By continuing to browse this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Read our privacy policy

Representative

Mexico

  • Organization: UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
  • Location: Mexico
  • Grade: Senior Executive level - D-1, Director - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Managerial positions
  • Closing Date: Closed

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.

Representative

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
As the High Commissioner's senior representative in the country, the Representative provides managerial leadership and oversight to ensure UNHCR's effective performance in the country of her/his assignment. The incumbent usually manages a budget of USD 6 million and above.

Reporting to the Director of the Bureau, the Representative is responsible and accountable for translating organizational and Bureau-wide objectives and policies into effective programmes. Through a continuous process of situational analysis, the Representative works with his/her team to identify strategic objectives and develop coherent, consistent and effective responses to the challenges faced.  He/she is responsible for ensuring the adequate provision of technical support and guidance to the office to enable them to fulfil their accountabilities, including those outlined in the Terms of Reference of UNHCR offices as well as the Age, Gender and Diversity Accountability Framework. 

The Representative works to ensure that UNHCR is widely perceived as an effective and trusted partner. S/he is responsible for creating effective networks, relationships, partnerships, and synergies with governments, NGOs, relevant regional political and other fora, civil society, persons of concern and all other key strategic partners and actors. He/she lends visibility to important strategic issues, promotes concerted action and the commitment of sufficient resources and expertise to address important matters of concern to UNHCR.

In a complex and demanding political and operational environment, the Representative strives to build a dynamic and sufficiently capacitated team. S/he devolves appropriate authorities, facilitates the sharing of expertise and best practice and creates a climate of collaboration, which aims to empower and motivate colleagues to approach challenges with insight and innovation and to work toward achieving measurable and effective results. S/he has a responsibility to inform the Bureau and other relevant parties at Headquarters of key political and operational developments in a timely manner.

The comports and actions of the Representative must at all times reflect the core values and principles embodied in UNHCR's mandate. A failure on the part of the Representative to adhere to these standards would have negative implications for UNHCR's credibility, operations and, ultimately, the protection and well-being of persons of concern to the Office.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
Accountability
- UNHCR has a clearly articulated country strategy to protect and find solutions for persons of concern.
- The protection framework in the country ensure availability and quality of asylum, operating systems and search for durable solutions for all categories of persons of concern.
- UNHCR is fully integrated into the UN Resident Coordinator System.
- UNHCR's policies and standards are applied consistently within the country operation to ensure quality protection for populations of concern.
- Resources are commensurate with operational objective and are allocated and managed effectively to meet the country/regional operation's objectives.
- UNHCR provides a healthy, safe and respectful working environment for its workforce in the country.

Responsibility
Strategic Direction
- Stay abreast of the challenges posed by the local political context.
- Manage a consultative process within the country operations and with external partners.
- Develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy that generates political and financial support for UNHCR's operations. Mobilize financial support for UNHCR corporate priorities as well for country specific projects.

Operations
- Implement a results-oriented approach for assessing, designing and delivering the country operation.
- Ensure that the protection strategy is fully integrated into the country operations plan and that necessary resources are allocated to it.
- Ensure the country operation's adherence to UNHCR's policy on Age, Gender and Diversity Mainstreaming (AGDM).
- Ensure the country operation plans are consistent with the regional and global strategic priorities; manage a participatory process, with all stakeholders, to apply UNHCR's standards and indicators in assessing and measuring the performance of the country operations.
- Promote accession to the Convention and Protocol, and ensure the application of protection standards in the treatment of all persons of concern especially women and children.
- Ensure all persons of concern, especially women and children, have access to relevant information; ensure that cases of sexual violence and abuse against girls and boys are reported and dealt with expeditiously.
- Ensure the engagement of UNHCR in the UNCT, UN common programming, planning and funding activities and to actively contribute in the establishment of the CCA/UNDAF and the consequent joint implementation activities.
- Participate in the Cluster approach, ensure UNHCR's Cluster Lead role and implement other IASC and inter-agency/UN policies.
- Ensure that risks to the operation¿s objectives are regularly assessed, priority risks are identified and risk treatments for the priority risks form an integral part of the operations plans.

