Head of Field Office P3 -Semera, Ethiopia

Organization: UNHCR

Location: Semera, Ethiopia

Deadline: December 15, 2022

Job Description

Hardship Level

D

Family Type

Non Family with Residential Location

Family Type

Non Family with Residential Location Danger Pay

Residential location (if applicable)

Addis Ababa, Eth Fed Dem Rep

Grade

PR3

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

 

Remote work accepted

No

Target Start Date

2022-11-21-08:00

 

Job Posting End Date

December 15, 2022

 

Standard Job Description

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.

Desired Candidate Profile

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

,

Desired languages

English

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:

On 4 November 2020, military confrontations between federal and regional forces in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, which borders both Sudan and Eritrea, led the Government to declare a State of Emergency. Since then, and despite the announcement of an official end to military operations in late November, large areas of Ethiopia’s Tigray region are still affected by armed clashes and insecurity, leading to further forced displacement of population particularly in Western Tigray. Since fighting broke out, mass casualties have been reported in different parts of Tigray, while over 50,000 Ethiopians have fled to neighboring Sudan. The situation has adversely affected the refugee population who resided in Tigray, comprised of approximately 100,000 Eritrean refugees. UNHCR was able to reach the the refugee camps in March 2021, and found them completely destroyed, while the refugee population had fled. A relocation process began in late January. Internal displacement in Tigray has occurred on a massive scale. While the situation remains fluid and conflict ongoing, the Regional Bureau of Labor and Social Affairs (BOLSA) highlighted that there are an estimated 1.7 million displaced people across Tigray. The incumbent reports to the Head of Sub Office -Shire and should have strong knowledge of all sectors of intervention and ability to support all area of intervention. Strong leadership and coordination skills to manage emergency response and proven experience in management is desirable. Good inter-personal relation skills as s/he will be interacting with a wide range of people internally and externally including other UN partners, NGOs and government counterparts and well-rounded and experienced field profile are critical.

Living and Working Conditions:

Staff members should be prepared to operate under challenging conditions with extremely limited resources. The staff members will be working within a city that has been isolated for several months due to the crisis which began in November 2020. The office deals primarily with several local camp environments with inherent risks to staff safety and health. Regardless of information campaigns, there are realistically few, or no COVID-19 protocols adhered to by the camp(s) population. Staff wear masks but will often work within large groups of refugees who do not. The hospitals in Shire have been closed for months and the only medical facility within the city is currently run my MSF. The nearest government medical facility is Debark General Hospital, a Level 1 medical facility 190 km, a four-and-a-half-hour drive away. Most pharmacies are closed, so staff with prescriptions should come with at least 3 months of prescription medication. Staff are accommodated in one of two guest houses. Each have rooms with ensuite bathrooms, common areas, and a fully equipped kitchen. There is running water as well as national power in the city. Additionally, each guest house has a back-up generator. There is currently no Wi-Fi as all local internet companies are closed. The mobile network functions within town but there is no 3G network. The office relies on VSAT for internet connectivity. Although there are functioning banks in Shire, there is still a serious shortage of cash. The queues at the ATM can last several hours, so staff are recommended to bring a cash reserve. It is recommended that first time travellers to the duty station dispense sufficient funds from the ATMs in Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia. Ethiopian regulations do not permit the transportation of more than $ 3,000 or its equivalent into the country.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

EM-Mobilization and coordination of partnerships in emergency preparedness and response, ER-Inter-Agency Leadership/Coordination, FO-Operational activities in hardship duty stations, PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards)

Education

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

Work Experience

Annual Budget OL in Operation/Office, Number of Persons of Concern Served, Number of Workforce in Operation/Work Setting, Workforce to Supervise, Working with Persons of Concern: Asylum Seekers, Working with Persons of Concern: Internally Displaced Persons, Working with Persons of Concern: Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: Returned IDPs, Working with Persons of Concern: Returned Refugees

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

UNHCR Salary Calculator

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

Compendium

Bi-annual Compendium 2022 Part B – November 2022

 

Functional clearance

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance

 

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