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.

In recent years, the North of Central America ― 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 the 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 of concern to UNHCR. In this respect, UNHCR is currently also building its response capacity in order to offer durable solutions to persons of concern in their countries of origin, as well as refugees and asylum seekers from neighbouring countries. Resettlement is one of the durable solu-tions offered to persons of concern in the NCA countries. ‘Traditional’ resettlement of per-sons outside of their country of origin, particularly those returned by the US government, and persons in transit is taking place from Guatemala. Moreover, UNHCR already has in place a resettlement programme called the Protection Transfer Agreement (PTA) for persons of con-cern who are still in their countries of origin, that is taking place in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. The internal planning for 2022 includes a resettlement target of 2,900 submissions. Both the RST and PTA programmes are elements of the regional protection and solutions strategy and represents an innovative life-saving mechanism that provides individ-uals facing severe protection risks within Guatemala with a safe and legal access to another country where they can enjoy effective protection. The programs are coordinated by UN-HCR, IOM, local NGOs, amongst other stakeholders; and with the Governments of the coun-tries of asylum/origin and participating resettlement countries. UNHCR works with civil society partners to identify cases at high risk in the country of origin, who also provide hu-manitarian assistance to identified cases and, where needed, provisional protection in safe houses. UNHCR interviews eligible cases and refers them with an assessment of the individ-uals’ protection needs. Upon desk review by the receiving country, the case may be accepted for further consideration and UNHCR liaises with the transit country to ensure a smooth transfer. UNHCR partners in the transit country receive the individuals and ensure access to protection and assistance until finalization of case processing by the receiving country. IOM is currently supporting the transfers with logistical and administrative arrangements. The Resettlement Expert is needed in Guatemala to interview persons of concern in view of pos-sible resettlement by means of the traditional resettlement mechanisms, to complete PTA Registration Forms (RFs) and Resettlement Referral Forms (RRFs), complete any changes requested by the case reviewers and ensure that all necessary documentation is sent to the reviewer together with the RST forms in view of submission to a resettlement country. When needed, the RST Expert will also support in providing training on resettlement to partner or-ganisations and facilitate the identification of RST cases.

Under the direct supervision of Associate Resettlement & Complementory Pathways Officer, P2, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Conduct casework by interviewing identified refugees for resettlement. Assess the reset-tlement 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 individ-ual 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 re-quested; • Undertake support resettlement missions to the field when required.

Results/Expected Outputs:

• Cases are referred for resettlement in accordance with existing SOPs; • Participation at office meetings to discuss cases identified for possible resettlement con-sideration; • Resettlement events in ProGres database are properly updated and cases are tracked; • Resettlement country missions and refugee departures from (country) are facilitated; • Resettlement counseling is provided to refugees; • 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 as-signment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

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 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; • 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.

• Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in 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 inde-pendently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objec-tively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented. • Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organi-zational 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 abil-ity to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to es-tablish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work un-der pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent pro-jects/activities. • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious work-ing 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 presenta-tions, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommenda-tions; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse back-grounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, re-mote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of opera-tions; 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 sol-idarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

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

• Knowledge of Refugee law and refugee protection in action, experience in RSD/RST casework or case management preferably in a refugee context, knowledge of RSD/RST procedures. • Knowledge of refugee status determination and/or resettlement procedures.

This UNV assignment is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19 with WHO approved vaccine, unless the UNHCR Medical Service approves an exemption from this requirement on medical grounds.

Desirable 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.

Guatemala City is the capital of Guatemala. It is categorized as a United Nations family duty station, hardship category A. To learn more about hardship category ratings, visit https://icsc.un.org/Home/DataMobility. This location is classified as Cwb (Dry-winter subtropical highland climate) by Köppen and Geiger. Temperatures average 19.4 °C | 66.9 °F. Official language is Spanish and is spoken in Guatemala City. The two other official languages are Xinka and Garifuna. Over 40 percent of Guatemalans are indigenous. Much of Guatemala City is safe during the day. The city is subdivided into Zones, which resemble neighborhoods or administrative districts in other countries. Zone 10, where the UNHCR office is located and most businesses, hospitality industry are found, is also among the safe areas. It is not recommended to walk alone after dark as some areas or zones can get dangerous. Uber is widely used for transportation and the usual safety precautions apply. Most crime consists of theft of cell phone and laptops. It is advisable not to flaunt them in public. Guatemala City offers banking, transportation, health and communications services, which are easy to obtain. Credit cards are widely used and accepted. There are numer-ous shopping malls, restaurants, gyms and cinemas. A large variety of accommodation options can be found. Road network is good both in terms of spread and quality. Traffic, however, can be overwhelming. It is advised to live near the UNHCR Office in Zone 10. The UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. Note that in the current time of limited mobility on account of COVID-19, the UNV might be expected to start with home/teleworking. This may change, however, by the expected start date of 14/06/2021. Teleworking situation will be reassessed and re-vised in line with the national laws and policies as well as the United Nations staff rules and regulations complete with the required information as per country Living Conditions.