Resource Management
- Ensure that staff and financial resources are commensurate with operational objectives.
- Ensure effective and efficient management of resources within the rules and procedures of UNHCR.
- Establish and manage local administrative mechanisms such as a Local Contracts (or Purchasing) Committee, Local Asset Management Board and APPC.
- Ensure local compliance with UNHCR's human resources (HR) policies including on gender, disabilities, diversity, ethics and HIV/AIDS.
- Manage a process of recruitment, assignment and reassignment of local staff for the country operation, in accordance UN/UNHCR rules and procedures.
- Where necessary, identify the most appropriate affiliate workforce and optimize its use.
- In coordination with the Global Learning Centre, ensure that the learning needs of UNHCR's workforce in the country are identified, assessed and addressed.
- Exercise effective managerial oversight, direction, guidance and support and conduct regular performance appraisals and coaching.

Security
- In close collaboration with the Designated Official (DO), UNDSS and UN country team/Security Management Team (SMT), gather and analyse information on the local security situation and play an active role in the inter-agency security and contingency planning processes.
- Ensure that appropriate security measures are in place to protect staff, and that the country operation complies with UN  MOSS/MORSS staff security rules, guidelines and procedures.

Authority
- Represent UNHCR in the UNCT/Humanitarian Country Team and other inter-agency fora.
- Decide on the country strategy and priorities, country operations plans, and approve the country operation's protection strategy.
- Enforce local compliance with UNHCR's global protection, programme, finance and human resources and security policies and standards.
- Negotiate and sign local agreements with implementing and operational partners.
- Authorize payments as per the organization's Delegation of Authority Plan (DOAP) and in accordance with UN/UNHCR rules and procedures.
- Modify operational projects and reallocate funds, within the approved budgets and in respect of donor earmarking.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Graduate (equivalent of a Master's) degree in Political Science, Social Science, International Relations, Law, Business Administration, Human Resources Management, and/or other relevant fields plus minimum 16 years of relevant job experience at professional level, with more than 10 years in international capacity. Senior positions in a large governmental or international agency.  Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) plus 17 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 15 years of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted.
- Extensive knowledge of UNHCR operations and services.
- A high level of skill in management of broad programmes, political decision making and negotiating, as well as demonstrated tolerance to frequently changing and highly charged situations.
- Ability to lead strategic planning, change processes, results-based management and reporting.
- Ability to lead formulation, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of operations.
- Ability to manage for results: translates strategic aims into achievable plans, with established priorities, monitors them, making periodic adjustments as required.
- Ability to effectively represent UNHCR at the senior level in internal and external meetings and to build strong relationships with clients.
- Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- Completion of UNHCR training programmes, such us Protection Learning Programme, Operations Management Learning Programme.
- Knowledge of geo-political realities and their socio-cultural implications.
- Knowledge of additional UN languages.


This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR Representative (D1) 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. C001L4 - Accountability Level 4
C002L4 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 4
C003L4 - Communication Level 4
C004L4 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 4
C005L4 - Client & Result Orientation Level 4
C006L4 - Organizational Awareness Level 4
M001L4 - Empowering and Building Trust Level 4
M002L4 - Managing Performance Level 4
M006L4 - Managing Resources Level 4
M005L4 - Leadership Level 4
M003L4 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 4
M004L4 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 4
X004L4 - Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Level 4
X001L4 - Analytical Thinking Level 4
X007L4 - Political Awareness Level 4 <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.

 

¿ Excellent communication skills ¿ both oral and written - and experience dealing with the media and with social media.

¿ Experience in the context of protection in mixed asylum-migration flows.

¿ Sensitive political context requires political acumen as well as excellent high level demonstrated level of diplomacy and negotiation skills to promote/strengthen  relations and partnership under the whole of society approach with a wide variety of stakeholders including, Government, UN organizations, diplomatic missions, private sector, civil society organizations, persons of concern, media, scholars and public-at-large. ¿ Experience in raising donor support 

¿ Proven strong managerial and leadership skills, particularly in changing situations (restructuring / expansion, also in line with the scale up strategy ongoing in Mexico operation.

