Resett 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.

Resettlement Officer

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

A Resettlement Officer (RO) position is typically located at Regional Office, Branch Office, Field Office or Headquarters. The incumbent's primary role is to provide, in close coordination with concerned sections at Headquarters and in the field, a continuous support to resettlement operations by ensuring that resettlement policies are correctly implemented and operations are effectively assisted in establishing comprehensive protection and solutions strategies. The RO supports policy development, revising and developing resettlement methodologies and systems, monitoring procedural compliance and quality of case submissions, staff development as well as management of resettlement operation. The RO directly takes part in assessing cases for resettlement conducting interviews. The RO may take managerial responsibilities for supervising staff, managing resources and implementing organisational objectives and priorities. The responsibility entails negotiating with countries the design and development of resettlement programmes and coordinating dialogue on resettlement related issues to bring about global / regional coherence and synergy to make resettlement both strategic as well as responsive to the needs of people of concern to UNHCR.
The incumbent provides technical expertise and team leadership to strengthen capacity for dealing with resettlement issues and providing protection and durable solutions for persons of concern. As a functional manager in resettlement area, the incumbent manages and leads a team of professional resettlement staff members.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

Accountability

- Resettlement delivery in the country is needs-based, non-discriminatory and prioritized for refugees most in need of this solution.
- UNHCR's resettlement policies and standards are correctly and coherently applied; efficient, fair and transparent resettlement procedures are in place.
- Persons of concern are made aware of UNHCR's resettlement procedures and have fair and transparent access to and participation in the resettlement process.
- Fraud in the resettlement process is promptly identified and addressed.

Responsibility

- Stay abreast and analyze the implications of political, legal, social and economic developments that have an impact on the protection environment.
- Promote the development of resettlement strategies and mechanisms to address the resettlement needs of persons of concern; ensure the inclusion of resettlement needs into the country operations plan and that the necessary resources are allocated to address local resettlement needs..
- Implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for promoting the resettlement of persons of concern as protection tool and  durable solution in the context of comprehensive solution strategies. Where applicable, provide support to the Field Offices and oversee programme design and implementation.
- Promote and monitor the implementation of UNHCR's global resettlement policies, procedures and guidelines.
- Contribute to the development and enhancement of policy and guidelines for resettlement practices.
- Guide and capacitate the country operation to prepare consistent and quality resettlement submissions
- Monitor resettlement activities to ensure progress against targets, transparency and efficiency in case submissions and appropriate follow-up with resettlement countries and other key stakeholders.
- Identify, interview, assess resettlement needs, and process persons identified for resettlement following established procedures; undertake field missions as required; provide counselling to individuals. 
- Assist selection missions by resettlement countries to the country.
- Systematically apply an Age, Gender and Diversity perspective in all aspects of the resettlement process; comply with UNHCR policy and guidelines on HIV/AIDS.
- Mitigate resettlement fraud through oversight (including in-country travel), advice and guidance.
- Devise and implement group resettlement procedures, including planning, profiling, logistical arrangements, verification and post-verification follow-up.
- Maintain regular contact and close cooperation with resettlement countries and partners to ensure effective resettlement delivery and adherence to adequate protection and resettlement standards.
- Participate in country-level discussions with resettlement countries and partners.
- Manage a process to ensure that persons of concern and partners receive up-to-date and accurate information on UNHCR's resettlement policies and procedures.
- Manage a process to ensure that the country operation maintains accurate resettlement statistics as well as up-to-date records on individual cases.
- Ensure that up-to-date and accurate statistics, resettlement reports and needs assessments are submitted to management as required.
- Assist in assessing training needs, draw training plan and strategy and facilitate resettlement and related training to UNHCR staff, partners and other stakeholders.
- Contribute to a communications strategy that generates support for UNHCR's operations from external partners.

Authority

- Take review decisions on individual cases and approve resettlement submissions / withdrawals / resubmissions.
- Approve resettlement expenditures against the country operation budget as applicable.
- Represent UNHCR's resettlement positions with resettlement countries in local fora.
- Enforce compliance with, and integrity of, resettlement standard operating procedures.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

- Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) in International Law, International Relations, Political Science, Social Sciences or related fields of discipline plus minimum 6 years of previous work experience relevant to the function (refugee protection work), of which 2 years in an international capacity. Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master¿s) plus 5 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 4 years of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted.
- Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

- Diverse field experience desirable.
- Ability to understand and implement UNHCR's policy and global strategic priorities, such as AGDM, IDP, Statelessness, and HIV/AIDS, in the area of responsibility at appropriate level.
- Good IT skills including database management skills.
- Knowledge of additional UN languages.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR Resettlement Officer positions. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates. 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
X006L3 - Policy Development & Research Level 3
X005L3 - Planning and Organizing Level 3
X007L3 - Political Awareness Level 3 <p>The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.</p>
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See below for this postion's Operational Context
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For those people applying for High Risk Duty Stations, we strongly encourage them – before deciding to apply- to read the country specific security and welfare country profiles which can be found on the Intranet under Support Services - Duty of Care (https://intranet.unhcr.org/en/support-services/duty-of-care.html). Ensuring staff are better informed is part of the increased attention UNHCR is paying to Duty of Care.

