Head of Sub-Office P5

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

Hardship Level

CFamily Type

FamilyResidential location (if applicable)

Grade

PR5Staff 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, wherever 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. - 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 P5 - 12 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 11 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 10 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. (Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)

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-Computer Literacy; IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software; MG-Office Management; PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators; HR-Administration of Staff Contracts and Benefits; (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

The candidate should have demonstrated managerial and leadership experience. S/he should preferably have experience in field or sub-office areas, and have experience with managing teams, partners, and engaging in emergency situations as well as protracted refugee situations. The colleague should have demonstrable emotional intelligence, political and stakeholder awareness which would be directly applicable to working with local and national authorities as well as in the inter-agency environment.

A desirable attribute would be knowledge and experience working especially with development actors and partners considering the GRF pledges and transition strategy of the office.

The colleague should feel comfortable working on the wide range of issues relevant to a UNHCR Head of SO which oversees multiple offices, that means Protection, Administration, Supply, Programme, Security, field and all other functional areas linked to the office. The colleague would desirably have a specific experience and competence in Protection or Programme so as to provide senior level backstopping to his/her team.

The colleague should have the ability and know-how to identify and pursue strategic and operational issues to bring to the attention of senior managers, as well as understand and have the competence to take forward issues and decisions directly.

The candidate should have the flexibility to be able to travel to often remote locations at a moment's notice in order to respond to and monitor emergencies, attend and brief at high level visits, or for other reasons required by the office.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

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position

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. In the South-west, the majority of refugees are from the DRC, where new arrivals continue daily. There are also a smaller but significant number from Burundi, and from the base of the south-west volrep is supported for those Burundians who elect to return to their homes.

The position reports to the Deputy Representative, and heads Sub-Office Mbarara which oversees the southwest of the Uganda operation – including Field Offices/Units in Rwamwanja, Kyangwali, Kyaka and Kisoro. The head of Sub-Office is the senior UNHCR leader for the area and has both a strategic management as well as a technical/operational role as a field manager – and covers the gamut from Protection and Solutions to emergency preparedness.

Considering the Uganda operation’s strategic directions, the position will focus heavily on pursuing the realization of GCR opportunities and the GRF pledges of the Ugandan Government and partners – this very much looks to refugee self-reliance, transition to Government management and development partner support of the humanitarian service provision (WASH, health, education), and close and continued engagement especially with national, local and development partners (e.g. World Bank) to pursue these aims. From a protection perspective, while UNHCR sustains its core engagement on refugee registration matters, an increased community-based approach will be overseen by the Head of Sub-Office, ensuring the host and refugee populations are engaged and a model is pursued that is feasible and sustainable in a context of resource constraints as well as a context of highly-resilient refugees who cannot depend on humanitarian aid to meet the wide-scale needs. Resettlement operations are robust, with high numbers out of the SO Mbarara AOR, and volrep of Burundians is managed out of the office. The position also has oversight of the operations management with her/his team ensuring compliance and effective leadership on supply, logistics, programme and partner issues for the southwest, and in close collaboration with (and with the support of) the Country Office colleagues. The Head of SO also provides inter-agency leadership for the South-west, engaging with a wide variety of actors from Government, NGO, civil society and refugee CBOs – as well as having sectoral leadership amongst his team.

The South-west continues to receive a significant number of refugee arrivals who receive immediate but modest support from UNHCR, in close collaboration with Government and partners. The South-west is also the key preparedness area for a potential influx from the DRC, and contingency plans are in place – internal and external – which the head of SO coordinates for the AOR.

As an empowered Head of Sub-Office, s/he will also have oversight of the Admin, HR and other areas typical to a large Sub-Office, and will interact closely with the range of colleagues from all units and at all levels. From an external engagement perspective, the South-west is the most frequently visited location by multiple high level and highly visible stakeholders from Government, donors, private sector and other actors – and the Head of SO is required to ensure representational leadership for successful visits on behalf of the entire operation. The position will be required to quickly understand issues face by the field, be able to analyse and prioritise, and efficiently address the matter or escalate to the Deputy Representative or Representative for decision. The position requires frequent travel, often with very little notice, and to remote locations.

Living and Working Conditions

Sub-Office Mbarara is located in the Southwest part of Uganda. It is about 268 km (5 hours) from Kampala, the capital city. Mbarara is a family duty station, with options to rent houses or apartments in UNDSS-cleared areas. An average house rental in Mbarara is from 500 to 800 USD/month. Being a Family Duty Station, R&R is not provided for staff assigned in Mbarara.

There are vibrant local markets in Mbarara town and few local supermarkets are also available. There are very few international schools Mbarara. Most of the international schools are available in Kampala and Entebbe areas. One or two health facilities are available in Mbarara, but serious health issues are referred to Kampala. The banking system in Mbarara is quite available including ATM.

International staff normally place their families in Mbarara. But for personal reasons some staff could place their children in boarding schools in Kampala/Entebbe for those with school age dependents.

All travels between Kampala and Mbarara are undertaken by road (270 Kms).

Generally calm and peaceful security situation in the country, however threats of petit crimes continue to prevail in urban areas, especially Kampala, Entebbe and Mbarara.

In term of security risks, just like other major towns in the country, most of these crimes are economically motivated or opportunistic in nature. In term of traffic accidents, across the country, fatal road traffic accidents remain high. Occasionally, disputes of both political and economic nature persist which may involve traders, taxi operators, hawkers, students in major towns creating a fertile ground for protests/demonstrations.

Sporadic security incidents occasionally happened in Mbarara and neighboring areas. This also applies to the settlements under our area of responsibility.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

MG-Diplomacy, MG-Office Management, MG-Political Decision MakingEducation

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

Annual Budget OL in Operation/Office, Number of Persons of Concern Served, Number of Workforce in Operation/Work Setting, Workforce to Supervise, Working with Persons of Concern: Asylum Seekers, Working with Persons of Concern: RefugeesCompetencies

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 5 months ago - Updated 5 months ago - Source: unhcr.org