Head of Field Office P4

Only candidates who are not nationals of the country of assignment are eligible to apply to this position

Hardship Level

E (most hardship)Family Type

FamilyResidential location (if applicable)

Grade

PR4Staff Member / Affiliate Type

Professional### * Staff members will not normally serve in International Professional positions in the country of their nationality. In addition, in case of a first appointment upon recruitment, the assignment must be outside the staff member’s country of nationality.

In practical terms this means that you are not eligible to apply for International Professional vacancies advertised in the country where you are national of.

Reason

Regular > Regular AssignmentRemote work accepted

NoTarget Start Date

2024-01-24Job Posting End Date

February 14, 2024Standard Job Description

Head of Field Office

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

Head of a UNHCR Field Office (HoFO) is a senior managerial position within a given country operation. The incumbent carries the full delegated authority of the UNHCR Representative (or the country Manager or Head of Sub-Office) of the country, who will exercise entire supervisory managerial responsibility over the position. The position, on the other hand, provides all information on developments in relation to the protection (legal protection issues relating to the persons of concern to UNHCR), security (Physical security in relation to the UNCR staff and the persons of concern to UNHCR) and operational matters (programme and office management / administration) within the domain of its geographical area of responsibility to the UNHCR Representative (or the country manager) on a regular and timely manner. Subject to the specific legal or socio economic or security developments in the Area of Responsibility (AOR), Representative will direct and guide the Head of Field Office to take the most appropriate course of action. Concerning overall physical security concerns, HoFO will liaise directly with the competent UN security coordinator while keeping the UNHCR Representative fully informed.

While the functional responsibility of a Head of Field Office will always remain the same despite its grade level, the other parameters (therefore the depth and breadth of the competencies) such as the size of the population of concern to UNHCR, their specific legal/security concerns, volume of assistance, Number of operational / Implementing partners and the size of the Office (i.e. number of UNHCR staff and their grade levels) will determine the appropriate grade level. The operational autonomy also depends upon the same parameters/competencies.

As the most senior UNHCR staff member within the given geographical area, he/she is required to liaise with all the relevant senior government officials, security organs in the area, the Head of various Non-Governmental Organisations (both national and internationals based in the area), Civilian/tribal leaders/elders, local opinion makers and the local media net-work to ensure his/her assigned responsibilities are effectively and efficiently discharged.

As the extended field representative of UNHCR at the front line of High Commissioner¿s operations, he/she remain as the effective advocate and assistant to the local authorities to ensure that the respective government authorities in the area implement their conventional responsibilities in favour of refugees and others of concern to UNHCR.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR¿s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties - Monitor and report on the implementation of refugee conventional responsibilities and international obligations of the local authorities Vis a Vis the population of concern to UNHCR within the given geographical area; based on local situations/developments make appropriate recommendation to the UNHCR Representative/HoSO. - Advocate and promote UNHCR standards concerning the treatment of asylum seekers, refugees and returnees as well as IDPs, where applicable; Advocate, promote and encourage the concerned authorities and local opinion makers to uphold established UNHCR standards that have become the international norms. - Ensure that the basic needs of the concerned population are properly assessed with the participation of the beneficiaries themselves, the host governments and/or the competent Implementing partners and/or UNHCR itself. - Subject to the needs, ensure that the planning, formulation and budgeting of identified assistance projects are done as per UNHCR programme cycle; upon approval of assistance project, ensure the timely implementation and rigorous monitoring of identified assistance activities - Ensure through the subordinate staff that all deadlines for monitoring and reporting of UNHCR operational activities (i.e. include assistance as well as Administrative) are met on a regular basis. - Manage all UNHCR resources, both human, financial/material, at an optimum level for the wellbeing of the concerned population and the UNHCR staff. - Ensure that all security measures of UNHCR office (and residential, where ever applicable) compounds are always up to date; any security breaches and/or potential security threat should be reported immediately to competent UN security coordinator in the country. - Ensure that staff welfare, both in terms of working and living conditions, are maintained at a satisfactory level within the constraints in the operational area; this requires remaining current in health and medical facilities locally available and evacuation options available in a moment of medical urgency. - Guide, coach and advocate the subordinate staff to maintain highest standards of conduct and behaviour thorough one¿s own practice and deeds. - Prepare and submit regular reports, both verbally and written, to the UNHCR Representative/HoSO. In the event of substantial telephone conversation that leads to specific action or non-action, it should be recorded and share with the other party. - Represent UNHCR in inter-agency fora and with local authorities in the AOR. - Enforce compliance with UNHCR¿s global protection, programme, finance, human resources and security policies and standards. - Submit project proposals for assistance to refugees and other persons of concern to UNHCR Representation or Sub-Office in coordination with local authorities and NGOs.

- Lead risk assessments and discussions with team(s) to proactively manage risks and seize opportunities impacting objectives. Ensure that risk management principles are integrated in decision-making both at strategic and operational levels. Allocate resources for planned treatments with resource requirements in Strategic Plans. Ensure that risks are managed to acceptable levels and escalate, as needed. If a Risk Owner, designate the Risk Focal Point and certify that the annual risk review is completed and ensure that the risk register is updated during the year, as needed. - Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Professional Work Experience Years of Experience / Degree Level For P4 - 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education Human Resources Management; Personnel Administration; Law; Political Science; International Relations; Economics; or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses HCR Management Lrng Prg; HCR Managing Operatns Lrng Prg; (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience Essential In-depth knowledge in all aspects of UNHCR¿s Field level operation. Applied experience of protection principles, operational arrangements/standards in relation to protection, assistance, UNHCR office management and staff administration. Should be conversant in the current priorities in the organisation and existing mechanisms within the organisation to implement those priorities. Desirable Working experience both in UNHCR HQ and/or a Regional Office and the Field.

Functional Skills IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators MG-Office Management HR-Administration of Staff Contracts and Benefits IT-Computer Literacy (Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English. For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language. For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Desired Candidate Profile

• Leadership: The candidate must have experience in leading the teams with the same complexity and size of the Yumbe duty station. He or she should have demonstrated the ability to manage conflicts and diversity, promote a culture of learning and innovation, and uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct and professionalism. • Political acumen: The candidate must have engaged effectively with the relevant authorities, stakeholders and partners, and advocate for the rights and interests of the persons of concern to UNHCR. • Protection expertise: Based on the complex protection environment at the Bidibidi settlement coupled with staff cuts, it would be added advantage if the candidate had a protection background. The ability to apply the relevant legal frameworks and policies to ensure the rights and well-being of refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced persons and stateless people. He or she should have the experience of coordination with the Head of Sub-Office and supervision the protection activities and services of UNHCR and its partners (Implementing and Operational). • Operational management: The ability to plan, implement, monitor and evaluate the programmes and activities of UNHCR and its partners, and to ensure the optimal use of human, financial and material resources. The HOFO should be able to plan, implement, monitor and evaluate the programmes and activities of UNHCR and its partners, in line with the UNHCR country and regional strategies, the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, and the UNHCR Results-Based Management framework. He or she should also be able to manage in compliance with the UNHCR rules and regulations, and the principles of accountability, transparency and efficiency.Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

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Desired languages

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Nature of Position:

Uganda hosts the highest number of refugees of all countries in Africa, with over 1.6mm refugees of varying nationalities in the country. The majority of refugees are South Sudanese who are granted prime facia refugee status on arrival.

The Government of Uganda (GoU) is a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol. Uganda adopts a settlement approach to refugee management and protection, whereby, upon receiving refugee status, new arrivals are provided with plots of land in refugee-hosting villages on which to build new homes and grow agricultural crops. Refugees can freely access public services such as health and education and are granted a range of rights and freedoms, including freedom of movement, to seek employment and to start their own business. Uganda hosts the largest number of refugees in Africa with multiple emergencies unfolding around its borders with majority of the refugees ' origination from South Sudan and the DRC Congo.

