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).

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 expectation 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.

• Integrity and professionalism, • Accountability, • Commitment to continuous learning, • Planning and organizing, • Teamwork and respect for diversity, • Multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender; • Communication? • 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.

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

Field experience;

Computer literate; proficiency in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, etc); good knowledge of the basic data-management programs; Excel, Access, ProGres (asset).

Knowledge of UN policies and procedures;

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.

Muyinga is classified as Security level III. Caution is therefore advised at all times in the interior of the country as well as in the capital. There is a curfew for all UN staff members from 22h00 to 05h00. Muyinga is a non-family duty station; all UN personnel must carry VHF radios when traveling; and it is mandatory to attend the safety briefing on arrival in the country. Street crime is high in Burundi especially in the capital Bujumbura and caution should be exercised. Armed road ambushes may also occur especially at night in the provinces. No inter-regional/inter-city travel is permitted between 1700hrs and 0800hrs. Armed escorts are required on the airport road between 2100hrs and 0600hrs. Armed escorts are also required for missions proximate to Kibira Forest, Ruvubu Forest areas and Kirundo montains where there is no telecommunication network (no mobile phone network or UHF and VHF UN radio telecommunication. All new arriving UN personnel must attend mandatory security briefing. The security situation is volatile and can change very quickly. As a result, lockdowns can occur on short notice. Staff members are advised to keep their radios with them at all times to receive security updates. 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. Vaccination against Yellow Fever is compulsory. R&R (Rest and Recuperation, a mandatory leave aiming to remove staff from a stressful location) is applicable for staff assigned to Muyinga every 8 weeks since 01 January 2012. Houses are available for rental, for an approximate rent of 300 US$ to 400 US$ per month. Though Muyinga is the fourth largest town in Burundi and is only 4 to 5 hours’ drive from the capital cities of Kigali and Bujumbura, basic amenities can be difficult to obtain, facilities are basic (such as periodic water shortages in parts of the duty station), and entertainment is limited.