Senior Development Adviser

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). Senior Development Adviser

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

UNHCR¿s mandated responsibility for finding solutions to refugee situations has long required stronger cooperation with development partners and the inclusion of refugees within national development programmes. Notwithstanding the Office¿s efforts over many decades, the proportion of refugees and internally displaced persons in protracted displacement situations remains high. Moreover, the diminishing number of people who have found durable solutions constitutes a worrying trend that has persisted in recent years. In addition, the increasing scale of irregular migration, large scale refugee movements, and the costs of responding to humanitarian situations have also placed forced displacement high on the global agenda. These elements have further driven the realization that humanitarian support alone is insufficient to lift displaced populations out of poverty, enable solutions to their situations or assist them to realize their development potential.

Among the most significant humanitarian-development cooperation partnerships strengthened in recent years has been between the World Bank and UNHCR on forced displacement.  In the eighteenth replenishment (2017-2019) of the World Bank¿s International Development Association (IDA) financing programme for least developed countries, an amount of US$ 2 billion has been included for those states receiving large numbers of refugees. The IDA 18 allocation follows the operationalization of a global concessional financing facility for Middle Income Countries (MICs) affected by large numbers of refugees. In addition, UNHCR has enhanced cooperation with the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Within the context outlined above, the role of the Senior Development Adviser is to steer and direct UNHCR's engagement and cooperation with development agencies implementing medium term programmes assisting local communities and refugees in countries with significant refugee populations. It is anticipated that these programmes will grow in significance in future years due to the greater importance attached to addressing protracted displacement situations by donor governments. The role will be pivotal to ensuring complementarity between UNHCR's protection work and the economic and social development objectives pursued by development partners and their government counterparts. It will therefore be important that the Senior Development Adviser coordinates closely with UNHCR senior management within the local Country and Sub and Field Offices. For that reason, he/she will work under the overall supervision of the UNHCR Representative or his/her Deputy to ensure that (i) policy, operational and programme priorities are properly aligned between humanitarian and development agencies, and (ii) that reporting and information exchanges on key developments are established and maintained among all interested stakeholders.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

Accountability

-  National/local partnerships with development cooperation agencies and their government counterparts established to ensure policy dialogue and programming for refugees and local communities is informed by protection concerns and objectives from the outset;
- Medium term economic and social development programmes addressing forced displacement incorporate protection and solutions perspectives for refugees during their planning, preparation and implementation;
- Agreed monitoring mechanism established with development partners to track the progress of medium-term development programmes addressing forced displacement towards improved economic and social outcomes for local communities and refugees.

Responsibility

- Provide technical leadership and support for relationship building with development co-operation agencies through the different stages of policy and programme identification, preparation, implementation and review.
- Develop partnerships and networks with development cooperation actors to influence the policy dialogue with governments on institutional arrangements sectors, locations and programme content of consequence to UNHCR and persons of concern. This would, in particular, focus on supporting the coordination of the in-country relationship with the World Bank and the implementation of the IDA 18 financing for the refugee and local communities sub-window.
- Cooperate with development partners to assist them in incorporating the concerns of refugees, returnees and others of concern to UNHCR into the design and implementation arrangements of projects and interventions in a manner that impacts positively on protection circumstances.
- Identify, commission and/or contribute to studies and analytical activities that build the conceptual framework and evidence base for comprehensive, development-oriented responses, including preparedness work, to forced displacement.
- Engage with governments, development partners (both multilateral and bilateral), and with the private sector and civil society (as appropriate) to identify opportunities for UNHCR to contribute to the design and implementation of monitoring systems to track progress towards agreed outcomes.
- Facilitate coordination and collaboration and the sharing of knowledge and experience sharing between UNHCR and development actors and across UNHCR operations globally by documenting and disseminating good practices.
- Support local training activities aimed at the capacity building of UNHCR and partner agency staff to achieve greater coordination, effectiveness and synergies between humanitarian and development interventions.

Authority

- Reflect UNHCR's positions on policy and programming issues as they relate to the protection and solutions of refugees with medium-term economic and social development programmes;
- Represent UNHCR in meetings and fora related to the functions of the post and present positions to development and government counterparts that incorporate the protection and solutions and perspectives of refugees;

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

- Advanced University Degree in Law/International Law, Political Science, Social Science, Development, Economics, International Relations or related field;
- Minimum ten (10) years of relevant professional experience;
- At least six (6) years of direct working experience with an international agency/organisation implementing development programmes, of which at least two (2) years in field operations,  preferably with knowledge of, or experience in, local or area based economic development;
- Experience in primary data collection, quantitative research methods and results-based management;
- Proven coordination and or networking skills engaging both development and humanitarian actors, familiarity with development and humanitarian processes;
- Excellent policy and development programming skills and familiarity with results based management;
- Solid understanding of development context and related operational challenges as they relate to refugees, including institutional arrangements;
- Excellent communication skills including ability to communicate and disseminate information effectively to a broad background of stakeholders;
- Excellent analytical skills, and good research capabilities; 
- Excellent English language skills, including drafting.

