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).

Colombia is the country most impacted by the outflow of over 5.9 million Venezuelan refugees and migrants, hosting over 1.84 million Venezuelans, the majority of whom in an irregular situation or in the process of regularization. In addition, and despite the 2016 Peace Agreement, conflict and armed violence continue to uproot Colombians (an estimated 650,000 people newly displaced by the internal conflict since November 2016) and, in a growing and worrying trend, also Venezuelans and other nationalities.

In February 2021, the Government of Colombia issued a Temporary Protection Status (TPS) that is likely to benefit the 1.84 million Venezuelans already in Colombia as well as those who arrive through official border points over the next two years. The TPS provides a 10-year protection status and access to a full range of rights including healthcare, education, formal employment, and financial inclusion. However, xenophobia against Venezuelans has considerably increased in the last year, and it is projected to worsen with the introduction of the TPS. Misinformation and the perceptions that Venezuelans will take away job opportunities from Colombians, fuel general discontent and makes it even more difficult for refugees and migrants to secure a job. Nonetheless, UNHCR believes that TPS is a very promising pathway for addressing the vulnerable situation of Venezuelan refugees and migrants who are in an irregular situation. This situation continues to be exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic which has had a devastating impact in Colombia, especially on refugees, migrants, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities.

Under the direct supervision of the Associate Resettlement Officer, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Conduct resettlement interviews and prepare Resettlement Registration Forms and all relevant documents for presentation to resettlement countries. • Research and regularly update country of origin information to support and strengthen resettlement cases. • Conduct eligibility interviews and draft merged RSD/RST assessments for resettlement purposes. • Manage, maintain, and update PRIMES and provide technical support to field offices and partners. • Carry out preliminary interviews and initial assessments, to process refugees for re-settlement following established procedures. • Follow up on status of cases from identification to departure; ensure effective in-country communication on the status and follow-up on persons of concern (PoC) be-ing considered for resettlement; ensure that records on individual cases are kept up to date. • Assist Resettlement Officer with the organizing of training workshops and seminars on resettlement related issues for UNHCR staff and partners. • Manage in a fair manner refugees’ resettlement expectations through information sharing, outreach and counselling. • Assist in identification process as well as mitigating resettlement fraud through over-sight (advice and guidance). • Coordinate with other units, implementing partners and external entities such as IOM on follow-up resettlement activities including resettlement country missions and departure arrangements. • Regularly update ProGres database with necessary events, realize biometric registration and maintain own statistical data for reporting purposes. • Undertake support resettlement missions to the field when required.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to: • 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 in-stance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities; • 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. • Any other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Results/Expected Outputs: • Cases are referred for resettlement review in accordance with existing SOPs; • Cases are submitted to resettlement countries in accordance with existing SOPs; • Cases are identified for possible resettlement consideration; • ProGres database are properly updated and cases are tracked; • Resettlement interviews, resettlement country missions and refugee departures from (country) are facilitated; • Resettlement counselling is provided to refugees; • RRFs are updated regularly. • The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counter-parts, 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.

• Integrity and professionalism • Accountability • Commitment to continuous learning • Planning and organizing • Teamwork and respect for diversity • 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 trans-fer 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.

a field related to external relations, communications, media relations or reporting.

• Demonstrated skills in oral and written communication. • Excellent drafting skills in English and Spanish, and analytical skills. • Good knowledge of resettlement issues and UNHCR resettlement and complementary pathways policies and operational applications. • Good knowledge of procedures and principles related to Refugee Status Determination (RSD). • Previous interviewing experience with highly vulnerable individuals (refugees, minorities, LGBTI population, survivors of GBV/torture, among others) in resettlement and/or RSD context.

Living conditions in any of the UNHCR Colombia destinations, including Bogotá, are generally good. There is a wide variety of activities in these cities, from tourism, theatre, cinema, cultural and sports activities, and restaurants offering typical local and regional food, as well as international cuisine.

Medical services in the main cities (clinics and private hospitals) are available. Visitors are advised that some clinics require an initial payment before admitting a patient, even in emergency situations. Visitors should take medical precautions and seek advice before traveling. Travelers to the areas of Urabá, Chocó, Córdoba, Putumayo, Vichada, Guainía, Guaviare, Meta, Amazonas, Casanare, Vaupés, Norte de Santander, and Caquetá should have certificates of vaccination against yellow fever, malaria, measles, and chickenpox, as some airlines require passengers to carry such documents.

Rural areas continue to be affected by the activities of illegal armed groups (ELN, and recently emerging armed groups) and by clashes between them and the Colombian Armed Forces. Upon arrival in Bogota, all visitors should contact the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) and receive a security briefing for temporary or permanent deployment in Colombia. Each UN agency is responsible for allowing their respective officials to attend the security induction conference. All visitors and newly assigned staff members are required to complete the "Basic Security in the Field" and "Advanced Security in the Field" courses.

Conditions of Service for international UN Volunteers:

The duration of your assignment is of 12 months of contract, the expected contract end date is 31 December 2022. A volunteer receives a Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) which is composed of the Monthly Living Allowance (MLA) and a Family Allowance (FA) for those with dependents.