Head of Field Office -Fugnido, Ethiopia

Job Description

E (most hardship)

Non Family with Residential Location

Non Family with Residential Location

Addis Ababa, Eth Fed Dem Rep

PR3

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

No

2022-12-15-08:00

January 11, 2023

Head of Field Office Organizational Setting and Work Relationships Head of a UNHCR Field Office (HoFO) 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 or Head of Sub-Office) 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 Field Office to take the most appropriate course of action.

Concerning overall physical security concerns, HoFO will liaise directly with the competent UN security coordinator while keeping the UNHCR Representative fully informed. While the functional responsibility of a Head of Field 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 Commissioners 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/HoSO.

– 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, where ever 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/HoSO. 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.

– Any other responsibilities/functions deemed necessary or as delegated by the UNHCR Representative of the country in order to meet the level of the services in the organization.

– 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 or Sub-Office 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 P3/NOC – 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education

Management; Personnel Administration; Law; Political Science; International Relation; 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 UN-UNHCR’s Mandate/Policy and Global Strategic Priorities MG-Office Management HR-Administration of Staff Contracts and Benefits PR-Principles and Procedures, operational arrangements/assistance (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 successful candidate has strong leadership and coordination skills, in view of the leading role of UNHCR in the area in different fields of intervention. Diplomacy and communication skills are crucial in reason of the strict collaboration with local authorities and stakeholders in the context of a protracted refugee situation (already in the second generation), where the livelihood component should be mainstreamed.

A demonstrated capacity to lead teams with diverse backgrounds, and experience in collaborating with big international NGOs would be an added advantage. The incumbent will be closely collaborating with RRS (UNHCR Government interlocutor) at the field level. S/he should possess the skills and experience in dealing with challenging Government partners in an area characterized by tensions and incidents between refugees and host communities. The incumbent is expected to be proactive and solution-oriented.

The ideal candidate also has a distinctive attitude to self-care and has a special focus on staff welfare, in view of the volatile security situation and the remoteness of the duty station, as well as the social isolation and the total absence of leisure facilities.

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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:

UNHCR has significant operational responsibilities, involved with the protection, including multi-sectorial assistance of refugees, while also having the vision to implement livelihood/development-oriented projects. This requires a Head of Field Office who will dedicate sufficient time to this area of intervention. The incumbent will need to inter-act on a regular basis with a variety of partners including NGOs, other UN Agencies as well as authorities at different levels.

In line with the above responsibilities, the Head of Field office should possess previous working experience in a complex refugee operation with a multitude of actors, including an understanding to build peaceful coexistence among the community, strong coordination, and communication skills, as well as monitoring of activities implemented by partners. Knowledge of key Protection issues especially on the provision of basic services to PoC (WASH, Health, Shelter, Education, CRIs, CP, SGBV, etc.) and the delivery of quality services through the AGDM strategy. Field coordination skills within UNHCR as well as Govt. partners, IPs and Ops are also required, as well as the flexibility to deal with emergencies, such as security incidents, influx, relocation convoys, repatriation, etc.

The incumbent will lead an office of 26 staff members and will directly supervise technical staff.

Key skills and competencies required for the position:

The successful candidate has strong leadership and coordination skills, in view of the leading role of UNHCR in the area in different fields of intervention. Diplomacy and communication skills are crucial in reason of the strict collaboration with local authorities and stakeholders in the context of a protracted refugee situation (already in the second generation), where the livelihood component should be mainstreamed.

A demonstrated capacity to lead teams with diverse backgrounds, and experience in collaborating with big international NGOs would be an added advantage.  The incumbent will be closely collaborating with RRS (UNHCR Government interlocutor) at the field level. S/he should possess the skills and experience in dealing with challenging Government partners in an area characterized by tensions and incidents between refugees and host communities.  The incumbent is expected to be proactive and solution-oriented.

The ideal candidate also has a distinctive attitude to self-care and has a special focus on staff welfare, in view of the volatile security situation and the remoteness of the duty station, as well as the social isolation and the total absence of leisure facilities.

Living and Working Conditions:

Gambella is a non-family duty station. UNHCR provides guesthouses for staff. There are limited banking facilities and limited medical facilities. There are daily commercial flights between Addis Ababa and Gambella. Ethiopia’s topography diversity has resulted in a wide variety of climates in the country. The climate in Gambella is classified as tropical. The hottest season of the region is in March/April; the temperature may rise to 45 °C, followed by a long rainy season. The road network within the region is often affected by heavy rainfall during the rainy season. The average annual temperature in Gambella is 27.6 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1148 mm. Due to its conditions, Gambella is a malaria-prone area amongst other tropical diseases. Internet and communications networks are available at the UNHCR compound. Remoteness, isolation and lack of entertainment in social life are factors to be considered before applying.

Gambella is classified as security level phase 3. The security situation in the Gambella region has seen a significant deterioration in early 2016, with clashes among ethnic groups. These types of tensions remain up to date, the most recent in January 2022 when armed separatist groups fought with government forces in Gambella town and resulted in heavy casualties. Armed bandits operating in border districts bordering South Sudan pose security challenges to the local communities and refugees. In addition to the mentioned threat, the newly emerged armed opposition group called Gambella Liberation Front (GLF) poses a high-security threat to the region. GLF is allied with the Oromo

Liberation Front (OLF shen) and has perpetrated several attacks in and around Gambella town. The rebel group does not target humanitarian workers but poses a high threat as it targets government security forces which always work together with Humanitarian organisations, including the UN and NGOs. Therefore, the current security situation in the entire Gambella region remains tense and unpredictable.  The increase of criminality in Gambella town linked to unemployment and associated violent crime is a constant factor. Police have been reporting housebreaking, violent street robbery and incendiarism-related criminal activities. Restrictions of movement are imposed on the movement of the staff members and the activities in the field, depending on the development of the security situation. The security setting is expected to remain the same with no major changes according to the current reading of the situation. Curfew time is from 19:00 to 06:00hrs in Gambella. Road accidents are very common in Ethiopia due to dangerous driving, drivers’ skills, and non-enforcement of traffic laws.

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 Management 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

Addendum 1 to the Bi-annual Compendium 2022 – Part B

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance