Only candidates who are not nationals of the country of assignment are eligible to apply to this position
Hardship LevelA (least hardship)
Family TypeFamily
Residential location (if applicable)
GradePR2
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
Associate Durable Solutions Officer
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Associate Durable Solutions Officer can serve as a focal point for solutions related issues in a region, and reports to the Durable Solutions Officer, Protection Officer or, where appropriate, to the Senior Protection Officer or Head of Office. The incumbent may have supervisory responsibility for durable solutions staff.
The incumbent is relied upon to contribute to ensuring a conducive environment leading towards finding durable solutions. The Associate Durable Solutions Officer should participate in consultative processes within UNHCR and a broad range of partners to promote durable solutions and advance the efficiency of UNHCR's interventions. Activities to strengthen the involvement of refugee communities and their hosts in the design and implementation of solutions strategies are a critical element of the work.
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 UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.
Duties
- Implement activities in accordance with the comprehensive solutions strategy, with a view to finding durable solutions to the maximum number of PoCs.
- Participate in the planning of, and advise on opportunities for alternative solutions, including available regional and national legal frameworks.
- Participate in consultative processes within UNHCR and with a broad range of regional and national external partners to promote voluntary repatriation, local integration and resettlement.
- Meet PoC, assess their durable solutions needs and identify the most appropriate solutions for them.
- Monitor the implementation of the durable solutions strategy and provide advice for improvements.
- Analyse statistics, trends, and other documents, and draft reports.
- 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, in line with Local Integration SOPs.
- Implement and contribute to the designing of national and regional comprehensive durable solutions strategies
- Engage national and local interlocutors on durable solutions issues.
- Authorize payments relating to durable solutions.
- 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 P2/NOB - 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
Political Science; Social Science; Law/International Law;
Economics; International Relations; or other relevant field.
Certificates and/or Licenses
HCR Protection Learning Prg;
HCR Resettlement Lrng Prg;
HCR RSD Lrng Programme;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
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 Desirable Candidate Profile
UNHCR Multi-Country Office, Thailand is looking for a dynamic and skilled Associate Durable Solutions Officer (P2) with thorough knowledge and first-hand experience in the field of Durable Solutions. The position is within the Durable Solutions Unit and falls under the direct supervision of the Durable Solutions Officer.
The Associate Durable Solutions Officer plays an important role in facilitating the resettlement of refugees, ensuring their protection and promoting durable solutions activities carried out by the Multi-Country Office.
The incumbent will be responsible for managing all aspects of the resettlement process, including identification, referral, interviews, drafting assessments, reviews, coordination with UNHCR colleagues in Bangkok and Field Offices, as well as resettlement countries and relevant actors.
Given the broad portfolio that the Associate Durable Solutions Officer will have under his/her supervision, the ideal candidate will have experience in delivering durable solutions for urban and camp-based refugees. Additionally, the candidate will have solid understanding of the P2 Group Resettlement Processing and relevant work experience with the refugee population in the region, especially with the Myanmar refugee population.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
,
,
Desired languages
,
,
Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
Thailand is not a party to the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and currently has no national legal framework for refugee protection. Refugees, asylum-seekers and other persons of concern without appropriate legal status and visas do not have a right to work or move freely, and are at constant risk of arrest, indefinite detention, and deportation.
There remains an expectation for UNHCR to seek durable solutions outside of Thailand for refugees in urban areas, the border camps, as well as Rohingya who have been intercepted in the territory. UNHCR has, however, stepped up its advocacy for other solutions in country, in light of commitments made by Thailand, the global drop in opportunities for resettlement and complementary pathways, and the fact that most refugees in Thailand are still unable to voluntarily repatriate to their countries of origin.
In conjunction with these efforts, UNHCR continues to pursue third country resettlement and support access to complementary pathways (including family reunification) to provide legal and physical protection to those identified as having compounded vulnerabilities and/or pressing protection needs, which is determined on a case-by-case basis. Further, resettlement is being used strategically to support efforts to expand protection space for refugees in both urban and camp settings in Thailand.
Nature of Position:
As regards the other countries covered by Multi-Country Office Thailand (Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam), the Durable Solutions team is occasionally called on to seek urgent durable solutions in third countries for cases in Laos and Vietnam, where there is no asylum space. Cambodia is a 1951 signatory State with its own asylum system.
The Associate Durable Solutions Officer will support resettlement and complementary pathways activities carried out by the MCO. The post demands close coordination with UNHCR colleagues in Bangkok and Field Offices, as well as international organisations and embassies. The position also needs to have a broad understanding of durable solutions and the ability to draft comprehensive durable solutions strategies in consultation with relevant stakeholders. The position is within the Durable Solutions Unit and falls under the direct supervision of the Durable Solutions Officer.
Living and Working Conditions:
Bangkok or Krung Thep (City of Angels) is Thailand`s capital and largest city. It is in the central part of the country, on the Chao Phraya River near the Gulf of Thailand. Bangkok is Thailand`s administrative, economic, and cultural center, and a major commercial and transportation center of Southeast Asia. Bangkok has highly developed infrastructure, good public transport systems, high-end shopping, excellent healthcare facilities and excellent accommodation for all budgets.
Many International schools are based in Bangkok with a wide range of curriculum comprising IB, A levels incorporating the US and British system.
Traffic congestion and pollution are the downside. Temperatures in Bangkok vary between 20 C in December and 38 C in April with the rainy season between June-Oct with flooding a common occurrence. Pollution (PM 2.5 levels) is an issue in Bangkok during the dry season.
The political situation in Thailand in 2020 was marked by political protests calling for sweeping reforms. Although the Government has managed the COVID situation relatively well from a public health perspective, the effective closure of the countryโs borders through most of 2020/2021 has heavily affected the tourism-dependent economy.
Security Considerations
Bangkok has a Low (2) security threat level and is classified as an A Duty station. Weekly travel advisories are issued by UNDSS Thailand. UNDSS places no restrictions on travel within Thailand except to the Southern regions due to the ongoing insurgency and staff undergo mandatory briefings before travelling to the South. All staff travel in Thailand is recorded under the TRIP system. Thailand has one of the highest motor vehicle accident rates in the world and travel to the camps is only accessible via the use of motor vehicles over large distances.
Additional Qualifications
Skills
EducationBachelor of Arts (BA): Economics, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Relations, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political Science, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Social Science
CertificationsHCR Protection Learning Program - UNHCR, HCR Resettlement Learning Program - UNHCR, HCR RSD Learning Program - UNHCR
Work ExperienceDurable Solutions, Work Context: Camp
CompetenciesAccountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Judgement & decision making, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration
UNHCR Salary Calculator
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Compendium Bi-annual Compendium 2023 Part B - October 2023
Additional Information
Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance