Senior Regional Registration 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.

Senior Regional Registration Officer

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
The Senior Regional Registration Officer will function under direct supervision of the Regional Representative or the Assistant/ Deputy Regional Representative (Protection). The Senior Regional Registration Officer manages and oversees UNHCR¿s registration procedures and decision-making as well as all registration-related activities in the region.  The Senior Regional Registration Officer will receive functional guidance from the Chief Identity Management and Registration Section (IMRS) in DPSM, Headquarters.

The Senior Regional Registration Officer supports, advises and monitors registration, case management, fraud control mechanisms, identity management, individual data management and other related issues within the region. In this regard, the Senior Regional Registration Officer is responsible for ensuring that registration activities in the region are in compliance with global registration standards and guidance. The Senior Regional Registration Officer will also be tasked under UNHCR¿s Identity Management Quality and Capacity Initiative (IMQCI) to further strengthen UNHCR¿s overall human resource capacity building field needs in the areas of registration and identity management. This will require that resources are identified, maximized and leveraged to make best use of UNHCR, Government and partner staff for a predictable implementation of registration methodologies, technologies and standards.

The Senior Regional Registration Officer coordinates closely with registration operations in the field as well as with other Senior Regional Registration Officers and IMRS in DPSM to promote regional and global consistency in Registration standards and population data management in all operational contexts. The Senior Regional Registration Officer also works closely with Government, key UN and international organizations, NGOs and partners to establish the parameters for UNHCR support in registration and data management issues. In this regard, the Senior Regional Registration Officer will foster data-sharing partnerships while ensuring that data protection guidelines are developed in conjunction with DIP, operationalised and implemented according to policy. Further, the launching of UNHCR¿s new, online case and identity management applications (proGres in Partnership and the Biometrics Identity Management System, BIMS) will require extensive contribution from the Senior Regional Registration Officer in relation to both business input on usage of the tools and the deployment of the tools to support continuous registration, data management and other case-related activities.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
Accountability
- UNHCR¿s regional processes in registration and population data management is consistent, in accordance with global UNHCR standards and policies.
- UNHCR provides tools and guidance, policy and technical support on registration, case management and identity management to field operations and partners.
- Persons of concern have fair and transparent access to registration procedures.
- The integrity of UNHCR¿s registration procedures is ensured and refugee identities are secured over time through the implementation of case management and identity management tools.
- UNHCR¿s population database (proGres) remains a reliable, trusted source of personal information and protection needs of persons of concern to UNHCR.
- UNHCR¿s data sharing practices are in accordance with data privacy and data protection policies and guidance while continuing to serve operational needs.

Responsibility
- Design, implement and monitor an appropriate regional registration strategy for populations of concern in compliance with the regional protection objectives and priorities ensuring that registration standards are met and that appropriate methodologies and technologies are implemented.
- Advise and provide technical support to country staff on planned registration activities.
- Respond to field requests for technical support and capacity building in emergency and ongoing displacement situations, including the development of registration strategies, logistical planning, budgeting and resource management, technical choices, implementation modalities and coordination.
- Consult with and assist operations in planning for registration activities as part of the annual programme cycle.  Promote the prioritisation of registration in operations across the region during the Annual Programme Review.  
- In coordination with the IMRS in HQ, develop and disseminate region-specific operational guidance, instructions and analytical frameworks aimed at ensuring the technical integrity of registration, identity and case management, building on existing guidance and tools where possible.
- Support the coordination of emergency preparedness and response measures relating to registration, including working with Headquarters to develop and implement appropriate resources.
- Liaise with the Bureau and the IMRS as necessary to facilitate registration activities in the region, including assist in the identification of field operations to be considered for deployment of BIMS and proGres.
- Contribute to the development, enhancement and implementation of the online case and identity management applications (proGres in Partnership and BIMS).
- Participate in and lead regional planning activities whenever registration-related activities are an important component of the overall strategy and protection framework.
- Advocate with and support Government authorities in the region to establish and strengthen fair and efficient Registration procedures including the recognition of UNHCR identity and entitlement documentation and associated rights.
- In coordination with IMRS in HQ, establish linkages with key partners in the region to agree upon and implement appropriate case and data management approaches for efficient, accountable and standardized targeting and delivery of assistance and other programming and protection needs.
- Develop data sharing agreements in close cooperation with Protection colleagues and the Regional Registration Officer, ensuring they reflect UNHCR standards and policy, and are consistent regionally.
- Provide technical support, training and capacity building for UNHCR and partner staff in registration methodologies, technologies and standards, to enable them to conduct registration activities and to manage registration and case related data on a continuous basis.
- Support the country team to establish and strengthen internal capacity and/or that of government counterparts to manage registration and maintain population information.
- Document and report on registration activities at the regional level, and report on the impact of support interventions to the management of operations.
- Participate in the annual programme review.
- Undertake other related functions as required.

Authority
- Review planned registration activities and requests to ensure that they are in agreement with standards.
- Review plans and requests for technology support to registration and population data management activities to ensure consistency of plans with standards and strategies.
- Enforce adherence to registration standards, strategies, policies, operational guidance, instructions, the usage of tools and analytical frameworks for registration and identity management and standards of professional integrity in the delivery of registration, identity and case management services.
- Endorse data sharing and data protection agreements in coordination with Country Representatives and Headquarters.
- Represent UNHCR with relevant external partners in-country and in the region on registration-related issues, as applicable.
- Approve expenditures under the regional budget (if any) for all registration-related activities in the region.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Graduate degree (equivalent of Master's) in social sciences, demography, statistics, information technology, geography, political science, law, business administration, humanities or a related field plus minimum 8 years of previous work experience relevant to the function. Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) plus 9 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 7 years of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted.
- Strong understanding of the principles and concepts of international protection and UNHCR.
- Strong team building, managerial, planning, coordination and representation skills.
- Excellent computer skills, particularly in data management and data dissemination, as well as excellent drafting skills.
- Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- Technical expertise in registration, individual case management and identity management systems, including proGres, in refugee and internal displacement situations.
- Knowledge of UNHCR and interagency policies, standards, programmes and humanitarian operations in a variety of geographical locations and operational contexts.
- Familiarity with planning, programming and implementation of registration operations at the field levels, including strategic planning, project development, budgeting and resource mobilization.
- Knowledge of additional UN languages.


This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR Senior Regional Registration 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
M004L3 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 3
M005L3 - Leadership Level 3
M006L3 - Managing Resources 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.

As the position covers West Africa region, the incumbent should have the capacity to quickly understand and analyze operational challenges in different contexts, in order to advise country Representatives and protection colleagues and facilitate access to the registration systems and provide individual documentation to persons of concern. Due to the complex political situation and dynamic changes in the region, the incumbent should have experience and demonstrated competencies in both Data Management and Protection as well as management and communication skills.

The incumbent will pay particular attention to the Mali and Lake Chad situations which include complex registration and documentation processes of refugees, IDPs, returnees in the affected countries.
The global roll-out of PRIMES is a corporate responsibility, and the incumbent will be responsible for the regional coordination of this deployment.
Based at the UNHCR Regional Representation for West Africa in Dakar, working under the direct supervision of the Deputy Regional Representative and in close support to the Senior Regional Protection Officer, the Senior Regional Registration Officer will execute the following tasks
1. Acts as focal point at the Regional Office for registration and documentation issues in the WA region.
2. Facilitates the implementation of protection policies associated with registration principles and provides technical advice to field operations, working in close collaboration with technical experts based at HQ and at RO Dakar
3. Assists in the preparation of policy related to registration, data protection, operational data management.
4. Coordinates between field operations and the Regional Programme section for adequate follow-up of registration related resource management.
5. Assists the Regional Training Section in the coordination and preparation of protection training activities for field operations.) West Africa has experienced successive conflicts over the past decades, with a recent rise in terrorist activities and attacks which have a serious impact on the stability and security of the region. UNHCR continues to respond to the humanitarian crises in the Lake Chad Basin and Mali, which have also caused the displacement of a huge number of IDPs. At the same time, there are several long standing refugee situations with which the Regional Representation continues to deal, seeking long-lasting solutions search as naturalization or long term residency.  UNHCR estimates that there are around 1 million stateless persons in West Africa, and many more at risk of statelessness. Estimates easily reach 60 million individuals as people in the region are grossly undocumented.


