Snr Durable Solutions Officer

A (least hardship)FamilyFamilyPR4Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular AssignmentNo2023-03-24April 20, 2023Senior Durable Solutions Officer Organizational Setting and Work Relationships The Senior Durable Solutions Officer is the designated focal point for solutions in a regional office or country office. S/he reports to the Head of Bureau Protection, or Deputy Director in the Bureau, or to the Senior Durable Solutions Coordinator, or to the Representative/ Deputy Representative in a country operation. The incumbent acts as an advisor to the senior management in the regional Bureau and to Country operations on all durable solutions topics. These include: voluntary repatriation (refugees) or return (IDPs) and sustainable reintegration; local integration and other local solutions; relocation, resettlement and complementary pathways for admission to third countries; Global Compact on Refugees commitments and opportunities; housing, land and property; statelessness (in line with the campaign to End Statelessness by 2024); age, gender, diversity (AGD) and accountability to affected populations (AAP) through community-based protection. Fostering an environment to enhance partnerships is a critical element of the work, as are activities designed to strengthen the involvement of refugee communities and their hosts in the design and implementation of solutions strategies. If in a regional office, s/he also coordinates durable solutions activities between and among country offices in the region ensuring consistency with relevant Global Strategic Priorities and Policies. The incumbent may have direct supervisory responsibility for Durable Solutions staff. S/he maintains close working relations with senior protection staff in all countries in the region as well as regionally based UN sister entities, other intergovernmental organizations, and non-governmental organisations on durable solutions matters. In the Bureau, s/he works closely with protection, registration, information management, education, development, programme and technical staff including cash, livelihoods and shelter, and promotes operational standards, policy and practices in comprehensive solutions delivery. 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 - Develop multiyear comprehensive protection, resilience and solutions strategies as relevant, together with UNHCR¿s stakeholders in Bureau and country operations, governments and other partners. - Monitor the implementation of the protection and solutions strategy/ies, identify challenges and report on achievements. - Serve as focal point for durable solutions, including chairing Durable Solutions Working Group(s) and achieving a schematic overview of country/regional Durable Solution Working Groups or other solutions coordination mechanisms. - Participate in consultative processes within UNHCR and with a broad range of external partners to promote all durable solutions. - Ensure close linkages with staff that oversee data and information production to deliver fact based advocacy and support for durable solutions. - Act as focal point for the internal UNHCR processes related to voluntary repatriation and returns, including data management, the preparation of Exchange of Letters, Tripartite Agreements, standard operating procedures and other agreements as required. - Support country operations in the development and implementation of the local integration and other local solutions aspects of solutions strategies, ensuring inclusion of persons of concern in national systems and services, and in national and local development processes. - In the absence of dedicated resettlement and complementary pathways staff, and in close collaboration with multi-functional teams: ensure UNHCR¿s resettlement and complementary pathways for admission standards are correctly and coherently applied; efficient, fair and transparent procedures are in place across the AOR, targets are met and fraud prevention mechanisms are in place; operations are supported to develop advocacy strategies and operational responses to pursue the identification, development, promotion and facilitation of access to complementary pathways for admissions to third countries; ensure that country operations plans reflect the strategy on RST/CP and that the necessary resources are allocated to address gaps across the AOR. - Represent UNHCR¿s Resettlement and Complementary Pathways positions with Resettlement and other third countries, host government and at regional level. - Building on the commitments made in the Global Compact on Refugees, develop and maintain strategic partnerships with UN and other development agencies, civil society, peacebuilding actors, and the private sector, engaging on areas including resilience, rule of law and governance, and housing land and property. - Ensure that UNHCR¿s analysis of the risks and obstacles to solutions, including sustainable reintegration and integration, is instrumental in development actors¿ priority areas of engagement. - Provide planning and foresight to advance progress for protracted refugee situations, and/or to prevent new situations from becoming protracted. - Develop and maintain close liaison with senior managers and colleagues for the purpose of identifying and prioritizing durable solutions needs and ensuring adequate and timely interventions. - Support Communication staff in developing a communication plan to support the durable solutions strategy, including media. - Serve as focal point on durable Solutions-related issues for communities to ensure good communication. - Advise on populations of concern¿ appropriate engagement for the identification of the most appropriate solutions, including through enhanced two-way communication, participatory assessments, intentions and perceptions surveys, and other forms of community based assessments. - Promote the strengthened involvement of persons of concern in the design and implementation of solutions strategies, transition projects, peace-building and development initiatives. In addition to the main duties listed above, for positions located in regional bureaux: - Develop multiyear regional situational comprehensive protection, resilience and solutions strategies as relevant, together with UNHCR¿s stakeholders in Bureau and country operations, governments and other partners. - 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 Public Law; International Refugee Law; Political Science; International Human Rights Law; Refugee and Forced Migration; International Relations; Law; or other relevant field. (Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential) Certificates and/or Licenses Not specialised Relevant Job Experience Essential Previous experience in solutions contexts. Thorough knowledge of International refugee law and its application. Desirable Solid UNHCR experience from both the Field (including Hardship Duty stations) and Headquarters. Functional Skills IT-IT Refugee Systems & Applications PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators PR-Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) PR-Developing Strategic Protection Framework PR-Comprehensive Solutions Framework (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.The Senior Durable Solutions Officer oversees the 3 Solutions’ related activities in the region, including the voluntary repatriation, resettlement and complementary pathways and the legal components of local integration (resident permit and naturalization). The incumbent is required to provide guidance and support to States and UNHCR Representations in the region on these 3 key solutions responses. S/he will organise trainings and meetings to harmonize policies and processes related to solutions and suggest support actions to strengthen common understanding and approaches across the region, as well as practices in line with the global policies and strategies. S/he will develop tools to ensure that surveys on prospects for solutions are carried out in the region and strong advocacy approach is developed to improve perception of and enable solutions for refugees and internally displaced populations and foster local integration. To that end, S/he will liaise with DIP and DRS, as well as other relevant Divisions/Entities In HQs to be abreast of new developments regarding solutions and the Global Compact on Refugee, ensure implementation and reporting on pledges made during Global Refugee Forums and work closely with other Pillars of the Bureau to safeguard proper coordination and required support. The incumbent of the position should hold degree in law or human rights studies and demonstrate an ability to work with regional organisations including the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), UN sisters Agencies and academic institutions. S/he should have a good knowledge of solutions approaches in UNHCR. S/he should demonstrate the ability to interpret national and international legal instruments and policy frameworks on solutions and support in revising national legislations and policies.

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Protection Coordinator, the incumbent will help to translate into action UNHCR approaches on solutions, support Country Operations to reflect the protection and solution strategies, help build national and regional solutions approaches in line with the global approaches and help create fair, efficient, enabling environment for solutions. Previous experience in general protection as well as in voluntary repatriation, resettlement and local settlement is an asset. Experience is also needed in the development of strategies at the regional and country levels on solutions. Experience in engaging with UN sister agencies, development actors and relevant international and regional fora to advocate for the solutions for refugees, returnees and internally displaced populations. Working experience with academic institutions is also an asset.

The Protection Pillar of the Regional Bureau for Southern Africa (RBSA) comprises height units, including the Durables solutions unit in charge of supporting country operations on solutions. The incumbent of the position is expected to have acquired a solid experience in international protection. A legal academic background would be an asset as the incumbent will be often required to provide legal advice to country operations on legislations and other subjects related to UNHCR's protection and solutions mandate. Considering that RBSA covers countries speaking other languages than English, proficiency in a second UN language, especially French is required as, the DRC which is the most important operation of the region is a French speaking operation, in addition to RoC, Mauritius and Madagascar. Besides, other operations such as Mozambique and Angola are Portuguese speaking operations that require the support of the Bureau. The incumbent is also expected to be conversant with UNHCR's Business Transformation Plan and the Theory of Change, especially the Decentralization and Regionalization approach and the GCR.French

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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:

Regional Bureau for Southern Africa in Pretoria covers the following countries: Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Congo (Democratic Republic of), Congo (the Republic of), eSwatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The general situation in Southern Africa remains stable despite growing tensions mainly with regard to disputed elections results, conflict, human rights violations and good governance concerns. The region has embarked on operationalizing the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR); with a focus on using a regional approach. Asylum seekers coming to Southern Africa continue to raise concerns of the authorities, prompting governments in the region to restrict access to the territory and asylum procedures. In response to the increasing pressure on asylum space significant backlogs in refugee status determination have emerged. Asylum seeking refugees do not have their status recognized for a long duration of time making it very difficult for them to become self-reliant or participate in socio-economic activities in their host communities. In a number of southern Africa countries, asylum seekers and recognized refugees are also subjected to strict encampment policies or have their freedom of movement constrained to settlements. This general protection environment compels many to be wholly dependent on humanitarian assistance and use negative coping strategies to survive. To address these challenges, UNHCR is increasing efforts to apply comprehensive refugee responses focusing on promotion of self-reliance and solutions.

Reporting to the Senior Protection Coordinator,  the Senior Durable Solutions Officer must possess strong practical experience applying comprehensive refugee responses, delivering solutions services in encampment and out of camp situations, including applying innovative inclusion approaches in rural and urban environments.  S/he must have proven records in working on resettlement, complementary pathways, local integration and voluntary repatriation. The incumbent will have strong solutions leadership and management skills to ensure proper oversight of durable solutions activities in country offices. Previous experience working in a regional context would be an advantage. Dexterity with PRIMES and Progress Version 4 is imperative. The position calls for flexibility with a high degree of accountability. S/he will be responsible for creating effective and collaborative relations with refugees, host communities, national refugee management authorities and external partners to build relations. The incumbent should be fluent in French.

Living and Working Conditions:

Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province in South Africa. It is one of the country's two capital cities serving as the executive (administrative) and de facto national capital. The other is Cape Town, the legislative capital. The Central Business District (CBD) of Pretoria has been the traditional centre of government and commerce, although today many corporate offices, small businesses, shops, and government departments are situated in the sprawling suburbs of the city rather than the CBD or in Johannesburg. The city has a population of approximately 1,985,997 as well as large number of foreign nationals.

Pretoria has over the years had very diverse cultural influences and this is reflected in the architectural styles that can be found in the city. The main languages spoken in Pretoria are Pedi, Afrikaans, Tswana, Tsonga, Zulu and English. Ndebele and Sotho are also widely spoken. The living class in Pretoria can be classified as middle to high income earners. The living conditions in South Africa are generally very good.  Housing and basic commodities are readily available.  The country has an abundance of health providers of all sectors.  The country's infrastructure and communication facilities are of international standard and are amongst the best in the African continent. However, in the last couple of years, the electricity generation has been facing challenges and there are scheduled power cuts on a regular basis.

Depending on schooling needs some staff opt to live in Johannesburg (approx. 40 min one way from Pretoria). Crime continues to be of concern and has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and power cuts.  Burglaries (house break-ins) and carjacking are common and those involved are often armed.  Sufficient Residential Security Measures are required, and guidance is available. ATM fraud is rampant as well as financial related cyber-crime as in any country. Even though the position is based in Pretoria, the incumbent is expected to travel on missions to remote locations in the field, where the quality of life and working conditions would be challenged alongside with security concerns.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

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

Certifications

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

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

Compendium

March 2023 Compendium - Part B

Additional Information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

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