Chief o Self-Reliance&Incl Sec

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.

Chief of Self-Reliance and Inclusion Section

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) affirmed by the UN General Assembly on 17th December 2018 strengthens UNHCR¿s protection and solutions mandate. It has self-reliance as a key objective, in addition to easing the pressure on host countries and increasing solutions in countries of origin and in third countries. The GCR also calls for the inclusion of refugees in the communities hosting them.

Self-reliance refers to the ability of individuals, households or communities to meet their essential needs and enjoy their human rights in a sustainable manner and to live with dignity. Self-reliant persons of concern (POC) live independent and productive lives, relying on their income and assets to meet their basic needs. They are better able to enjoy their rights, while also contributing to their host societies. The ability of POC to achieve self-reliance is enabled by favourable policies and access to work opportunities, as set out in the 1951 Refugee Convention.

Transitioning refugees who are reliant on international humanitarian assistance to inclusion in national programmes led by governments and supported by development actors is critical for the protection, resilience and solutions of displaced persons. While critical, such a transition takes time and requires continued support until inclusion efforts take hold and become accessible for the majority of the refugee population. With voluntary repatriation and resettlement solutions available to only few, the inclusion of refugees in national and development programmes is strategically one of the most pragmatic ways to equip refugees with the human and economic capital, pending durable solutions.

Evidence proving the gains of inclusion to both refugees and host communities is growing, however positive developments are dependent on several factors, including an enabling policy environment as well as predictable and complementary international support from stakeholders including governments, humanitarian, development and private sector actors.

The Chief of the Self-Reliance and Inclusion Section is a senior member of the Socio-Economic Inclusion Service (SEIS) in the Division of Resilience and Solutions (DRS). The incumbent reports directly to the Deputy Director of DRS and supervises a diverse team of international and local staff. The incumbent's primary responsibilities relate to providing technical support to Regional Bureaux and Country Offices; and to bringing strategic coherence and a proactive stance to the work of these colleagues, leading a reinforced team working towards supporting greater self-reliance and inclusion of UNHCR¿s POC.

The position will require regular contacts with UN agencies, other international organisations, non-governmental organisations, and donors. Advocacy and fundraising activities will be carried out in collaboration with the Division of External Relations (DER).


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
- Lead the development and provision of both normative and operational technical guidance on livelihoods, economic inclusion, financial inclusion, food security and self-reliance.
- Provide direction, guidance and technical support to the teams in the Section at Headquarters as well as to parent teams in Regional Bureaux. Develop as necessary communities of practice and ensure learning across Regional Bureaux.
- Lead the SRIS team to coherently support the multi-sectoral needs of Regional Bureaux and Country Offices related to areas under the responsibility of SEIS, cognisant of local and national systems/services/plans and longer-term solutions.
- Provide coherent and multifunctional support to development and implementation of stepped up self-reliance strategies.
- Provide a multifunctional support to the development of transition strategies. Work closely with other teams within DRS, and with other Divisions, particularly DIP and DSPR.
- Ensure impactful, quality programming in relation to economic and financial inclusion, livelihoods and food security
- Proactively collect data and conduct high-level analysis of gaps, trends, opportunities, and of good programming. Disseminate good practices and evidence-based knowledge products in the areas covered by the Section
- Ensure that UNHCR is a valued, respected player in upstream discussions, funding opportunities and advocacy with relevant actors (bilaterals, UN agencies, International Finance Institutions, private sector, etc) when it comes to expanding and creating economic opportunities, food security and self-reliance for both UNHCR populations of concern and host communities.
- Conduct effective workforce planning, building a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative team.
- Follow up effectively the Global Refugee Forum pledges relating to jobs and livelihoods, financial inclusion and food security.
- Work towards a multi-sectoral and co-ordinated approach in co-operation with WFP, UNCTAD and others, in close consultation with other DRS teams as relevant and with the Division of External Relations; and, similarly for work related to partnerships such as the World Bank, ILO, UNDP.
- Oversee the preparation of quality and timely reports, briefing notes, informational material, talking points and background notes as needed for senior management.
- Performs other related duties as required.


Minimum Qualifications

Education & Professional Work Experience

Years of Experience / Degree Level

For P5 - 12 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 11 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 10 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree


Field(s) of Education

Public Policy Economics; International Relations;
Political Science; Business Administration; Economic Development;
Public Administration; or other relevant field.

(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)


Certificates and/or Licenses

Not specified

(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)


Relevant Job Experience

Essential
- At least 10 years of relevant professional experience, including working at the policy level in public sector, international financial institutions (IFIs), UN development agencies, development NGOs, private sector, foundations supporting development of human capital, or development consultancy firms;
- Demonstrated field experience in developing, managing, monitoring and evaluating self-reliance or related programmes, particularly in fragile or conflict affected contexts;
- Excellent analytical capacity, ability to draft policy documents and proven ability to work with socio-economic data;
- Demonstrated maturity to engage with senior managers in International Financial Institutions, private sector, UN agencies and bilateral donors;
- Strong interpersonal, negotiation and advocacy skills;
- Demonstrated capacity to bring on board strategic partnerships (financial, technical, advocacy);
- Excellent communications skills ¿ written and oral;
- Demonstrated capacity to build and lead a well-functioning hybrid team;
- Strong financial management, strategy development, visioning and work-planning skills.

Desirable
- Good knowledge of UNHCR or other institutions working with forcibly displaced populations;
- Solid understanding of the humanitarian world;
- Experience in poverty reduction programmes;
- Knowledge of UNHCR¿s policies on programme management, resource allocation, financial rules, as well as UNHCR¿s information systems and databases.


Functional Skills

*MG-UNHCR Management Practices/Standards and Processes
UN-UNHCR Operations, mandate, principles and policies
MG-Business Process Innovation
PG-Programme Analysis
*LV-Livelihood Project Development
LV-Partnership for Economic Inclusion

(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)


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. 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
X007L4 - Political Awareness Level 4
X004L4 - Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Level 4
X008L4 - Stakeholder Management Level 4

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.

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

Please note that the closing date for vacancies in this September 2020 Compendium is Tuesday 20 October 2020  (midnight Geneva time).