Senior Resettlement Assistant - Case Worker Deferral (Temporary Appointment)

This position is advertised open to internal and external applicants. Senior Resettlement Assistant

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
A Senior Resettlement Assistant position is typically located at Multi-Country Office, Branch Office or Field Office. Under supervision, the incumbent's primary role is to assist the supervisor in effective resettlement delivery of a given UNHCR Office in accordance with the UNHCR Resettlement Handbook, UNHCR Manual and relevant policy papers and publications. The incumbent provides important clerical and administrative support to resettlement operations and may as required take part in assessing cases for resettlement and conducting interviews. S/he maintains frequent contacts with the supervisor, relevant colleagues within the same Office or Offices under purview to exchange information and discuss issues on resettlement cases. Some contacts and communication at a working level are required with Embassy / Immigration Officials of resettlement countries, IOM as well as with other operating partners regarding resettlement issues.

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
- Carry out preliminary interviews and initial assessments to process refugees for resettlement following established procedures.
- Prepare written documentation for resettlement submission; ensure that records / files of individual cases are updated in a systematic and timely manner.
- Assess and review individual resettlement cases and prepare individual / group submission for scrutiny by the supervisor.
- Provide persons of concern (PoC) with up-to-date and accurate information on UNHCR's resettlement policies and procedures.
- Comply with UNHCR's standard operating procedures on resettlement, ensuring timely action on cases.
- Follow up on cases from time of submission to final decision and departure; ensure effective in-country communication on the status and follow-up on PoC being considered for resettlement.
- Assist in maintaining and updating proGres or Consolidated Online Resettlement Tracking System (CORTS) database and provide technical support.
- Coordinate travel and departure arrangements for refugees accepted for resettlement.
- Organize logistical support for governments undertaking resettlement missions.
- Provide administrative support for resettlement-related training activities, including organization of resettlement workshops and meetings as required.
- Maintain accurate resettlement statistics as well as up-to-date records on individual cases; assist in the preparation of reports.
- Draft / type routine correspondence to Field Offices / Multi-Country Offices / Headquarters.
- Systematically apply an Age, Gender and Diversity perspective in all aspects of the resettlement process; comply with UNHCR policy and guidelines on HIV/AIDS.
- Assist in mitigating resettlement fraud by reporting suspected fraud.
- Recommend eligible cases for resettlement consideration.
- Provide counselling to PoC.
- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G5 - 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not applicable
(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Certificates and/or Licenses
International Law;
International Relations;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Not specified

Desirable
Good knowledge of resettlement issues and UNHCR resettlement policies and operational applications. Completion of UNHCR specific learning/training activities (e.g., PLP and RSD/Resettlement Learning Programme, resettlement anti-fraud workshop).

Functional Skills
CM-Cross-cultural communication;
PR-Resettlement/Repatriation/Voluntary Repatriation;
UN-UNHCR Operations, mandate, principles and policies;
PR-Resettlement Anti-Fraud Policy and Procedures;
(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.

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, including in particular when supervising others, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties by demonstrating no tolerance for sexism, gender inequality, discrimination, abuse of power, harassment including sexual harassment, and sexual exploitation and abuse. As individual workforce members and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and take these issues seriously by speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources, as well as, when required/appropriate, report, for corrective action to be taken, whilst considering a victim-centered-approach.

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. Competencies as defined in Job Profile

Core Competencies
Accountability
Communication
Organizational Awareness
Teamwork & Collaboration
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Client & Result Orientation


Cross-Functional Competencies
Analytical Thinking
Planning and Organizing
Stakeholder Management Please also note that English is essential for this Job Opening. Please note that interview is mandatory for GS position, whereas written test may be conducted, if considered necessary.
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See below for this postion's Operational Context
======================================================================================================== The UNHCR Operation in Kenya is dealing with a mixed refugee situation which includes refugees who have been in the country for decades (protracted refugee situation) and continued new arrivals. At the same time, UNHCR facilitates solutions for refugees (voluntary repatriation, resettlement and socio-economic inclusion). Nairobi hosts around 81,000 persons of concern which includes around 29,000 children. Refugees and asylum-seekers are from a variety of nationalities and backgrounds. UNHCR works closely with the Government of Kenya in all activities including protection, registration and RSD.

The incumbent will be based in Nairobi and will mainly work on RST deferrals for Nairobi, Kakuma and Dadaab; this entails conducting complementary interviews, liaising with various units and partners, ensuring to obtain required documents and information and drafting RRFs/new RRFs when required to enable the RST cases to move forward in the process. Excellent prioritization and organizational skills are essential to perform the duties as well as the ability to work in autonomy.  The incumbent will be based in Nairobi and will report to the Resettlement and CP officer of BO Nairobi, however his/her work involves working on deferral cases countrywide.

Essential qualifications:
¿ University degree in relevant area (e.g. international law/refugee law, political science, social science etc.);
¿ Minimum of two years¿ work experience in relevant field (e.g. assisting refugees in a resettlement context, case advocacy, assisting with family reunification, identifying resettlement needs etc.);
¿ Knowledge of and/or preparedness to become familiar with and abide by UNHCR¿s principles, code of conduct and humanitarian goals;
¿ Knowledge of the international legal framework governing refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons and statelessness;
¿ Knowledge of UNHCR guidelines on refugee status determination / resettlement;
¿ Excellent interviewing and counselling skills as demonstrated in previous assignments;
¿ Excellent drafting and written skills in English, very strong attention to detail, very strong analytical skills, as demonstrated in previous assignments;
¿ Awareness of UNHCR mandate, the importance of preventing fraud and ways to mitigate risks;
¿ Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in a team;
¿ Ability to work effectively in stressful situations;
¿ Excellent computer skills, in particular in MS Office applications.
¿ Previous work experience as RSD or resettlement caseworker.

Desirable Qualifications & Competencies:
¿ Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of the position. The duration of appointment is until 31 December 2021, with possibility of extension The closing date is 13 June 2021