Hardship LevelD
Family TypeNon Family with Residential Location
Family TypeNon Family with Residential Location
Residential location (if applicable)
Addis Ababa,Eth Fed Dem Rep
GradeNOA
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeNational Professional Officer
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Remote work acceptedNo
Target Start Date2024-07-01
Job Posting End DateNovember 30, 2023
Standard Job Description
Assistant Durable Solutions Officer
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Assistant Durable Solutions Officer can serve as a focal point for solutions related issues in a region, and reports to a more senior Protection, Resettlement or Durable Solutions staff. The incumbent may have supervisory responsibility for durable solutions staff.
The incumbent is relied upon to ensure the implementation of a durable solutions strategy, and to contribute to ensuring a conducive environment leading towards finding durable solutions. S/he works closely with protection and programme staff. Fostering an environment to enhance partnerships is a critical element of the work, as are activities designed to strength the involvement of refugee communities and their hosts in the design and implementation of solutions strategies.
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 UNHCRยฟs core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.
Duties
- Provide counselling to refugees and other persons of concern (POC) to identify the most appropriate durable solution and to enable them to make a well-informed decision.
- Interview candidates for voluntary repatriation and prepare documentation for their return.
- Interview and prepare Resettlement Referral Forms (RRF), in line with Resettlement SOPs.
- Interview candidates for local integration and prepare the appropriate documentation for onward submission to local authorities or partners.
- Assist in updating the electronic database for resettlement, voluntary repatriation and local integration, in line with Standard Operating Procedures.
- Process documentation to ensure that POC receive the documents required for their durable solutions in a timely manner.
- Prepare statistical and ad-hoc reports to ensure accurate information is available and shared with relevant offices and partners.
- Interview and advise on the appropriate durable solution to be provided to POC. Prepare documents relating to durable solutions.
- Enter information into available database, in line with SOPs.
- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
- Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P1/NOA - 1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
Political Science;
Social Science;
Law;
International Relations;
or other relevant field.
Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified.
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Good knowledge of refugee issues and Human Rights doctrine. Very good reporting and writing ability.
Desirable
Diverse field experience. Knowledge of ProGress database software.
Functional Skills
*CO-Drafting and Documentation
*IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software
(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 - Demonstrated work experience related to Resettlement and Complementary Pathways, and protection programmes
- Experience engaging with humanitarian and development actors working to expand opportunities for cooperation in the refugee and IDP response is an added advantage.
- Strong case management and drafting skills are an asset for discharging the functions of the position.
- Strong stakeholder management and communications skills considering the large number of external partners, s/he will need to coordinate and advocate with.
- Good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports and presentations; articulate options, recommendations and positions concisely;
- Ability to clearly communicate with counterparts, local interlocutors and communities with capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups from diverse backgrounds are desirable qualities.
- Strategic thinking, good political awareness, planning and analytical skills together with the ability to forecast evolving situations.
- Effective organizational and problem-solving skills, ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner;
- With a team of durable solutions staff under his/her oversight, the candidate needs to have demonstrated leadership and management competencies.
- Proactive, function well within a multi-cultural team, and should be adaptable and willing to travel to remote locations within the area of operations.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
,
,
Desired languages
,
,
Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
Nature of Position:
UNHCRโs initiatives in the Jijiga operation contribute to the Federal and Regional Governmentsโ comprehensive approach to durable solutions through implementing activities linked with early recovery, livelihoods, shelter, NFI support, and community-based protection. UNHCRโs objective is to ensure durable solutions are voluntary, safe, and dignified for displaced populations, using area-based approaches that are inclusive of the host community to strengthen the resilience and social cohesion of the population. The operation will continue to strengthen the protection of refugees and to maintain asylum space and continue to actively support Resettlement, Complementary Pathways and Local Integration as part of the solutions strategy.
UNHCR co-chairs the Durable Solutions Technical Working Group (DS-TWG) with IOM and local partner, OWS-DF. UNHCR interventions and strategies are fully aligned with Humanitarian Response Plans (HRPs), the Somali Region Durable Solutions Strategy for IDPs and other national and regional strategic documents. Jijiga has a significant number of refugees in the resettlement pipeline submitted in the past years and pending processing by resettlement countries, mainly the USA. The operation continues to support resettlement countries processes/missions in addition to making new submissions.
