Head of Sub-Office P5 | Gondar, Ethiopia

Job Description

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

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.

– Lead risk assessments and discussions with team(s) to proactively manage risks and seize opportunities impacting objectives. Ensure that risk management principles are integrated in decision-making both at strategic and operational levels. Allocate resources for planned treatments with resource requirements in Strategic Plans. Ensure that risks are managed to acceptable levels and escalate, as needed. If a Risk Owner, designate the Risk Focal Point and certify that the annual risk review is completed and ensure that the risk register is updated during the year, as needed.
– 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 reports to the Representative/Deputy Representative. S/he is required to discharge the leadership and management responsibilities in relation to the emergency preparedness and response, protection delivery and operational matters (program and office management/administration).

The incumbent should have proven competencies and skills in program management, field operations and protection advocacy at a senior level. The working environment requires capacity to perform under stressful emergency conditions. The candidate must have good liaison skills, strong interpersonal, negotiation, communication, as well as diplomacy skills. Incumbent will be required to liaise with relevant senior regional government officials, security organs in the area, the Head of various Non-Governmental Organizations as well as the media networks. Knowledge on programming for solutions and development partnerships are an added advantage.

S/He must also have the capacity to work in a politically sensitive and humanitarian context where Inter-Agency coordination and collaboration are essential. S/he must also have the capacity to communicate effectively with key interlocutors.

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 the position

With close to 1 million refugees and an estimated 4.5 internally displaced persons (IDP), Ethiopia hosts one of the largest forcibly displaced population globally and is the third refugee hosting country in Africa. Leading the way in the implementation of the Global Refugee Compact (GCR) and its comprehensive refugee framework (CRRF), Ethiopia has adopted progressive laws and policies which offer opportunities for sustainable protection and solutions for forcible displaced persons. UNHCR collaborates with the Government’s Refugee and Returnee Service (RRS) to coordinate the refugee response and ensure the delivery of protection and solutions. UNHCR has also scaled up its IDP operations across the country to augment its leadership of the IDP Protection and CCCM clusters. The IDP context is characterized by a complex emergency and political sensitivity, with conflict erupting in various regions and resulting in large-scale displacement and humanitarian crisis, compounded by climate-related shocks including droughts in parts of the country.

UNHCR Sub-Office Gondor cover’s UNHCR operations in the Amhara region of Ethiopia. The Amhara region currently hosts close to 40,000 refugees (some 22,000 refugees, mainly of Eritrean nationality in Alemwatch refugee site and an additional 15,000 new arrivals from Sudan).  The refugee response is based on the approach of solutions from the on-set through an integrated settlement approach, while addressing protection and emergency needs for the new arrivals from Sudan.  UNHCR is also active in the interagency IDP response in Amhara region, with the primary responsibility of leading and coordinating the Sub-regional Protection Cluster and co-leading the CCCM Cluster.

The Head of Sub-Office reports to the Representative/Deputy Representative. S/he will discharge the required leadership and management responsibilities in relation to emergency preparedness and response, protection delivery and operational matters (program and office management/administration) within the domain of its geographical area of responsibility.

As the most senior UNHCR staff member within the given geographical area, the incumbent will be required to liaise with all the relevant senior government officials, security organs in the area, the Head of various Non-Governmental Organizations (both national and internationals based in the area), Civilian/tribal leaders/elders, local opinion makers and the local media network to ensure assigned responsibilities are effectively and efficiently discharged.

Living and Working Conditions

The incumbent will be based in Gondar Office. Gondar (also spelt as Gonder), is a city and woreda in Ethiopia. Located in the North Gondar Zone of the Amhara Region, Gondar is north of Lake Tana on the Lesser Angereb River and southwest of the Simien Mountains. As of 2016, Gondar had a population of 299,969 and previously served as the capital of both the Ethiopian Empire and the subsequent Begemder Province. The city holds the remains of several royal castles, including those in the Fasil Ghebbi UNESCO World Heritage Site for which Gondar has been called the “Camelot of Africa”.

Staff members should be prepared to operate under challenging conditions with extremely limited resources. 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 being adhered to in the communities. Staff are required to wear masks but will often work and live within large groups of people who do not. There is a referral medical hospital in Gondar but with limited equipment. Staff with medical conditions are advised to come with at least 3 months of prescribed medication.

The town has a central market where most of the common items can be found.  Also, there are government schools that focus mainly on the National Educational Curriculum.

Staff reside in commercial accommodations, mainly hotels. The town generally lacks apartments for rent save for the new city where it is mainly characterized by upcoming duplex buildings largely meant for family homes.  There is running water as well as national power in the city whereby both services are not reliable. The office relies on WiFi for internet connectivity and staff need to be aware therefore that the internet may be inaccessible after working hours.

There are functioning banks in Gondar, however transacting in dollars is not possible. Staff are also advised to always have a cash reserve on them. It is recommended that first-time travelers 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 $ 4,000 or its equivalent into the country.

The security situation is fluid and staff members should always get the latest travel advice and support prior to travel to Gondar.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

• Program Management

• Bachelor of Arts (BA): Economics,
• Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Relations,
• Bachelor of Arts (BA): Law,
• Bachelor of Arts (BA): Management,
• Bachelor of Arts (BA): Personnel Administration,
• Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political Science

Certifications

• HCR Management Learning Program – 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.