Since September 1 2017, the Regional Representation for West Africa (RRWA) covers all the 15 ECOWAS Member States. In addition the Regional Representative is the Regional Refugee Coordinator for the Nigeria Situation.  Mixed Migration is also a new domain that the Regional Office has been dealing with since the second part of 2017.


UNHCR has more than 1000 staff in the 15 countries under the Regional Office. In Dakar alone there are more than 100 staff, made up of generalists and experts in their domains, namely, protection, programme, admin, finance, statelessness, registration, public health, environment, livelihoods, CBI and project control. While the asylum practice in the West Africa are rather generous, it is self-evident that the operational and political environments in the region present unique challenges (in terms of security, governance  and socio-economic outlooks) to the UN in general, and UNHCR in particular.  The Region houses a variety of political and UN coordination mechanisms that demand a significant amount of time to ensure that UNHCR remains relevant and exercises its partnerships relationships. Notable among these structures are United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel, headed by an SRSG, the Regional UNDG, and Regional offices for WFP, UNICEF, OCHA, UNWOMEN, FAO, etc. Donors also have regional platforms in West Africa. In the Lake Chad Basin, the Boko Haram insurgency in North East Nigeria that spread into Cameroon, Chad and Niger has caused the displacement of over 2.5 million people, composed of 2.35 million IDPs, (of whom 1.9 million are inside Nigeria) and around 205,000 Nigerian refugees.  Despite important military advances in 2016, ongoing threats from Boko Haram in all affected countries as well as the absence of basic services continue to pose acute humanitarian and protection risks for those impacted by the crisis.

With regards to the Mali situation, a total of 144,206 Malian refugees are hosted in neighbouring Niger (60,154), Mauritania (50,966) and Burkina Faso (33,056); and 58,985 persons are internally displaced within Mali. As the crisis enters its sixth year since the outbreak of the conflict in northern Mali in late 2011, a resolution is not yet in sight. The security situation has deteriorated over the past two years, spreading also to Mali¿s central region. New displacement continues as well as refugee and IDP returns, and conditions remain unfavourable for a large scale repatriation of Malian refugees in security and dignity.  (183 words) The current dynamic of handover of registration and RSD activities to governments of the Region as well as the launching of UNHCR¿s PRIMES and its roll-out to all UNHCR operations in the Region will require extensive contribution from the Senior Regional Registration Officer in relation to business analysis on usage of the tools and to the deployment of the tools to support continuous registration, data management and other case-related activities. 

RRWA registration Unit has developed new registration workflow management and case management tools (Compass and PROCESS) whose functionalities have greatly helped verification operations and the Regional Resettlement unit to perform their tasks. The incumbent should ensure that the functionalities of these tools are maintained with the deployment of PRIMES, either by ensuring the applications compatibility with each other or through integration of the functionalities in PRIMES environment.

The Incumbent supervises 1 national and 2 affiliate workforce registration staff, 2 additional national registration staff from 2019 and works closely with all registration, data entry and protection staff in the region.
Proven experience and exposure in vast registration operations as a Team Leader is an asset, as knowledge or experience in the field of data management, and refugee law.
Fluency in both English and French is a requirement. Furthermore, the candidate must demonstrate the ability to function in multi-cultural environments, possess good communication skills and be generally flexible to multitask under tight deadlines.

In addition, he/she should have:
- Previous knowledge of proGres V3, V4 and BIMS would be an asset
- Solid protection background and sound understanding of databases are required
- Proficiency in French and English is a must.

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