Head of Sub-Office P5

E (most hardship)Non Family with Residential LocationNon Family with Residential LocationNairobi (CO), KenyaPR5Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular AssignmentNo2023-01-27-08:00February 16, 2023Head of Sub-Office Organizational Setting and Work Relationships Head of a UNHCR Sub-Office (HoSO) is a senior managerial position within a given country operation. The incumbent carries the full delegated authority of the UNHCR Representative (or the country Manager) of the country, who will exercise entire supervisory managerial responsibility over the position. The position, on the other hand, provides all information on developments in relation to the protection (legal protection issues relating to the persons of concern to UNHCR), security (Physical security in relation to the UNCR staff and the persons of concern to UNHCR) and operational matters (programme and office management / administration) within the domain of its geographical area of responsibility to the UNHCR Representative (or the country manager) on a regular and timely manner. Subject to the specific legal or socio economic or security developments in the Area of Responsibility (AOR), Representative will direct and guide the Head of the Sub-Office to take the most appropriate course of action. Concerning overall physical security concerns, HoSO will liaise directly with the competent UN security coordinator while keeping the UNHCR Representative fully informed. While the functional responsibility of a Head of a Sub-Office will always remain the same despite its grade level, the other parameters (therefore the depth and breadth of the competencies) such as the size of the population of concern to UNHCR, their specific legal/security concerns, volume of assistance, Number of operational / Implementing partners and the size of the Office (i.e. number of UNHCR staff and their grade levels) will determine the appropriate grade level. The operational autonomy also depends upon the same parameters/competencies. As the most senior UNHCR staff member within the given geographical area, he/she is required to liaise with all the relevant senior government officials, security organs in the area, the Head of various Non-Governmental Organisations (both national and internationals based in the area), Civilian/tribal leaders/elders, local opinion makers and the local media net-work to ensure his/her assigned responsibilities are effectively and efficiently discharged. As the extended field representative of UNHCR at the front line of High Commissioner¿s operations, he/she remain as the effective advocate and assistant to the local authorities to ensure that the respective government authorities in the area implement their conventional responsibilities in favour of refugees and others of concern to UNHCR. 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 - Monitor and report on the implementation of refugee conventional responsibilities and international obligations of the local authorities Vis a Vis the population of concern to UNHCR within the given geographical area; based on local situations/developments make appropriate recommendation to the UNHCR Representative. - Advocate and promote UNHCR standards concerning the treatment of asylum seekers, refugees and returnees as well as IDPs, where applicable; Advocate, promote and encourage the concerned authorities and local opinion makers to uphold established UNHCR standards that have become the international norms. - Ensure that the basic needs of the concerned population are properly assessed with the participation of the beneficiaries themselves, the host governments and/or the competent Implementing partners and/or UNHCR itself. - Subject to the needs, ensure that the planning, formulation and budgeting of identified assistance projects are done as per UNHCR programme cycle; upon approval of assistance project, ensure the timely implementation and rigorous monitoring of identified assistance activities - Ensure through the subordinate staff that all deadlines for monitoring and reporting of UNHCR operational activities (i.e. include assistance as well as Administrative) are met on a regular basis. - Manage all UNHCR resources, both human, financial/material, at an optimum level for the wellbeing of the concerned population and the UNHCR staff. - Ensure that all security measures of UNHCR office (and residential, wherever applicable) compounds are always up to date; any security breaches and/or potential security threat should be reported immediately to competent UN security coordinator in the country. - Ensure that staff welfare, both in terms of working and living conditions, are maintained at a satisfactory level within the constraints in the operational area; this requires remaining current in health and medical facilities locally available and evacuation options available in a moment of medical urgency. - Guide, coach and advocate the subordinate staff to maintain highest standards of conduct and behaviour thorough one¿s own practice and deeds. - Prepare and submit regular reports, both verbally and written, to the UNHCR Representative. In the event of substantial telephone conversation that leads to specific action or non-action, it should be recorded and share with the other party. - Represent UNHCR in inter-agency fora and with local authorities in the AOR. - Enforce compliance with UNHCR¿s global protection, programme, finance, human resources and security policies and standards. - Submit project proposals for assistance to refugees and other persons of concern to UNHCR Representation in coordination with local authorities and NGOs. - Perform 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 Human Resources Management; Personnel Administration; Law; Political Science; International Relations; Economics; or other relevant field. (Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential) Certificates and/or Licenses HCR Management Lrng Prg; HCR Managing Operatns Lrng Prg; (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential) Relevant Job Experience Essential In-depth knowledge in all aspects of UNHCR¿s Field level operation.  Applied experience of protection principles, operational arrangements/standards in relation to protection, assistance, UNHCR office management and staff administration. Should be conversant in the current priorities in the organisation and existing mechanisms within the organisation to implement those priorities. Desirable Working experience both in UNHCR HQ and/or a Regional Office and the Field. Functional Skills IT-Computer Literacy; IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software; MG-Office Management; PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators; HR-Administration of Staff Contracts and Benefits; (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.Have Managerial skills
Having managed a field/Sub Office
Have proven diplomatic & negotiation skillsFrench

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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 reoccurring cycles of violence and conflict in the Central African Republic (CAR) have had spill over effects in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) with the two countries sharing a border of more than 1,500 km long naturally demarcated by the Ubangi River. This has resulted in a new wave of refugees and asylum-seekers who had fled violence and insecurity following the 2020 presidential election, seeking safety in northern DRC.

