Only candidates who are not nationals of the country of assignment are eligible to apply to this position
Hardship LevelB
Family TypeFamily
Residential location (if applicable)
GradePR5
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeProfessional
* 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 memberโs 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.
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Remote work acceptedNo
Target Start Date2023-10-13
Job Posting End DateNovember 9, 2023
Standard Job Description
Assistant Representative - Operations
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Assistant Representative - Operations will function under direct supervision of the UNHCR Representative. The incumbent will advise and assist the Representative in the overall management of UNHCRยฟs programme and administrative activities and issues of concern within the country operation in an effective and efficient manner which supports the Organizationยฟs mandate. The incumbent will also have direct working relationship/arrangement with the Head of UNHCR offices within the country. S/he will also have a responsibility to monitor, coach, and guide and intervene with the staff in the country.
UNHCR is well integrated into the UN Resident Coordinator System.
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
- Assist the Representative in the overall management of UNHCRยฟs programme and administrative activities and issues of concern within the country of assignment in an effective and efficient manner which supports the Organizationยฟs mandate.
- Promote, together with the Representative, UNHCRยฟs objectives and priorities through formal and informal contacts with relevant government ministries and departments, UN Agencies, diplomatic missions, I/NGOs, media and other interested parties to raise support for the work of UNHCR.
- Assist the Representative in supervising the implementation of the country operations plan to ensure that activities are in accordance with UNHCR guidelines.
- Monitor the administration of field offices within the country.
- Ensure effective and efficient management of financial and material resources within the rules and procedures of UNHCR.
- Manage personnel through regular performance appraisals, coaching, and assessments of staff training and development needs.
- Ensure that essential services for the general welfare of staff (e.g. living and working conditions, health, education, recreation, etc.) are in place. This includes the establishment of proper and efficient mechanisms to assist staff suffering from work-related pressure or post-traumatic stress.
- Play an active role in the Security Management team (SMT) in the relevant country and the inter-agency security and contingency planning process; ensure that appropriate security measures and evacuation plans are in place to protect UNHCR staff, and that security guidelines and procedures as outlined by the Designated Official and UNDSS are complied with.
- Report and provide recommendations/solutions to the Representative on political, socio-economic and cultural developments that may affect the situation of the refugees in the country.
- Act as Officer-in-Charge in the absence of the Representative as required.
- Set and enforce parameters, criteria and deadlines for the design, review and report of operations.
- Enforce local compliance with UNHCRยฟs workplace standards.
- In coordination with headquarters and the regional office enforce country-level compliance with UNHCRยฟs financial rules.
- Enforce compliance with UNHCRยฟs human resources policies (e.g. policies on gender, disabilities, diversity, ethics and HIV/AIDS).
- Allocate resources to meet minimum standards for staff working and living conditions
- Clear the submission of the country operations plan (including budgets, staffing levels and structures) as well as of funding submissions, appeals and report.
- Represent UNHCR in UN and other operations management fora.
- Enforce compliance with UNHCRยฟs global strategies, protocols and guidelines.
- 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
Business Administration; Economics; International Relations;
Political Science; International Law; or other relevant field.
Certificates and/or Licenses
HCR Management Lrng Prg;
HCR Protection Learning Prg;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Not specified.
Desirable
- Solid UNHCR experience from both the Field and Headquarters.
- UNHCR specific learning/ training activities (i.e. Management Learning Programme, Protection Learning Programme).
Functional Skills
*EX-Intergovernmental Organization/International Organization (United Nations or similar)
EX-Field experience with UNHCR and/or with other humanitarian organizations
EX-HQs experience with UNHCR and/or with other humanitarian organizations
*MG-5 years of managerial experience;
(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 1.Political Acumen: Given the sensitive and complex political environment we operation, the incumbent requires a high sense of political awareness and negation skills to harness UNHCR activities and coordinate with multiple stakeholders including Govt., non- state actors and various interlocutors in both national and International actorsis required.
2. Resource Mobilization: Apart from excellent functional competencies, the incumbent is also expected to possess strong proven managerial and leadership skills, including initiative, determination and a quest for innovation and professional excellence, considering the size of the operation and complexities in managing the Sub offices, Programme, Supply and Project Control at Country level. Furthermore, hands on experience on the innovative local resource mobilization, PSP and interagency appeal are advantage given the limited resources at hand.
3. Emotional Intelligence and Maturity: Leading by example, the incumbent is expected to demonstrated highest integrity and personal commitment for leading by example, encouraging open dialogues and naturing staff members and partners. Given the political complexity, incumbent is expected to have maturity with emotional intelligence while being passionate about the moving forward for the people who are forced to flee and statelessness person.
4. HDP nexus: Being exposed to the Humanitarian-Development-Peace nexus and its programming through expansion of partnership in challenging political environment is advantage.
