Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)A (least hardship)
Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
Family
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeUNOPS LICA6
Target Start Date2023-07-01
Job Posting End DateMay 25, 2023
Terms of ReferenceTitle: Field Associate
Project: SERBIA/2023/01
Duty station: Belgrade, Serbia
Section/Unit: UNHCR Representation in Serbia/ Field Unit
ICA Level: Local Individual Contract Agreement LICA-6
Corresponding level: GS-6
Duration: 01/07/2023 to 31/12/2023
1. General Background
UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partnersโ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner. Working in some of the worldโs most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partnersโ expectations. With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it. A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale.
Background information โ Job Specific
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and coordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally, or to resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org). UNHCRโs engagement in Serbia builds on 46 years of supporting refugees, displacement, and statelessness issues since 1976.
Since 2015, over one million refugees and migrants have arrived in Serbia, of whom the majority has continued their journey towards the European Union. While for many Serbia is a country of transit, it is also becoming a country of asylum and international protection.
The number of recognized refugees in Serbia, even if still small, is gradually increasing, and UNHCR along to the Serbian Commissioner for Refugees and Migration (KIRS) develop individual plans to support their integration. Enhancing integration prospects will also enable more refuges to stay and establish themselves in Serbia, thus reducing their vulnerability and contributing to a durable solution.
Engaging with asylum seekers, refugee and other persons of concern remains a key to build grounds and orient solutions towards their needs while they explore their resources and capacities. Facilitating links with local communities is a solid strategic move for the way forward, to facilitate social inclusion and optimize the human capital that every refugee brings.
As part of its core actions UNHCR Serbia include: Advance the early identification and referral of persons with specific needs and for data disaggregated be age, sex, legal status, and other diversity considerations; Enhance data collection and active participation and inclusiveness of persons of concern through contextualized and adapted means; by promoting participatory approaches to government counterparts and all stakeholders.
UNHCR seeks to strengthen its strategic engagement with refugees and asylum seekers by providing visibility, networking, and capacity building, where appropriate; continue to strengthen communication and transparency through the expansion of good practices and the use of digital/online tools.
Moreover, through its presence and work in the field, UNHCR continues boosting and adapting better the access of survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, children, older persons and persons with disabilities and review and improve existing feedback and response mechanisms.
2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment
โข Assist functional units, the Multi-Functional Team (MFT) and senior management to integrate participatory and community-based approaches in the overall protection strategy and operational procedures.
โข Contribute to the design, implementation and evaluation of protection related AGD based programming with implementing and operational partners.
โข Monitor the situation in the AoR, collect data and other information relevant to UNHCR and report to the supervisor accordingly. Monitor the implementation of UNHCR programme including the delivery of all assistance items and monitoring of infrastructure.
โข Undertake regular visits to various sites in order to assess needs of persons of concern, with particular attention to vulnerable groups.
โข Identify Extremely Vulnerable Individuals (especially SGBV, LGBTI, Disability, Elderly at risk) for referral to partners and additional support for their referral and follow up while in case management.
โข Inform and act on the reports received on persons of concern within the refugee community or from the local authorities. Support in cross-border coordination and liaison with local authority counterparts, partners and populations of concern.
โข Through relationships with PoC and network of partners, stay abreast of political, social, economic and cultural developments that have an impact on the protection environment and provide advice to the protection team. Understand the perspectives, capacities, needs and resources of the PoC and advise the protection team accordingly, highlighting the specific protection needs of women and men, children, youth and older persons, persons with disabilities, marginalized groups.
โข Record and provide input into i.e. proGresV4, Regional Protection Monitoring (BPM) tools.
โข Consistently apply International and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards and codes of conduct.
โข Keep regular contacts with local authorities and implementing partners as requested by supervisor as well as assist in negotiating with local authority counterparts, partners and populations of concern.
โข Contribute to the preparation of status and progress reports by providing info, preparing tables, etc.
โข Assist in administrative tasks as required such as preparation of reports and meeting authorized personnel and assisting them during field missions.
โข In coordination with implementing partners, assist in the reception, registration and provision of assistance to persons of concern to UNHCR.
โข Any other related tasks that may be required or assigned by the supervisor.
3. Monitoring and Progress Controls
Act 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.
The Field Associate is normally supervised by the Head of Field Unit and performs a variety of functions related to Field activities within the office. The supervisor defines general work objectives and provides necessary advice and guidance. The Field Associate may supervise some support staff.
The incumbent keeps frequent internal contacts with staff members in the same duty station to exchange information, to establish understanding of respective needs; to ensure provision of services and resolution of problems and with the external contacts generally with officials of national and international institutions, leaders of the refugee community, local population and/or Implementing Partners (IPs) on subject matters which may be of importance to the Organization.
4. Qualifications and Experience
a. Education (Level and area of required and/or preferred education)
b. Work Experience
Essential
For corresponding level G6 โ LICA 6
- For G6 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher
Desirable
Previous experience in UN or in a humanitarian context.
Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of the position.
UNHCR field experience.
c. Key Competencies
Functional Skills
*IT-Computer Literacy
EX-Field experience
MS-Drafting, Documentation, Data Presentation
CL-Multi-stakeholder Communications with Partners,
PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators
PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)
- Developed interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development.
Knowledge of English and working language of the duty station:
- Be fluent in English, with good writing skills
- Be fluent in Serbian, with good writing skills
- Solid communications, research, editing, and writing skills
Core Competencies
(All jobs at UNHCR require six core competencies and may also require managerial competencies and/or cross-functional competencies. The six core competencies are listed below):
Accountability /Communication/ Organizational Awareness
Teamwork & Collaboration/ Commitment to Continuous Learning/ Client & Result Orientation
Managerial Competencies
Empowering and Building Trust
Cross-Functional Competencies
Analytical Thinking
Planning and Organizing
Stakeholder Management
To apply
Applicants must already reside in and have the legal status necessary to work in Serbia.
Recruitment is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19.
The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.
UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing or training.
Interested applicants should submit their application through Careers (myworkdayjobs.com) .
NOTE: An individual whose mother, father, son, daughter, brother or sister is a staff member of UNHCR, including a Temporary Appointment holder or a member of Affiliate Workforce, is not eligible to apply.
Belated and incomplete applications will not be accepted.
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