Senior Field Assistant (Indigenous)

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)C

Family Type (not applicable for home-based)

Family

Staff Member / Affiliate TypeUNOPS LICA5

Target Start Date2023-08-14

Job Posting End DateAugust 13, 2023

Terms of ReferenceIn order to respond to the Venezuela situation UNHCR has established presence in Boa Vista, Pacaraima, Manaus, followed by Belém through the creation of field Units. Protection and local integration remain the main challenges on the emergency response leading the efforts to implement a joint strategy with focus on the protection and livelihoods activities. Regarding the influx of Venezuelan indigenous, continuous arrivals of ethnic groups have been identified mainly through Roraima (Boa Vista and Pacaraima). More than 9400 Venezuelan indigenous persons are registered in Progres in Brazil. To meet the needs of the indigenous population at the border, in host communities and in urban shelter, UNHCR has identified the necessity of strengthening its local leadership & coordination fully focused on ensuring protection and durable solutions culturally adapted for this population while increasing and mainstreaming a general awareness on the various indigenous Venezuelan communities and their needs.

The position is based in the UNHCR Field Unit in Pacaraima and provides support to all activities implemented by partners or directly by the Area of Responsibility of the Unit related to indigenous population, in close coordination with Protection, CCCM, Program and Livelihoods from the Field Unit Pacaraima, Sub Office Boa Vista and Branch Office Brasilia. The Senior Field Assistant (Indigenous) will report to the Head of Field Unit and perform a variety of functions related to Field activities within the office. The supervisor defines work processes and provides regular advice and guidance. Therefore, the incumbent should have good written and oral communication skills in English in addition to being fluent in Spanish and Portuguese. Demonstrated ability to communicate successfully within a team, external stakeholders and with indigenous communities will be considered essential.

The operational context continues to revolve around emergency response accompanied with staff turnover and presence of personnel with different level of understanding of protection standards, national legal framework, community-based protection and humanitarian principles. In order to respond to these circumstances and needs, the incumbent will be required to assist management of multiple stakeholders and have the capacity to seek solutions by exploring protection guidance documents and liaising with functional units in the country operation, as indigenous focal point within the Field Unit in Pacaraima.

The incumbent keeps frequent internal contacts with staff members in the same duty station to exchange information and with the external contacts generally with persons of concern, community leaders, local population and/or Implementing Partners (IPs) on routine subject matters under the direction of the supervisor.

Complementary activities:

- Ensure the protection of Indigenous peoples of concern to the Agency is mainstreamed throughout of the humanitarian response.
- Identify vulnerable groups or individuals who may need special attention or special arrangements and make recommendations on the needs of the indigenous population with focus on access to territory, access to rights, peaceful coexistence, effective integration, education, and livelihoods opportunities.
- In coordination with Field Units/Offices and implementing partners, provide technical support on reception, registration and provision of assistance to indigenous people of concern and support interagency coordination.
- Support the advocacy efforts of the Operation aiming to engage local authorities on the Venezuelan indigenous response in the State of Roraima.
- Support with Communication with Communities and community outreach, ensuring a two-way communication, and information needs are met.
- Promote a community-based and participatory approaches regarding indigenous people of concern, ensuring they are part of the solutions and decisions affecting their lives and communities.
- Follow up, on a regular basis, the overall situation of persons of concern in host communities and shelters, sectorial assessments (WASH, Health, Education, Protection, etc.) and report accordingly (visiting indigenous communities at least once a month)
- Provide capacity building to the local actors on indigenous issues according to the Area of Responsibility (AoR).
- Monitor and report trends on the displacement of indigenous populations in the area.

Language Requirements:
Fluency in English, Portuguese and Spanish.

Desired experience:
Conflict resolution and negotiation skills

Standard Job Description Senior Field Assistant Organizational Setting and Work Relationships The Senior Field Assistant is normally supervised by the (Senior) Field Officer/Associate and performs a variety of functions related to Field activities within the office. The supervisor defines work processes and provides regular advice and guidance. The incumbent keeps frequent internal contacts with staff members in the same duty station to exchange information 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 routine subject matters under the direction of the supervisor. 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 - Assist in monitoring the implementation of UNHCR programme including the delivery of all assistance items and monitoring of infrastructure. - Assist in administrative tasks as required such as preparation of reports and meeting authorized personnel and assisting them during field missions. - Act as interpreter in the exchange of routine information, contribute to related liaison activities and respond directly to routine queries. - Collect data and other information relevant to UNHCR and report to the supervisor accordingly. - Keep regular contacts with local authorities and implementing partners as requested by supervisor. - In coordination with implementing partners, assist in the reception, registration and provision of assistance to persons of concern to UNHCR. - Follow up, on a regular basis, the overall situation of persons of concern in camps and other areas where they have been accommodated and report accordingly. - Liaise with local authority counterparts, partners and populations of concern. - Direct incidents and problems to the supervisor when they cannot be resolved at their level. - Perform other related duties as required. Minimum Qualifications Education & Professional Work Experience Years of Experience / Degree Level G5 - 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher Field(s) of Education Not applicable Certificates and/or Licenses Business Administration Law Political Science (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential) Relevant Job Experience Essential Not specified Desirable Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of the position. Functional Skills *IT-Computer Literacy CO-Drafting and Documentation CL-Multi-stakeholder Communications with Partners, Government & Community (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.

Required Languages English

,Spanish

,Portuguese

Desired Languages

,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

EducationBachelor of Arts (BA): Communication

CertificationsHCR Learning Program - UNHCR

Work Experience

Other informationThis position doesn't require a functional clearance