In recent years, the North of Central America (NCA) ― El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala ― has seen a dramatic escalation in the acute violence of street gangs and organized criminal groups that is driving increased forced displacement both within and from these countries. The NCA countries are experiencing some of the highest homicide rates ever recorded, and sexual violence, forced disappearances, forced recruitment into gangs, forced prostitution and trafficking of girls and women for sexual exploitation have also been reported as part of the violence pattern.

UNHCR has developed a comprehensive protection strategy for NCA countries within the framework of the 2014 Brazil Declaration and Plan of Action and the 2016 San José Statement with the aim to provide protection to persons UNHCR serves. In this context, UNHCR in Guatemala has built its response capacity to offer resettlement as a durable solution for people with international protection needs.

Persons UNHCR serves in NCA countries are both people at risk still in their countries of origin, as well as refugees and asylum seekers from neighbouring countries. UNHCR in Guatemala in fact identifies and processes cases of third country nationals with ‘traditional resettlement' as well as for Guatemalans at risk still living in their country of origin.

In June 2023, the Safe Mobility scheme was launched in Guatemala as well as in other countries of the region, which allowed fast resettlement processing and a much higher volume of cases being resettled.

Thanks to this scheme, individuals with specific profiles facing severe protection risks in Guatemala can have legal and safe access to the US where they can enjoy effective protection. The program is coordinated by UNHCR, IOM, local NGOs, and with the Governments of the countries of asylum/origin and participating resettlement countries.

The incumbent’s primary role is to support resettlement activities through identification and follow up of protection needs, conduct registration and BIMs for people with international protection needs when required, conducting regular interviews and submission resettlement cases to ensure that the yearly quota is met. S/he contributes to comprehensive protection and solutions strategies and needs to make resettlement both strategic as well as responsive to the needs of people UNHCR’s serves.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

Assess and interview 4 to 5 resettlement cases per week with the aim of submitting 16-20 cases per month.
Provide counselling to individuals
Ensure case management and when required, referral and follow up with other units (e.g. for child protection or GBV issues)
Participate in relevant meetings
Support the implementation of UNHCR’s global resettlement and complementary pathways policies, procedures and guidelines in the AOR
Support and contribute to measures that enhance the prevention, detection and response to fraud committed by persons UNHCR’s serves
Systematically apply an Age, Gender and Diversity perspective in all aspects of the resettlement and complementary pathways process; comply with UNHCR policy and guidelines on HIV/AIDS
Contribute to comprehensive protection and solutions strategies in the country operation or region
Perform other related duties as required

Monitoring and Progress Controls

(Clear description of measurable outputs, milestones, key performance indicators and/or reporting requirements which will enable performance monitoring)

Interview an average of 16-20 cases per month Draft and submit an average of 16-20 cases per month Produce reports when required

Qualifications and Experience

a. Education (Level and area of required and/or preferred education)

Years of Experience / Degree Level

3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education

Political Science; Social Sciences; International Law; Law; International Public Law; International Refugee Law; International Human Rights Law; Refugee and Forced Migration International Relations; or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses

Protection Learning Programme Resettlement Learning Programme

b. Relevant Work Experience

Essential At least 2 years of professional work experience relevant to refugee protection work, preferably within the international capacity. Demonstrated experience in casework or case management, preferably in a refugee or immigration context.

Desirable Sound understanding and ability to implement UNHCR’s policy and global strategic priorities, such as AGDM, IDP, Statelessness, and HIV/AIDS, in the area of responsibility at appropriate level. Diverse field experience. Experience working in a multi-cultural environment.

c. Functional Skills

*PR-Resettlement/Repatriation/Voluntary Repatriation PR-Resettlement Anti-Fraud Policy and Procedures PR-Experience in Operations facing mixed migratory movements DM-Database Management (Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

d. Language Requirements

English (mandatory), Level – Fluent (both written and spoken) Spanish (mandatory), Level – Fluent (both written and spoken)

e. Competency Requirements

Core Competencies Accountability Communication Organizational Awareness Teamwork & Collaboration Commitment to Continuous Learning Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies Empowering and Building Trust Managing Performance Judgement and Decision Making

Cross-Functional Competencies Analytical Thinking Planning and Organizing Political Awareness

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.

Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme or as an intern is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19.Standard Job Description

Required Languages

Spanish,

English,

Desired Languages

Additional Qualifications

Skills

DM-Database Management, PR-Inter-agency coordination in mixed movements, PR-Refugee Resettlement programs, PR-Resettlement Anti-Fraud Policy and Procedures, PR-Voluntary repatriation/return programme development, PR-Voluntary repatriation/return programme implementationEducation

Bachelor of Science (BS): International Human Rights Law (Required), Bachelor of Science (BS): International Law (Required), Bachelor of Science (BS): International Public Law (Required), Bachelor of Science (BS): International Refugee Law (Required), Bachelor of Science (BS): Law (Required), Bachelor of Science (BS): Political Science (Required), Bachelor of Science (BS): Refugee and Forced Migration Studies (Required), Bachelor of Science (BS): Social Science (Required)Certifications

HCR Protection Learning Program - UNHCR, HCR Resettlement Learning Program - UNHCRWork Experience

Other information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance Home-Based

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Added 9 days ago - Updated 3 hours ago - Source: unhcr.org