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 Knowledge of the political, social and cultural practices of IDP population;
Demonstrated humility while dealing with persons of concern and level headedness;
Demonstrated openness in dealing with issues and showing high level of transparency and accountability;
Experience serving as Head of Office or Unit;
Knowledge of IDP populations / Cluster approach;
Experience in implementing field protection at the point of delivery;
Ability to manage a large team and coordinate with other Field Offices;
Sensitive political context requires ability to work collaboratively with government counterparts;
Consensus and team building and cultural sensitivity needed since the team will be diverse;
Ability to mentor both international and national staff under his or her supervision;
Ability to demonstrate multi-agency co-ordination and dealing with the public;
Experience in dealing with multiple crises;
Ability to come up with innovative and creative solutions to operational challenges;
Strong analytical skills in conducting research and developing policy and concept papers;
As this operation is dealing mostly with IDP/Refugee issues, the Head of Office should have more protection rather than programme experience. The conflict in North East (NE) Nigeria has resulted into 1.8 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) within North East (NE) Nigeria. Many of the displaced are women, children, the elderly and others with specific needs.
From August 2016, UNHCR Nigeria has been operating under an internal level 3 emergency. By May 2017, 338,106 Nigerians returned from Cameroon and Niger to Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States. The situation of returns to Nigeria has also been exacerbated by repeated attacks by Boko Haram against Niger and Cameroon leaving a wake of injured and dead creating an environment of suspicion towards foreigners and migrants that resulted into strong pressure on the asylum space in these countries.
Intensified counter insurgency operations by the Nigerian military and the MNJTF have enabled humanitarians to access new areas in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States, where some 800,000 additional IDPs with acute needs of life-saving assistance were identified.
Current assessments of the situation show that over 3,000,000 people are affected by the conflict, including the 1,800,000 IDPs, over 106,000 refugee returnees and an estimated 2,000,000 civilians trapped in conflict / inaccessible areas of the north-eastern part of Nigeria.
UNHCR has been providing ongoing support in terms of protection and assistance despite the security challenges and has increased its presence in key strategic locations with four field units and a sub office in the North East.
UNHCR and other humanitarian actors now have some degree of access to a significant number of persons of concern and rapid assessments have confirmed acute protection and assistance needs. UNHCR already has deployed an emergency team to the North and will continue to reinforce its staffing and operational engagement namely by delivering urgent protection interventions and transitional shelter solutions. Working & Living Conditions UNHCR Nigeria consists of a Representation at the Branch Office in the Federal Capital City, Abuja, a Field Office in Lagos, and a Sub-Office in Maiduguri, under the direct supervision of the Branch Office. UNHCR Nigeria has 41 international and 62 national staff members.

While most of the cities in Nigeria are hugely populated, access to accommodation is relatively easier in Abuja with less security restrictions. While in the field, for security reasons and due to limited availability, UNHCR has rented a guesthouse solely for the use of staff.
Most food products, both fresh and processed are readily available in most urban centers. In Maiduguri for example due to the prolonged inaccessibility by road, scarcity of food products is experienced. The security situation requires international staff deployed to Nigeria to undertake security briefings on terrorism related issues. Majority of the States in the Northeast are currently at security level 4-5. Abuja is at level 3.
Accessibility to affected populations is difficult due to the volatile security situation in the North-East. The States of Yobe, Adamawa and Borno present additional challenges due to the presence of the insurgents, IED, PBIED and military activity including the reported presence of landmines and other unexploded ordnances in these areas. Adequate security measures and equipment, including armored vehicles, are required to operate in the area.
The humanitarian presence has sensibly increased since the L3 emergency declaration in the North East in August 2016. The main challenge remains the limited access to newly liberated areas in implementing protection and humanitarian activities.

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).