The Assistant Durable Solutions Officer works under the direct supervision of the Protection Officer and coordinates solutions for refugees and IDPs with senior management, including in relation to the implementation of the Strategy for Protection and Solutions for displaced populations in the country operation. He/she will engage with Federal and Regional Government officials and other stakeholders on integrated and inclusive services for refugees and host communities and support the senior management to develop and complement existing strategies, including enhancing coordination and capacity building within the context of durable solutions for IDPs in the Somali region. In line with the refugee inclusion agenda and in pursuit of their durable solutions, the incumbent of the position will support development initiatives implemented in refugee camps and refugee-hosting communities by UNHCR and development actors to progressively facilitate local integration. This will regularly involve engagements with local government authorities and a range of partners to advocate for implementation of the Ethiopia Federal Government proclamations and pledges on local integration. He/she will therefore work very closely with the Development/CRRF team to facilitate the implementation of two key MoUs signed between UNHCR, RRS and the Somali Regional State Government for the comprehensive inclusion of refugees in Kebribeyah and surrounding communities, and the integration of refugees in government services in Doolo zone.
The Assistant Durable Solutions Officer should have the ability to develop and implement corresponding activities of the comprehensive solutions strategy, with a view to finding and realizing durable solutions to the affected populations, participate in the planning of, and advise on opportunities for alternative solutions, including available regional and national legal frameworks. The candidate should be familiar with UNHCR integrity-related rules and procedures. In collaboration with the relevant risk management and integrity colleagues, s/he will promote and implement mechanisms for preventing fraud in resettlement processing in order to maintain the integrity of the overall process. S/he is expected to liaise with the UNHCR Representation Office in Addis Ababa to ensure coherent approaches to durable solutions across the operation, and co-ordinate with partners, refugees and local authorities.
Under the leadership and guidance of the Protection Officer, the incumbent must be able to contribute to the implementation of programmes that are solutions-oriented and based on a consultative process with multi-functional teams and partners.
Living and Working Conditions:
Jijiga is the capital city of the Somali Regional State of Ethiopia, with a population of about 500,000. It is situated at an elevation of 1,646 meters above sea level. It is located about 630 kms east of the Capital City, Addis Ababa and about 80 kilometres away from the border with Somalia (Somaliland).
Jijiga is a category D and non-family duty station, with relatively stable security environment and with minimal reported crimes within the city. However, given the Somali regionโs proximity to the border with Somalia, there are occasionally infiltration of wrong elements that require a sense of vigilance and alertness; UNDSS provides security advisories regularly to all staff in Jijiga and the surrounding locations to which adherence is expected. All UNHCR international staff are accommodated in the UNHCR Staff Compound (Guest House) in line with the policy on UNHCR-provided accommodation in the field. Security briefing is mandatory upon arrival at the compound. All travel itineraries should report to the UNDSS radio room before departure and continue reporting their position every 60 minutes, until back to the compound. Official working hours are Monday through Thursday: 08:00 โ 12:00 and 13:00 โ 17:00 hours; while on Fridays 08:00 โ 13:30 hours.
Private and public hospitals and higher clinics are available in Jijiga. However, the medical facilities in the area are insufficient to treat complicated medical cases. The United Nations Health Care Centre (UNHCC) in Addis Ababa provides 24/7 health care services for eligible UN staff and their dependents in different specialized Medical Units. Jijiga city also has many markets, restaurants and shops, including small supermarkets, from where food and other household items can be purchased. Ethiopian Commercial Bank and many other private banks have established branches in Jijiga where financial services, including ATM machines, can easily be accessed.
Transportation in and out of Jijiga is usually done via Ethiopian Airline flights directly to Addis Ababa on an average of 5 to 7 flights per day, although road transport can also be used through buses that ply the Jijiga-Addis or Jijiga-Harar-Dire Dawa routes. However, road travel to Addis Ababa may not be encouraged as it takes a full day compared to the 1-hour flight. Official travel is arranged by the office through a recommended agent.
Additional Qualifications
SkillsCO-Drafting and Documentation, IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software
EducationBachelor of Arts (BA): International Relations, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political Science, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Social Science
Certifications
Work Experience
CompetenciesAccountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Judgement & decision making, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration
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Compendium
Additional Information
Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance