by consultations with persons of concern, ensuring a participatory approach to identification of protection risks, challenges, and solutions. The incumbent also, through the office's coordination function, ensures the incorporation of protection principles in the work of UN agencies, partners and other stakeholders operating on the ground.
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 network to ensure his/her assigned responsibilities are effectively and efficiently discharged.
Good physical condition is a must. UNHCR Afghanistan operation is engaged in voluntary return and reintegration of Afghan refugees; countrywide humanitarian response to conflict-induced IDPs; protection and assistance to refugees, both in urban settings and in camp and hosting arrangements in rural areas (Pakistani refugees in Khost and Paktika). As protection-mandated agency, UNHCR retains an advocacy role in addressing opportunities and protection constraints for persons of concern to the Office and a capacity and institution building role in refugees and IDPs protection.
Over 5.7 million Afghan refugees have voluntarily returned home since 2002, 4.7 million through UNHCR's voluntary repatriation. At the same time, internal displacement has reached high-record levels in 2015 (more than 400,000 new conflict IDPs), with similar expectations for 2016 and 2017, compounding a protracted displacement crisis and fostering increasing population outflows to Europe. Despite the deterioration of security within Afghanistan, UNHCR reconfirmed the goals and validity of the Solution Strategy for Afghan Refugees and will continue to support the Government in ensuring voluntary repatriation of Afghan refugees in safety and dignity.  Efforts will be made to fulfil UNHCR responsibilities in the ongoing humanitarian crisis, through a more robust protection role and through Cluster leadership (Protection and Shelter/ NFI). UNHCR will ensure a comprehensive approach to support the reintegration of returning refugees and IDPs through interventions aiming at peaceful coexistence and improved access to basic services, community infrastructure, and livelihoods. UNHCR will continue to coordinate the provision of basic assistance to the refugee population in Khost and Paktika, mainstreaming protection principles in assistance interventions. In 2017, UNHCR will continue to guarantee access to fair and transparent processes of refugee status determination, to a degree depending on the effective enactment of the new Refugee Law. Pending passage of the law, UNHCR will continue to advocate with authorities for full adherence to international standards and will pursue solutions for refugees in Afghanistan, primarily limited opportunities for resettlement. Afghanistan is a high risk country with strong culture and a very complex operational environment, characterized by uncertainty and frequent security incidents including major explosions and kidnapping of foreign nationals humanitarian aid workers.  Movement of all personnel is restricted and closely coordinated and monitored by the security officers and management.  All international staff are accommodated in MORSS compliant shared compounds and/or UNHCR rented guest houses.  Visits to restaurants, other social venues or in friend¿s houses are prohibited except in UN compounds and Embassies when security allows staff movement. The situation is stressful due to security action at a very short notice including spending extended hours in office or guest house bunkers. As such, staff welfare support is key.  Considering the serious restrictions on staff movement, it is crucial that the incumbent demonstrates a record of maintaining a positive attitude whenever confronted with adversity and restraints in his/her social life. Staff interested in the position should be mentally, psychologically and physically fit and ready to face situations when required to be locked down in the compounds and the bunkers for the extended period of time due to incidents. All international staff benefit from R & R (Rest and Recuperation) that is currently on a 6-week cycle for the entire country. Apart from the UNAMA clinic which does not have proper medical facilities, there is very little medical back up, therefore staff assigned must be in good health. Candidates with conditions requiring regular treatment or medical supervision should be appropriately advised. Banking facilities and ATM machines are available in the banks and in some locations; they have been installed in UN Compounds.  International debit/credit cards can be used. There is generally limited access to shops and amenities. Recently reported security incidents highlighted that International Community has been among the targets of the AGE.  AGE groups including Taliban and Haqqani Network continue to display increased intent and capability to plan and conduct attacks across the country, increasing pressure on urban centers including Kabul Capital City. Although UN is not the prime target, individuals can be affected as part of the international community. For this reason, UNDSS continue to impose movement restrictions resulting in further shrinking of areas of our operation.  Although mitigation measures are in place to ensure staff safety and security the humanitarian space can be expected to further shrink and limit access to beneficiaries and the implementation of programmatic activities. While security began to decline in 2015, in 2016 Afghanistan recorded the highest levels of security incidents since 2002, with over 23,000 incidents (the first quarter of the year indicates that 2017 will surpass 2016). In the remainder of 2017 it is anticipated that the insurgency will continue to conduct operations country wide at a pace at least similar to or higher than 2016. Spectacular attacks are an efficient means to attract media attention. Therefore they are anticipated to continue in major city centers (especially in Kabul).  The security situation continues to be unstable, volatile and indeed unpredictable in the entire Afghanistan. The overall operational context for 2017 will remain heavily dependent on a series of uncertain developments in the current year, including outcome of planned parliamentary elections in 2016, the ongoing consolidation (or fragmentation) of political authority within the Taliban, uncertain regional interests/developments in fostering peace among increasingly fragmented armed elements within Afghanistan and in the border region of Pakistan, and the continued interest among key international stakeholders in promoting a negotiated peace settlement.   Formal peace talks, assuming they formally commence in 2016, may take years to reach a political settlement among disparate groups.  Any progress in peace negotiations will be accompanied by continued displays of force, terrorist-type incidents, increasing spread-out of confrontation between the Security Forces and Anti-Government elements, with a renewed involvement of international military forces. As evident in the first part of the year, the daily situation in Afghanistan continues to witness a considerable number of security incidents including armed clashes, IED and suicide attacks. Insecurity and political instability in certain areas continue to hinder UNHCR's protection and relief operations, resulting in unreliable and insecure access to persons of concern to the Office. The candidates for this position should be psychologically ready to work in a challenging and at times frustrating environment in view of the prevailing situation in the country.

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).