Livelihood and Economic Inclusion Associate, LICA-6 under UNOPS contract – UNHCR

This position is advertised open to internal and external applicants. Livelihood and Economic Inclusion Associate

1. Organizational Context

As part of its planned 2022-2024 Multi-Year Strategy, UNHCR Ethiopia and Gambella aims to maximize the presence of different humanitarian and development actors and other refugee-hosting community focused projects for expansion, inclusion and better protection of the persons of concern in  Gambella regions, as well as promote peaceful co-existence between the refugees and local communities.
UNHCR and operational partners  are providing livelihoods support to reduce vulnerability and enhance resilience among the population. The interventions in livelihoods focus largely on backyard gardening, nutrition sensitive food security, vocational skills training, small-scale business training and provision of start-up kits. The agriculture sector is reported to have the biggest potential to offer sustainable livelihoods to refugees and host communities in Gambella regions, however inadequate land for refugees albeit the regions being endowed with highly diversified natural resources and large expanse of arable land, rainfall and ground water resources remain the most critical challenge abound economic inclusion and participation by the displaced population residing in camps.
As measure to circumvent the problem of lack of access to land and boost participation of refugees in agricultural activities, UNHCR embarked on geo-mapping exercise in December 2020 to identify and map areas within the refugee camp settlements that are not used for farming and other humanitarian response activities. Results indicated that there exists a cumulative 516.8 hectares (1,292 acres) of un-utilized vacant land in the 7 camps, most of which is suitable for farming. With ARRA¿s approval for utilization of these resources, UNHCR has worked with partners to put under cultivation 75 hectares (25 hectares in each camp) of the vacant areas in 3 of the 7 refugee camps, i.e. Nguenyyiel, Pugnido, and Okugo in Gambella, Gog and Dimma Woredas respectively.
There is potential for the expansion of livelihoods interventions with the progress that has been made in relation to the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF) and the nine pledges of the Government of Ethiopia. UNHCR is focused on strengthening to advocacy with the Regional Government of Gambella to allocate land in Itang area for farming where refugees and the host community will work jointly in crop production and animal husbandry, as well as in fishery activities

The Assistant Livelihood and Economic Inclusion Officer will support in operationalizing the strategic vision to align livelihoods and economic inclusion efforts with the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR), which underscores the need to mobilize additional actors and to adopt a whole-of-society approach to strengthen refugee self-reliance and help ease pressure on host countries. Promoting economic inclusion of refugees is a key development area that will enable the achievement of these objectives and contribute to the 2030 Agenda’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Leveraging the growing global momentum, UNHCR is working to translate the objectives of the GCR into impactful results for persons of concern (PoC). Contributing to this global roll-out of the GCR, the Assistant Livelihood and Economic Inclusion Officer, with support from the Livelihoods and Economic Inclusion Unit will  contributes to the following objectives:

The Assistant Livelihood and Economic Inclusion Officer should be proactive, always looking for new opportunities. around new models of economic and social integration. Within UNHCR, the Assistant Livelihood and Economic Inclusion Officer will work under the supervision of the Livelihood Officer, and closely with multi-functional teams on matters including but not limited to protection, education, cash, partnerships, research and analytics, SGBV, solutions, complementary pathways and more. S/he will support the office’s involvement with livelihoods and economic inclusion, working with relevant external stakeholders from government line ministries, development actors, private sector, UN agencies, international organisations, NGOs, research institutions and universities.

2. Accountability
¿ The incumbent will support and facilitate strategic engagement with Livelihood sector operation in coordination with ARRA, WFP, Agriculture Bureau and the implementing and operational partners as well as for monitoring, capacity building in different sector themes to keep notch of desired results.

3. Responsibility
Coordination, Leadership and Partnership
¿ Assist to improve the enabling environment for refugees to work through advocacy on the right to/at work, access to economic opportunities and service.
¿ Build on UNHCR databases to support regular information sharing and coordination among different humanitarian, developmental and governmental stakeholders. This includes supporting the implementation of socioeconomic and wealth ranking surveys utilising community-based strategies to inform targeting, monitoring and facilitation of development programmes.
¿ Support the necessary assessments in collaboration with relevant private and public stakeholders, including impact assessments on local economies and surveys that help to identify investment and funding opportunities that enhance the economic inclusion of UNHCR PoC.
¿ In case UNHCR is implementing specific livelihoods activities, work closely with and provide technical assistance on livelihoods interventions to help ensure they are market-based, and that the role of UNHCR has been strategically determined in consideration of its comparative advantage vis-à-vis other partners.
¿ Prepare reports on Livelihood activities
¿ Perform other related duties as required.

Strategic planning and development
¿ Support the implementation of UNHCR¿s Livelihood plans  at the Sub-office level.
¿ Support to strengthen existing partnerships including with the private sector, development actors, government institutions and specialized agencies to advance economic inclusion of refugees; and
¿ Strengthen  ongoing livelihoods and economic inclusion programming through evidence-based and market-driven approaches to improve economic inclusion outcomes.
¿ Support the operation to explore partnerships to facilitate the economic inclusion of refugees, such as line ministries, private sector and development actors in accordance with UNHCR Global and Country level policies, priorities, and strategies, in particular the Global Compact on Refugees. This includes advocating with public and private sector services providers to include UNHCR PoC in supporting services (business development, micro-finance, training, saving accounts, poverty alleviation and social protection, etc.).
¿ Support and work with the multi-functional team, more specifically with the Protection Unit, support the assessment of the legal framework for the right to work and rights at work and recommend/implement advocacy initiatives and policy reform to improve UNHCR PoC¿s economic inclusion, rights and access to work.

Technical Support
¿ Support Field Offices to engage filed based projects
¿ Ensure dissemination and implementation of internationally accepted technical standards, policies, and guidelines within UNHCR and among partners; adapt accordingly to the unique situation of refugee populations.
¿ Engage research institutions and Agriculture Bureau to advocate on all issues relating to refugees¿ and investment in the region
¿ Engage Regional Government on access to services inclusion in national systems and services and identification of development initiatives

Assessment, analysis and monitoring

¿ Contribute to the market-based assessment by partners.
¿ Coordinate and participate in joint needs assessments (including Joint Assessment Missions with WFP assessments of refugees and returnees.
¿ Assist in the design and implementation of the monitoring and evaluation system
¿ Support the provision of guidance to staff and partners to implement livelihood initiatives for refugee and host community
¿ Support the exchange and analysis of information on livelihood initiatives at Regional  level with government and other partners.

Capacity Strengthening
¿ Undertake and/or support capacity strengthening of partners and Refugee skill set
¿ Share relevant guidelines and information materials on programming relating to refugee skillset and initiatives with staff and partners.
¿ Perform other related duties as required.

Reporting relationships
¿ The incumbent will report to the Livelihood and Economic Inclusion Officer.

4 ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED.

Define the educational background, the relevant job experience and the language(s) that are essential to perform the work of the position.

Essential

–      3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher
–      Experience in community mobilization, rural development and food science.
– University degree in Agricultural science, rural development / economic or food science
– Fully competent and experienced in the use of computers using a Word, Excel, Email, PowerPoint Presentations.
– Experience in multi-sector programming in small scale agriculture and livelihoods interventions, cash assistance to meet basic needs

Desirable
– Previous professional work with refugees and other populations of concern to UNHCR with UNHCR, NGO’s and / or UN agencies
– Knowledge of local institutions

Language requirement
¿ Knowledge of English
¿ Understanding of Ethiopian national language

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

which illustrate behaviours that are essential to achieving deliverables described above, and that are critical to successful performance. All jobs require the staff to abide to the Values and Core competencies of UNHCR.  Where applicable, select a maximum of six Managerial and three Cross-Functional Competencies. (Note that the Performance Appraisal and Management System (PAMS) allows for up to five Cross-Functional Competencies to be selected by the staff member and the supervisor

Managerial Competencies

– Empowering and Building Trust
– Managing Performance
– Judgement and Decision Making
– Strategic Planning and Vision
– Leadership
– Managing Resources

Cross-Functional Competencies

– Analytical Thinking

-Innovation and Creativity

-Technological Awareness

-Negotiation and Conflict Resolution

-Planning and Organizing

-Policy Development and Research

-Political Awareness

-Stakeholder Management

-Change Capability and Adaptability

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. Competencies as defined in Job Profile – Knowledge of English language is essential. Please note that UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing, training or any other fees).

An eliminatory or complementary written test for shortlisted candidates may be conducted which will be followed by competency-based interview.

Female Candidates are encouraged to apply.

Only Shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Applicants must be nationals of and be locally recruited within the country of their employment. The Closing Date for Submission of Application is Thursday 28 October 2021 (Mid Night Ethiopia Time).