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Snr RSD Officer

Amman

  • Organization: UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
  • Location: Amman
  • Grade: Level not specified - Level not specified
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Legal - International Law
    • Refugee rights and well-being
    • Protection Officer (Refugee)
  • Closing Date: Closed

Hardship Level

A (least hardship)

Family Type

Family

Family Type

Family

Residential location (if applicable)

Grade

PR4

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Remote work accepted

No

Target Start Date

2022-11-21-08:00

Job Posting End Date

December 15, 2022

Standard Job Description

Senior RSD Officer Organizational Setting and Work Relationships The Senior RSD Officer provides legal, operational and strategic support on mandate or national RSD at global, regional or country operations level. The position may be located at Headquarters (within the Division of International Protection), in a Regional Bureau or in a Country Office and reports to the Head of the RSD Section in DIP or Head of Protection Service or Representative or Deputy Representative, as appropriate. The Senior RSD Officer manages/supports RSD activities and resources in operations receiving a high volume of asylum applications and with a significant number of staff dedicated to RSD and registration. The incumbent provides advice and guidance on legal and procedural matters related to RSD whether in the context of mandate RSD and/or national asylum/RSD systems (as applicable), is responsible for review, endorsement and clearance of recommendations on individual cases in line with requirements under the RSD Procedural Standards or as directed by Senior Management. The incumbent is also responsible for developing an RSD strategy and, where required, methodologies to promote the effectiveness of RSD as a protection tool and implementing broader organizational objectives and priorities, in compliance with relevant UNHCR standards and policies. Whether in the context of national or mandate RSD, the incumbent provides advice and support to staff engaged in RSD and related activities, monitors trends of RSD decision-making, and conducts training and other capacity-building/strengthening activities to promote consistency in RSD procedures and decision-making. S/he contributes to developing and enhancing regional and global RSD standards and policies, as necessary. If based in a country operation, the Senior RSD Officer advocates with and supports Government authorities and legal partners in further developing their capacities in line with the GCR and other key UNHCR planning considerations. The Senior RSD Officer works closely with senior managers, UNHCR RSD staff as well as staff responsible for registration, resettlement and training activities. S/he also liaises with relevant focal points in DIP, in particular within the RSD and PNSS Sections and other HQ Divisions as required. The incumbent normally supervises professional level staff. 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 - Provide legal/procedural advice and support on RSD adjudication issues within the Area of Responsibility (AoR). - Stay abreast of legal, political, security and other developments relevant to mandate RSD, the protection environment, including developments in relation to national asylum/RSD systems, as applicable. - Engage relevant national authorities and structures in identifying and expanding opportunities in view of developing or strengthening national asylum/RSD systems. - Undertake quality review of RSD Assessments in line with UNHCR policies/guidelines related to mandate RSD and endorse RSD decisions as required. - Conduct interviews and draft RSD Assessments in complex/sensitive cases per relevant standards and guidelines - Provide ongoing coaching as well as specialized training on the inclusion criteria; principles/procedures related to exclusion; cancellation/revocation; international humanitarian law; human rights law; interviewing techniques and credibility assessment/establishing the facts; and legal drafting. - Provide specialized training to other UNHCR units on the refugee criteria and related issues as needed. - Develop a RSD strategy and support senior management to ensure its full and effective integration into Country Operations Plan. - Develop/enhance regional and global RSD standards and policies, as required. - Design, implement and revise, as required, operation-specific SOPs for all aspects of RSD operations in line with relevant standards/policies, including UNHCR's AGD policy and Forward Plan, ensuring the prioritisation of persons with specific needs, if based in a Regional Bureau, provide support to operations on the above. - Monitor trends and systematically compile statistics related to RSD case processing. - Analyze key indicators of the quality and efficiency of decision-making in RSD processing to assess capacity and resource requirements of operations in the region or the operation to which the Senior RSD Officer is assigned. - Evaluate and project RSD staffing and financial needs using the RSD Staffing Benchmarks, and support allocation of appropriate human, material and financial resources. - Contribute to identifying and preventing fraud in RSD through oversight, advice and guidance to UNHCR personnel, partners and persons of concern. If based in DIP or a Regional Bureau: - Conduct support missions, as required. - Regularly assess training needs in UNHCR RSD operations and enhance RSD Supervisors to provide coaching/capacity building for UNHCR personnel and deployees under their supervision, in coordination with the GLC as appropriate. - Maintain and manage a consultative process with operations and other stakeholders in the region. If based in a country operation, together with competent host authorities and partners, develop and maintain processes aiming at developing national institutional capacities and the timely identification of international protection needs in line with the GCR and other key planning considerations. - Perform other related duties as required. Minimum Qualifications Years of Experience / Degree Level For P4/NOD - 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree Field(s) of Education International Refugee Law; International Human Rights Law; International Humanitarian Law; International Criminal Law; Social Sciences; or other relevant field. Certificates and/or Licenses RSD Learning Programme; Management Learning Programme; Protection Learning Programme; Relevant Job Experience Essential: 5 years of experience working directly with procedues and principles related to adjudicating individual asylum claims in RSD procedures. In-depth knowledge of International Refugee Law, International Human Rights Law, International Humanitarian Law and International Criminal Law and ability to apply relevant legal principles in the RSD context, including exclusion decision-making. Thorough knowledge of the "Procedural Standards for RSD under UNHCR's Mandate" and other guidelines and standards governing UNHCR's mandate RSD activities. Experience in counselling asylum-seekers and individual case management. Experience in refugee law training. Desirable: Experience as a decision-maker in UNHCR or Government SD procedures is highly desirable. Experience in providing legal representation to asylum seekers in UNHCR or Government SD procedures. Experience in supervising a team. Completion of other UNHCR Learning Programmes relevant to RSD. Training and coaching experience. Experience in working with vulnerable or traumatized individuals. Knowledge of additional UN languages. Functional Skills PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework PR-Human Rights PR-International Humanitarian Law PR-Government Refugee Status Determination (RSD) procedures PR-Provide legal representation to asylum seekers in UNHCR or Government RSD procedures CO-Cross-cultural communication LE-Draft legal settlement agreements (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

