Resettlement Expert, UNOPS IICA-1, 3 positions (Farchana/Iriba)

UNHCR Chad is offering UNOPS IICA-1 positions in the Resettlement Unit in Sub Office in Farchana, and Sub Office in Iriba on a roving basis.

UNHCR is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. Every year, millions of men, women and children are forced to flee their homes to escape conflict and persecution. We are in over 125 countries, using our expertise to protect and care for millions.

Title: Resettlement Expert
Duty Station: Sub Office Farchana (1 position), and Sub Office Iriba (roving) (2 positions)
Duration: 1 April – 31 December 2022 (with possibility of extension)
Contract Type: UNOPS ICA (International ICA Level 1, equivalent to P2)
Closing date: 17 March 2022
Start date: As soon as possible

Organisational context

Chad, one of the largest refugee hosting countries in Africa, currently offers protection to more than one million refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced people, and Chadian returnees, of which around 510,325 are refugees mainly originating from Sudan (Darfur), Central Africa Republic, Nigeria and other countries. As of June 2021, Chad is a party to both the 1951 Refugee Convention and its protocol and the 1969 OAU Convention on Refugees. in December 2020, Chad adopted its first national law on asylum.

As of 31 January 2022, Chad hosts 376,172 Sudanese refugees. The refugees from Sudan live mostly in camps in the east of Chad. There are three sub-offices (SO) in East Chad with 12 refugee camps and one site under their responsibility. SO Farchana, where one of these positions is based, covers four camps (Breidjing, Gaga, Farchana, Kouchaguine-Moura and Treguine) and FO Goz Beida cover two camps (Djabal and Goz Amir) and one host village (Kerefi). SO Iriba and its two Field Offices, Guereda and Amdjarass, where two of these positions are based; cover six camps (Am Naback, Iridimi, Toloum, Koukoungou, Mile and Oure Cassoni). Most of the refugees fled the war in Darfur in around 2004 and continue to live in a protracted refugee situation. The largest number of Sudanese refugees are of Massalit, Zaghawa, Salamat, Fur, Messeria Djabal, Dadjo, Tama, Erenga, Ouaddi and Maba ethnicities. Sudanese refugees from Darfur are recognised by the Chadian government on a prima facie basis.

For the Sudanese refugees, only 4% expressed an intention to voluntarily repatriate in 2017. Although a Voluntary Repatriation program was started; it halted in April 2019 due to the tumultuous socio-economic and security context in Sudan. Local integration possibilities are extremely limited for refugees in Chad due to the poor economic situation, competition for scarce resources, and the volatile and unpredictable security situation. Although theoretically refugees have the possibility for naturalization, in practice, the procedure is very complicated and lengthy. Resettlement therefore remains the most appropriate durable solution for Sudanese refugees identified with specific protection needs living in Chad for short to medium term.

Resettlement is envisaged as a protection tool for individual Sudanese refugees. Resettlement processing will be prioritized for those who are experiencing protection problems in the camps, and/or who are unable to become self-reliant and are therefore at heightened risk, due to their profile as inter alia: survivors of violence and torture with continued resultant physical/mental ailments; women and children at heightened risk of SGBV or other serious human rights violations in the context of the camps (including single females lacking adequate male support); households headed by, or containing elderly or disabled refugees (where those households demonstrate insufficient self-reliance capacities); individuals marginalized or at risk of ill-treatment in the community; or the medically vulnerable for whom treatment is unavailable or inaccessible in Chad. These households are at disproportionately high risk of continued future dependency, regardless of initiatives to facilitate self-reliance among the refugees. Their access to health care, education and other essential services (such as access to water) is likely to be impossible without long-term financial assistance. Other protection risks, such as SGBV (including survival sex and early or forced marriage to reduce the burden on the family), school dropouts, child labour, nuclear family dispersal, neglect and abandonment are also heightened in such households.

