Head of Sub-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

Non Family with Residential LocationDanger PayResidential location (if applicable)

Dakar, SenegalGrade

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 Sub-Office

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships Head of a UNHCR Sub-Office (HoSO) 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) 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 the Sub-Office to take the most appropriate course of action. Concerning overall physical security concerns, HoSO will liaise directly with the competent UN security coordinator while keeping the UNHCR Representative fully informed. While the functional responsibility of a Head of a Sub-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. - 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. 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. - Any other responsibilities/functions deemed necessary or as delegated by the UNHCR Representative of the country in order to meet the level of the services in the organization. - 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 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 Management Administration, Personnel Administration, Law, Political Science, International Relation, Economics, or other relevant field. (Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Certificates and/or Licenses Not specified. (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience Essential In-depth knowledge in all aspects of UNHCR mandate and its Field level application. Applied knowledge 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. UNHCR Specific learning/training activities ( i.e. Learning Programme in Management & Operations).

Functional Skills IT-Computer Literacy UN-UN/UNHCR Mandate and Global Strategic Priorities MG-Office Management HR-Administration of Staff Contracts and Benefits PR-International protection concepts and principles (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

UNHCR operation in Mali is targeting a candidate with demonstrated experience in Protection management of mixed situations, coupled with previous managerial experience and inter-agency coordination skills. He will have to ensure the operation is MOSS compliant to be able to provide staff safety and well-being required in a high risk environment. In the current context of complex movements of population, resulting from the Burkina Faso situation, the candidate should have strong communication and coordination skills to navigate in an emergency setup. The Head of Sub-Office should have relevant experience in managing offices in an unstable security environment.Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

French,

,

Desired languages

,

,

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

On a 1 to 6 overall security level scale, Bamako is at 4 (substantial) while the central and northern parts of the country are at 5 (high). The capital city is at the same security level as the Southern regions, which is higher than those of the Western regions. Notwithstanding Bamako 's security level, staff are discouraged from using accommodations that are not recommended by UNDSS or renting apartments in unrecommended suburbs. All accommodation must be approved, and residential security measures (RSM) put in place as SRM measures.

The capital city 's security level 4 rating hides high levels of security threats related to terrorism, civil unrest and criminality. Past incidents and frequent security threats demonstrate that these threats remain a concern. The July 2022 attacks at Kati military barrack (15 km from Bamako) by extremist combatants and reported presence of sleeping cells of terrorist groups in Bamako highlight the intention to harm within Bamako. Furthermore, with a long-lasting socio-political crisis, demonstrations are recurrent in Bamako and other urban locations and are set to take place very often. Up regions, road movements remain the main challenge to the access of forcibly displaced persons and stateless, due to asymmetric warfare of extremist groups. Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and highway banditry are frequent. UN humanitarian agencies enjoy the broad acceptance by communities through their leaders, but criminals and Non-State Actors are beyond the control of the community leadership. Al Qaeda affiliated groups are present in the center of Mali (Mopti and Timbuktu) while the Islamic State in the Great Sahara operates mostly around Gao and Menaka, yet their demarcation lines of influence overlap very often.

The UN staff remain potential targets of crime, armed assaults, and robberies. The crime threats exist both in Bamako and elsewhere in Mali and are becoming more and more violent. Road Traffic accidents also represent a substantial threat with scores of careless ridings of motorcyclists and driving irresponsibility.

The upcoming withdrawal of the UN Integrated Mission for the Stabilization of Mali (MINUSMA) will leave behind a void that UN agencies cannot fill in very easily. At the level of security of the UNSMS staff, with MINUSMA departure from Mali, UN is losing its security infrastructure, logistics and capacity for staff extraction and evacuation. This also goes for MEDEVAC and CASEVAC, for local health/medical facilities capacity and performance are not at the UN standard.

Operationally, important activities that the Mission was engaged in in the field such as Human Rights Violation Monitoring, quick impact projects, Livelihood activities, support to the Civil Society and the awareness against mines will be left on their own as UN does not have specialized bodies on the ground in Mali.

