Associate Field 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.

Romania ratified the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol in 1991 and acceded to the 1954 Convention on the Status of Stateless Persons and to the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness in 2006, with reservations. Romania has also ratified the 1997 European Convention on Nationality (with reservations), and its legislation and practices are in line with European Union and international standards, although there are insufficient safeguards against statelessness at birth for instance.

Since the escalation of hostilities in Ukraine on 24 February 2022, several Ukrainian refugees entered Romania, 113,086 of them were granted temporary protection (as of 5 February) and 109,871 settled. Prior to onset of the war in Ukraine, Romania hosted nearly 5,500 refugees, with 10,000 asylum-seekers being the largest number of arrivals in a single year in 2021. Main countries of origin were Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Until July 2022, 7,625 asylum requests have been received, out of which 2,005 were filed from unaccompanied and separated children (UASC). As of October 2022, 257 stateless persons are reportedly present in Romania, though the country is lacking a specific statelessness determination procedure.

The Associate Field Officer (Protection) is supervised by the Head of Galati Field office. S/he may receive indirect guidance from other relevant sections, including from the Country office. UNHCR Manual, programme and protection objectives, Operations Plans, UN and UNHCR financial/budgetary rules and regulations will guide the work of the incumbent. The incumbent may supervise some support staff. S/he has daily contacts with staff within the Operation and has close liaison with a range of local authorities and counterparts in NGOs and UN agencies to discuss matters of common interest.

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.

Under the supervision of the Head of Field Office in Galati, the UN Volunteer will be properly trained both formally, through available workshops, seminars, e-Learning platforms; and informally through on-the-job training, intensive coaching/mentoring, shadowing other colleagues to familiarize his/herself with the relevant global and local policy and procedures related to Field and Operation activities. The UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Identify vulnerable groups or individuals who may need special attention or special arrangements and make recommendations on the needs of different groups of refugees. • Assess protection and assistance needs of refugees and asylum-seekers in the region and monitor implementation of refugee assistance programmes. • In co-ordination with implementing partners and other relevant actors, handle the reception, registration and provision of assistance to persons of concern to UNHCR. • Provide inputs for project submissions and periodic narrative and financial reports for the annual programme. • Develop and maintain relations with local authorities ensuring smooth negotiations in all aspects of UNHCR's mandate for the benefit of refugees. • Monitor the security situation in the area and intervene as appropriate with the local authorities. • Submit recommendation for protection interventions to the designated officer. • Implement and oversee Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all protection/solutions activities which integrate AGD sensitive procedures. • Promote and integrate community-based approaches to protection and contribute to capacity-building initiatives for communities and individuals to assert their rights. • Participate in initiatives to capacitate national authorities, relevant institutions, and NGOs to strengthen national protection related legislation, procedures or practices. • Perform other related duties as required.

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.

Results/expected outputs • As an active UNHCR team member, render efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support to UNHCR Romania and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: • The protection of populations of concern is met through the application of International and National Law, relevant UN/UNHCR protection standards and IASC principles. • The Participation of persons of concern is assured through continuous assessment and evaluation using participatory, rights and community-based approaches. • Protection incidents are immediately identified and addressed. • The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with national staff or (non-) governmental counterparts, including Implementing Partners (IPs). • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment. • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

• Accountability • Teamwork and Collaboration • Commitment to continuous learning • Planning and organizing • Communication • 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.

field / Protection experience with UNHCR and/or other humanitarian organizations, at national and/or international level, especially in refugee contexts; • Good knowledges of international refugee law, human rights and UNHCR’s Programmes; • Outstanding analytical capabilities; • Experience in usage of computers, including office software packages; • Demonstrate proactiveness, flexibility, adaptability and openness to change, as well as ability to manage complexities; • Ability to work under pressure and manage stress efficiently; • Excellent interpersonal skills, and ability to build and strengthen effective relation and/or partnerships with local authorities, UN agencies and other key actors in the field; • Ability to work with others, and independently when required, in a team and multicultural environment.

This UNV assignment is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19 with WHO approved vaccine, unless the UNHCR Medical Service approves an exemption from this requirement on medical grounds.

Romania is a country located in Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, Ukraine, Moldova, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Hungary. The country has a rich history that starting with the ancient Dacian civilization over 2,000 years ago. Over the centuries, Romania has been shaped by various other powers, including the Roman, Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian empires, and the Soviet Union.

After the fall of communism in 1989, Romania transitioned to a democratic government and market economy, which has resulted in significant economic growth and development. However, Romania still faces various challenges, including corruption, a relatively high level of poverty compared to other European countries, and social inequality. Romania has been a member of the United Nations since 1955, NATO since 2004 and the European Union (EU) since 2007.

As of 2022, Romania has an estimated population of approximately 19.5 million people, making it the seventh most populous member state of the European Union. The majority of the population lives in urban areas, with the largest cities being Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara, Iași, and Constanța. The country is known for its rich cultural heritage and is home to a variety of ethnic traditions, customs, and languages.

Romania has a diverse population, with ethnic Romanians comprising the majority of the population (roughly 84%), and the official language is Romanian. There are also significant ethnic Hungarian and Roma populations, as well as other minority groups such as Germans, Ukrainians, and Turks. The majority of Romania's population identify themselves as Eastern Orthodox Christians, The Romanian Orthodox Church is the largest and traditional church of the country.

Overall, Romania's geographic position and population make it a unique and diverse country, with a rich cultural history and a thriving contemporary society. In terms of climate, Romania has a temperate-continental climate, with four distinct seasons. Summers are hot, with temperatures reaching up to 30°C, while winters are cold and snowy, with temperatures periodically dropping below the freezing point in the whole country. Spring and autumn are mild and pleasant.

UN Volunteer entitlements and allowances: The purpose of the allowances and entitlements paid to UN Volunteers is to enable UN Volunteers to sustain a secure standard of living at the duty stations in line with United Nations standards without incurring personal costs. The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward, or salary in exchange for the UN Volunteer’s service. Contingent on specific eligibility criteria, location of the volunteer assignment and contractual type and category, the payment of allowances will begin from the date of Commencement of Service For more information on entitlements please read the Condition of Service (https://explore.unv.org/cos). For information specific to your assignment please see below:

Monthly Living Allowance (Per month): USD 1937.37 Entry lump sum (one time payment) USD 4000 Exit allowance (for each month served, paid on completion of contract): $225 Medical and life insurance Cigna Private Insurance

Leave entitlements: Annual leave: 2.5 days accrued per calendar month Certified sick leave: 30 days Uncertified sick leave: 7 days Learning leave: 10 working days per consecutive 12 months Maternity Leave: 16 weeks Paternity Leave: 10 days