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.

Registration Officer

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
The Registration Officer manages and oversees UNHCR's registration procedures and decision-making as well as related activities in the operation. The Registration Officer may be  directly responsible for or extensively contributes to developing and implementing an operation-specific registration strategy in compliance with the overall protection objectives of the office, to ensure that registration is effectively used for the identification of specific protection needs, for the management of operations, and for the achievement of durable solutions.

The Registration Officer provides day-to-day supervision, direction and support to UNHCR staff engaged in Registration and related activities (including Reception, Filing and Data Management staff), and monitors the efficiency and quality of registration processes, identity and entitlement documentation activities and population data management.  

The Registration Officer collaborates closely with Protection, Programme, Operational Data Management and Information Management colleagues as well as with key UN and international organizations, NGOs and partners on the provision of quality population data for the delivery of targeted protection or assistance interventions and programming and planning. The Registration Officer also liaises with other Registration operations in the region, the Regional Registration Officer, the Bureau and the Identity Management and Registration Section (IMRS) in DPSM to promote regional and global consistency in Registration standards and population data management. 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 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
- The operation has sufficient support to set up a clear and coherent Registration strategy which reflects UNHCR¿s country, regional and global priorities and objectives.
- UNHCR's Registration Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are implemented in accordance with relevant UNHCR standards and policies.
- 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) is maintained to a high standard and remains a reliable, trusted source of personal information and protection needs of persons of concern to UNHCR.

Responsibility
- Contribute to the design of appropriate registration strategies and approaches for populations of concern in compliance with the protection strategy of the operation, ensuring that registration standards are met and that appropriate methodologies and technologies are implemented.
- Plan, implement and monitor registration-related activities, as part of UNHCR¿s normal planning cycle to ensure that provision is made for material and human resources to adequately support the process.
- Design, implement and revise, as required, operation-specific SOPs for all aspects of registration in accordance with applicable standards and policies, including provisions for the protection of individual data and prevention and identification of fraud.
- Contribute to the development, enhancement and implementation of the online case and identity management applications (proGres in Partnership and BIMS).
- Design appropriate procedures and systems for the assurance of quality registration data through the implementation of continuous registration and verification exercises, including the facilitation of additional data collection in accordance with operational programming and protection needs. 
- Conduct regular data quality and audit checks to monitor the accuracy of data collected as well as a tool for identification and prevention of fraud.
- Develop and maintain information campaigns and processes to ensure that persons of concern, Government authorities and partners have accurate information on registration procedures, including UNHCR standards, policy and practice.
- Advocate with and support Government authorities and partners to establish and strengthen fair and efficient Registration procedures including the recognition of UNHCR identity and entitlement documentation and associated rights.
- In cooperation with Protection staff; design, implement and monitor procedures for the identification and referral of persons of concern with specific needs who may require follow-up protection interventions.
- Assist in developing data management approaches and processing methodologies for efficient and accountable delivery of both material and cash-based assistance and other programming and protection needs.
- In cooperation with Operational Data Management and Information Management staff, standardize consolidation and timely dissemination of reports and statistics on persons of concern, which will inform programme, planning, protection interventions and statistical reporting activities.
- Develop data sharing agreements in close cooperation with Protection colleagues and the Regional Registration Officer.
- Provide training to 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 operation level, and report on the impact of support interventions to the management of operations.
- Undertake other related responsibilities or functions as required.

Authority
- Advise staff on planned registration activities, review plans and requests to ensure that they are in agreement with UNHCR standards
- Enforce compliance by UNHCR staff engaged in registration and related activities with UNHCR standards, policies and operation-specific SOPs for all aspects of the registration operation.
- Represent UNHCR with relevant external partners in-country, as applicable.
- Design and review registration and registration-related documents, reports and statistics for internal use.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) in Social Sciences, Demography, Statistics, Information Technology, Geography, Political Science, Law, Business Administration, Humanities or related fields plus minimum 6 years  of relevant 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.
- Strong understanding of the principles of and concepts of international protection and UNHCR.
- Strong team building, managerial, planning, coordination and representation skills.
- Excellent computer skills, particularly in data management.
-       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 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
M003L3 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 3
M004L3 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 3
X001L3 - Analytical Thinking Level 3
X003L3 - Technological Awareness Level 3
X005L3 - Planning and Organizing 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.

¿ Spanish is an essential communication and working language;
¿ Working experience both in UNHCR HQ and/or a Regional Office and the Field;
¿ Demonstrated expertise in UNHCR registration
¿ UNHCR Specific learning/training activities

¿ Experience working with Government and Civil Society
¿ Excellent negotiation and communication skills
¿ Experience with emergency management is an asset ¿ At the end of 2015, Peru officially reported approximately 450 asylum seekers with this number increasing to approximately 4,500 in 2016 and to over 34,000 at the end of 2017. This dramatic increase was determined by the constant growing influx of Venezuelan nationals. At the beginning of 2018, the influx continued unabated with an average of 500 new asylum applications per day registered by the Special Commission for Refugees (CEPR). Peru presently has the highest number of asylum seekers (over 165,000) in the entire Venezuela situation, many of whom are arriving in increasingly vulnerable conditions (SGBV, women heads of households, etc.).

