Associate Resettlement 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.

The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate 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 Associate Resettlement (RST) Officer is a member of the Resettlement unit and Protection section. Under the direct supervision of the Resettlement Officer, s/he is responsible for conducting Resettlement interviews to draft Resettlement Registration Forms (RRFs). S/he may be required to undertake country of origin (COI) and other research related to the claim and resettlement need to include in the RRF and resettlement assessments. The Associate RST Officer provides counselling to refugees on UNHCR's Resettlement procedures, on the status of their cases, fraud and corruption matters along the procedure to report such issues. The Associate RST Officer may review deferral responses, RST assessments, RRFs of other resettlement case workers and provide procedural guidance and coaching, as required. The Associate RST Officer may assist in developing and implementing RST training, including for Government authorities and partners, as well as other measures to enhance the quality and efficiency of RST processing. S/he will draft a variety of documents such as the annual resettlement country chapter, operation plan, reports and SOPs. The Associate RST Officer assists with the organization and hosting of resettlement selection missions, compiling and analyzing information related to the RST activities of the operation, and participates in decisions regarding appropriate case management strategies. S/he will act as Officer in Charge of the unit in the absence o

Conduct casework by interviewing identified refugees for resettlement. Assess the resettlement needs and complete RRF (Resettlement Registration Forms) and refer cases for review to the Resettlement Officer;
Research country of origin information to support and strengthen resettlement cases;
Support and assist in the preparation of and facilitation of resettlement country missions;
Assist Resettlement Officer with the organizing of training workshops and seminars on resettlement related issues for UNHCR staff;
Manage in a fair manner refugees’ resettlement expectations through information sharing, outreach and counselling;
Regularly liaise with Protection, Community Services and other relevant Units to individual case processing within the Office;
Regularly update ProGres database with resettlement events and maintain own statistical data for reporting purposes;
Participate at the Resettlement Unit, Protection Section and Office meetings when requested;
Undertake support resettlement missions to the field when required.

, Accountability, Adaptability and Flexibility, Commitment to Continuous Learning, Communication, Integrity, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Working in Teams

Experience with refugees and/or other people of concern in a protection capacity required, especially in conducting RSD (Refugee Status Determination) and resettlement interviews.

Desirable Qualifications and Skills:

Knowledge of UN policies and procedures;
Field experience;
Flexibility and ability to provide support and oversight to numerous projects at once and willingness to undertake some related administrative tasks;
Strong interpersonal and communication skills in a multi-cultural setting;
Ability to complete tasks within a set time frame;
Good analytical skills;
Ability to work effectively and with minimum supervision.

Interview skills:

General computer literacy (word, email, internet) and good knowledge of the basic data-management programs; Excel, Access, ProGres (asset).

Very good communication and drafting skills in both English and French. RRFs will be drafted in English however French is the working language in Burundi and all other documents and communication are written in French.


Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel



Language: Fluency in English is required while working knowledge of French is desirable.

Bujumbura is classified as Security level III. Caution is therefore advised at all times in the capital as well as in the interior of the country. Bujumbura is a non-family duty station category D; all UN personnel must carry VHF radios and it is mandatory to attend the safety briefing upon arrival in the country.

Burundi is emerging from a long conflict and social indicators show that 70% of Burundi's population

lives below the poverty line. The UN security service has certain security standards that all housing must meet and UN volunteers receive an allowance to ensure that these standards can be met. The electricity supply is erratic. Therefore, alternative source of electricity supply (e.g. use of generator) should be installed at residence. In terms of health, it is advised to drink bottled or boiled water; to be careful of what foods one eats and to always take the necessary precautions against malaria which is a serious threat in the country.

R&R (Rest and Recuperation, a mandatory leave aiming to remove staff from a stressful location) is applicable for staff assigned to Bujumbura every 8 weeks.

Furnished houses are available in areas cleared by the UNHCR Field Safety Officer (rent ranges from USD 600 upwards). It should be noted that there is a curfew from midnight until 5:00 AM.