Head of Field Unit -Dimma, Ethiopia

Job Description

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The position is under direct supervision and guidance of the Representative/Head of Sub/Field-Office on issues concerning programme, protection, external relations, etc. Advice and operational support may also be received from other senior staff and support units at the Branch Office and from the Bureau at Headquarters.

The incumbent represents UNHCR at the field level. S/he will persuade and obtain assistance of others on matters of non-routine significance. Contacts predominantly with persons on subject matters of importance to Organization¿s programmes (e.g. counterparts in other organizations or at working level in national Governments). While the functional responsibility of a Head of Field Unit will 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. The Field Unit managed by the incumbent has no other professional position and less than 6 General Service positions. The supervisor exercises substantive oversight and provides regular guidance, direction and support to the incumbent.

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-à-vis the population of concern to UNHCR within the AOR.

– Advocate and promote UNHCR standards concerning the treatment of persons of concern.

– 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 monitoring of identified assistance activities.

– Ensure through the subordinate staff that deadlines for monitoring and reporting of UNHCR operational activities are met on a regular basis.

– Manage UNHCR resources, both human, financial/material, at an optimum level for the wellbeing of the concerned population and the UNHCR staff.

– Ensure that 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.

– 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 P1/NOA – 1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate degree.

Field(s) of Education

• Business Administration; Economics; International Relations; Law; Management; Political Science; or other relevant field. (Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Certificates and/or Licenses

• HCR Management Learning Prog; HCR Managing Operatns Lrng Prg; (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

• Applied knowledge of protection principles, operational arrangements/standards in relation to protection, assistance, UNHCR office management and staff administration.

Desirable

• Not specified.

Functional Skills

• *PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework
• *PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators
• *MG-Office Management
• *HR-Administration of Staff Contracts and Benefits
• *IT-Computer Literacy (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.

Managerial skills.

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Travelers’ Health | CDC

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 Unit who will dedicate sufficient time to this area of intervention.

The incumbent will need to interact 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 Unit should possess previous working experience in a complex refugee’s operation with a multitude of actors, including 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 provision of basic services to PoC (WASH, Health, Shelter, Education, CRIs, CP, SGBV, etc.) and the delivery of a 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 flexibility to deal with emergencies, such as security incidents, influx, relocation convoys, repatriation, etc.

The incumbent will lead an office of about 15 staff members and will directly supervise technical staff.

Living and Working Conditions:

Dimma is a Field unit under UNHCR Gambella Sub-Office located over 400 km by road from Gambella and 600 km from Addis Ababa at the south-west of the country. Gambella including Dimma operation 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.

However, as road travel to Dimma from Gambella is restricted due to security reason, it needs air travel via Addis Ababa to Jimma and about a five hours of road travel is required. 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 June 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 to 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. Cross border crimes and invasion, illicit trade of arms, vandalism, weak enforcement of law and justice system amongst others are identified as major challenges in particular to Dimma due to proximity to the international border.

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

HR-Administration of Staff Contracts and Benefits, IT-Computer Literacy, MG-Office Management, PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators, PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework

BA: Business Administration (Required), BA: Economics (Required), BA: International Relations (Required), BA: Law (Required), BA: Management (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, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaboration

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