Resettlement staff are provided with Resettlement SOPs and other SOPs concerning data changes and file management. The SOPs have been updated in line with the operations’ migration to proGres v4. BIMs verification for all cases is mandatory as an integrity measure to strengthen Resettlement processing. Cases are identified through various means, including use of Specific Needs codes on proGres, as well as by Protection colleagues during UNHCR’s in-camp activities (e.g. SGBV monitoring) and through liaison with implementing partners (such as medical and psycho-social partners, among others).

The position

The resettlement needs in 2021 were projected to be 48,000 individuals for CAR and Sudanese refugees in Chad. Resettlement needs are high, against a lower quota available; however, with current upscaling for US submissions, a higher number of submissions is expected, including from the offices in Farchana and Iriba.

Due to operational challenges, including distance to the camps and connectivity issues, a target of three RRFs to be finalized each week is expected. The positions will be under the supervision of the Associate Resettlement Officers in Farchana and Iriba. The UNOPS ICA will also conduct clarification of cases pending submission, carry out sensitization of refugees in order to manage resettlement expectations and assist in the preparation of refugees concerned with out processing for resettlement. However, the primary focus will be case processing.

Duties and responsibilities

Reporting to the Associate Resettlement and Complementary Pathways Officer in Farchana and Iriba (direct supervisor) and the Resettlement and Complementary Pathways Officer in N’Djamena (technical supervisor); the Resettlement Expert will:

• Prepare Resettlement Registration Forms (RRFs) for onward referral to the Regional Resettlement Unit of RBCWA in Dakar. Bearing in mind the logistical challenges due to outbreak of COVID-19, the individual contractor will be required to conduct a minimum of 4 interviews per week, and finalize 3 RRFs per week for review. In situations where the work consists mainly in clarifying and/or updating previously drafted RRFs which are in the pipeline, the output expected will be approximately 6-8 cases per week. The progress will be tracked based on a weekly report available on Sharepoint to both the Direct Supervisor and the Technical Supervisor and inability to regularly meet the set targets on a weekly basis will reflect in the final appraisal.
• Identify, prevent and report fraud in the resettlement and registration process.
• Participate in the review of profiled cases or referral forms, if requested.
• Ensure that relevant supporting documentation, such as refugee certificates, birth/death/marriage/divorce certificates, custody consent forms, Medical Assessment Forms (MAFs), psychological assessments, BID/BIA reports, and unofficial English translations where required, are included in the referral and correspond to the UNHCR policy and guidelines.
• Conduct and prepare BIAs for children submitted for resettlement with only one biological parent and make referrals for BID for child protection colleagues to conduct as necessary.
• Prioritize resettlement referrals according to the criteria set out in the UNHCR Resettlement Handbook.
• Respond to clarifications and queries by the Reviewer and/or the Resettlement and Complementary Pathways Officer based in BO N’Djamena as well as by the Regional Resettlement Unit in Dakar on the referred cases.
• Throughout the above process, ensure that all required information is complete, credible and consistent, that the refugees qualify for resettlement, and that the standards set forth in the UNHCR Resettlement Handbook are met.
• If needed, assist with the continued sensitization and counselling of refugees in the pipeline for resettlement and of the general refugee population to manage unrealistic towards resettlement.
• The Resettlement Expert is expected to participate in at least two meetings a month with the supervisors and provide monthly written updates on progress made towards the work objectives, in addition to weekly statistical reporting.
• Perform any other resettlement related activities as requested by the direct or technical supervisors.

Essential minimum qualifications and professional experience required

The ideal candidate must meet the following requirements:

• Master’s degree or Bachelor’s university degree in relevant area (e.g. international law/refugee law, political science, social science-preferably in social work etc.)
• With a Master’s degree, minimum two years’ work experience is required whereas with a Bachelor’s degree, three years’ work experience is required
• Experience of proGres v3 or v4
• Knowledge of and/or preparedness to become familiar with and abide by UNHCR’s principles, code of conduct and humanitarian goals
• Knowledge of UNHCR guidelines on refugee status determination with a focus on possible application of the Exclusion article 1F of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugee / resettlement
• Excellent interviewing and counselling skills as demonstrated in previous assignments
• Knowledge of the international legal framework governing refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons and statelessness
• Ability to interview refugees using an interpreter who speaks French is desirable
• Excellent drafting and written skills in English, very strong attention to detail, very strong analytical skills, as demonstrated in previous assignments
• Awareness of gender issues and how to apply rights and community-based approach to identify and respond to specific needs
• Awareness of UNHCR mandate, the importance of preventing fraud and ways to mitigate risks
• Ability to assess and to identify protection risks of individuals and groups, and family reunification needs
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in teams
• Skills and knowledge on child protection would be an asset
• Ability to work effectively in stressful situations and in hardship locations
• Experience giving advice on resettlement guidelines and policy is desirable
• Experience liaising with medical professionals in the context of resettlement would be an asset**

Language and computer skills

· Advanced proficiency in written and spoken English is essential.

• Knowledge of French and/or Arabic is an asset, but is not essential.
• Excellent computer skills, in particular in MS Office 365 applications – Word, Excel, Outlook, Sharepoint are mandatory
• Experience working independently and with minimal supervision

Functional competencies

• Protecting refugees and other persons of concern to UNHCR
• Information management
• Liaising with other functions
• Promoting refugee law/protection principles

Cross functional competencies

• Analytical thinking
• Innovation and creativity
• Planning and organizing
• Change capability and adaptability
• Technological awareness
• Client orientation

Location

The successful candidate will be based in the locations specified below:

· Sub Office Farchana (1 position),

· Sub Office Iriba (roving) (2 positions)

Conditions

The Rest and Recuperation (R&R) framework has been regulated by the ICSC as a UN Common System entitlement and may be subject to change. The R&R cycle in Chad is every 8 weeks. The cycle is currently maintained at 8 weeks.

The situation in eastern Chad cannot be described as active conflict, however, strict limitations to the movement of staff have been imposed due to security concerns resulting from banditry and common crimes. Movement is highly constrained and typically staff are advised to not stay out between 18:00h and 06:00h. UNOPS ICAs are not permitted to sleep outside the UNHCR or UN-WFP/UNFPA provided Guest Houses.

At the respective roving location, UNHCR international staff and affiliated workforce live in UNHCR compounds in shared housing due to the lack of appropriate residence places in office locations and strict security regulations. Where UNHCR guest house accommodation is not available UNOPS ICAs will stay at UN-WFP or UNFPA guest houses which are MORSS compliant. Each resident occupies one sleeping room equipped with an individual toilet and bathroom. Each room is equipped with a table, chair, closet, A/C, fan and/or heating, and mosquito nets. The living room, with extension for dining section, is shared by all occupants. The Guest House rent is approximately $641/month payable in CFA francs at the duty station. UNHCR has a generator for the offices which also provides electricity to the guest houses 24hour/7 days a week however due to fuel shortages there are periods during the year in which fuel is rationed and a schedule when electricity and internet is switched off, usually during the lunch hour and early mornings. Internet is available and there is cell phone coverage. There is a PAMA phone system in all offices. Water is supplied in the guest houses through a borehole in the UNHCR compound.

There are UNHCR health staff in Iriba and Farchana; however, the service that can be provided by them is limited. The refugee hospital or local health centre can also be consulted. Prescription medication can be sent from N’Djamena or Abeche. If specialized care is needed the staff member may be evacuated to N’Djamena. International staff members are not allowed to use public transportation for security reasons. UNOPS ICAs have access to chauffeur driven vehicles to and from the camp, on weekends and twice a month when welfare missions are organized to the market towns for shopping purposes.

 

Closing date of applications: 17 March 2022

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).