Associate Development Officer

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

Mozambique is one of the most underdeveloped countries in the world and ranks 180th of 189 countries on the 2019 Human Development Index, facing several underlying challenges that increase the fragility of its population. The country’s north is home to around 784,000 Internally Displaced People (IDPs) due to conflict. Meanwhile, Mozambique hosts over 28,500 refugees of which over 9,500 reside in Maratane settlement in the northern Province of Nampula. Additionally, the country faces extreme weather events such as the March 2022 Tropical Cyclone Gombe that affected a total of 736,015 people.

UNHCR’s mandated responsibility for finding solutions to refugee situations and support role in finding solutions in situations of internal displacement has long required stronger cooperation with development partners and the inclusion of persons of concern within development planning and programming instruments, including national, provincial and local development programmes. Due to a variety of factors, the proportion of refugees and internally displaced persons in protracted displacement situations remains high. Moreover, the diminishing number of forcibly displaced people who have access to so-called durable solutions constitutes a worrying trend that has persisted in recent years. The increasing scale of irregular migration, large scale refugee movements, internal displacement and the costs of responding to humanitarian situations have placed forced displacement high on the global agenda. Given the complexity and protractedness of many of today’s forced displacement situations, often occurring in fragile contexts, awareness is growing that the humanitarian model of care and maintenance is unsustainable in the longer term and that forced displacement requires a development response to complement humanitarian assistance, address poverty and other development challenges in a sustainable and inclusive manner.

The Global Compact for Refugees frames this approach towards a more predictable and equitable responsibility-sharing, recognizing that more sustainable approaches to refugee situations cannot be achieved without the systematic engagement of a broader set of stakeholders, including development partners.

Among the most significant humanitarian-development partnerships strengthened in recent years has been between the World Bank and UNHCR on forced displacement. IDA19 builds on the strong momentum of IDA18 to accelerate progress toward the World Bank Group Twin Goals and the Sustainable Development Goals. Under the overarching theme of "Ten Years to 2030: Growth, People, and Resilience," IDA19 supports the world’s poorest and most vulnerable. A global coalition of development partners agreed on a historic $82 billion financing package for IDA countries for fiscal years 2021-2023, representing a 3%-increase in real terms compared to IDA18. The 19th replenishment will cover the period from July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2023.

UNHCR Mozambique prioritizes the scale-up of its engagement with development actors to better meet the vast needs of Persons of Concern (POCs) and work towards lasting solutions in protracted situations as well as emergencies, with the aim to leverage development actors’ policy, technical and financial capacities and include PoCs in development action and government plans at national and sub-national levels.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Sub-Office, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Support the Development Officer in developing a strategic approach towards Development Partnerships in Mozambique, with focus on the AoR, through identifying, mapping, and providing an overview of relevant development actors and their funding, programmatic, strategic and policy priorities and potential leverage as it relates to UNHCR’s PoCs and programme; • Support the sub-office in planning for resilience and inclusion into development and government plans with a clear shared vision of longer-term protection and solution outcomes for people of concern that takes account host communities and leverages the roles, resources and capacities of development partners, including International Financial Institutions, Multilateral Development Banks, and Bilateral Development donors. • Provide technical support for relationship building with development co-operation agencies and state-building agendas through the different stages of policy and programme identification, preparation, implementation and review. • Support to develop and foster partnerships and networks with development actors to influence the policy dialogue with governments on institutional arrangements related to sectors, locations and programme content of consequence to UNHCR and persons of concern. • Support the development of information and data for development actors to inform their planning, programming and advocacy around resilience for and inclusion of UNHCR’s persons of concern. • Support the engagement with governments, development partners (both multilateral and bilateral), and with the private sector and civil society (as appropriate) to identify opportunities for UNHCR to contribute to the design and implementation of targeting and monitoring systems to address the needs of PoCs and track progress towards agreed outcomes. • Support the Development Officer in knowledge and experience sharing between UNHCR and development actors and within UNHCR by documenting and disseminating good practices.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country. • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc. • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

• Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented. • Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations. • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities. • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

Work experience in a large international development institution in a relevant position and of which at least one (1) year in field operations. Preferably with knowledge of, or experience in, local or area based economic development, direct engagement in a technical sector such as education, WASH, social protection, health, energy. Practical experience working with and an understanding of the different aspects of economic growth, governance, fragility and conflict. Expertise related to the governance of specific multilateral development banks or bilateral development actors most relevant to the AoR.

Mozambique has a total population of about 29 million people and Maputo is its capital city. The total area of Mozambique is 799 380 Km square from North to South. It is tropical hot and humid. The hottest and wettest months are December to February, when the average daily minimum temperatures are around 22°c and the average daily highs of 30°c. The rain season is between October and April. Winters (June to August) are mild with the average daily temperature ranging from 13°c to 24°c. Nampula is a C, Family duty-station where the security level is considered low (2). Traffic accidents are common in Mozambique due to the poor condition of the roads and poor driving and vehicle standards. Overland travel on public transport can be hazardous due to poor vehicle and road conditions and is not recommended. The metical is the local currency and exchange rate stands at USD 1 equivalent to about 68.3 (MZN) as per May 2022. Other than meticais, US dollars and South African rand are the main exchange currencies. Major international credit cards (VISA, MasterCard, and Amex) are accepted (hotels, restaurants, and some shops) in all major towns. The public healthcare system in Mozambique is basic and limited. Private clinics can be found in Maputo and larger cities in Mozambique. Mozambique lies in a malaria zone, so the necessary precautions should be taken: Avoiding mosquito bites by using nets, candles and sprays is recommended. Vaccinations for diphtheria, hepatitis A, tetanus and typhoid are recommended. Tap water in Mozambique is not safe to drink, so bottled or boiled water should be used instead. Communication and transport services are available at various costs. The security situation in area north, Nampula and Niassa provinces are relatively calm. The biggest concern is criminality in the main urban centres of Nampula, Nacala, and Niassa where there are many medium and high-income individuals and business activities. In Nampula, basic health facilities and food shops/restaurant are available. Accommodation can be found through house renting from the private sector.