IUNV Specialist, Associate Field 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.

From March 2020 until June 2021, the Colombia-Venezuela border was officially closed to contain the spread of the pandemic, but even after the 2 June 2021 border opening on the Colombian side, Venezuelans continue to enter the country primarily through informal crossing points controlled by armed groups. Such irregular movements come with a heightened risk of violence (especially gender-based violence), sexual exploitation, trafficking and smuggling, child recruitment and family separation. In February 2021, the Government of Colombia issued a Temporary Protection Status (TPS) that is likely to benefit the 1.74 million Venezuelans already in Colombia as well as those who arrive through official border points over the next two years. The TPS provides a 10-year protection status and access to a full range of rights including healthcare, education, formal employment, and financial inclusion. However, xenophobia against Venezuelans has considerably increased in the last year, and it is projected to worsen with the introduction of the TPS. Misinformation and the perceptions that Venezuelans will take away job opportunities from Colombians, fuel general discontent and makes it even more difficult for refugees and migrants to secure a job. Nonetheless, UNHCR believes that TPS is a very promising pathway for addressing the vulnerable situation of Venezuelan refugees and migrants who are in an irregular situation. This situation continues to be exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic which has had a devastating impact in Colombia, especially on refugees, migrants, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities, some who have lost livelihoods and have been evicted from their houses. Economic and protection concerns, including illegal armed actors who have increased control over communities, taking advantage of COVID-19 and the limited State presence, led to over 136,000 Venezuelans to return to their country.

Under the direct supervision of Field Officer, the UN Volunteer will undertake the follow-ing tasks:

• Ensure that UNHCR’s policies, standards and procedures are constantly and coherently applied in the Area of Responsibility (AoR).

• Ensure that the needs of persons of concern in the AoR are assessed and analysed in a participating manner and using an Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective to form a firm basis for planning.

• Ensure that protection incidents and gaps in assistance are immediately identified and addressed.

• Identify vulnerable groups or individuals who may need special attention or special arrangements and make recommendations on the needs of different groups of refugees.

• Assess protection and assistance needs of refugees and asylum-seekers in the region and monitor implementation of refugee assistance programmes.

• In coordination with implementing partners, handle the reception, registration and provision of assistance to persons of concern to UNHCR.

• Provide inputs for project submissions and periodic narrative and financial reports for the annual programme.

• Develop and maintain relations with local authorities ensuring smooth negotiations in all aspects of UNHCR's mandate for the benefit of refugees.

• Monitor the security situation in the area and intervene as appropriate with the local authorities.

• Participation in needs assessment as a member of the Multi-Functional team

• In close coordination with programme and project control, monitor project implementation and provide feedback on the progress to the relevant units/sections

• Undertake other relevant duties as 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.

• Please add any other information as necessary

Results/Expected Outputs:

• The needs of persons of concern in the country are assessed and analysed in a participatory manner and using an Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective to form a firm basis for planning.

• Inputs are provided for the country operations plan (including budgets, staffing levels and structures) as well as for funding submissions, appeals and reports.

• Enforced compliance with UNHCR’s global strategies, protocols and guidelines.

• The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counter-parts, 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:

• Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations.

• Commitment to continuous learning:

• Planning and organizing

• Teamwork and respect for diversity

• Communication

• Flexibility and adaptability

• 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.

• Office Package (excellent knowledge of Word, good knowledge of Excel and Power Point) and Internet browsing.

Medellin is the second largest city in Colombia in terms of population and economy. It is in the Aburrá Valley, one of the more northerly valleys of the Andes Mountain Range in South America. The city has apopulation of 2.3 million and forms part of the Metropolitan Area of Medellin, which includes eight othercities besides Medellin and totalling a population of more than 4 million people. One of the wealthier neighbourhoods is El Poblado (where UNHCR Medellin is located), removed from the city's downtown, with a variety of housing options and all the amenities of a developed city—electricity,

telephone, internet and satellite/cable TV. The city is also home of a dozen universities and is also Colombia's largest industrial centre. Medellin also has a wide and extended public transit system, including taxis, buses and a Metro system.