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 UN Refugee Agency acting within its mandate of protecting persons in need of international protection is evacuating and resettling persons of concern at high risk from Libya to UNHCR Transit Centers in Niger and Rwanda and to Resettlement countries. Most of the evacuees and refugees considered for resettlement come from Sudan, Syria, Eritrea, Somalia, and Ethiopia and are victims of human trafficking, smuggling and severe human rights violations on their way towards Europe.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Durable Solutions Officer or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Associate Resettlement Officer will:

• Conduct interviews as requested by the operations and prepare RRFs in accordance with relevant guidelines (4 interviews per week) • The UNV will work closely with the Durable Solutions Officer, the Case Identification Team and the Reviewer of the Unit on case identification, preparation, related BIA/BID procedures, refugee counselling, and advocacy with resettlement countries. • Depending on the needs of the unit, the UNV may be asked to assist with other resettlement tasks including RRF reviews, short form BID interviews/ reviews, counseling, and case identification. • The UNV is also encouraged to take up self-learning Courses/Modules during the deployment period to ensure constant capacity enhancement.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• 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; • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• 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.

Results/expected outputs

• The UNV is expected to complete 4 interviews per week during the duration of the deployment and submit at least 3 RRFs for review within the same week. All interviews have to be concluded during the same week: either to draft and finalize an RRF or write a note for file if the case is not recommended for resettlement. • 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 peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNHCR; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNHCR procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;

• Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNHCR in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority;

• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;

• 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 ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;

• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;

• Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;

• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNHCR’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

the area of refugee resettlement - conducting refugee resettlement assessments and submissions, case advocacy, assisting with family reunification; • Knowledge of the international legal framework governing refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced and statelessness persons; • Strong understanding of international refugee law, international human rights law, international humanitarian law, and international criminal law are a must; • International / field experience – particularly with NGOs or UN agencies working with refugees in countries of refuge – highly desirable; • Excellent drafting and analytical skills; • Ability to conduct assessments and identify vulnerabilities and protection risks of individuals and groups; • Proven counselling skills and experience working with refugees children; • Familiarity with age-specific interviewing techniques; • Ability to assess age and maturity; • Understanding of child rights; gender-sensitivity; • Knowledge as to how cultural, religious and socio-economic factors • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in teams; • Ability to work in stressful situations and in hardship locations; • Knowledge of and/or preparedness to become familiar with and abide by UNHCR’s principles, code of conduct and humanitarian goals.

The UNV will be based in Tunis, Tunisia, but working for the UNHCR Libya operation. Should there be a need for missions outside Tunis, these will be arranged with full security clearance and MOSS compliance. The UNV will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.