Senior Development Officer

Only candidates who are not nationals of the country of assignment are eligible to apply to this position

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* Staff members will not normally serve in International Professional positions in the country of their nationality. In addition, in case of a first appointment upon recruitment, the assignment must be outside the staff member’s country of nationality.

In practical terms this means that you are not eligible to apply for International Professional vacancies advertised in the country where you are national of.

Reason

Regular > Regular AssignmentNo2023-05-25June 15, 2023Senior Development Officer Organizational Setting and Work Relationships UNHCR's mandated responsibility for finding solutions to refugee situations has long required stronger cooperation with development partners and the inclusion of persons of concern within development planning and programming instruments, including national development programmes. Due to a variety of factors, the proportion of refugees and internally displaced persons in protracted displacement situations remains high. Moreover, the diminishing number of forcibly displaced people who have access to so-called durable solutions constitutes a worrying trend that has persisted in recent years. The increasing scale of irregular migration, large scale refugee movements, internal displacement and the costs of responding to humanitarian situations have placed forced displacement high on the global agenda. Given the complexity and protractedness of many of today¿s forced displacement situations, often occurring in fragile contexts, awareness is growing that the humanitarian model of care and maintenance is unsustainable in the longer term and that forced displacement requires a development response to complement humanitarian assistance, address poverty and other development challenges in a sustainable and inclusive manner. The SDGs provide a yardstick for inclusive development based on the principles of Leaving No One Behind and Reaching the Furthest Behind First. It is also acknowledged that extreme poverty and human suffering associated with refugees and other forcibly displaced people need to be systematically taken into account existing when addressing development challenges and development prospects of host communities, countries, and regions. The Global Compact for Refugees frames this new approach towards a more predictable and equitable responsibility-sharing, recognizing that more sustainable approaches to refugee situations cannot be achieved without the systematic engagement of a broader set of stakeholders, including development partners. Among the most significant humanitarian-development cooperation partnerships strengthened in recent years has been between the World Bank and UNHCR on forced displacement. In the eighteenth replenishment (2017-2020) of the World Bank¿s International Development Association (IDA), which provides financing for low-income countries, an amount of US$ 2.2 billion has been included for those states receiving large numbers of refugees (Sub-Window for Refugees and Host-Communities). The IDA 18 allocation follows the operationalization of a Global Concessional Financing Facility (GCFF) for Middle-Income Countries (MICs) affected by large numbers of refugees. In addition, UNHCR has enhanced cooperation with the private sector wing of the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and bilateral development donor. Within the context outlined above, the role of the Senior Development Officer is to support UNHCR's engagement and cooperation with development agencies¿ medium-term programmes assisting local communities and UNHCR's population of concern and the ability to leverage development partnerships to influence policy dialogue to enact institutional reforms toward improved protection environments, socio-economic inclusion, and self-reliance; taking into account and reducing the vulnerabilities of forcibly displaced persons. As such, the incumbent needs to have practical experience working with and an understanding of the interplay of different aspects of economic growth, governance, fragility and conflict, the main factors that influence the environment for inclusion and resilience for UNHCR¿s population of concern. Depending on the operating environments in the area of responsibility (AoR), the incumbent might need to have specific expertise in areas such as social protection, governance in fragile contexts, local governance and community development. It is anticipated that development responses to forced displacement will grow in significance in future years due to the greater importance attached to fragility and addressing protracted displacement situations. The incumbent will assist in identifying potential opportunities and ensure complementarity between UNHCR's protection work and the economic and social development objectives pursued by development partners and their government counterparts. It will, therefore, be important that the Assistant Development Officer supports relevant UNHCR staff within the AoR to contribute to the Operation¿s efforts to (i) align policy, operational and programme priorities between humanitarian and development agencies, (ii) establish and maintain reporting and knowledge, and information exchanges on key developments among all interested stakeholders, (iii) assist relevant UNHCR staff to engage in development planning, programming and coordination processes with Government entities and development partners; and (iv) assist relevant UNHCR staff in developing, contributing to and coordinating multi-year and multi-partner transition strategies for protracted forced displacement situations. In Country Operations, the Senior Development Officer will normally work under the overall supervision of the UNHCR Representative or his/her Deputy. In the Regional Bureaux, the Senior Development Officer will normally work under the overall supervision of the Bureau Director, Deputy Director, Head of External Engagement Service or Chief of External Engagement 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 For positions in Country Operations only - Advise operations on practical research and analysis to interpret long-term political, economic and social trends that will enhance opportunities for solutions, resilience and inclusion for populations of concern to UNHCR as well as more sustainable approaches to refugee protection; - Support the operation in planning for resilience and inclusion with a clear shared vision of longer term protection and solution outcomes for people of concern that takes account of host communities and leverages the roles, resources and capacities of development partners, including International Financial Institutions, Multilateral Development Banks, and Bilateral Development donors. - Support the development of comprehensive multi-year protection and solutions plans/strategies (incl. Multi-Year Multi-Partner Strategies) for Persons of Concern to UNHCR and/or facilitate the inclusion of populations of concern into national and local development planning and programming instruments. - Support and advise the operation in identifying, strategically articulating