Head of Field Office

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.

Head of Field Office

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Head of a UNHCR Field Office (HoFO) is a senior managerial position within a given country operation. The incumbent carries the full delegated authority of the UNHCR Representative (or the country Manager or Head of Sub-Office) of the country, who will exercise entire supervisory managerial responsibility over the position. The position, on the other hand, provides all information on developments in relation to the protection (legal protection issues relating to the persons of concern to UNHCR), security (Physical security in relation to the UNCR staff and the persons of concern to UNHCR) and operational matters (programme and office management / administration) within the domain of its geographical area of responsibility to the UNHCR Representative (or the country manager) on a regular and timely manner. Subject to the specific legal or socio economic or security developments in the Area of Responsibility (AOR), Representative will direct and guide the Head of Field Office to take the most appropriate course of action. Concerning overall physical security concerns, HoFO will liaise directly with the competent UN security coordinator while keeping the UNHCR Representative fully informed.

While the functional responsibility of a Head of Field Office will always remain the same despite its grade level, the other parameters (therefore the depth and breadth of the competencies) such as the size of the population of concern to UNHCR, their specific legal/security concerns, volume of assistance, Number of operational / Implementing partners and the size of the Office (i.e. number of UNHCR staff and their grade levels) will determine the appropriate grade level. The operational autonomy also depends upon the same parameters/competencies.

As the most senior UNHCR staff member within the given geographical area, he/she is required to liaise with all the relevant senior government officials, security organs in the area, the Head of various Non-Governmental Organisations (both national and internationals based in the area), Civilian/tribal leaders/elders, local opinion makers and the local media net-work to ensure his/her assigned responsibilities are effectively and efficiently discharged.

As the extended field representative of UNHCR at the front line of High Commissioner's operations, he/she remain as the effective advocate and assistant to the local authorities to ensure that the respective government authorities in the area implement their conventional responsibilities in favour of refugees and others of concern to UNHCR.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

Accountability

- The Convention concerning the treatment of asylum seekers, IDPs, refugees, returnees and the stateless, where applicable, is disseminated to the local authorities.
- UNHCR policies and standards are applied consistently in the AOR to ensure quality protection of populations of concern.
- A healthy, safe and respectful working environment is provided to the workforce in the AOR.

Responsibility
- Monitor and report on the implementation of refugee conventional responsibilities and international obligations of the local authorities Vis a Vis the population of concern to UNHCR within the given geographical area; based on local situations/developments make appropriate recommendation to the UNHCR Representative/HoSO.
- Advocate and promote UNHCR  standards concerning the treatment of asylum seekers, refugees and returnees as well as IDPs, where applicable; Advocate, promote and encourage the concerned authorities and local opinion makers to uphold established UNHCR standards that have become the international norms.
- Ensure that the basic needs of the concerned population are properly assessed with the participation of the beneficiaries themselves, the host governments and/or the competent Implementing partners and/or UNHCR itself.
- Subject to the needs, ensure that the planning, formulation and budgeting of identified assistance projects are done as per UNHCR programme cycle; upon approval of assistance project, ensure the timely implementation and rigorous monitoring  of identified assistance activities
- Ensure through the subordinate staff that all deadlines for monitoring and reporting of UNHCR operational activities (i.e. include assistance as well as Administrative) are met on a regular basis.
- Manage all UNHCR resources, both human, financial/material, at an optimum level for the wellbeing of the concerned population and the UNHCR staff.
- Ensure that all security measures of UNHCR office (and residential, where ever applicable) compounds are always up to date; any security breaches and/or potential security threat should be reported immediately to competent UN security coordinator in the country.
- Ensure that staff welfare, both in terms of working and living conditions, are maintained at a satisfactory level within the constraints in the operational area; this requires remaining current in health and medical facilities locally available and evacuation options available in a moment of medical urgency.
- Guide, coach and advocate the subordinate staff to maintain highest standards of conduct and behaviour thorough one¿s own practice and deeds.
- Prepare and submit regular reports, both verbally and written, to the UNHCR Representative/HoSO. In the event of substantial telephone conversation that leads to specific action or non-action, it should be recorded and share with the other party.
- Any other responsibilities/functions deemed necessary or as delegated by the UNHCR Representative of the country in order to meet the level of the services in the organization.


