Resettlement Assistant

Volunteering Legal

Overview

Assist with refugees' resettlement and protection procedures

You have:

• At least six months of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in refugee protection, human rights or international humanitarian law.
• Knowledge of International Refugee Law and Human Rights Law and ability to apply the relevant legal principles.
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment.
• Experience with UNHCR is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization.
• Experience in asylum and/or migration field.
• Experience in counselling asylum seekers or refugees.
• Experience in working with vulnerable or traumatized individuals.
• Completion of UNHCR's RST Learning Programme, COI Learning Programme, Protection Learning Programme.

Contract

This is a UNV National Youth contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Youth contracts.

This UNV assignment as a Resettlement Assistant is part of UNHCR protection team. She/he works first in the resettlement (RST) program. This program aims at finding durable solutions in third countries for the most vulnerable refugees. The RST assistant is responsible for conducting RST interviews and drafting RST Registration forms. The RST assistant provides counselling to refugees on their resettlement status and on the resettlement procedures. The RST Assistant also assists the RST unit with administrative duties as filling forms, calling refugees and any other duties as requested by the supervisor. The RST assistant regularly updates Progres V4 Database according to relevant Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Senior Protection Associate or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Resettlement Assistant will: • Consistently apply International and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards and codes of conduct. • Observe and respect protection related Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). • Provide functional and administrative support in all resettlement related activities including needs assessments, interviews, drafting Resettlement Registration Forms (RRFs), and counselling. • Assist in drafting reports, routine correspondence, updating relevant databases and compiling statistics within the Area of esponsibility (AoR). • Provide functional and administrative support in RST related activities. • Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

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: Results/Outputs can be modified as appropriate; should not entirely mirror the task description but serve as a basis for workplan and deliverables] o The incumbent processes an average of 15 RST cases per month (RST interviews and RRF drafting). o UNHCR’s RST procedures are implemented in accordance with relevant UNHCR standards and policies, including policies related to age, gender, and diversity mainstreaming (AGDM). o Persons of concern have fair and transparent access to the RST procedures. o Persons of concern are treated with dignity, respect and professionalism. • 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.

Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNHCR; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNHCR procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNHCR in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNHCR’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

relevant programmes would be an asset. • At least six months of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in refugee protection, human rights or international humanitarian law, or other relevant programmes; • Experience with UNHCR is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization; • Knowledge of International Refugee Law and Human Rights Law and ability to apply the relevant legal principles; • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment • Have affinity with or interest in refugee protection, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Desirable qualifications and competencies:

• Experience in asylum and/or migration field. • Experience in counselling asylum seekers or refugees. • Experience in working with vulnerable or traumatized individuals. • Completion of UNHCR's RST Learning Programme, COI Learning Programme, Protection Learning Programme.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.

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Potential interview questions

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org