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). In recent years, the North of Central America (NCA) ? 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. 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. The Protection Transfer Arrangement (PTA) is one of the elements of the regional protection and solutions strategy and represents an innovative life-saving mechanism that provide individuals exposed to extreme risks with a safe and legal access to a durable solution in a resettlement country, via a country of transit. The programme is coordinated by UNHCR, IOM and the Republic of Costa Rica as transit country, and with the Governments of the countries of 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 humanitarian assistance to identified cases and, where needed, provisional protection in safe houses. UNHCR interviews eligible cases and refers the PTA forms with an assessment of the individuals’ protection needs.

Under the direct supervision of the Associate Resettlement and Complementary Pathways Officer, 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 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 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.

Accountability, Adaptability and Flexibility, Commitment to Continuous Learning, Communication, Integrity, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Working in Teams

University degree Minimum 3 years of 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. 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 multicultural setting; Ability to complete tasks within a set time frame; Good analytical skills; Ability to work effectively and with minimum supervision. Experience working with forced displacement Computer skills: General computer literacy (word, email, internet) and good knowledge of the basic data-management programs; Excel, Access, ProGres (asset).

Honduras is a tropical country in the middle of central America, bordered to the north with to Caribbean Sea, to the south with El Salvador, to the west with Guatemala and to the East with Nicaragua. Climate varies, but is fairly moderate with regular sunshine making temperatures climb from 15- 20 C(59-68 F) to up around 28 C(low 82e F) during the middle of the day. Rainfall is quite low to moderate with a patchy wet season from May to October. Low-land and coastal regions experience less of a temperature range with warmer nights and slightly less rainfall. The threat against UN system staff members from political activity is considered low. The threat from common criminal elements is considered highly critical in certain areas of the country. Violent crime is a serious and growing problem, especially in certain zones of Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, and to a lesser degree throughout the country. Pickpockets and purse-snatchers are prevalent in major cities at tourist sites, especially in parts of Comayaguela and the central market surroundings of Tegucigalpa. Highway, road and street robberies, carjacking and assaults of pedestrians by armed thieves are still high. Roadblocks and demonstrations on the main highways and border countries customs offices have decreased. In the past, demonstrations have ended in street violence, requiring intervention by national police, for which precaution is requested. Threats against the public transportation system by gangs have been reported in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, supposedly related to Organized Crime, for which caution should be maintained at all times on the street. A security briefing will be provided upon arrival to provide all the information and recommendations to take in consideration in the daily life and areas in which it will be recommended to search for an apartment. Tegucigalpa is a family duty station and the office is close to some restaurants, malls and the main hotels of the city. Visitors are specially advised to protect against mosquitoes bites in affected areas, due to insect-borne diseases such as Malaria and Dengue Fever (both serious, potentially fatal diseases). In general mosquitoes in Honduras are most bothersome from dusk to dawn, especially in the countryside. Other infectious diseases are common such as Diarrhea, Amoebic and food. Some specific health cares must be considered especially hygienic practices avoid eating in places where cleaning is not ensured and pay special attention to the hygiene of fruits and vegetables, wash fruits and vegetables carefully if you eat them raw or peel them before eating.