and capitalizing development and resilience opportunities, including through Government pledges and or pledges made by bilateral or multilateral development and/or peacebuilding partners. - Provide technical leadership and support for relationship building with development co-operation agencies and peace and state-building agendas through the different stages of policy and programme identification, preparation, implementation and review. - Develop partnerships and networks with development cooperation actors to influence the policy dialogue with governments on institutional arrangements related to sectors, locations and programme content of consequence to UNHCR and persons of concern. This would, in particular, focus on supporting the coordination of the in-country relationship with the World Bank and other multilateral development banks, especially where there is potential for specific funding directed towards UNHCR¿s persons of concern (e.g. WB IDA sub-window for refugees and host communities or the WB Global Concessional Financing Facility). - Cooperate with development partners to assist them in incorporating the concerns of refugees, returnees and others of concern to UNHCR into the design and implementation arrangements of projects and interventions in a manner that impacts positively on protection circumstances. - Identify, commission and/or contribute to studies and analytical activities that build the conceptual framework and evidence base for comprehensive, development-oriented responses, including preparedness work, to forced displacement. - Ensure that development actors are provided relevant data to inform their planning, programming and advocacy around resilience for and inclusion of UNHCR persons of concern. - Engage with governments, development partners (both multilateral and bilateral), and with the private sector and civil society (as appropriate) to identify opportunities for UNHCR to contribute to the design and implementation of monitoring systems to track progress towards agreed outcomes. - Facilitate coordination and collaboration and the sharing of knowledge and experience sharing between UNHCR and development actors and across UNHCR operations globally by documenting and disseminating good practices and active participation in the Division of Resilience and Solutions¿, Development Partnerships Community of Practice; and, - Support training activities aimed at the capacity building of UNHCR and partner agency staff to achieve greater coordination, effectiveness and synergies between humanitarian and development interventions. For positions in Regional Bureaux only - Provide support, as detailed in the above duties for a country SDO for countries without an SDO as specified in the operational context for this position. - Support the Regional Bureau and country operations in analysing from a development perspective the potential components of longer-term situational solutions strategies, identifying the protection/resilience/solutions challenges, and the means to address these and possible regional opportunities for engagement. - Support and advise the Regional Bureau and/or operations in identifying, articulating and capitalizing development and resilience opportunities, including through pledges made by regional partners, and regional development initiatives and programmes. - Aggregate, analyse and package available knowledge and data from country operations to feed into regional and HQ policy, programme and advocacy efforts. - Ensure support and coherence, where relevant, across operations in how they engage with development actors (e.g. messaging, policies, etc.). - Interpret long-term political, economic and social trends from a situational or regional perspective that will define the opportunities for inclusion for populations of concern to UNHCR as well as more sustainable approaches to refugee protection management. - Engage with regional bodies, such as IGAD, ECOWAS, etc. to identify and advocate for entry points for inclusion in development-related fora; and, - Identify, commission and/or contribute to studies and analytical activities from a situational or regional perspective that build the conceptual framework and evidence base for comprehensive, development-oriented responses, including preparedness work, to forced displacement. - 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 Development Economics; Development Studies; Socio-economic Development; International Relations; Political Science; Law or other relevant field. (Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential) Certificates and/or Licenses Not specified. Relevant Job Experience Essential Six (6) years of direct work experience in a large international development institution in a relevant position and of which at least two (2) years in field operations. Preferably with knowledge of, or experience in, local or area based economic development, direct engagement in a technical sector such as education, WASH, social protection, health, energy. Practical experience working with and an understanding of the different aspects of economic growth, governance, fragility and conflict. Expertise related to the governance of specific multilateral development banks or bilateral development actors most relevant to the AoR. Desirable Experience with forced displacement. Experience in primary data collection, quantitative research methods and results-based management. Functional Skills *MG-Partnership Development *IM-Knowledge Management CL-Strategy Development and Monitoring *SO-Critical Thinking and problem solving *SO-Networking *UN-Policy Advocacy in UNHCR PG-Results-Based Management *CO-Strategic Communication *CO-Drafting and Documentation PR-Refugee Protection Principles and 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.In view of the Bureau's role for managerial oversight, technical guidance and support to operations in the region, the incumbent of the position should have strong technical capacity and ideally experience engaging with refugee hosting governments and development institutions at both country and regional levels. S/he should be a strong team player, have strong service-orientation, flexibility and proactivity to manage arising situations and challenges. In addition, the incumbent of the position should be able to co-ordinate closely with other units in the Bureau and promote collaboration and therefore have experience working in multi-functional teams. The incumbent must be able to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing. Knowledge of, familiarity with, operations in Africa and its range of challenges and issues from the political and the humanitarian perspectives would be beneficial, as well as a good understanding of the opportunities that lie within the GCR/CRRF approach and how to capitalize on them for refugee operations with the region. The following would be desirable:
-Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing development programs or facilitating partnerships with or between development actors.
-Demonstrated experience in facilitating both strategic and transactional partnerships with development actors.
-Demonstrated experience in coordinating durable solutions processes for refugees or IDPs in Africa.

