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 Associate Resettlement (RST) Officer is a member of the Resettlement unit and Protection section. Under the direct supervision by the Associate Resettlement and Complementary Pathways Officer, the Second level supervision by the Head of Field Office in Muyinga and the technical supervision of the Resettlement Officer in Bujumbura, 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 with 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 role may also involve supervisory responsibilities from time to time. S/he contributes to comprehensive protection and solutions strategies and needs to make resettlement both strategic as well as responsive to the needs of people of concern to UNHCR. 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. The Associate RST Officer assists with the organization and logistics of resettlement selection missions, compiling and analysing information related to the RST activities of the operation, and participates in decisions regarding appropriate case management strategies. S/he will also attend BID and fraud panels.

Under the direct supervision of Associate Resettlement and Complimentary Pathways Officer with second level supervision by the Head of Office, Muyinga the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • 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 Associate Resettlement and Complementary 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. • Act as Officer in Charge of the resettlement unit in the absence of the Associate Resettlement and Complimentary Pathways Officer. • 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 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.

Results/Expected Outputs:

• Cases are referred for resettlement in accordance with existing SOPs. • Completion of about 5 to 7 RRFs per week (including RRF reviews), depending on complexity of the cases. • Conduct counselling sessions of resettlement cases. • Preparation of interim reports for assignments of 6 months or more or as necessary. A final report covering the entire period of his/her assignment is compulsory. The report shall contain a description of activities and the data collected regarding number of cases worked, number of persons submitted and to which country (whether accepted/denied/pending); • Participation at office meetings to discuss cases identified for possible resettlement consideration. • Resettlement events in ProGres database are properly updated and cases are tracked. • Resettlement country missions and refugee departures from (country) are facilitated. • Resettlement counselling 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 counterparts, 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: 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 independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client oriented. • Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational 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 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. • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working 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 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; 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, 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.

• work experience with refugees and/or other people of concern in a protection capacity required, especially in conducting RSD (Refugee Status Determination) and resettlement interviews. Demonstrated experience in casework or case management, preferably in a refugee or immigration context is desirable. 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. • Interviewing skills. • Very good communication and drafting skills in both English and French and strong drafting skills in English. 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, familiar with the use of databases especially ProGresV4.

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

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 mountains 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.