Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)A (least hardship)
Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
Family
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeUNOPS IICA1
Target Start Date2023-09-01
Job Posting End DateAugust 20, 2023
Terms of ReferenceIMPORTANT INFORMATION:
โข Being this an International UNOPS position, it is only opened for candidates that do not hold a Mexican nationality.
โข Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme or as an intern, is subject to proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, independently of contract type and duration. The selected candidate(s) will be required to provide the proof of vaccination prior to recruitment.
โข Only short-listed candidates will be notified. The recruitment process might include written test and/or oral interview for this job opening. No late applications will be accepted.
โข UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).
โข This position is offered under UNOPS International (IICA) contract until 31/12/2023 with possibility of extension.
โข Remuneration: A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered depending on relevant experience as per the requirements of the job advertisement. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, please visit the portal of the Office of HR Management of United Nations.
1. General Background
(Brief description of the national, sector-specific or other relevant context in which the individual contractor will operate)
The RSD system in Mexico has faced several challenges in recent years. The number of applications for asylum has dramatically increased, from 3,400 new asylum applications in 2015, to 131,000 in 2021, 118,000 in 202, and in 2023 this upward trend continues. Over 70% of the new asylum claims are registered in southern Mexico, particularly in Tapachula, Chiapas. This has caused the wait times for RSD to grow, which has had negative protection impacts on asylum-seekers. almost entirely on UNHCR financial support. Against the background of the political situation in Mexico, UNHCR has been supporting the Mexican government since late 2018 to increase the fairness, efficiency, adaptability and integrity of the national asylum system, mostly through the Quality Assurance Initiative.
2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment
(Concise and detailed description of activities, tasks and responsibilities to be undertaken, including expected travel, if applicable)
Under the functional supervision of the Snr Protection Officer and of the Registration and IdM Officer, both based in Mexico City, and in close contact and coordination with the QAI team and the Field Office Tapachula (FOTAP) team, the Associate Protection Officer (QAI-RSD) is expected to:
โข Work closely with COMAR Chiapas asylum adjudicators, promoting the use of a consistent framework of analysis to assess claims and the observation of UNHCR guidelines.
โข Closely support the implementation of the projects relating to COMARโs digital transformation in Chiapas, including training and capacity building, communication around the projects with users and management, and at the technical level the support will require also troubleshooting, bugs reporting, and the identification, and documentation of, enhancement proposals;
โข Ensure due and continuous follow-up of the implementation of the QAI recommendations and work plan;
โข Deepen the existing diagnosis of the situation in COMAR offices in the south (Tapachula, Palenque, Tenosioque, Acayucan) and support identification of efficiency gaining opportunities in the overall processing of COMAR and discuss with the Registration and RSD Officers their applicability.
โข The Associate Protection Officer (QAI-RSD) will also support the implementation and monitoring of differentiated case processingโs pilots as well as their implementation in COMAR offices in the south. He or she will also advise on the structure and monitoring of monthly targets to ensure backlog reduction and increased processing capacity.
โข Promote and implement efficiency measures to respond to the large increase in the asylum applications, in line with a work plan to reduce backlog in first and second instance administrative asylum decisions;
โข Promote and facilitate the effective analysis and consideration by COMAR of the refugee definition included in article 13 (II) of the Mexican Refugee Law on the bases of the summary conclusions on the interpretation of the extended refugee definition of the 1984 Cartagena Declaration, elaborated at the expert roundtable held in Montevideo in October 2013.;
โข Conduct quality assessments of COMAR individual asylum decisions, producing periodical reports on progresses as well as on persisting and new gaps;
โข Support the elaboration, organization, and delivery of training activities on registration, identity management, vulnerability identification and refugee status determination to COMAR staff in Tapachula, including through on the job training approach, promoting at the same time the effective observation of COMAR RSD Manual and UNHCR Manuals and Guidelines among asylum decision makers.
โข Work closely with COMAR in Chiapas on the implementation of all digital transformation projects.
โข Perform other duties as required.
3. Monitoring and Progress Controls
(Clear description of measurable outputs, milestones, key performance indicators and/or reporting requirements which will enable performance monitoring)
Deliverable 1: Inception report detailing the Associate Protection Officer (QAI-RSD) understanding of the task and the methodology to be employed to complete the tasks. Due after the first month of the contract.
Deliverable 2: Detailed monthly reports describing the proposed work plan, including the organizational structures of COMAR field offices, and progress.
Deliverable 3: Final report. Due at the end of the contract.
a. The final product (e.g., survey completed, data collected, workshop conducted, research documents produced specify): Final report with concrete recommendations and timeline.
b. Delivery Periodicity, as applicable: Initial report, monthly reports and final report.
c. Work on the basis of time employed - Yes
d. If it is to result in a written product specify:
i. Number of pages: TBD according to identified needs
ii. Language(s): Spanish
iii. Number of copies: 1. All intellectual property rights belong to UNHCR.
4. Qualifications and Experience
(List the required education, work experience, expertise and competencies of the individual contractor. The listed education and experience should correspond with the level at which the contract is offered.)
a. Education (Level and area of required and/or preferred education)
Graduate degree in Law, International Law, Political Sciences or another relevant field or other relevant field.
b. Work Experience
(List number of years and area of required work experience. Clearly distinguish between required experience and experience which could be an asset.)
3 years of relevant work experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1-year relevant experience with Doctorate degree.
Relevant Job Experience Essential:
Professional experience in the area of refugee protection, internal displacement, human rights or international
humanitarian law. Good knowledge of International Refugee and Human Rights Law and ability to apply the relevant legal principles. Experience working with national asylum authorities, such as refugee commissions, would be an asset.
Desirable:
Field experience, including in working directly with government authorities and giving support on results management. Good IT skills including database management skills. Good English skills are an asset.
c. Key Competencies
(Technical knowledge, skills, managerial competencies or other personal competencies relevant to the performance of the assignment. Clearly distinguish between required and desired competencies)
Core Competencies:
Accountability
Communication
Organizational Awareness
Teamwork & Collaboration
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Client & Result Orientation
Managerial Competencies:
Judgement and Decision Making
Empowering and Building Trust
Cross-Functional Competencies:
Analytical Thinking
Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
Political Awareness
Standard Job Description
Required Languages
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Desired Languages
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Additional Qualifications
Skills
Education
Certifications
Work Experience
Other informationThis position doesn't require a functional clearance