Liaison Off (Risk Mgmt Comp Qua)

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.

Liaison Officer (Risk Management Compliance and Quality)

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
A Risk Management, Compliance and Quality Unit has been established in the Nairobi Branch Office to review and strengthen the systems, structures, procedures and capacities involved in managing risk, including the risk of fraud, corruption and exploitation by UNHCR and its partners. The Unit is working in close collaboration with internal stakeholders (including the Inspector General¿s Office, the Legal Assistance Section and the Department of Human Resources) and with external stakeholders (implementing partners, operational partners, community leaders, persons of concern, contractors and government entities) to improve the monitoring and detection of fraud, corruption and exploitation and to better respond to such allegations.  The success of these efforts depends, in part, on the ability of UNHCR to (i) provide support/protection to whistleblowers and witnesses, and (ii) support the Government in conducting investigations and prosecutions of persons who are referred to it by UNHCR.  The incumbent is engaged to strengthen the capacity of the Unit in the Nairobi to (i) engage with relevant Government law enforcement authorities including the Department of Criminal Investigations, the Department of Public Prosecutions and the Witness Protection Agency; and (ii) engage with the Protection Division of UNHCR and other relevant partners in the support/protection of whistleblowers and witnesses, including by finding and implementing short-term and long-term solutions to the threats emanating from being whistleblowers/witnesses.  The incumbent reports to the Head, Risk Management, Compliance and Quality Unit.  Close working relationships are also required with the Assistant Representative (Protection) and the Inspector General¿s Office.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
Accountabilities
- A capacity exists within the Kenya Branch Office that supports a platform that is conducive to the effective reporting of allegations of inappropriate conduct, whether it be by staff of UNHCR, of partners, of contractors or by other persons who present a threat to the safe access of protection and services by persons of concern.   
- Effective relationships with relevant Government entities (including the Department of Criminal Investigations, Department of Public Prosecutions and the Witness Protection Agency) to ensure cases of a criminal nature are appropriately dealt with, and that witnesses in criminal investigations/prosecutions are provided appropriate levels of State-provided assistance.
- Management within UNHCR and donors are kept abreast of efforts to work with State authorities in relation to criminal investigations/prosecutions and protection of witnesses.

Responsibilities
- Liaise with the Inspector-General¿s Office concerning the protection needs of whistleblowers and witnesses involved in on-going IGO investigations. 
- Engage with the Kenyan Witness Protection Authority concerning persons who may be admitted to the Authority¿s witness protection programme.
- Engage with policing and law enforcement authorities on the investigation and prosecution of persons referred to them by UNHCR.
- Ensure that country specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are developed for witness support so that UNHCR¿s institutional capacity to prevent, identify and respond to witness¿ protection and support needs is enhanced through increased institutional capacity ad good practices.
- Ensure witness support strategies have field level impact linked to budget and programming.
- Devise safe exit strategies for witnesses in the program such as resettlement and relocation.
- Develop strategies to meet whistle-blower/witness needs including, to the extent possible, health care, education, safety and security, psychosocial and legal support and promote protection of whistle-blowers / witnesses from reprisals by persons who are the subject of allegations/investigations.
- Provide expert advice on challenges, gaps, response, progress and recommendations related to witness support and protection.

Authorities
- Represent UNHCR in regional meetings and fora, national and international, related to witness support and protection.
- Manage resources dedicated to the witness support and protection strategy.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) in Law or related field plus minimum 6 years of previous relevant job experience. 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.
- Minimum of 4 years in a role associated with the conduct of investigations or in litigation as a defence or prosecution attorney. 
- Minimum of 2 years professional experience in international protection issues.
- Excellent communicator with strong interpersonal skills.
- Experience advising senior officials on complex issues relating to refugee law, resettlement, criminal law, witness protection and human rights.
- Exposure to and experience in UN or non-UN field operations and emergencies in various geographical locations.
- Demonstrate high level of integrity, objectivity, impartiality and fairness.
- Fluency in English, including excellent drafting skills and capacity to communicate complex matters to a wide non-expert audience as well as to experts involved in the area of responsibility.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- Good working knowledge of UNHCR¿s mandate, field operations, organizational structure, and policies.
- Knowledge of the Kenyan Witness Protection Agency regime and experience liaising with the Agency in respect of policy matters and, where appropriate, individual cases.
-      Good working knowledge of another UN language. 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
X001L3 - Analytical Thinking 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>
========================================================================================================
See below for this postion's Operational Context
========================================================================================================

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.

 

The successful candidate will be heavily engaged to strengthen the capacity of the newly created Risk Management, Compliance and Quality Unit in the Nairobi to (i) engage with relevant Government law enforcement authorities including the Department of Criminal Investigations, the Department of Public Prosecutions and the Witness Protection Agency; and (ii) engage with the Protection Division of UNHCR and other relevant partners in the support/protection of whistleblowers and witnesses, including by finding and implementing short-term and long-term solutions to the threats emanating from being whistle-blowers/witnesses.

The incumbent will report to the Head, Risk Management, Compliance and Quality Unit. Close working relationships are also required with the Deputy Representative and the Inspector General¿s Office.

To be able to perform the functions, the successful candidate must have: relevant academic qualifications; previous experience on witness protection, previous role associated with the conduct of investigations or in litigation as a defence or prosecution attorney; excellent communication, coordination, interpersonal and drafting skills; high level of integrity, objectivity, impartiality and fairness; familiarity with Kenya operation will be a strong asset. A Risk Management, Compliance and Quality Unit has been established in the Nairobi Branch Office to review and strengthen the systems, structures, procedures and capacities involved in managing risk, including the risk of fraud, corruption and exploitation by UNHCR and its partners. The Unit is working in close collaboration with internal stakeholders (including the Inspector General¿s Office, the Legal Assistance Section and the Department of Human Resources) and with external stakeholders (implementing partners, operational partners, community leaders, persons of concern, contractors and government entities) to improve the monitoring and detection of fraud, corruption and exploitation and to better respond to such allegations. The success of these efforts depends, in part, on the ability of UNHCR to (i) provide support/protection to whistleblowers and witnesses, (ii) support the Government in conducting investigations and prosecutions of persons who are referred to it by UNHCR, and (iii) assist and support senior UNHCR management and the Government in efforts to improve accountability of officials in the policing and justice sectors in order to improve the safety and security in the operating environment. Despite the security concerns mentioned below, Nairobi is a duty station for families. It has good medical facilities.  Recreational facilities, schools and hotels are of international standards. Nice houses are available, as well as good banking facilities, unlimited access to communication means, such as internet, telephone Sim cards etc. There is no malaria in Nairobi, but cholera, malaria and yellow fever occur in other parts of Kenya. Politically instigated demonstrations and riots may occur at any time and they are relatively frequent.
Crime in Nairobi is high and physical violence is a common feature of break into residences, carjacking and robbery. A high sense of vigilance and alertness is required.

The Witness Protection Programme aims to provide protection to whistle-blowers and witnesses in investigations who are at risk of serious retaliation. The successful candidate will need to be diligent in managing the risks that running the programme will confer upon him/her.

Please note that the closing date for vacancies in the Addendum 4 is Thursday 28 February 2019 (midnight Geneva time)