CRR Officer

Before submitting an application, UNHCR staff members intending to apply to this Job Opening are requested to consult the Recruitment and Assignments Policy (RAP, UNHCR/HCP/2017/2 and the Recruitment and Assignments Administrative Instruction (RAAI), UNHCR/AI/2017/7 OF 15 August 2017.

CRR Officer

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
On 19 September 2016, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the New York Declaration on Refugees and Migrants, calling for greater burden sharing by the international community to support the world¿s largest refugee hosting states. The New York Declaration called on UNHCR to develop and initiate the application of the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF) in close coordination with relevant states and in collaboration with relevant UN agencies, applying a multi-stakeholder approach. The objectives of implementing the CRRF are to: (i) ease pressure on host countries, (ii) enhance refugee self-reliance, (iii) expand access to third-country solutions and (iv) support conditions in countries of origin for return in safety and dignity.

UNHCR, together with partners and with the lead of host country governments, is applying the CRRF in a number of roll-out countries in 2017. The aim is to measure initial progress and extract lessons learnt to inform preparations for the Global Compact for Refugees in the 1st half of 2018. The CRRF will, to the extent possible, build on and complement existing strategies, coordination and funding mechanisms, incorporating both humanitarian and development actors. In some countries, a joint CRRF Secretariat led by the government will be setup to coordinate the roll-out of the CRRF, including a mapping exercise and gap analysis among the first steps. The various steps in preparation for the CRRF roll-out at country-level will further inform the priority areas of engagement and indicators for initial progress (first benchmark: end-2017).

The New York Declaration and the CRRF stress the need to engage development actors in a sustainable response for refugees and host communities. The CRRF promotes inclusion of refugees in the delivery of national services, such as education and health, as well as national development plans and programmes, supporting these priorities were possible. The CRRF aims to bring on board partners into the refugee response, including those who have been less involved in refugee response, by mobilising their respective areas of expertise and interest to contribute to a broad-based response. The CRRF also incorporates emergency preparedness and response, as applicable at country-level.

The roll-out of the CRRF requires intensive efforts throughout pilot countries, including consultations with a broad range of internal and external interlocutors at national, regional and district levels ¿ in particular the various government offices which need to be involved as part of the CRRF roll-out. 

The Comprehensive Refugee Response (CRR) Officer will be critical in supporting the development and implementation of a comprehensive response at national, regional and district levels.  The incumbent will have extensive contacts with both internal and external counterparts and partners. Within UNHCR, the Officer will establish close working relations with the relevant staff working in the community services, protection, program and field sectors. Key external partners will include the CRRF secretariat, national, regional and district authorities, the UN and international organizations, UNHCR implementing and operational partners, International and Local NGOs, development agencies and other actors engaged in humanitarian and development initiatives in the relevant districts. The incumbent will be the key interlocutor with National and District Government Authorities and will have to identify and actively partner with other actors and structures potentially able to contribute to the strategies and solutions for refugees.

The incumbent normally works under the supervision of the Snr CRR Officer or Coordinator or the UNHCR (Regional) Representative or a senior Officer as delegated by the (Regional) Representative. 

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
Accountability
- Support is provided for  the roll-out of the CRRF in the operation under area of responsibility (AoR), including various stages of planning, implementation and stocktaking
- Active engagement with and provision of guidance to the government and a broad range of other stakeholders is ensured.
- Existing partnerships are strengthened and new partnerships nurtured in support of the CRRF roll-out at country-level.
- The progress of CRRF roll-out at country-level is reported on, and advice on adapting response, partnership and other strategies provided where necessary.

Responsibility
- Help institutionalize CRRF-oriented approaches within UNHCR, with various government offices at regional, national and district levels, as well as a broad range of development and humanitarian partners through support and participation in all planning processes.
- Identify proactively support needs by government offices and other partners and tailor specific guidance, as needed in the various stages of the CRRF roll-out.
- Monitor the CRRF roll-out  at country-level, including implementation of programmes and other forms of novel engagements, such as partnerships and legislative reform/ follow-up, for the benefit of refugee and host communities  in close collaboration with UNHCR sector leads, local government and relevant partners.
- Ensure that CRRF coordination at the operational level builds on and reinforces existing multi-partner planning frameworks such as the Refugee Coordination Model.  Liaise with UN Resident Coordinator/ Area Coordinator offices and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the same.
- Assist the development of relationships and effectively engage on district level development. Key activities will include being part of district planning processes, facilitating strong working relations between LGAs and sector specialists/partners, supporting government in identifying entry points for CRRF programming. 
- Develop key partnerships and maintain good working relations with all stakeholders involved in the CRRF implementation. Seek and follow-up on collaboration opportunities with the World Bank in close collaboration with Senior Development Advisers where applicable, as well as with private sector, civil society, academia and other interlocutors of the multi-stakeholder approach outlined in the New York Declaration.
- Identify and follow-up on opportunities to broaden existing partnerships, for example by expanding development engagement of actors who have primarily engaged with refugees from a humanitarian angle but otherwise engage in both humanitarian and development work, and seek new partnerships with international and local actors who have previously not been engaged in refugee response.
- Assist in the implementation of a communication strategy of CRRF at regional and district level to generate support from all partners and to strengthen links between the CRRF Secretariat and partners at the operational level. Identify advocacy and engagement opportunities for government and other partners.
- Report from CRRF engagement, programming and initiatives at the operational level to CRRF secretariat and to UNHCR Representation in the country/regional office.
- Support the Senior Coordinator (CRR) or other person, as appointed by the Representative, to regularly review the strategic direction of the CRRF roll-out at country-level in close collaboration with UNHCR Headquarters, and review short- and longer-term panning accordingly.
- Support in the different stages of stocktaking of the CRRF roll-out, including identifying and synthesizing lessons learnt and good practices in collaboration with UNHCR Headquarters.
- Stay abreast of the CRRF implementation at the country level. Inform/update the CRRF secretariat on CRRF news, developments, successes and challenges at the operational level. In collaboration with communications/PI staff, identify opportunities for visibility and media engagement.