5. Strong knowledge of UNHCR Programming and experience in strategic planning: It is critical the incumbent has insight on UNHCR Programming and changes undertaking at the moment. Having served in similar operations as well as field/HQ/Bureau is advantage, however, it is important to note that she/he has good inter-personal skills as she/he directly supervises a large team of international and national staff, including affiliated workforce. Experience in inter-agency coordination, emergency preparedness/response is advantage. Excellent English drafting and communication skills.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
,
,
Desired languages
,
,
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 Islamic Republic of Iran hosts one of the largest and most protracted refugee situations globally. Besides refugees, Iran also hosts large numbers of undocumented Afghans (in situ and those who newly fled to Iran in 2021) and Afghan passport-holders, who may be in need of international protection. Despite economic challenges, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran (GIRI) has maintained its inclusive policies, enabling refugees and undocumented Afghans to access health and education services within the national system while the funding situation of the UNHCR Iran has been facing serious challenge despite the number. As such, ability to locally fundraise is important. UNHCR supports the GIRIt through the provision of protection and humanitarian assistance for refugees, and also contributes to enhancing national services, which benefit persons of concern and host communities, in urban areas and in the 20 refugee settlements across the country. UNHCR also works closely with sister UN agencies, NGOs, and other international organizations under the umbrella of the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees (SSAR) and as per the inter-agency Refugee Response Plan (RRP) for the Afghanistan situation.
The Assistant Representative - Operations will interact with various actors and counterparts including Govt. partners from Ministries and Govt. Institutions, National and Int NGOs, UN Agencies, which requires high political acumen and sense of maturity. S/he should ensure and maintain effective close coordination with the main Govt. counterpart, the National Organization for Migration (NOM) and Bureau for Aliens and Foreign Immigrant Affairs (BAFIA) on all programme interventions. S/he should provide efficient and timely managerial support to the operation which demands a high level of coordination and collaboration among all offices; HQ; regional and neighboring offices; and partners and other stakeholders; and to minimize UNHCR reputational risks in such a challenging operational environment.
The incumbent will supervise 3 heads of the sub offices and 1 Field office. In addition, she/he will also supervise Programme, Supply, CBI and Project Control section/units, provide advise and assistance to the Representative in the overall management of UNHCR 's Prog, CBI, Supply & Project Control activities and issues of concern within the country which supports the Organization โs mandate, therefore, very strong Management, Programme, Supply and PC knowledge, skills and experience would be required.
Living and Working Conditions:
UNHCR is present in Iran through its Country Representation in Tehran, three Sub-Offices (Mashhad, Kerman, Shiraz), Field Office in Tehran and two Field Units (Esfahan and Dogharoun).
Teheran is a B category duty station (Family duty station). Certain aspects of working/living conditions in Iran could be affected by the ongoing sanctions.
Issuance of entry visa and residence permit for international staff and his/her dependents/family members is subject to the approval of the Government, for which the process can take 2-3 months. For international staff and their family members residing in Iran are required to follow the cultural practices in Iran, which include the donning of culturally appropriate dress, particularly for women.
Iranian schools only teach subjects in Farsi. There are a few privately owned schools offering curriculums in English in Teheran. There are also some Embassy schools such as French Embassy School, Italian Embassy offering course in their native language. German Embassy School, in its international section provides classes in English up to grade 8, which is open for any nationals. This school is a candidate school for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programs KG1 to 5, but as of October 2022, no international schools in Iran offers IB curriculum. Similarly, Pakistan Embassy School and Indian Embassy School also offer courses in English, which however are open only for nationals of the respective countries.
In Tehran, pharmacies, shops, shopping malls, markets and cafes/restaurants, etc are available. Staff can purchase basic commodities, groceries, household items and clothing, while some foreign products / international food items etc may be less easily available. Living cost in Teheran is on rise. Iranian banks are available and accessible by foreign nationals through a required process. There are several hospitals and clinics offering medical services to Iranians and foreign nationals alike, although, at times the language can be a barrier for international who do not speak Farsi. Staff live in private accommodation โ different options are available with varying rental prices.
There are one international airport and one domestic airport in Teheran. For in-country travels, there are multiple domestic flights and trains connecting Teheran to cities/towns across the country, including where UNHCR has offices. When required, the office also use road missions. Direct international flights are connected to a number of countries with several airlines.
The security level throughout Iran remains at level 2 (LOW) except for Sistan-Baluchestan which is recognized as level 3. The area is prone to earthquakes. Depending on the season, air quality in Tehran can deteriorate to below a normal range.
Living/working conditions in Iran could evolve and can be subject to change.
Additional Qualifications
Skills
EducationBachelor of Arts (BA): Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Economics, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Relations, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political Science
CertificationsHCR Management Learning Program - UNHCR, HCR Protection Learning Program - UNHCR
Work ExperienceAnnual 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: Refugees
CompetenciesAccountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Managing performance, Managing resource, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration
UNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Compendium Bi-annual Compendium 2023 Part B - October 2023
Additional Information
Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance