Registration Assistant

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National 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). Since 2012, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Mauritania, in collaboration with the Mauritanian government, has been providing assistance and protection to refugees who fled armed conflicts in northern Mali to the Mbera camp (Moughata of Bassikounou). The operation is conducted by its Sub-Delegation based in Bassikounou in partnership with International and National Organizations as well as other Agencies of the United Nations System. As of September 2021, some 85,000 Malian refugees continue to receive humanitarian assistance in several vital sectors: food security, health/nutrition, water, sanitation, shelter and non-food items, education and livelihoods. UNHCR coordinates its response in the camp and ensures that refugees have access to basic needs and benefit from international protection. Under the direct supervision of the Registration Unit, the Registration Assistant will be responsible for field registration operations including verification of personal data in French and Arabic for documentation purposes, collection of data required for biometric enrolment, registration of newborns, deactivation of departures or deaths and all other registration related tasks. He/she supports the Registration Officer in organizing registration operations and in all matters related to the filing of files and the physical management of registration. He/she has no supervisory role.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Registration Officer or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer will:

• Participate in the collection and updating of refugee data as part of the registration of refugees in the camp and their biometrics.
• Enter and update all personal information/data in the proGres database according to the standard procedure in vigor • File all refugee records and files in a box on a daily basis • Proceed to the registration of new refugees in the proGres database (of the UNHCR) • Assist in compilation of data and interpreting the statistics for various reports • Perform any other tasks requested by the supervisor as needed • Identify individuals with specific needs and ensure timely referral for protection follow-up. • Conduct registration interviews in accordance with standard operating procedures and established guidelines. • Maintain accurate and current records and data regarding all individual registration cases. • Maintain and regularly update inventories of computer equipment and any materials within the scope of said activity • Collaborate with protection staff and/or partners in the provision of assistance and programming, including the provision of identity and entitlement documents. • Act as interpreter and translator as needed. • Perform other related duties as needed.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• 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; • Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• 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.

Results/expected outputs:

• As an active UNHCR team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly, and high-quality support rendered to UNHCR and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: • 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 peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

Required Experience: 2 years

• High school diploma plus certificate in Computer Sciences

• Have at least 2 years relevant professional experience in the field of Bassiknou context

• Excellent computer skills, in particular in MS Office applications.

• Excellent communication skills.

• Working experience with Databases administration is an asset.

Language skills • Fluency in the French language and a good knowledge of English would be an asset;

Mauritania is a stable country security-wise, including the region of the Hodh Chargui where the duty station is located, but is impacted by the overall unstable regional security environment. Bassikounou is an E duty station with an 8-week R&R cycle, where the living conditions are not easy. International staff and guests on mission are housed in UNHCR’s guesthouse, which has security guards on duty 24/7 and avails of a small gym. Staff with dietary restrictions or preferences may face challenges as the choice of foodstuffs may at times be limited. Medical facilities are very limited and staff requiring medication should bring such medication with them. The duty station is reached by UNHAS flight two or three times a week or by car (a two-day trip). Recreational facilities are very limited and the consumption of alcohol in public places is prohibited and not available. Bank facilities and cash points (ATM) are available in Nouakchott, a bank office is available in Bassikounou, staff are paid by EFT. Having said the above, the overall security ensured by the Mauritanian authorities allows for very rewarding field work with refugees and partners across a range of activities, including working with development actors