Associate Field Officer (PN10033591) - Istanbul

This position is open to applications from Group 1, Group 2 and all external candidates, provided that requirements regarding professional experience, academic qualifications, language, etc. are fulfilled.

Candidates must be primarily Turkish nationals. The minimum educational requirement for this position is a university degree.

Applications must be supported by documentation of fully effective performance history and demonstrated potential to assume professional responsibilities.
Your application will NOT be considered if;

-      The application form is not duly filled.
-      The questionnaire at the end of the application form is not answered. (for external candidates)

Interested staff members should consult Recruitment and Assignment of Locally-recruited Staff (RALS) para 39-40-41. Associate Field Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Associate Field Officer is normally supervised by the Snr Field Coordinator or Field Officer or Head of Sub-Office/Field Office depending on the structure of the Office. S/he may receive indirect guidance from other sections and units relevant to the country/regional programme(s). UNHCR Manual, programme and protection objectives, Operations Plans, UN and UNHCR financial/budgetary rules and regulations will guide the work of the incumbent.
The incumbent may supervise some support staff. S/he has daily contacts with staff in the various field offices and with the functional units at the Country/Regional Office. S/he also has close liaison with a range of local civilian and military authorities and counterparts in NGOs and UN agencies to discuss matters of common interest.

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
- Identify vulnerable groups or individuals who may need special attention or special arrangements and make recommendations on the needs of different groups of refugees.
- Assess protection and assistance needs of refugees and asylum-seekers in the region and monitor implementation of refugee assistance programmes.
- In co-ordination with implementing partners, handle the reception, registration and provision of assistance to persons of concern to UNHCR.
- Provide inputs for project submissions and periodic narrative and financial reports for the annual programme.
- Develop and maintain relations with local authorities ensuring smooth negotiations in all aspects of UNHCR's mandate for the benefit of refugees.
- Monitor the security situation in the area and intervene as appropriate with the local authorities.
- Submit recommendation for protection interventions to the designated officer.
- Negotiate with local authority counterparts, partners and populations of concern.
- Approve expenditures within the DOAP.
- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Field experience.

Desirable
Knowledge of refugee law.
Good knowledge of UNHCR¿s programmes.

Language Requirements
Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.

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. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a test. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified. No late applications will be accepted.

UNHCR is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, color or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.

Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).

REMUNERATION

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. The monthly net salary is between TRY 17,546 and TRY 22,481 depending on relevant experience, dependency status and language proficiency. For more information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, please visit the portal of the Office of HR Management of United Nations.
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See below for this postion's Operational Context
======================================================================================================== Operational Context

The position of Associate Field Officer (NOB) is located in Istanbul Field Office and report directly to the Head of Office and is in charge, in close coordination with the rest of the team, of the following activities:

Developping and maintaining effective partnerships with key state institutions and NGOs,
Supporting the office in monitoring the overall protection environment which includes making recommendations to the Head of the Office on challenges and possible solution for protection concerns faced by persons of concern,
Supporting access of refugees to social protection mechanisms.

The Government of Turkey takes the lead in the refugee response, based on a  legal framework and policies to include refugees in national services, and is actively engaged in humanitarian matters related to refugees and migration globally.  UNHCR is coordinating the support to the refugee response, co-leading the Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan (3RP), maintaining an operational footprint in order to support the response in areas where it has a specific expertise.
UNHCR strategic protection engagement in Turkey include the following areas:

¿ Promoting access to and support the provision of protection
¿ Strengthening protection and access to quality services for refugees with specific needs
¿ Promoting social cohesion and harmonization
¿ Working toward durable solutions.
¿ Enhancing partnership and communication.

The Field Office Istanbul is covering 11 Provinces in the Marmara region, including Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality.

The incumbent of this position should demonstrate an outstanding analytical capacity to be able to identify in the most effective and efficient ways issues pertaining to the situation of refugees and asylum seekers in the area covered by the Field Office with a strong emphasise on urban setting. Excellent communication skills and knowledge of the specificity of the area are an important asset.

The interaction with external stakeholders is a crucial aspect of the position and the incumbent is expected to develop and maintain strong partnership with the Provincial Representantives of the following States Institutions and local authorities:

Provincial Directorates of Migration Management (PDMM);
Proviancial Directorates of Labor, Family and Social Services (PDoFLSS)
Governorates
Municipalities, including Istanbul Metropolitan Municipalty.

The position is also interacting with various civil societies members, such as international and local NGOs, as well as grass root associations as well as representatives from the private sector.

The interaction with Persons of Concerns through representatives or associations, but also directly with refugees and asylum seekers is essential in order to achieve the objectives of the position.

In light of the above, the incumbent should be able to demonstrate excellent competencies in communicating with those diverses actors and partners. He/she should be able to establish strong links through mutual trusts with all in view of supporting access to protection and the social inclusion of the persons of concerns. 

The position is supervising directly 4 positions in the programme and protection teams and provide them with guidance to develop protection and solutions strategies as well as design  supporting the implementation and monitoring projects and activities in line with the office solutions strategy. He/she reports directly to the Head of Office and therefore is expected to also provide strategic advices based on sound analysis.

In addition to English and Turkish language which are essential for the position, working knowledge of Arabic will be an additional asset as the vast majority of the persons of concerns are Syrian under temporary protection.

Given the specificity of the situation in Istanbul and in particular within Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, familiarity with and exposure to refugees and asylum seekers situation in urban setting will also be an important asset. The closing date of the job opening is 25 September 2020.