¿ Up to the end of 2018, nearly 650,000 Venezuelans had entered and still remain in Peru, and this number is expected to increase in 2019. The main entry point into Peru continues to be the northern border with Ecuador (Tumbes). A large majority of the Venezuelans arriving in Peru move onwards beyond Tumbes.

¿ In addition to the possibility of applying for refugee status, Peru also offers an alternative migratory solution (Temporary Residence Permit ¿ PTP) through which the migratory status of over 250,000 Venezuelan nationals have regularized their migratory situation. ¿ UNHCR established an initial presence in the country by appointing a National Officer in September 2017. In early April 2018, the L2 Emergency was then declared and still is ongoing, which has led to strengthening UNHCR¿s presence in the country with the recruitments of both national and international staff and establishing of a country office ¿ in Lima ¿ a Field Office ¿ in Tumbes ¿ and two Field Units ¿ in Cusco and Arequipa.

¿ UNHCR continues to respond to the influx directly in support to the Government of Peru, through supporting the Special Commission for Refugees (CEPR) in strengthening the asylum system.  In addition, the Secretary General of the United Nations mandated UNHCR and IOM to co-lead the response to Venezuelan populations at regional and national level.  A joint platform was established at regional level for interagency coordination and direction and, at national level, UNHCR co-leads the response, together with IOM, through the Working Group on Refugees and Migrants (GTRM.)

¿ For now, the interagency appeal for the Refugee and Migrant Response Plan (RMRP) is being rolled out (at country level and in all 16 countries receiving Venezuelans). Over 40 organizations belong to the Grupo de Trabajo sobre Refugiados y Migrantes (GTRM), which is the country¿s current coordination and response platform in Peru. Working groups and technical teams have also been set-up in Tumbes and Tacna. UNHCR ¿ and namely the incumbent of this position ¿ should continue to co-lead the national coordination platform, in close collaboration with IOM. The operational humanitarian response is equally scaling-up, for both UNHCR and all partners. ¿ Until very recently, the government entity dealing with refugees, the Special Commission for Refugees (CEPR), received only very few asylum requests. For instance, in 2014, the total number was 397, compared to 66,106 asylum requests in the final 4¿ months of 2018. CEPR¿s registration capacity was, and continues to be, extremely challenged by the increase in figures. In the face of the inadequacies of the CEPR¿s registration system, UNHCR Peru is supporting the CEPR by improving its software, increasing the staffing capacity as well as other measures. An experienced Registration Officer is required to assist the UNHCR Peru to support the government/CEPR in the development and implementation of its new registration procedure, under the technical guidance of the Regional Registration team.

¿ The incumbent is expected to ensure that the operation has a clear and coherent Registration strategy which reflects UNHCR's country, regional and global priorities and objectives. UNHCR's Registration Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are implemented in accordance with relevant UNHCR standards and policies. Persons of concern have fair and transparent access to registration procedures. The integrity of the government's registration procedures is ensured and refugee identities are secured over time through the implementation of case management and identity management tools. CEPR's population database is maintained to a high standard and remains a reliable, trusted source of personal information and protection needs of persons of concern to UNHCR. Despite the security concerns mentioned below, Lima is a family duty station.  It has good medical facilities. The recreational facilities, schools and hotels are of international standard. There are possibilities of renting private accommodation, as well as good banking facilities with currency exchange facilities available at the airport terminal, local banks, shopping malls and main hotels and unlimited access to communication options such as internet, telephone sim cards etc. Lima is a modern city with a great variety of commercial, economic, cultural and industrial activities.
No vaccinations are required to enter the country, however check if your itinerary includes endemic areas of malaria, dengue or yellow fever in order to take precautionary prevention measures.
February is the hottest month in Lima with an average temperature of 24°C and the coldest is August at 17°C. Social unrest is frequently reported in the city of Lima, due to its media impact with demonstrations, however, these are also registered in other cities of the coastal regions.  These actions, mainly related to socio-environmental conflicts, cause road blocks and demonstrations in Lima tending to happen at the historical downtown area near the Congress and in areas where the main government buildings are located, showing a recent tendency towards localized violence, thereby stressing the government crowd control mechanisms.  These actions can pose a threat to anybody so if one finds themselves near a public demonstration, they should immediately.
Peru is a highly exposed country to natural disasters in particular as it is seismic with several instances of devastating earthquakes and tremors therefore the possibility of earthquakes is expected at any time. Lima is categorized as ¿A¿ family duty station.
Lima is considered of Low Security level according to the security Level system methodology.

The most frequent crimes nationwide are violent assaults in the streets during the night, extortion robberies in hotels, restaurants and malls. From an average of 1,500 staff and dependents in Peru in the UN system, 3.26% or 100 criminal incidences were recorded. 
Traffic accidents have become a public health issue nationwide due to the negligence od drivers, low road safety as well as climatic factors. 
It is strongly advised to avoid using ATMs or banking services without basic precautions and, if necessary, use of credit and debit cards which should never leave one¿s sight to prevent possible fraud through cloning.  Also avoid withdrawing large amounts of cash, use cashier cheques as much as possible or electronic transactions. ¿ Incumbent will report to the Senior Field Coordinator in Lima.
¿ The incumbent may supervise AWF and national staff.

Please note that the closing date for vacancies in the March 2019 Compendium is Tuesday 16 April 2019 (midnight Geneva time)

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