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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 UNHCR Regional Bureau for East, Horn of Africa, and the Great Lakes (EHAGL) of Africa is based in Nairobi, Kenya. It is a critical hub for collaboration and strategic engagement, as well as for addressing cross-cutting operational challenges. A Regional Director heads the Bureau and has primary accountability for strategic decision-making, regional prioritization, and quality assurance—and enhanced delegated authorities to effectively manage the region. Technical experts, with functional links to the Divisions at HQs, are integrated within the regional bureau structures/pillars and lines of authority.

These are:

1) Strategic Planning and partnerships ensure the region’s overall coherence with UNHCR’s global objectives and High Commissioner’s Strategic Directions; set regional bureau-wide priorities, manage and direct all regional resources and assess contextual changes in order to adjust regional operational priorities.

2) Protection elaborates and empowers regional approaches to UNHCR’s global protection priorities; monitor and support the exercise of UNHCR’s core protection mandate at the country level.

3) Operations support. engage at a transactional level with country presence, including Human Resources support, Supply, Finance and Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

4) External engagement. implement regional strategic communications strategy and oversee daily communications and public information requests, manage relationships with external partners, and coordinate reporting and information management.

The Bureau provides operational support and oversight to 11 country operations, namely: Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. Some 4,300 staff are deployed in the Bureau and country offices. The Bureau also supports UNHCR’s Representation to the African Union (AU) and the Economic Commission of Africa (ECA) based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Most UN agencies, including WFP, and UNICEF, have their regional offices in Nairobi.

The region has the largest number of people we serve in Africa. This includes close to 5 million refugees, 14 million IDPs, as well as approximately half a million returnees and persons at risk of statelessness or already stateless.  The majority of our persons of concern are in 7 countries, namely Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda, and Burundi. Uganda hosts 1.5 million refugees, the largest number in Africa. Ethiopia has over 4.5 million IDPs Sudan and Somalia have 3.7 and 2.9 million IDPs, respectively. Mixed movements and human trafficking are significant regional protection challenges. 660 pledges (41%) out of 1600 pledges made during the Global Refugee Forum are potentially relevant to the region.  The EHAGL region received close to one-third (31%) of the total global regional sub-window for refugees and host communities (RSW/WHR) IDA allocations (USD 1.49 billion) which cover seven countries in the region.

The region is characterized by pockets of instability and sporadic insecurity, recurrent climatic events contributing to resource-driven intercommunal conflict, fragile state institutions and governance systems, and heightened socio-economic vulnerability of forcibly displaced. Political instability in Somalia, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Sudan impact has increased insecurity and localized conflicts, sparking new internal displacement, resulting in some refugee influxes into Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda. Despite the challenges, the Bureau seeks to expand opportunities that exist in the humanitarian/development/peace nexus to enhance collaboration and engage strategically with governments, donors and financial institutions for the inclusion of refugee programmes in national systems, while seeking contributions of development actors to sustainable reintegration initiatives in Burundi, Somalia, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Sudan. The Bureau must strengthen engagement with partners in the UN, financial institutions (AFDB, IFC, WB) and Regional economic communities (IGAD, EAC, ICGLR) as part of its agenda.

Living and Working Conditions:

Nairobi is in UN security Phase III, but demonstrations and riots may occur at any time.  The country has undertaken two rounds of peaceful elections and has strong checks and balances under its constitution.  While corruption is an endemic problem, rule of law is generally robust, and the country is among the most politically stable on the African continent.  The threat of terrorism, however, remains.

General crime levels are akin to most large African cities. Crime in Nairobi is high and physical violence is a common feature of breaking into residences, carjacking, and robbery. Residential security companies are available, and security mitigating measures can be taken. A heightened sense of vigilance and alertness is required. The socio-economic effect of COVID-19 and droughts in parts of the country, coupled with inflation, have negatively affected the purchasing power of Kenyans. Despite such concerns, Nairobi is an enjoyable family duty station.

The country has maintained a stable convertible currency and is classified as a middle-income state. With an economic growth rate of 5 % despite a high debt ratio, Kenya provides a favourable climate for investors and has a vibrant private sector. Kenya has excellent private medical facilities meeting international standards. Nairobi is also a location for medical evacuations. Recreational facilities, schools and hotels are also of international standards.  Kenya enjoys a good temperate climate except for a few arid parts of the country. Comfortable housing and other forms of accommodation, good banking facilities and unlimited access to all forms of communication such as internet, telephone, SIM cards and mobile money are widely available. Malaria is not prevalent in Nairobi but exists in other parts of the country.  Cholera exists, and vaccines for COVID-19 and other viral and bacterial infections are accessible.  

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Bachelor of Arts (BA): Development Economics (Required), Bachelor of Arts (BA): Development Studies (Required), Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Relations (Required), Bachelor of Arts (BA): Law (Required), Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political Science (Required), Bachelor of Arts (BA): Socio-Economic Development (Required)

Certifications

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration

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

Compendium

Add. 2 to March 2023 Compendium - Part B

Additional Information

This position requires Functional Clearance

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