Field 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.

Field Officer

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The Field Officer is normally supervised by the Snr Field Coordinator or Head of Sub-Office/Field Office depending on the structure of the Office. S/he may receive indirect guidance from other sections and units relevant to the country/regional programme(s). UNHCR Manual, programme and protection objectives, Operations Plans, UN and UNHCR financial/budgetary rules and regulations will guide the work of the incumbent.

The incumbent normally supervises some support staff and may supervise lower grade professional staff. S/he has daily contacts with staff in the various field offices and with the functional units at the Country/Regional Office. S/he also has close liaison with a range of local civilian and military authorities and counterparts in NGOs and UN agencies to discuss matters of common interest.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

Accountability

- UNHCR's operations in the area of responsibility (AoR) are designed to meet the needs of persons of concern.
- An effective monitoring system of the field operations is in place resulting in better service to the persons of concern.
- The protection needs of populations of concern are met through the application of International and National Law, relevant UN/UNHCR protection standards and IASC principles governing humanitarian coordination.
- Protection incidents and gaps in assistance are immediately identified and addressed.

Responsibility

- Prepare project proposals; draw up plan of operation for implementation, including institutional arrangements for budgets.
- Assess refugee needs in the various fields of assistance and make recommendations for the establishment of projects, adjustment or discontinuation of existing projects and advise the Head of Office accordingly.
- Closely monitor the implementation of projects under the geographical area of responsibility and ensure the provisions under the agreements signed with the implementing partners are being adhered to.
- Regularly prepare written reports on the implementation of projects and the situation in the sites.
- Maintain good working relations with local government officials, implementing partners and other agencies in the area.
- Report immediately on any security problems that may occur affecting programme, beneficiaries and the smooth running of the operation.
- Provide assistance to UNHCR Technical advisers and consultants as well as visitors visiting project sites.
- Undertake other relevant duties as required.

Authority

- Represent UNHCR in the Field. 
- Negotiate with local authority counterparts, partners and populations of concern.
- Approve expenditures within the DOAP.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

- Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) in Law, Political Sciences or related fields.
- Minimum 6 years of previous relevant work experience (5 years with graduate degree (equivalent of a Master's)).
- Field experience.
- Excellent knowledge of English and working knowledge of another 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.)

***For National Officer positions, very good knowledge of local language and local institutions is essential.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

- Computer skills.
- Knowledge of refugee law.
- Good knowledge of UNHCR's programmes.
- UNHCR Protection Learning Programme.
- UNHCR Operations Management Learning Programme. 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
M003L3 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 3
X001L3 - Analytical Thinking Level 3
X007L3 - Political Awareness 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 designing and conducting program monitoring; 
- Strong managerial skills and ability to coach and develop the skills of locally recruited staff and partners;
- Reporting skills in English;
- Fluency in Russian essential.

Preference will be given to candidates with experience in implementing shelter/NFI programs and community support programs, as these are UNHCR¿s main areas of intervention in eastern Ukraine.  Additionally, since UNHCR will continue sectoral-level coordination of shelter activities at the field level, it is stongly preferred that candidates demonstrate experience in coordination with government and NGO partners, as well the inter-personal skills to facilitate teamwork. 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 an estimated 1.6 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. 
While UNHCR has received generous donor funding, the situation as of 2018 will become more challenging as various major donors have announced significant reductions in their contributions towards humanitarian programs and agencies, including UNHCR. The Sub-Office is currently located in the city of Dnipro but will move to Sloviansk at the end of 2017, where UNHCR currently has a Field Office. SO Sloviansk will oversee the implementation of the UNHCR operation through four field offices and one field unit, as well as partner organizations, throughout eastern Ukraine, including non-government controlled areas of the country.
While the position will be based at SO Sloviansk, frequent travels throughout the eastern region, including to the conflict-affected parts of the country, are required. The conflict has affected the socio-economic situation of the country. Despite this, living and working conditions in large urban centers of Ukraine, especially the capital Kyiv, are compatible with the standards of a category "A" duty station.
Sloviansk is a city in Donetsk Oblast, eastern Ukraine. It also serves as the administrative center of the Sloviansk Raion (district). The city was one of the battle grounds  in the early stages of the 2014 conflict in Ukraine, and was retaken by Ukrainian forces in July 2014. The current population is estimated to be around 117,500, including a large number of IDPs from non-government controlled areas. Sloviansk is classified as a category "C" non-family duty station, with an R&R cycle of 8 weeks; the R&R destination is Kyiv.
Food and non-food items are available in local shops and chains of supermarkets. Hard currencies such as USD and EUR are easily converted into the local currency, the Hrivnia (UAH). Healthcare facilities are available in Sloviansk; however, there are no facilities for specialist care.  Modern hospitals and specialized clinics are located in Dnipro (243km) and Kharkiv (215 km). Within Sloviansk, public transportation is provided by a trolleybus network consisting of two permanent routes and one summer route. Sloviansk suffers water shortages due to ageing and damaged infrastructure. Power supply is relatively stable but power cuts are occurring. Road, rail and air transportation are well developed for travel throughout the government-controlled part of Ukraine. Fast train (Intercity) connections are available and allow travelers to reach Kyiv in 6 hours (665 km). Flights are available to Kyiv as well as to European destinations from Dnipro international airport, about 243 km/ 4 hours away from Sloviansk by train, as well as from Kharkiv international airport (215 km/ 3 hours by road).
International staff are allowed to rent private residential accommodation; however, the real estate market is not well developed.
GSM coverage is available country-wide; a local SIM card will be provided by the Office. The political context in Ukraine remains sensitive. The security situation differs in various regions: it is calm in the central and Western regions, while serious security precautions should be taken when travelling to the conflict area in eastern Ukraine.  Though officially a ceasefire is in place, there are daily violations, mainly consisting of shelling and small arms fire along the contact line separating government-controlled areas from the non-government controlled areas in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. Along this line there are five checkpoints controlled by the government forces and armed groups. 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, visitors to the country are highly advised to be alerted to the possibility of street crime and petty theft as well as to pay close attention while using credit cards. In selection of international staff for appointment to positions in eastern Ukraine, attention will be given to promoting gender balance within the team.

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