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

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

- Strong and up-to-date knowledge of development, state-building and peace-building in fragile and conflict-affected situations.
- Solid understanding of humanitarian operations, principles and coordination structures.
- Good grasp of refugee protection.
- Fluency in second UN language. 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
M005L3 - Leadership Level 3
M004L3 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 3
M003L3 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 3
X007L3 - Political Awareness Level 3
X005L3 - Planning and Organizing Level 3
X001L3 - Analytical Thinking Level 3
X008L3 - Stakeholder Management Level 3 - Experience in initiating and strengthening dialogue and partnerships with recovery and development partners, including bilateral donors, UN agencies, other international organizations, international financial institutions and government entities;
- Knowledge about development actors and their working methods and approaches;
- Ability to liaise, build trust and liaise with Government entities at local, regional and central level, particularly with those involved in recovery and development initiatives;
- Ability to represent UNHCR in various recovery and development forums, including meetings related to the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF), UN Eastern Team, etc.
- Awareness to identify additional funding resources for solutions-oriented projects and activities, including from the private sector and international financial institutions;
- Ability to manage and analyze data/information and to compile information into concise reports and proposals for various internal and external requirements;
- Excellent communication skills to establish smooth working relationship with various internal and external partners;
- Knowledge of multi-year proposal writing would be an asset;
- Good management skills to supervise and guide staff under his/her supervision. The position will be located at the Country Office in Kyiv, which oversees the implementation of the UNHCR operations throughout the entire territory of Ukraine, including non-government controlled areas of the country.   The position requires frequent travel to conflict-affected parts of the country.

Ukraine has suffered from the consequences of over three years of conflict in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, as well as the occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.  This has led to the internal displacement of more 1.7 million people, according to the Government of Ukraine. UNHCR has been providing protection and material assistance to the most vulnerable IDPs and other conflict-affected communities at risk of displacement.

UNHCR and other humanitarian partners have started engaging in early recovery activities.  Yet, a recent upsurge in fighting has led to an increase in infrastructure damage and civilian casualties.  This has led to a situation where humanitarian needs continue but recovery and development programmes are starting on the government-controlled side.  This requires development expertise at Kyiv level where most of the discussions on recovery and development programmes.  Also, while UNHCR has received generous donor funding, the situation as of 2018 will become more challenging as various major donors have announced drastic reductions in their contributions towards humanitarian programs and agencies, including UNHCR.  This would require approaching a different set of donors, especially those interested in recovery and development projects in conflict-affected areas. The conflict has affected the socio-economic situation of the country.   Despite this and except for the conflict zone, the living and working conditions are compatible with the standards of a category "A" duty station. Food and non-food items are widely available in both large and smaller-scale shops and chains of supermarkets; public and private education institutions as well as healthcare facilities are easily accessible. Road, rail and air transportation is well developed for in-country travel. Direct flights are available to several big transit destinations from two international airports in the Kyiv region, while daily flights to European destinations are available from several international airports throughout the country. Real estate market is well developed and staff is allowed to rent private residential accommodation. GSM coverage is available country-wide; Wifi is widely available and covers most public places. The political context remains sensitive. The security situation differs in various regions: it is relatively calm in the central and Western regions, while serious security precautions should be taken when travelling to the conflict area in eastern Ukraine.  Violent clashes between Russia-backed separatists and Ukrainian forces continue in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. The country is de facto divided between Ukrainian government-controlled and separatist-held areas, with numerous checkpoints controlled by the government and separatist forces. Cases of detention, threatening or kidnapping for hours of individuals, including foreigners, have been reported in the past at separatist checkpoints. The use of armored vehicles for travel within the conflict zone is mandatory.

In general, country-wide, visitors are highly advised to be alerted of the possibility of street crime and petty theft as well as pay close attention while using credit cards. While the incumbent will be working mostly in English, knowledge of Russian would be an asset, particularly for the field work assigned to this position.  Given UNHCR¿s role in Ukraine, knowledge of social and affordable housing programmes/schemes would 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).