Head of Sub-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 Sub-Office P4

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Head of a UNHCR Sub Office (HoSO) 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) 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 the Sub office to take the most appropriate course of action. Concerning overall physical security concerns, HoSO will liaise directly with the competent UN security coordinator while keeping the UNHCR Representative fully informed.

While the functional responsibility of a Head of a Sub 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.
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. 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 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 UN 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
M002L3 - Managing Performance Level 3
M006L3 - Managing Resources Level 3
M005L3 - Leadership Level 3
M003L3 - Judgement and Decision Making 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 Sous la supervision directe du Représentant du HCR en Côte d¿Ivoire, le titulaire de ce poste  sera principalement en charge de la coordination de toutes les activités opérationnelles qui se rapportent à la protection des personnes relevant du mandat de l¿UNHCR, à l¿organisation de leur accès aux services de base, à l¿intégration locale des réfugiés ayant été exemptés, des déplacés internes et des rapatriés ivoiriens. Il assurera en outre la liaison entre les autorités locales sur le terrain, les partenaires gouvernementaux, les agences UN ainsi que les partenaires opérationnels, dans le cadre de la mise en œuvre dans la zone de retour, de la stratégie de protection ainsi que les activités y afferents.Cette liaison devra également s¿étendre aux bureaux du HCR qui se trouvent dans la région (Liberia, Ghana, Guinée etc.) en vue d¿une coordination efficiente des activités de rapatriement avec les collègues de ces pays conformément à l¿approche sous régionale des activités du HCR dans la Région. Ce poste exige par conséquent des compétences combinées dans les domaines managériale, juridique et pratique. Ainsi, le (la) prétendant (e) à ce poste aura besoin de détenir les compétences nécessaires dans le domaine de management, de l¿administration, de la programmation doublé d¿un sens élevé de la diplomatie. En outre il devra démontrer une expérience solide des opérations du terrain notamment sur les volets de protection, de rapatriement et une bonne compréhension de l¿apatridie, afin de garantir une gestion efficiente de tous les cas de protection auxquels il aura à faire face dans l¿exercice des tâches de sa fonction.
Enfin, il devra avoir un sens élevé de jugement et du bon sens qui pourra l¿aider à résoudre les problèmes qui ne seront pas forcement couverts par les règles et procedures. La maîtrise de la langue française est essentielle afin de garantir une bonne communication aussi bien en interne, avec le personnel et en externe, avec les autorités locales. L¿opération du HCR en Côte d¿ivoire en 2017 porte sur  le  rapatriement des réfugiés ivoiriens, sur la protection et l¿assistance aux   réfugiés et demandeurs d¿asile installés dans des zones urbaines, et sur la lutte contre l¿apatridie dans ses dimensions d¿identification, de prévention, de réduction et de protection des apatrides et/ou des personnes à risques d¿apatridie.
Ce programme se poursuivra en 2018, avec une forte implication dans des activités opérationnelles visant à apporter une réponse légale et administrative à l¿apatridie. En collaboration avec les autres acteurs, le HCR est fortement impliqué dans le programme de la réintégration durable des rapatriés ivoiriens, portant sur le  dialogue intercommunautaire,  la reconstruction des infrastructures de base comme les centres de santé et les écoles, la construction des abris, la promotion et l¿accès à la justice etc, la documentation. Le HCR Côte d'Ivoire et ses partenaires envisagent de rapatrier 16 000 réfugiés ivoiriens en 2017. La facilitation du rapatriement devrait prendre fin en décembre 2017, mais les activités de réintégration devront se poursuivre en 2018.

Les activités opérationnelles en 2017 en Côte d¿Ivoire couvrent trois PPGs  : i) réfugiés ; ii) retournés (rapatriés) ; et iii) apatrides, tous financés à hauteur d¿environ 8,744,905.00 USD en 2017, et un budget administratif d¿environ 1,059,212 USD  dont une partie d¿environ 206,298.00 USD est affecté à la sous délégation de Guiglo. La localité de Guiglo est dépourvue des infrastructures immobilières et des structures sanitaires adéquates. En outre, les activités recreatives y sont inexistantes, d'où il y a risque d'être confrontée à une situation de stress permanente. La situation sécuritaire actuelle est relativement calme mais reste imprévisible compte tenu des échéances électorales qui auront lieu en 2015. Le français étant la langue de communication officielle en Côte d'Ivoire, la connaissance de cette langue est par consequent essentielle pour ce poste. La connaissance de l'anglais comme deuxième langue serait un atout.

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).