Hardship LevelH (no hardship)
Family TypeFamily
Family TypeFamily
Residential location (if applicable)
GradeGS7
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeGeneral Service
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Remote work acceptedNo
Target Start Date2024-01-01
Job Posting End DateNovember 23, 2023
Standard Job DescriptionSenior Durable Solutions Associate Organizational Setting and Work Relationships The Senior Durable Solutions Associate reports to a Durable Solutions or a Protection Officer. The incumbent may have supervisory responsibility for durable solutions support staff. The incumbent is relied upon to ensure the implementation of a durable solutions strategy. 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 strengthen 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. - Implement and follow-through the countryยฟs repatriation programme in all protection, administrative and logistical aspects, and liaise with the appropriate entities (external and internal) to ensure full coordination of movements and adherence to protection guidelines. - 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. - Liaise and contribute to discussions on durable solutions, with local authorities, host populations and 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 decide on the appropriate durable solution to be provided to POC. - When counselling POC, decide on the content of information and advice to be shared. - Enter information into available database, in line with SOPs. - Draft and submit reports relating to durable solutions. - Perform other related duties as required. Minimum Qualifications Education & Professional Work Experience Years of Experience / Degree Level For G7 - 4 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher Field(s) of Education Not applicable. Certificates and/or Licenses HCR Protection Learning Prg; HCR Resettlement Lrng Prg; HCR Protection Induction Prog; (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential) Relevant Job Experience Essential Not specified. Desirable Diverse field experience. Experience in Interviewing. Functional Skills DM-Database Management 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 The desired candidate should have a profound and comprehensive understanding of local integration and other durable solutions for the persons UNHCR serves as well as of the specific challenges in the Greek context, especially those related to (i) the standards and thresholds, embedded in national legislation, regulating access to rights and services, (ii) administrative obstacles and practices in the implementation of legislation.
The successful candidate should have a profound knowledge and understanding of Greek administrative law and practice, in particular regarding the interface between State front desk services and refugees. Thorough understanding of employment / Greek labor market dynamics and challenges for refugees /their employers is crucial for this position. He/she must have proven experience in cooperating with relevant state authorities (both local and central levels), and in organizing and operationalizing interventions to address those challenges and make quality/decent jobs accessible to refugees.
Excellent interpersonal skills, strong coordination, and negotiation skills, ability to lead through advocacy and persuasion rather than hierarchical authority and filter the issues for which interventions are required by senior staff as opposed to those he/she can resolve without upwards escalation are required for this position.
Holding an MBA or MA on international law/LLM with a focus on refugees is an asset. Excellent command of written and spoken Greek and English at minimum C2 level is required.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level): Greek
,English
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Desired languages
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Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/travel
Nature of Position:
Currently, some 91,000 asylum-seekers and refugees are hosted in Greece. So far in 2023, over 28,500 people have arrived either by sea or land. UNHCR provides expert advice to the State and evidence-based information that helps inform programmes and policies for asylum-seekers and refugees. Access to international protection, identifying durable solutions and support to vulnerable asylum-seekers and refugees, such as unaccompanied children and survivors of gender-based violence, are UNHCRโs key priorities. UNHCR also works with national and local authorities, the private sector, civil society and refugee communities to advance inclusion, develop support networks and create employability and training opportunities for refugees. The Office retains a readiness to respond to emergencies and new arrivals, with a focus on immediate support to the most vulnerable. UNHCR Greece plays a strong advocacy role since continued support is needed particularly from EU countries and EU institutions in providing immediate protection to those most at-risk through sufficient resources, ensuring capacity in the country and responsibility-sharing. UNHCR will continue to assist Greek authorities in responding to both short and long-term challenges.
The Senior Durable Solutions Associate position is expected to facilitate the collection and analysis of data, information and reports referring to patterns of administrative practices across Greece. Facilitation of the capacity building, advocacy and conflict resolution for/with state services mandated to design policies and set up systems and processes enabling the persons UNHCR serves to have access to services are part of responsibilities that fall under this position coverage. Furthermore, active support role in coordination of UNHCRโs cooperation with various local authorities and municipalities will be required to perform by the incumbent of this position.
Living and Working Conditions:
Athens is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens is a family duty station, classified as H by ICSC. Public Transportation and medical facilities are well-developed and easily accessible. The educational institutions at all levels are available. The climate can be described as Mediterranean, with hot and dry summers and cool and mild winters.
In accordance with UNDSS security risk assessment, the whole Greek operation is classified as Security Level 2 (low). Security Clearance is required for travelling in the country.
For more detailed information please consult the continuously updated living conditions booklet on Intranet.
Additional Qualifications
Skills
Education
CertificationsHCR Protection Induction Prog - UNHCR, HCR Protection Learning Program - UNHCR, HCR Resettlement Learning Program - UNHCR
Work ExperienceWorkforce to Supervise, Working with Persons of Concern: Asylum Seekers, Working with Persons of Concern: Others of Concern, Working with Persons of Concern: Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: Stateless
CompetenciesAccountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Judgement & decision making, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaboration
UNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Compendium
Additional InformationShort listed candidates might be required to sit for a written test and will undergo an interview
Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance