A (least hardship)
Family
Family
Residential location (if applicable)
PR5
Staff Member / Affiliate Type
Professional
Reason
Regular > Regular Assignment
No
2022-11-21-08:00
December 15, 2022
Senior Operations Coordinator
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
TThe Senior Operations Coordinator normally works under the direct supervision of the (Deputy) Representative or Head of Operations Service and may have alternative reporting relationships depending on the structure and size of the Operation. S/he and will be the focal person responsible for liaising with Partners through sector meetings and other coordination mechanisms in the area of responsibility (AoR). S/he will consult with relevant sections at HQ/Region/Field on a wide range of issues concerning the operations such as protection, resource mobilization and allocations, human resources, budget, compliance, staff welfare and security matters. The incumbent provides functional guidance to and helps coordinate the work of Operations Officers in the AoR. The incumbent normally supervises other professional and some support staff. S/he will actively participate in the regional operational planning process, reporting and monitoring as well as mapping of areas where persons of concern are currently located in the AoR. The incumbent will review progress and make necessary adjustments on issues such as negotiations on Partnership Project agreements, contractual service agreements, and management of Administrative Budgets related to the AoR.
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 operations/countries within the AoR. External contacts are with, UN agencies and NGOs/Implementing Partners on UNHCR's programmes in the operations/countries covered under area of responsibility (AoR).
In the Regional Bureaux, the incumbent is responsible for ensuring, in an effective and efficient manner which supports the Organization's Mandate, overall quality assurance and managerial support of operations, in line with the Bureau¿s 2nd line function, within the three lines of defence conceptual framework for effective control and risk management adopted by the UN system.
S/he will, further, cover the full spectrum of managerial oversight, manage performance and monitor the adherence of Country Operations to UNHCR¿s rules and regulations, monitoring, identifying and addressing any emerging issues and risks as appropriate. The incumbent also promotes a culture that is results-oriented, efficient and based on trust and pursues measures to ensure that inclusion, gender balance and diversity are taken into due consideration in staffing, resource allocation and representation at all levels throughout the AoR.
As a key custodian of the organization¿s standards of conduct, s/he will proactively establish a working environment where all personnel feel safe, heard, equipped and empowered to speak up; demonstrate no tolerance for sexism, gender inequality, discrimination of any kind, abuse of power, harassment or sexual harassment; foster ongoing dialogue on those matters; take seriously all issues of inappropriate behaviour and actions reported, whether formally or informally; and seek guidance and support as necessary to ensure that appropriate follow-up is taken, working on the basis of zero tolerance for any form of misconduct.
Duties
- Plan, organise, and manage key activities to ensure protection delivery and assistance is undertaken in a systematic manner in close coordination with UNHCR country operations and partners in the AoR.
- Provide functional guidance to Operations Officers and ensure close follow up on situational realities, challenges and sub-regional developments which may have an impact on the refugees, IDP situations, and other persons of concern.
- Work together with the field operations to ensure that results-oriented protection and solution strategies including objectives, work plans, project descriptions etc. reflect the institutional priorities and an optimum use of resources.
- Promote coordination, communication, and sharing of best practices amongst countries/operations in the AoR as well as with other entities in the field and at Headquarters.
- Establish and maintain contacts with relevant offices, Permanent Missions, NGOs and UN agencies in order to undertake briefings and to exchange views on refugee matters in the AoR.
- Prepare action plans to address any operational/legal gaps that have been identified; and ensure advice/guidance is provided to field offices to improve the delivery of assistance of refugees and other persons of concern.
- Ensure that field offices provide timely, coherent, consistent, quality information about their operations.
- In the bureaux, coordinate the preparation of the official submissions to the meetings of the Budget Committee and Contracts' Committee, and advocate for resources required for the operations to meet its objectives, especially during Annual Planning Reviews, Mid-Year Reviews and ad hoc resource allocation consultations.
- Examine requests with budgetary implications from relevant field offices and expedite these requests through UNHCR¿s resource management mechanisms.
- Coach staff under supervision, promote their training and career development and monitor their general well-being.
- Undertake targeted field missions to help conduct assessments or reviews of UNHCR operations for refugees, IDPs, and other persons of concern.
- Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
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
Political Science; Economics; Social Science;
Business Administration; Law; or other relevant field.
(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Certificates and/or Licenses
Programme Management;
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Experience in field operations. Strong operational background and political awareness. At least 8 years of relevant experience in an international capacity. Understanding of UNHCR mandate and operations.
Desirable
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
MG-Field Operations Management
ER-Inter-Agency Leadership/Coordination
MG-Coordination
(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, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.
As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.
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.
Desired Candidate Profile
Knowledge of and familiarity with operations in the West and Central Africa region, emerging trends in the Sahel region and also the full range of political and humanitarian challenges and opportunities would be beneficial.
The incumbent of the position should have strong managerial and leadership skills, the ability to supervise teams and fully exercise oversight and support functions to country offices, including on protection and programme issues. Therefore, the candidate should have demonstrated experience in these areas of work.
S/he should have strong service-orientation, flexibility and proactivity to manage arising situations and challenges. The incumbent of the position should promote a team-spirit, collaboration and diversity in a multicultural environment and be able to establish and nurture an enabling work environment. The incumbent must be able to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing in both languages.
The incumbent of the position will be expected to travel on missions to remote field-locations, some of which may have challenging living and working conditions as well as security constraints.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
English
,
French
,
Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
Nature of Position:
The Regional Bureau for West and Central Africa located in Dakar will cover 13 countries with UNHCR presence (Burkina Faso, Cameroon, CAR, Chad, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, and Togo) and another six where there is no presence (Benin, Cape Verde, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, the Gambia, Sierra Leone, Equatorial Guinea, Sao Tome & Principe).The Bureau will be accredited to ECOWAS and the regional body for the Central Africa region, ECCAS. It will liaise closely with UN regional entities. The region has English-speaking and also French speaking countries. Full proficiency in both English and French is thus mandatory.
The region is host to some 13.1 million persons of concern. Burkina Faso, Nigeria, the Central African Republic, Cote d'Ivoire, Chad, Cameroon and Niger continue to host a majority of this population many of whom were forced to flee from armed conflicts, intercommunal clashes, persecution, and other serious human rights abuses. Although there has been some VOLREP movements and small-scale spontaneous returns in the region, the current trends in population movements are expected to continue in 2022 and 2023 with limited prospects for solutions. Knowledge of and familiarity with operations in the West and Central Africa region, emerging trends in the Sahel region and also the full range of political and humanitarian challenges and opportunities would be beneficial.
The incumbent of the position should have strong managerial and leadership skills, the ability to supervise teams and fully exercise oversight and support functions to country offices, including on programme issues. S/he should have strong service-orientation, flexibility and proactivity to manage arising situations and challenges. The incumbent of the position should promote a team-spirit, collaboration and diversity in a multicultural environment and be able to establish and nurture an enabling work environment. The incumbent must be able to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing in both languages.
The incumbent of the position will be expected to travel on missions to remote field-locations, some of which may have challenging living and working conditions as well as security constraints.
Living and Working Conditions:
As the capital of Senegal, Dakar is home to a population of over one million people. Dakar has reasonable medical facilities, offering both general and specialist care in accordance with international standards. Dakar is classified by the United Nations as an "A" family duty station, which implies access to all basic services and most recreational activities and facilities. Living conditions are comfortable and services are available.
While the asylum practice in the West Africa are rather generous, it is self-evident that the operational and political environments in the region present unique challenges (in terms of security, governance and socio-economic outlooks) to the UN in general, and UNHCR in particular. The Region houses a variety of political and UN coordination mechanisms that demand a significant amount of time to ensure that UNHCR remains relevant. Notable among these structures are United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel, headed by an SRSG, the Regional UNDG, and Regional offices for WFP, UNICEF, OCHA, UNWOMEN, FAO, etc. Donors also have regional platforms in West Africa.
The Senegalese government has initiated a project for a common UN House in Diamniadio, for the use of United Nations services and offices, located in the new administrative city of Diamnadio, situated 40 km outside Dakar.
Additional Qualifications
Skills
BA: Business Administration (Required), BA: Economics (Required), BA: Law (Required), BA: Political Science (Required), BA: Social Science (Required)
Certifications
Programme Management - Other
Programme/Planning
Competencies
Accountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Compendium
Bi-annual Compendium 2022 Part B – November 2022
This position doesn't require a functional clearance