 

Staff after having applied to High Risk Duty Stations will have access to country specific information webinars with Field Safety Section (FSS) and Staff Welfare Section (SWS) colleagues and provided with a tool to test their psychological preparedness for serving in High Risk Duty Stations. Applicants who applied for a position in a High Risk country will receive, after the deadline for applications has expired, a joint invitation from the Staff Welfare Section (SWS) and the Field Safety Section (FSS) to participate in these webinars. During the Webinars, latest updates on security and well-being will be provided, and FSS and SWS will address questions raised by participants. Applicants are highly encouraged to benefit, when applicable, from all measures as they provide most up-to-date security and well-being information helpful to assess staff’s readiness to serve in a High Risk Duty Station. A Staff Welfare Officer will also be available, if and when required, to discuss with interested applicants the results of the psychological preparedness tool as well as readiness for assignment in High Risk Duty Stations.

 

Working under the supervision of the Senior Legal Officer, the Resettlement Officer will provide supervision of resettlement caseworkers and support staff, which includes conducting quality review of resettlement assessments for submissions to resettlement countries, carried out by resettlement caseworkers and providing on-the-job guidance and individual mentoring to develop, enhance and improve assessment standards within the unit. To achieve this, the incumbent will require a solid protection profile, a demonstrated knowledge of related legal matters (including relating to exclusion and the civilian character of asylum), sound expertise and practical experience of implementation of UNHCR¿s resettlement policies and procedural standards with diverse and complex caseloads, as well as strong managerial, planning and organizational abilities to substantially assist the Senior Legal Officer to maximize resettlement opportunities for refugees whose protection needs cannot be addressed in Syria and existing staffing resources. Excellent coordination and management skills will therefore be required of the incumbent. Previous working experience in an emergency environment would be desirable. The incumbent will supervise a team of resettlement caseworkers that carry out resettlement interviews for the refugee populations in Syria. Given the volatile circumstances, the incumbent will actively assist in capacity-building efforts by providing specialized training on resettlement for caseworkers and support staff in required areas of learning. The incumbent will furthermore be required to act as a focal point for resettlement processing to a number of resettlement countries prepared to offer resettlement places to the Syria operation. This includes the need to have detailed knowledge of resettlement country criteria, ability to communicate and advocate strategically, as well as draft and carry out resettlement submissions and processing (including facilitation of DVC interviews and liaison with IOM and relevant embassies/capital focal points). The resettlement submissions from Country Office Syria are processed through the MENA Bureau in Amman, Jordan. The incumbent should display political awareness, diplomacy, sensitivity and negotiation skills. Training experience will be an asset.The post entails working closely with other units, such as the RSD Unit, Medical Unit, Community Services, Registration and the field/Sub offices in the country, to ensure intra-unit co-operation and operational linkages necessary for the development of efficient referral mechanisms and ensuring priority resettlement case processing when required.As a matter of course, the incumbent is required to have proven advanced knowledge and experience in working with the proGres database. A working knowledge of Arabic is desirable. The Syrian Arab Republic is not a signatory to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, nor its 1967 Protocol, and has no dedicated national legal framework for refugees or asylum seekers. Reference to refugees is made in the Syrian constitution, which provides that: Political refugees shall not be extradited because of their political beliefs or for their defence of freedom, and in a national law on immigration and residency pursuant to which refugees and asylum-seekers, bearing a UNHCR-issued ID card, are eligible for residency permits and exempted from residency fees. In the absence of a national asylum framework, UNHCR exercises its mandate for refugee protection in Syria, ensuring registration, refugee status determination (RSD), as well as life-saving assistance and seeking durable solutions.
While refugees traditionally enjoy a favourable treatment by the host authorities, incl. free access to basic government services such as health, education and transport, they have no access to formal employment exposing them to greater reliance on UNHCR assistance, potential exploitation in the informal labour market and other undesirable coping mechanisms.
The physical safety of refugees continues to decline as the conflict deepens. Refugees risk arbitrary arrest, recruitment by armed actors, and scrutiny and harassment due to their ethnic or religious backgrounds.As of 1 January 2018, a total of 19,429 refugees and 17,958 asylum-seekers from more than two dozen countries of origin are living in urban areas of Syria, including in particular Damascus and the surrounding areas, and Hassakeh governorate in northeast Syria. The vast majority of these refugees come from Iraq which remains marked by sectarian violence and internal armed conflict rendering voluntary returns difficult. Given the volatile situation, a considerable number of the asylum-seekers present exclusion concerns, requiring in-depth screening and assessments. On the other hand, due to generous migration policies in the past coupled with the serious impact of the conflict on all civilians in Syria, the office also receives a significant number of asylum applicants as an off-spin of its assistance programmes.
Prolonged crises in most countries of origin do not currently provide a basis for the promotion of return from Syria, including for Afghans, Somalis and South Sudanese, although facilitation of voluntary repatriation on a case-by-case and informed decision basis, is carried out. In addition, resettlement is used as a protection tool to ensure refugees most at risk in Syria are able to obtain a durable solution. In view of the proximity of the conflict areas, particular efforts are needed so to ensure the integrity of UNHCR¿s case processing and to maintain the purely civilian and humanitarian nature of asylum. Additional challenges include the continued volatility of the political and security situation in Syria and related difficulties in obtaining access to persons of concern.  Further the political and security situation in Syria led to the suspension of resettlement delegations and closure of resettlement country diplomatic representation within Syria. Resettlement processing is currently centralized in Damascus. The incumbent will be responsible for the operational and substantive supervision of the Resettlement Unit and its eight staff members tasked with case preparation, review and counselling. The present unstable security situation in Syria creates on-going pressures at work and in daily life as priorities are frequently upended for other urgent ad hoc tasks. The incumbent should be prepared to work under such conditions and be able to manage stressful situations.

As of 12 February 2012 Syria is officially a non-family duty station with a four-week R&R cycle (to Amman).

Please note that the closing date for all vacancies in the September 2018 Compendium is Thursday 18 October  2018 (midnight Geneva time).