Head of Sub-Office

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

E (most hardship)Non Family with Residential LocationDanger PayNairobi (CO), KenyaPR5Professional

* 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

Fast Track > Fast TrackNo2023-07-20July 27, 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.The Head of Sub-Office position requires a special set of skills to manage this complex operational context. S/He must have excellent people management and demonstrated leadership skills to lead a big team and effectively ensure the smooth functioning of the Sub-Office. He/she must have demonstrated stake holder management skills to engage with various Governmental authorities, UN, NGOs and other partners at all levels to strengthen alliances and ensure complementarity of operational delivery. The incumbent must have excellent analytical skills, communication skills to advocate for the refugees and maintain constructive relationships to achieve the organization’s objective, hence a candidate with proven political and diplomatic skills as well as necessary cultural sensitivity and understanding would be effective in this environment. The incumbent is expected to have a proactive and mature attitude, able to perform well under stress in less- than-ideal living and working conditions.

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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:

Historically, East Sudan has some of the most protracted refugees in the world, with the first influx of Eritrean refugees more than 50 years ago. The famine from October 1984 to March 1985 resulted in 300,000 Ethiopian refugees fleeing to Sudan, the majority from Tigray. While many of the Ethiopians have returned over the years, most of the Eritrean refugees stayed in Fao 5 and Um Gargour because of the dire condition and continued for fear of persecution in Eritrea. Eastern Sudan, and in particular Kassala State, has been a platform for smuggler and traffickers for years, and it is thought that many new arrivals use Sudan as the starting point for onward movements through Libya to Europe.

In November 2020, conflict erupted in Tigray, Ethiopia that resulted in influx into the region particularly into Gedaref state, thus overwhelming an already fragile humanitarian situation. The Gedaref operation hosts around 60,000 Ethiopian refugees who are hosted in 4 camps; Um Rakuba, Tunaydbah, Babikri and Um Gargour - based on ethnicity, and transit centers in Village 8, Hamdayet and Gallabat.

The Government of Sudan has maintained an open-door policy so that individuals fleeing from Ethiopia have access to territory and asylum upon arrival in Sudan. Those of Tigrayan ethnicity who fled the conflict are granted refugee status on a group basis. A forced encampment policy is in place and there are restrictions to freedom of movement, with travel permits needed for refugees to be able to leave the camps. The signing of the Cessation of Hostilities agreement between the Government of Ethiopia and TPLF in November 2022 may open a window of opportunity for the eventual voluntary return of refugees. Currently, refugees in the camps are in a “wait-and-see” situation.

Due to restrictions on movement in and out of the camps, the refugee population, in general, rely heavily on relief assistance. In the urban settlement, there exist old caseloads of refugees that comprise South Sudanese, Tigrayans and Eritreans. The South Sudanese refugee population in Gedaref state is yet to be verified with most of them integrated with the local community and accessing host community services.

There are currently 22 partners, including UN, NGOs, and government agencies, working in the Response to the Ethiopian refugee influx in Gedaref. In addition to the four refugee sites listed above, partners are also present and providing assistance at the Transit Points of Hamdayet and Village 8.

The economic meltdown, and the political instability continue to exacerbate the already overstretched socio- economic status of the refugees and the host community alike. This situation has been compounded by the April 15 2023 conflict between SAF and RSF that has displaced men, women and children- 1.3 million people have been displaced inside and outside the country, while civilian infrastructure and markets face damage and destruction. Emergency L2 has been declared on 17 May,2023.

Maintaining the civilian character of the camps is a priority. Refugees and asylum-seekers at the border sites face protection risks due to their proximity to the border with Ethiopia. Lack of awareness of refugees’ rights and obligations under the national law of Sudan, such as the need to obtain travel permits and work permits to seek employment opportunities outside of refugee sites, puts refugees and asylum-seekers at heightened protection risks. Social tensions between refugees and host communities as well as seasonal workers are also increasing. Gender-based violence (GBV) risks persist among refugee women and girls in particular. Limited livelihood opportunities and lack of basic services prompt refugee adults and children to resort to negative coping strategies , notably child labour, early marriage, survival sex, and illicit alcohol brewing, and are also exposed to risky onward movement through smuggling and trafficking.

Living and Working Conditions:

Gedaref is classified as category E non-family duty station. The Gedaref Sub-office covers 4 refugee camps in eastern Sudan: Um Gargour in Kassala state, Um Rakuba, Tunaydbah and Babikri in Gedaref state. Gedaref also has  three transit centers Hamdayet in Kassala state, Gallabat  and village 8 in Gedaref state.  SO Gedaref supports staff responding to emergency in Ethiopia emanating from the conflict in the Tigray region. Gedaref Sub-office has two guesthouses with about 30 international staff including two medical personnel from Iqarus  and 72 national staff. Both guesthouses are equipped with satellite TV and with a common room has flat TV screen and BeIn satellite decoder. The city of Gedaref has two approved UNDSS hotels Al -Rabwah hotel and Almotwakil hotel. Food stuffs are readily available in local markets and one can eat/buy at two restaurants usually in the evenings. Bottled water and water dispensers are recommended as the quality of the tap water in Gedaref is hard and salty therefore bodywash and soap that can lather in hard water are recommended. There is a resident UNHCR doctor in Gedaref, and a nurse at all times as government hospital and private hospitals in Gedaref state are not of the established UN standards. In case of emergency the UNHCR doctor will support with evacuation processes. There are no recreational activities in Gedaref and internet connectivity even though stable, can be erratic at times. All offices and guesthouses have UNHCR internet connections. Gedaref is usually hot but cold during the raining season with possible flooding. Staff are strongly recommended to bring with them books, sunscreen, windbreakers, gumboots, mosquito nets as well as Malaria medication.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

HR-Administration of Staff Contracts and Benefits, IT-Computer Literacy, IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software, MG-Office Management, PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicatorsBachelor of Arts (BA): Economics (Required), Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Relations (Required), Bachelor of Arts (BA): Law (Required), Bachelor of Arts (BA): Management (Required), Bachelor of Arts (BA): Personnel Administration (Required), Bachelor of Arts (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

FT for the Sudan Situation

Additional Information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

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