Authority
- Represent UNHCR in meetings and fora related to the functions of the position.
- Coordinate planning, implementation, reporting and stocktaking activities, as agreed with the manager.
- Engage in short- and longer-term partnership development, and nurture engagement of development actors.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) in Social Sciences, Socio-Economic Development, Development Planning, Rural Development, or other related fields.
- Minimum of 6 years (5 years with graduate degree (equivalent of a Master's)) of previous job experience relevant to the function, both in humanitarian and development contexts. Experience in similar settings is essential.
- Proven ability to develop and maintain partnerships with a variety of actors - including government and private sector.
- Proven experience in planning, implementing, and monitoring programmes and managing multiple projects.
- Excellent drafting, presentation and reporting skills, including strong advocacy and negotiation skills in situation involving multiple actors and diverse interests.
- Knowledge of protection, refugee matters and UNHCR¿s mandate.
- Excellent computer skills including excel, word and power point.
- Excellent English language skills, including drafting and research capabilities.

(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
- Experience of working with development agencies or private sector.
- Experience of working with national governments on development planning.
- Experience of working on forced displacement issues, including with host communities in the country.
- Experience of working with synergies between the humanitarian-development nexus.
- Experience in resource mobilisation.
- Ability to facilitate humanitarian and development actors¿ interactions.
- Experience in working in a Refugee Coordination Response context.
- Working knowledge of another 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
M006L3 - Managing Resources Level 3
M005L3 - Leadership Level 3
M003L3 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 3
M004L3 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 3
X007L3 - Political Awareness Level 3
X001L3 - Analytical Thinking Level 3
X008L3 - Stakeholder Management Level 3

Before applying to this position, we strongly encourage colleagues to read the country specific FAQs information leaflets which can be found  on the Intranet under Staff Resources > Duty of Care. The information leaflets are specifically designed to answer some of the key questions potential applicants might have before deciding to apply. 

¿ Experience in external relations and communications with a broad range of stakeholders, such as development agencies; international financial institution; bi/multilateral donor agencies; including working on local economic development and area-based development projects
¿ Versatile experience on partnerships, including donor and stakeholder coordination
¿ Solid understanding of refugee matters, UNHCR¿s mandate and operations, including coordination with development actors and multi-partner frameworks/coordination mechanisms (e.g. UNCT)
¿ Strong understanding of approaches to and instruments for communication and coordination, including in challenging and unpredictable contexts
¿ Excellent communication writing and analytical skills as well as policy and development programming skills
¿ Strong and up-to-date knowledge of development, state-building and peace-building in fragile and conflict-affected situations including innovative financing
¿ Experience of working with development agencies or private sector
¿ Experience of working with national governments on development planning
¿ Experience of working on forced displacement issues, including with host communities in the country
¿ Experience of working with synergies between the humanitarian-development nexus
¿ Ability to facilitate humanitarian and development actors¿ interactions
¿ Experience in working in a Refugee Coordination Response context Guided by the UN General Assembly through the adoption of the New York Declaration on Refugees, Tanzania is a pilot country to apply the CRRF. The CRRF in Tanzania aims to address the ongoing emergency of refugees from Burundi, the protracted DR Congolese refugee Situation and support the local integration of naturalized Burundians. The CRRF implementation in Tanzania departs from a Government Road Map. The operation of the Road Map is guided by a National Steering Committee and coordinated by a Secretariat of which the UNHCR is part. Tanzania is also one of six operations identified as a multi-year planning pilot and as such the country operation planning is informed by the 2016-2018 Multi-Year, Multi-Partner Protection and Solutions Strategy. Finally, Tanzania is a pilot country for the UN Delivering As One initiative. The CRR Officer will work under the supervision of the HoSO and Senior Solutions Advisor / CRRF Coordinator. Main tasks include: Act as the main focal point to the CRRF implementation at regional level ¿ Kigoma Region. Develop and reinforce engagement of existing partners, nurture linkages with existing initiatives with the objective to contribute and mutually reinforce the CRRF, and reach out to new partners (e.g. private sector). Develop close collaboration and partnership with local Government authorities on region and district levels. Serving as facilitator and support to local authorities in designing CRRF aligned development projects corresponding to donors specific requirements for support. Identify existing and potential CRRF align development projects carried out by different actors in the region (Government, UN, NGO¿s, private sector). Provide information on the roll-out of the CRRF at the field level to the secretariat and stakeholders involved. Plan for and facilitate timely stocktaking on the CRRF in coordination with the Secretariat. Share info. and facilitate interaction with UNHCR colleagues (Programme, Protection) and partners. Dar es Salaam is the major city of the United Republic of Tanzania where the Representation office is situated. The location of the Representation Office is in Masaki, Rufiji Street, Off Haile Selassie Road. Most international staff members live in the seaside neighbourhoods of Masaki and Oyster Bay, and to a lesser extent in Msasani and Mikocheni all of which cluster in and around a peninsula to the north of the city Centre.  Masaki and Oyster Bay share the advantages of having a good concentration of internationally-oriented housing and amenities including shops, schools and medical facilities; all are comparatively secure, and of course, enjoy the benefit of being close to the sea. The duty station can be described as relatively safe with a stable political environment. The duty station is conducive for families with international schools and good housing options. The medical facilities are relatively good. The cost of living is high.

Please note that the closing date for all vacancies in the September 2017 Compendium is Monday 6 November 2017 (midnight Geneva time).