¿ Demonstrated flexibility, creativity and adaptability to frequently changing and highly charged situations.

¿ Ability to lead, motivate and manage a team and foster good team spirit to achieve collective outcomes ¿ Experience in the design, coordination and evaluation of protection operations / strategies

¿ Strong presentation and public speaking skills and demonstrated experience in representing an organization in the public sphere including through public speaking engagements, the press, television, facebook live, radio, use of social media, etc.

¿ Excellent command of the Spanish and English language, both written and oral is essential. 

¿ Previous experience in Latin America is highly desirable. The drivers of forced displacement in the North of Central America (NCA) persist in 2019. Central Americans continue to cross Mexico¿s southern border in significant numbers to seek international protection. Due to a lack of information, detention policies, the limited number of locations with COMAR presence as well as inadequate reception arrangements, many people with international protection needs attempt to make the dangerous journey north to the United States without making an asylum claim in Mexico. The arrival of large numbers of refugees and migrants in organized groups (¿caravans¿), since October 2018 led to a declaration of an L2 emergency and the scale-up of the operational response. The OL in 2018 was approximately USD18m but is expected to rise to over USD50m in 2019. As progress has been achieved in recent years in building the asylum system and in improving reception arrangements, as well as in the provision of local integration opportunities, the number of claimants in Mexico has increased, as has the number of people who successfully integrate. The number of asylum claims in 2018 was 29,600, 1280% higher than in 2014. COMAR data show that close to 70% of claimants were from Central America. This increase is putting additional pressure on an already weak asylum system and assistance providers. UNHCR estimates that the increase in claims would have been higher but the backlog in claims (currently over 27,000 people), has led to processing times well in excess of the 45 days set out in law.  The impact of the increasing number of claimants is most acutely felt in towns and cities close to the border with Guatemala. Authorities in southern Mexico report that public services are stretched by these arrivals and that this is feeding xenophobia. UNHCR estimates that violence against PoC is underreported, and generally goes unpunished. An increasing number of PoC have required relocation due to security risks in the southern states, especially transgender women. Comprehensive protection services to PoC such as legal assistance, referrals in a dignified and confidential manner, prevention and response to SGBV, child protection, and psychosocial support, medical and psychiatric services are lacking in many locations. Although UNHCR has funded positions to provide legal and psychosocial support and is working closely with partners such as DIF, COMAR and UNICEF, this does not cover the overall needs. Mexico¿s legal framework favours the inclusion of refugees in public services and their local integration, both in socio-economic and legal terms. Refugees are issued a permanent residence card and a social security number and a population registration number (CURP), which permits access to public services. Refugees have access to the national education and health system and enjoy the right to work. Applications for naturalization can be made by people from Latin America after two years of permanent residence. The procedure takes six months, is affordable and has simplified criteria applicable to refugees. A dynamic economy in central and northern states such as Coahuila, Jalisco, and Nuevo Leon facilitates integration. Chambers of commerce report thousands of vacancies in these States and are willing to cooperate with UNHCR and with partners in order to organize the relocation of refugees and facilitate job placement. While the legal framework and current economic conditions create the potential for successful local integration, careful planning, coordination and case support is essential. As a result, UNHCR is reinforcing efforts for local integration, offering vocational training and job placement programs in cooperation with the private sector. Mexico has a large and diverse civil society which increasingly looks to UNHCR to take a leadership role in relation to asylum and migration issues. It has a large media market, high penetration of social media, and hosts a significant number of foreign media correspondents. UNHCR is therefore highly sought after by the media and increasingly engaged on social media platforms (Twitter in particular). ¿ Family duty station A
¿ Very good infrastructure (health, housing, banking transportation, telecommunications and recreational facilities)
¿ Adequate schools. There are  private schools, although the number of bilingual or bi cultural schools is not high. ¿ Good security awareness needed.
¿ Common crime is a concern; staff should be alert and adopt basic precautions.
No job description available

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

This vacancy is now closed.
However, we have found similar vacancies for you: