Operations 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.

Operations Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Operations Officer works under the direct supervision of the Senior Operations Officer/Coordinator or Head of the Office and will be the focal person responsible for liaising with Partners through sector meetings and other coordination mechanisms in the Area of responsibility (AoR) as deemed necessary and required by the senior management. S/he will also assist with management issues pertaining to the operations within the area of responsibility (AoR). The incumbent will maintain contact with NGO/Implementing partners, Government officials at the Central level, Donors and UN agencies based in the locations covered under AoR. The incumbent also receives indirect guidance from other sections and units relevant to the country programmes. The incumbent may supervise some support staff. Within UNHCR, the incumbent has regular contact with other sections/units at Headquarters and with field offices on issues related UNHCR's programme in the countries/operations covered under the AoR.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR¿s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties

- Monitor UNHCR's activities in the operations within the AoR, if necessary through mission to the countries/operations covered.
- Keep abreast of the events that may affect the situation of persons of concern (PoCs) in the countries/operations under AoR and provide regular reports and relevant information on developments regarding the situation of PoCs as appropriate.
- Through a wide network of external contacts and through studying field reports, regularly analyse the operational context, early warning signs and the protection situation of PoCs.
- Prepare analytic papers and formulate recommendations for action for the country offices/operations within the AoR.
- Ensure compliance of UNCHR¿s project implementation, management and reporting with established policies, guidelines, procedures and standards.
- Identify potential gaps and problems and in cooperation with other relevant sections recommend appropriate solutions to ensure the continued efficient implementation of programme activities and effective coordination with other UN agencies and NGOs.
- In the bureaux, respond to queries and requests for assistance and guidance from the field, and follow-up where needed, in close coordination with other concerned focal points of the Bureau.
- In the field, prepare project proposals, conduct needs assessment in various fields of assistance and monitor implementation of projects under the AoR.
- Maintain relations with UN agencies, NGOs and other parties operating in the AoR, in order to promote UNHCR objectives.
- Liaise with operational partners on issues relating to the protection and assistance of refugees/IDPs and other persons of concern.
- Maintain a wide range of external contacts with Permanent Missions, donors, and civil society organization.

Job Descriptions for all UNHCR jobs will also include the following as part of the 'Duties':

- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P3/NOC - 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Public Administration; Economics; Social Science;
Business Administration;         Law; or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Programme Management

Relevant Job Experience
Essential:
Understanding of UNHCR mandate and operations.

Desirable:
Experience in field operations. Experience working with UNHCR; or other UN entities or partners preferably in the area of refugee or humanitarian operations. Proven track record in emergency preparedness, response and management.

Functional Skills

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Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. 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
M006L3 - Managing Resources Level 3
X001L3 - Analytical Thinking Level 3
X005L3 - Planning and Organizing Level 3
X007L3 - Political Awareness Level 3

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.

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.

 

Please note that the closing date for all vacancies in this addendum is Tuesday 25 June 2019 (midnight Geneva time).