Associate Durable Solutions 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.

UNHCR’s approach to durable solutions is people-centered and in-line with the state development plans to enable inclusion and integration as well as international guiding principles on achieving sustainable solutions for displacement affected communities. UNHCR’s durable solutions projects contribute to the Government's comprehensive approach to durable solutions through implementing activities linked with early recovery, livelihoods, shelter, NFI support, and community-based protection. UNHCR’s objective is to ensure durable solutions are voluntary, safe, and dignified for displaced populations. UNHCR’s area-based approaches are inclusive of the host community to strengthen the resilience and social cohesion of the population and reduce pressure on the existing socio-economic infrastructure. UNHCR in collaboration with others builds the capacity of Government and partners to enhance practical understanding on solutions and develop a state level road map to support government-led processes in Northeast Nigeria. In Adamawa State, the Government has established and chairs the Durable Solutions Steering Committee (DSSC). Under the DSSC, UNHCR co-chairs the Durable Solutions Technical Working Group (DSTWG) with IOM. The purpose of the working group was to develop a durable solutions strategy for Adamawa State. UNHCR, in collaboration with other agencies and the government, will endeavor to establish similar coordination structures on durable solutions in Borno and Yobe States.

UNHCR has expanded their protection and solution programming to offer services in the urban context for those that have decided to remain in Maiduguri. Coordination with relevant line ministries and development actors is required to ensure sustainability and successful local integration as a durable solution. UNHCR partners with NGOs, both local and international, and Government entities, including the State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMA), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ministry for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (MRRR), National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and IDPs (NCFRMI), National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), among others to ensure joint approaches and outreach to address protection issues in displacement-affected areas. UNHCR engages with development actors working to expand opportunities for cooperation in the IDP and refugee response, including the Durable Solutions Initiative. Programmatic interventions encourage partnership with and the inclusion of displaced populations into development planning to enhance platforms for equal consultation with displaced and local communities, ensuring that both benefit from operational responses and have active avenues to provide feedback to complaints. UNHCR interventions and strategies are fully aligned with Humanitarian Response Plans (HRPs), the Nigeria Economic Recovery Plan, and other national and local state strategic documents.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Senior Protection Officer or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer in the position of Associate Durable Solutions Officer will serve as a focal point for solutions related issues in Northeast Nigeria, and reports to the to the Senior Protection Officer with the Maiduguri Sub-Office. The following is a description of key responsibilities of the Associate Durable Solutions Officer: • Participate in the planning of and advise on opportunities for solutions across the humanitarian-development-peace nexus, in-line with available frameworks, including the Global Compact for Refugees, that is inclusive of IDPs in Nigeria. • Participate in consultative processes within UNHCR and externally on voluntary repatriation (for refugees) as well as local integration, relocation, and return (for IDPs). • Lead monitoring and reporting on voluntary repatriation in Northeast Nigeria. • Support fund raising, such as proposal writing, for funding for solutions initiatives in Northeast Nigeria. • Engage national and local interlocutors on durable solutions issues. • Meet IDPs, refugees, returnees to assess their durable solutions needs and identify the most appropriate solutions for them. • Implement activities in accordance with solutions strategies and frameworks. • Monitor the implementation of the durable solutions projects and provide advice for improvements. • Interview candidates for local integration and prepare the appropriate documentation for onward submission to local authorities or partners, in line with Local Integration SOPs. • Contribute to the designing of state and/or national durable solutions strategies. • Analyze statistics, trends, and other documents, and draft reports. • Co-lead the Information Management Analysis Cell (IMAC) with OCHA to continue to drive the evidence-base of durable solutions in Northeast Nigeria. • Perform other related duties as required.

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNHCR; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNHCR procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNHCR in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • 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; • 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; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity, and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNHCR’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

refugee, IDP, returnee issues and Human Rights doctrine. • Very good reporting and writing ability. • 3 years experience required for undergraduate degree holders; 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; 1-year relevant experience with Doctorate degree. • Ability to live and work in the hardship conditions. • Knowledge of UN policies and procedures related to the humanitarian-development-peace nexus. • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, takes initiative, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Interest in Protection and Solutions for displaced populations (refugees, IDPs, returnees), volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

UNHCR international staff appointed to Maiduguri must stay in UNHCR guesthouse which is well equipped with facilities. The curfew time in Maiduguri is daily from 22:00 hrs to 06:00 hrs.