Small population movements involving people fleeing ongoing disarmament operations by the CAR government and its allies, or inter-ethnic conflicts in some prefectures of CAR causing forced displacements, continue to be reported by local authorities, in addition to the 200 000 refugees that fled political tensions in 2013, already hosted in the operational area. About 25 per cent of all CAR refugees live in five camps, while 75 per cent are spread across remote and hard-to-reach border villages in the provinces of North Ubangi (114,792), Bas Uele (49,305) and South Ubangi (44,910), while about 400 others are in the capital - Kinshasa and a couple of other provinces.

Since 2021, UNHCR and partners began implementing an alternative to camps policy, to strengthen protection and assistance to refugee and host populations. The operationalisation of this policy led to the identification of 10 villages subsequently conceptualized as development hubs out of which 4 are being operationalized. They are Modale, Nzakara and Sidi (in North Ubangi), and Wenze (in South Ubangi) to which an estimated 16,400 refugees have relocated. UNHCR is building schools, health centres, shelters, and water points, to improve access to basic social services for refugees and their host as well as providing livelihood opportunities aiming at building the resilience of both communities.

With the security situation in CAR gradually improving, UNHCR is also pursuing durable solutions, notably voluntary repatriations from the camps in North and South Ubangi, launched in 2019 following a tripartite agreement between the governments of DRC, CAR and the UN Refugee Agency. As of 31 August, 14,038 persons have returned home, including 3,344 refugees between May and June 2022.

UNHCR and partners have also continued to pursue durable solutions for CAR refugees in northern DRC, through voluntary repatriations since 2019. As of 30 June 2022, about 13,998 persons have been repatriated from Inke, Mole and Boyabu camps in North Ubangi and South Ubangi to parts of CAR where the security situation is considered as stable. UNHCR had planned to facilitate returns for 20,000 persons in 2022, but with the funding gaps experienced last year by both the sending and receiving operations, only 3,347 refugees were repatriated back home following the relaunch of the operation in May 2022.

The Sub-Office covers a Field Office in Yakoma at P4 level, another Field Office in Libenge headed by a P3 staff and a Field unit located in Bili, with approximatively of 80 workforces.

The Head of Sub Office based in Gbadolite will be highest UNHCR/UN presence in the operational area and reports directly to the Deputy Representative (Operations).  As the most senior UN staff, he /she is expected to serve as Area Security Coordinator. S/he will also be a Member of UNHCR DRC Senior Management Team.

The incumbent must have strong managerial skills and prior experience, working in emergency environments.

Living and Working Conditions:

Staff members may either live at UNHCR Guesthouse or in town where limited accommodation may be found. Gbadolite has a population of about 159,000 inhabitants, according to the most recent census conducted in 2014, and is located some 25 kilometres south from Mombayi Mbongo, a town established at the Ubangi River. Gbadolite is situated at some 1,150 kilometres northeast of Kinshasa, and the native town of Joseph-Desire Mobutu the late president of Zaire from 1965 to 1997 but also the sphere of control of Bemba a high-profile politician. There is power supplied by the dam established at Mombayi, but some failures could be experienced for some days or weeks, in which case the used of generators as back up is required. The quality of the water is poor and most of the time not available at night-time. Housing facilities are also poor and expensive for rather low quality.

The climate for most of the year is characterized by humid and hot temperatures while the rainy season brings into surface crawling reptiles and insects. There are very limited medical facilities in Gbadolite that are in addition not equipped enough to attend to serious medical cases. Evacuation opportunities are limited since there is only one humanitarian flight per week. The existing commercial flight is not approved for the UN staff. However, air ambulance evacuation can be organized for life threatening emergencies during daytime. Candidates with conditions requiring regular treatment or medical supervision should be appropriately advised. Malaria is the most common disease. As a general advice, applicants for the post should be psychologically prepared for the aforementioned context. The R&R cycle is every 8 weeks. There are no good banking facilities at Gbadolite. Telephone networks are not very reliable, but the Office has effective PAMA and Wifi networks.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

BA: Economics (Required), BA: International Relations (Required), BA: Law (Required), BA: Management (Required), BA: Personnel Administration (Required), BA: Political Science (Required)

Certifications

HCR Learning Program - UNHCR, Programme Management (PM) 1 - UNHCR

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, Political awareness, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration

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

Compendium

Add.2 to Bi-annual Compendium 2022 - Part BThis position doesn't require a functional clearance

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