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

,

Desired languages

Arabic

,

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

The Security Level for Amman and the rest of the country is assessed at Level 1 (MINIMAL), except the northeast Jordanian Syrian border area, where it is assessed at Level 3 (MODERATE). Road traffic accidents remain a pertinent risk to staff. Vehicle travel is difficult at certain times due to adverse weather conditions, low visibility and/or heavy traffic.

Nature of Position:

More than 762,000 asylum seekers and refugees are registered with UNHCR Jordan. Some 675,000 are Syrian while some 85,000 are non-Syrian, including from Iraq, Yemen, Sudan and several other nationalities. Just 19% of all Syrian refugees reside in 3 refugee camps (Zaatari, Azraq and EJC), while the rest are urban based. Refugee camps are managed by the SRAD, MOI and UNHCR. All non-Syrian refugees reside in urban setting.

UNHCR Jordan has 4 offices, BO Amman, SO Mafraq (including Zaatari camp), FO Irbid, and FO Azraq.

UNHCR provides different services to all refugees, including protection (CP, GBV), registration and documentation, education, health, cash, community-based protection, and durable solutions. UNHCR coordinates closely with the Government, UN agencies, and partners to ensure the delivery of its services under the One Refugee Approach. Close regard for the AGD, AAP, PSEA, and other UNHCR’s policy priorities is ensured.

UNHCR Jordan is a complex, dynamic, and innovative as it strives to make refugee interventions more efficient and meaningful. COVID-19 highlighted the need for continued adaptability and pointed on areas of risk (i.e., integrity and data protection) given stronger reliance on technology.  

In accordance with its 2023-25 multi-year strategy, UNHCR Jordan seeks to achieve greater refugee inclusion and departure from parallel structures as it responds to the protracted Syrian refugee situation.

Portfolio of the Senior RSD Officer is an integral part of the multi-year strategy with critical reference points for relationship with the Government of Jordan.   

Under the supervision of the Assistant Representative (Protection), the Senior RSD Officer’s responsibilities include all RSD, Registration, Data Protection, Integrity and Helpline functions and associated staff. The position is a key given close linkages with the key GoJ counterparts, the Refugee Affairs Coordination Office (RACO) and Syrian Refugee Affairs Directorate (SRAD), the Ministry of Interior. The s/m is representing the Organization before the Government and other partners and is expected to provide general and technical guidance to staff under her/his supervision and oversight. Solid legal and policy background in all focus areas is important.

UNHCR applies strategic RSD approach and has robust registration processes in urban and refugee camp settings. COVID-19 exacerbated refugees’ socio-economic conditions and humanitarian needs. It also highlighted the need for innovation in communication with refugees (i.e., Helpline/IVR) and in individual case management prompting development of remote case management procedures and necessity for advanced application of UNHCR’s integrity and data-protection policy and operational considerations. The s/m should have solid knowledge and understanding of the Policy on Protecting Personal Data of Persons of Concern, and revised Policy on Addressing Fraud Committed by PoCs.  

The s/m should nourish strong two-way communication with partners, staff, and refugees, ensuring protection by presence and readiness to stay and deliver and exercising duty of care. 

S/he should be conversant with strategic planning and management of significant human, financial, and material resources in accordance with key UNHCR policy standards and procedures.

Arabic proficiency would be an asset.

  

Living and Working Conditions:

Amman: Jordan has a total population of 9.4 million people. Amman houses 42% of Jordan’s population, 4.008 million, making it the populous city in the country. Amman is categorized as (A) duty station.

Rent in Amman can vary depending on the size of the property itself, number of bedrooms and the area of Amman in which it is located. Renting a 3-bedroom apartment can range from 1100 – 2500 USD per month.

Amman tends to have a Mediterranean climate; summers are mildly hot, winter usually starts around the end of November and continues until mid-March, there is occasional snowfall.

The medium for teaching in international schools is English, however there are a few French language schools as well. There is a plethora of institutions for children of all ages from pre-school to high school as well universities.

The majority of international educational institutions are in Amman.

Amman is the home to many top-end hospitals and clinics. Due to Jordanian healthcare’s international appeal, nearly all doctors and many support staff speak English. Healthcare here is also very accessible and affordable.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

BA: International Relations (Required), BA: Law (Required), BA: Political Science (Required)

Certifications

HCR Management Learning Program - UNHCR, HCR Protection Learning Program - UNHCR, HCR RSD Learning Program - UNHCR

Work Experience

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Policy research & development, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration

UNHCR Salary Calculator

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Bi-annual Compendium 2022 Part B – November 2022

Functional clearance

This position doesn't require a functional clearance
This vacancy is now closed.
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