Authority

- Represent UNHCR in inter-agency fora and with local authorities in the AOR.
- Enforce compliance with UNHCR's global protection, programme, finance, human resources and security policies and standards.
- Submit project proposals for assistance to refugees and other persons of concern to UNHCR Representation or Sub-Office in coordination with local authorities and NGOs.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master's) in Management/Personnel Administration or Law or Political Science or International Relation or Economics 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.
- In-depth knowledge in all aspects of UNHCR mandate and its Field level application.
- Applied knowledge of protection principles, operational arrangements/standards in relation to protection, assistance, UNHCR office management and staff administration.
- Should be conversant in the current priorities in the organisation and existing mechanisms within the organisation to implement those priorities.
- Basic computer skills and working knowledge in MS office software.
- Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- Working experience both in UNHCR HQ and/or a Regional Office and the Field
- UNHCR Specific learning/training activities ( i.e. Learning Programme in Management & Operations)
- Knowledge of additional UN languages.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR Head of Field Office (P4) 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
X005L3 - Planning and Organizing Level 3
X001L3 - Analytical Thinking 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
======================================================================================================== Working experience in Field locations (and/or in Regional Offices)
Experience in UNHCR protection (including registration/RSD) and programme delivery and management.
Experience in managing a large team and supervising staff.
Experience working with Government and Civil Society
Excellent negotiation and communication skills Excellent command of English, written and spoken is essential.  Fluency in Spanish is essential and Portuguese is highly desired.
Previous experience in Latin America is highly desirable. Due to on-going political and socio-economic developments in Venezuela, Venezuelans continue to flee their country and to enter into Brazil through its northern border state (Roraima state), the main entry point from Venezuela and the only access to other Brazilian States. According to the latest Federal Police¿ statistics, between 500 and 800 people enter every day into Roraima State. Many of these new arrivals are in desperate conditions and in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, such as food, shelter, health and protection. Since 2017 and until October 218, the Federal Police of Brazil registered 176.259 Venezuelan entries and 90.991 exits through the Pacaraima border in Roraima, resulting in, a total of 85.268 Venezuelans remaining in Brazil. To respond to this situation at the national level, the President of Brazil issued Provisional Measures in February 2018 to reinforce the Federal Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan, appointed a Coordinator for the Emergency Response Plan was appointed late February 2018 and organized Voluntary Internal Relocation of Venezuelans from Roraima state, where resources are insufficient, to other states with better local integration prospects, with UNHCR¿s support. At the local level, the federal government declared the state of emergency in Roraima. UNHCR¿s presence, structure and portfolio of activities has expanded and adapted as necessitated by the evolving protection and humanitarian context. UNHCR in collaboration with other Agencies, has supported the federal government at the municipal, state and federal levels to strengthen the humanitarian response and address the most pressing humanitarian needs, at the border and in main municipalities of arrivals/relocation. It has expanded and improved its presence in the field, especially in Roraima, established and/or strengthened existing local protection networks, ensured that access to the territory was central in all responses (including by monitoring and training relevant authorities on emergency preparedness, compliance with key customary principles of International law such as non refoulement, etc). UNHCR, together with partners and the authorities,  carried out live-saving interventions across the emergency response mechanism (access to basic needs, relocation, cash interventions to the most vulnerable) and has conducted registration on PROGRESS of the Venezuelan population living at the shelters in Roraima and Boa Vista (registrations being one of the priority protection activities of UNHCR in the framework of the emergency response in the region).The strategic operational vision is composed of a phased approach detailing It has been increasingly difficult for the operation to cope with the increasing needs and to pursue life-saving assistance for the Venezuelans given the level of staffing resources available. UNHCR increased its number of temporary staff over the year, in order to cover core functions in the operation. At this juncture, and in line with strategic directions approved, UNHCR is regularizing critical positions to stabilize its presence across the whole operation and ensure an appropriate and sustaining support of the humanitarian response, as well as long term partnership with, and technical assistance to the authorities. In that context, the Head of a UNHCR Field Office (HoFO) is  a senior managerial position within  the operation, entrusted with the conduct of UNHCR activities related to the emergency response at the border. The incumbent carries the full delegated authority of the UNHCR Representative of the country, who will exercise entire supervisory managerial responsibility over the position. The position, on the other hand, provides all information on developments in relation to the protection (legal protection issues relating to the persons of concern to UNHCR), security (Physical security in relation to the UNCR staff and the persons of concern to UNHCR) and operational matters (programme and office management / administration) within the domain of its geographical area of responsibility to the UNHCR Representative on a regular and timely manner. As the most senior UNHCR staff member in the area,, he/she is required to liaise with all the relevant senior government officials, security organs in the area, the Head of various Non-Governmental Organisations (both national and internationals based in the area), Civilian/tribal leaders/elders, local opinion makers and the local media net-work to ensure his/her assigned responsibilities are effectively and efficiently discharged As the extended field representative of UNHCR at the front line of the border operations, he/she remain as the effective advocate and assistant to the local authorities to ensure that the respective government authorities in the area implement their conventional responsibilities in favour of refugees and others of concern to UNHCR. Family duty station (currently unclassified)
Boa Vista connects with the rest of the country via air (regular flights with several cities) and by land (bus to Manaus)
No international schools, only local schools available
Health services available but specialized services are not offered locally
No furnished housing available
Banking transportation, telecommunications and recreational facilities available
Frequent but short power cuts
Common crime exists; staff should be alert and adopt basic precautions.

Please note that the closing date for all vacancies in this Flash Vacancy is Tuesday 18 December 2018 (midnight Geneva time).