Field Office Yumbe manages the assistance and protection of nearly 200,000 refugees hosted in five zones in Bidibidi Settlement in Yumbe district. Bidibidi was established in August 2016 and reached capacity in December 2016, when it stopped receiving new arrivals.

Refugees who decide to stay in the settlement are assisted with land to settle and cultivate, living side by side with their hosts. In this context, shelter, livelihoods and other activities have strained natural resources and, at times, generated tensions between refugees and the host communities that need to be diffused and promote peaceful coexistence. On the other hand, a large amount of development assistance has been provided to Uganda by actors such as the World Bank, and much of this assistance targets refugee-hosting districts in order to support hosts and refugees, and also in consideration of the progressive refugee-hosting environment and laws provided by the Ugandan Government.

FO Yumbe provides sizeable support to the Office of the Prime Minister Department of Refugees (OPM) in supporting the latter’s lead coordination role with more than 40 partners providing assistance and protection for refugees in Bidibidi settlement.

Uganda was a co-convenor for the GRF 2023 and implements the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF). To promote coordination between, and help strengthen, existing government and partner institutions, a Steering Group and a Secretariat have been setup to support the application of the CRRF locally – engaging development and humanitarian actors, as well as private sector and others. In Yumbe district, the District Local Government takes the lead with UNHCR FO Yumbe playing a key supportive and catalyst role working with the local government, humanitarian and development actors for integration of service delivery to refugee and host community, streamlining various projects, and minimizing duplication of resources for effective and efficient service delivery, thereby enhancing self- reliance and solutions.

The head of office leads a large Field Office team with a large-scale assistance and protection footprint. In addition to ensuring the traditional elements of UNHCR’s core protection mandate, key elements of the office strategy are around enhancing and improving community-based protection, ensuring local-level progress on the transition of the water, health and education sector implementation to the State from humanitarian actors (mainly UNHCR-supported), ensuring a catalytic support and robust inter-agency coordination in the livelihoods sector, and leading efforts for emergency preparedness and planning for the area of responsibility. The position also has important oversight responsibilities as a HoFO, supported by SO Arua and CO Kampala, on programme, administration and supply.

Living and Working Conditions:

Yumbe is a small town and categorized as E duty station. Weather in Yumbe District February is warmest with an average temperature of 34.5 °C at noon. October is coldest with an average temperature of 17 °C at night.

Yumbe District has no distinct temperature seasons, the temperature is relatively constant during the year. Temperatures drop sharply at night. Winter can have some frosty days, with the coldest month most often being January. December is on average the month with most sunshine. Rainfall and other precipitation peaks around October. The time around January is driest.

UNHCR FO Yumbe has completed the construction of Office and staff accommodation in the same compound in March 2019 that greatly improved the working and living conditions. There is GYM, canteen, playing grounds etc. Access to food and water UNHCR staff living at the staff accommodation is available.

There is 24/7 Generator and National grid electric power supply to the UNHCR Office and accommodations. An office shuttle travels staff to/from Kampala x3 / week is available.

Note: conditions in Yumbe are basic. While a number of products are available on the local market, the choice is limited with few European produce/items. Arua Municipality which is 90 mins drive and Kampala offers a wide range of goods and foreign imports.

Yumbe town offers a wide and range of tropical fruits and vegetables available in local markets.

There are also newly opened though limited restaurants and bars available in Yumbe Town.

Medical and Banking services is very limited in Yumbe Town.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

Bachelor of Arts (BA): Economics, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Relations, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Management, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Personnel Administration, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political ScienceCertifications

HCR Management Learning Program - UNHCR, Programme Management (PM) 1 - UNHCRWork Experience

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Political awareness, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaborationUNHCR Salary Calculator

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Add. 3 to Bi-annual Compendium 2023 - Part BAdditional Information

Functional clearance

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

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Added 6 months ago - Updated 6 months ago - Source: unhcr.org