UN agencies will also be losing its privileges to accommodations, PX boutiques, FPU escorts and a robust security section within the Mission.

To view additional information on health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

The political and security crisis that the country has been experiencing since 2012 continues to generate flows of refugees and internally displaced persons, particularly in the central and northern regions (Mopti, Ségou, Bandiagara, Douentza, San, Timbuktu, Gao, Ménaka and Kidal), but also, to a lesser extent, in certain regions in the south of the country.

The forced displacements of Malian populations inside the country are not only caused by the warfare and terrorists attacks and inter and intra-community conflicts, but also by the effects of climate action, including the drought which extends to more than 80% of the regions with the corollary of a scarcity of water resources and an exponential increase in food needs (1.8 million people are at risk of severe food insecurity), as well as by the displacement of people who are victims of the slavery by descent (representing 5% of internally displaced persons), the majority of which are in the Kayes region.

There are several challenges, including: the destruction/closure of many public infrastructures, including civil registry centers, Health Centers and schools because of insecurity and exactions by armed groups; the likely impact on local populations of ongoing discussions on the delimitation of Mali's borders; the complex situation of long-standing refugee caseloads; and the low birth registration rate since the 2012 crisis, particularly among nomadic populations.

The mixed flows of displacements observed since 2019 arose from the worsening of the political and security crisis. Tensions and community clashes in the northern and central regions and Non States actors in the three border regions of the Burkina Faso and Niger and Mali also known as Liptako-Gourma region.

The humanitarian crisis which has affected Mali since 2012 has generated massive population displacements, both inside and outside the country, with significant repercussions on neighboring countries, in particular Burkina Faso, Niger and Mauritania. Since 2018, a new cycle of violence has worsened the situation and is causing forced displacement. As of 31 October 2023, the situation of refugees, internally displaced persons and returnees is as follow: 66,422 refugees; 391,961 IDPs; 85,484 refugee returnees; 785,725 returned IDPs and 275 asylum seekers. We believe in the ascending trend of the three categories of populations (refugees, IDPs and returnees) considering the actual politico-security environment despite the open space policy for a safe asylum of Mali.

UNHCR interventions are in Bamako, Gao, Timbuktu, Mopti, Menaka and Kayes regions with a Sub Office in Gao and 2 Field Offices in Mopti and Timbuktu. A Field office opened in Menaka has the mission to ensure an adequate protection emergency response in the area of 'trois frontieres ' and particularly improve the protection services to Nigerien refugees.

The Head of Sub-Office represents UNHCR at field level with a primary responsibility to manage ongoing activities and issues of concern in an effective and efficient manner which supports the overall mandate of the Office and reports directly to the Deputy Representative.

S/He will advise the Representative and his deputy in the design of the operational strategy based on the good experiences of the field. He will ensure the compliance with resources management of the organization and ensure the leadership of protection in the collaboration with the various UN, governmental and non-governmental partners. The Head of Sub-Office assists the local authorities to ensure the implementation of governmental conventional responsibilities for persons forced to flee and statelessness. The incumbent of this position should provide on a regular and timely manner information on developments in relation to the legal protection issues and to the physical security of UNHCR staff. S/he is also responsible for operational issues like program, office management and administration aspects. S/He will ensure the safety and well-being of the staff.

Living and Working Conditions:

Mopti is an `E' category non-family High Risk duty station with 18 months of SAL and 6 weeks R&R cycle with Dakar as the designated location. Its climate is hot, dry and dusty, the average annual temperature is about 40 °C. The medical facilities are very limited. For security reasons, local markets, places of worship, playgrounds, entertainment, and other gathering places are not recommended. For accommodation, there are 2 hotels approved by UNDSS where staff on mission can stay. The possibilities of renting accommodation are relatively limited, in particular because of the security aspects. However, SRM 2024 allows staff members to rent houses or apartments on the local market after thorough security checks and approval by UNDSS.

Seven Banking services are available in Mopti, the main currency of the transaction being XOF.

UNHAS is providing flight support to liaise with Bamako. Armored vehicles are a must for movements inside Mopti city and around.

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

Work 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