Resettlement Assistant
Ankara
- Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
- Location: Ankara
- Grade: Volunteer - National Specialist - Locally recruited Volunteer
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Occupational Groups:
- Administrative support
- Basic Social Service
- Human Settlements (Shelter, Housing, Land, Property)
- Closing Date: Closed
Background
The international obligations of Turkey and its national legislative framework on asylum have shaped the form of the current collaboration with UNHCR. During the last 56 years, UNHCR and Turkey have been working together in close partnership. Turkey has provided the asylum space for persons seeking refuge, and UNHCR has assisted Turkey to determine who is in need of international protection and to enable access to rights by these persons. As the main partner of the Turkish State in the field of international protection, UNHCR Turkey continues to provide legislative and technical support as well as institutional capacity building support to the Directorate General of Migration Management (DGMM) and other national institutions.
As regard Syrian nationals who are hosted in Turkey under a Temporary Protection (TP) framework for Syrian nationals, refugees and stateless, UNHCR’s work is to support the authorities through the provision of technical assistance and strong public advocacy for enhanced responsibility sharing.
UNHCR in Turkey also registers asylum-seekers, conducts RSD under the Mandate of the High Commissioner for all non- Europeans (with the exception of Syrians), intervenes to strengthen the protection environment and access to social support mechanisms, and endeavors to find durable solutions for the most vulnerable amongst those who are recognized as refugees provided they meet the criteria of the resettlement countries.
UNHCR in Turkey operates through a branch office in Ankara, with field offices in Gaziantep, Istanbul and Van, as well as field units.
To find our more information about UNHCR, please visit our website.
Living Conditions:
Ankara is a family duty station. It is the capital of Turkey and the country's second largest city after Istanbul with a population of approximately 4 million people. Centrally located in Anatolia, Ankara is an important commercial and industrial city. It is the center of the Turkish Government, and houses all foreign embassies. It is an important crossroads of trade, strategically located at the center of Turkey's highway and railway networks.
- Security: Ankara is classified as a security level 1, like the majority of Turkey. Ankara is generally a safe city, where normal use of common sense and acting responsibly takes one a long way. The public transport is safe to use. There are no direct threats towards United Nations and its staff in Turkey.
- Medical Services: No special vaccinations are required for a travel to Ankara. Medical services available are of high quality, and health care services are available also in English.
- Housing: Apartments and flats are easily available and generally in good condition, with well-working services (gas, electricity, water). The cost of housing is reasonable, although smaller apartments and certain locations close to foreign embassies and the UN House tend to be more Expensive. Housing, in general, is the largest monthly expense. Some UN Volunteers opt for house sharing.
- Goods & Services: The provision of goods and services, in general, is very good. Local transportation ranges from buses, mini-busses called “dolmuş” to taxis, which are all affordable.
- Weather: The city has a mean elevation of 938 meters. It has occasionally snowy winters due to its elevation and inland location, and hot dry summers. Because of Ankara's high altitude and its dry summers, nightly temperatures in the summer months can be cool.
- Language: Turkish is the only official language. English is widely spoken in touristic areas, but less commonly in Ankara. In supermarkets and shops, a few Turkish words are useful. Good and safe English language Internet banking services are available. There are Turkish language schools and tutors available in Ankara. (Please complete with the required information)
Duties and Responsibilities
A Resettlement Assistant position is typically located at Regional Office, Branch Office or Field Office. Under supervision, the incumbent’s primary role is to assist the supervisor in effective resettlement delivery of a given UNHCR Office in accordance with the UNHCR Resettlement Handbook, UNHCR Manual and relevant policy papers and publications. The Resettlement Assistant provides important clerical and administrative support to resettlement operations and may occasionally take part in assessing cases for resettlement and conducting interviews. The incumbent maintains frequent contacts with his/her supervisor, relevant colleagues within the same Office to exchange information and discuss issues on resettlement cases. Some limited contacts and communication at a working level are required with Embassy / Immigration Officials of resettlement countries,
Specific Tasks and Responsibilities:
Under the direct supervision of Resettlement Officer, and the overall direct supervision of the Senior Resettlement Officer, the national UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
- Liaise with the Directorate General of Migrant Management [DGMM] in relation to protection referrals and potential resettlement cases.
- Prepare correspondence for the DGMM on in-country travel and individual cases’ permission to exit Turkey for the purposes of resettlement to a third country.
- Carry out data entry of cases into “progress” database of recognized refugee cases transferred from Status Determination and Protection Unit or the Case Identification team.
- Liaise with resettlement countries in relation to case submission, follow-up actions and departure procedures.
- Coordinate with the protection unit in case of urgent and emergency situations at departure stage.
- File in-coming/out-going correspondence.
- Conduct telephone counselling and gate counselling with refugees, when required.
- Perform other relevant duties as required by the supervisor.
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to:
- Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
- Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
- Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
- Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
- Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible
Results/Expected Output:
- The UN Volunteer is expected to keep abreast of correspondence on resettlement cases and ensure required actions are completed in a timely manner.
- The UN Volunteer is required to maintain good channels of communication with government counterparts, resettlement countries as well as implementing partners and NGOs, as appropriate.
- The UN Volunteer is expected to increase her/his knowledge on 3 main Durable Solutions
- A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.
Competencies
- Cultural and gender awareness
- Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for diversity
Required Skills and Experience
- University degree in social sciences, women’s studies, development, law or other relevant fields
- Demonstrated familiarity with and knowledge of the basics of refugee law and international human rights law is an asset
- Demonstrated knowledge and experience in working with vulnerable groups and gender issues: women, children, and marginalized groups is an asset
- Demonstrated experience in working with trauma victims would be an asset
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Good analytical skills, good drafting skills and good oral and written communication skills
- Cultural and gender awareness
- Ability to work effectively under stress and in crisis situations.
- Languages: Required: Excellent written and spoken English
- Computer skills: Good knowledge of MS Office programs and Internet Applications
- Citizenship: Turkish
- Age: 22 and above in accordance with UN rules for National UNVs.
Conditions of Service
A contract till 31 December 2018, with subsequent contract extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity, and satisfactory performance.
Travel to duty station (if applicable) and a Settling-In-Grant will be provided in the event duty station is not within commuting distance from the place of recruitment. A Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) of 2,729.92 TRY is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents), as well as final repatriation (if applicable) and resettlement allowance for satisfactory service.
Disclaimer
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme which welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture.
United Nations Volunteers reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this opening for other openings with United Nations Volunteers with similar assignment description, experience and educational requirements.
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