Associate Repatriation officer

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UNHCR - UN High Commissioner for Refugees

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Application deadline 1 year ago: Thursday 30 Jun 2022 at 00:00 UTC

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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.

The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and coordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org).

The complex emergency in Kasai Central Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) began with the violent uprising of a local militia (Kamuina Nsapu) in August 2016. The crisis then spread to the provinces of Kasai, Eastern Kasai and Lomami. UNHCR announced the activation of L2 emergency in Angola in response to the influx of some 35,000 Congolese from DRC. Majority of the refugees are located in the Lóvua refugees settlement, opened in August 2017. The other refugees are living in host communities within the Lunda Norte Province. In 2018, the Government of Angola (GoA) suggested that Congolese refugees temporary hosted in Dundo and surrounding host communities be relocated to the Lóvua refugees settlement by the end of January 2019. The Lovua refugees settlement is located about 90km from Dundo, it was developed to receive all refugees and infrastructures were installed and continue to be installed to enable refugees to access basic social services including shelters, water and sanitation infrastructure, health facilities and services, schools, distribution centers for food and NFIs. In August 2019, refugees started to return spontaneously to the DRC for various reasons. In total some 14,757 Congolese returned spontaneously. Following a tripartite agreement between the Gov’t Angola, UNHCR and the Gov’t of DRC, organized voluntary repatriation started in October 2019 and until now, 2,912 refugees have been repatriated to the DRC. A total of 9,219 active registered Congolese refugees who fled violence in the Kasai region still remain in Lunda Norte Province of Angola. As the Voluntary repatriation will resume very soon, the Associate Repatriation officer based in Dundo, will work under the direct supervision of the Head of Field Office Dundo and under the functional management of the Senior Protection Officer based in the Branch Office in Luanda in undertaking his / her duties with missions to DRC border. The Associate Repatriation officer will interact not only with beneficiaries but also with UNHCR staff and partners in Angola and DRC.

In the implementation of the programme, UNHCR works together with government of Angola, implementing partners and other UN agencies.

Within the delegated authority and under the direct supervision of Head of field Office or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Associate Repatriation officer will:

• Monitor the implementation of the voluntary return operation through consultations, regular field visits and monitoring tools, suggesting amendments to the plan as necessary. • Ensure that activities are implemented in accordance with the voluntary repatriation strategy, with a view to ensuring that the return is voluntary and takes place in safety and dignity. • Gather and analyze data related to return movements and conditions in areas of return for planning, evidence-based advocacy and protection interventions. • Ensure that specific needs of vulnerable categories of returnees are duly addressed during the return movement. • Monitor and advise implementing partners on activities related to return. • Actively participate in inter-agency coordination processes and mobilize partners’ political and financial support, to ensure complementary interventions to voluntary repatriation / return programme. • Comply with UNHCR’s policy priorities, such as those related to persons with vulnerabilities • Identify, monitor, and advise implementing partners on on-going activities related to return. • Mainstream AGD in all areas of work and ensure the full participation of returning refugees in matters relating to their own protection • Liaise with other UNHCR country offices and other key partners in the region to ensure appropriate cross-border cooperation and a harmonized voluntary repatriation process. • When working with national staff or (non-)governmental counterparts, the incumbent should set aside dedicated time for training, coaching, mentoring and capacity development. • Over see the implementation of activities in accordance with the PBF funds and to contribute extensively to it reports as required. • Under take other related activities as may be required by the operation

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, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNHCR and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: • The voluntary repatriation activities implemented as part of a comprehensive solutions strategy which meets the needs of returnees and is in line with international legal principles, including the voluntariness of return and return to and in conditions of safety and dignity. • Return movements for refugees are organized with the full participation and support of persons and communities of concern and other relevant stakeholders, and in coordination with Government authorities both in the country of asylum and origin. • 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 peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

• Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in the 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 • 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.

• refugees and/or other people of concern in a protection capacity. • Field experience; • Commitment to help persons of concern and willingness to cooperate with counterparts.

Desirable Qualifications and Skills: • Knowledge of UN policies and procedures. • Good analytical skills. • Strong interpersonal and communication skills in a multi-cultural setting. • Commitment to help refugees and willingness to cooperate with counterparts. • Experience of working with refugees. • Ability to live and work in the difficult and harsh conditions of developing countries is essential.

Language skills • Fluency in spoken and written English and advanced knowledge of Portuguese or Spanish is a must. • Working knowledge of French is an asset..

Computer skills:
• Office Package (excellent knowledge of Word, good knowledge of Excel and Power Point) and Internet browsing.

The incumbent will be based in Dundo, Angola and will be provided with the applicable IUNV allowances. Dundo is the capital city of Lunda Norte Province, a family duty-station category D with a R&R cycle of 12 weeks. The City is considered security-stable. Most staff (above 95%) live in Centralidade where there are modern apartments at reasonable prices with access to running water, electricity, internet and cable TV. Generally, banking, mini supermarkets, hotels and drug stores (clinics) are opened 07 days a week but banking services open from Monday – Friday. There are limited options in terms of entertainment, advanced education and health facilities and services. Educational facilities are further limited, especially for non-Portuguese speakers and there is no international school in Dundo. Access to basic food and non-food items is available however, due to limitations of more particular food, medication and other needs, the Office organizes trips to Saurimo (7-hour round trip) once or twice a month to support staff to access further options.

The operation in Lunda Norte requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in difficult conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.

Dundo has a functional airport and under normal circumstances (when there are no lockdowns), there are flights 4 times a week from and to Luanda, (the capital city of Angola) where one can access international flights as well as to international hubs in South-Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Portugal, Dubai and Sao Paulo

Following the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, basic measures are in place to curb the spread of the pandemic in line with the WHO and the GoA guidance. Currently the Province has a minimal infection rate of COVID-19 and hosts one of the only three provincial diagnostic laboratory in the Country, apart from the main one in the capital Luanda. As a tropical country the climate is mostly hot throughout the year with a cold season from around May to August.

Travelers to Angola are required to present proof of a negative RT-PCR COVID-19 test and yellow fever vaccination card upon arrival at the airport. They are also advised to receive a security briefing upon their arrival.

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org