Hardship LevelE (most hardship)
Family TypeNon Family with Residential LocationDanger Pay
Residential location (if applicable)
Nairobi (CO), Kenya
GradePR2
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeProfessional
ReasonFast Track > Fast Track
Remote work acceptedNo
Target Start Date2023-07-20
Job Posting End DateJuly 27, 2023
Standard Job DescriptionAssociate Field Officer Organizational Setting and Work Relationships The Associate Field Officer is normally supervised by the Snr Field Coordinator or Field Officer or Head of Sub-Office/Field Office depending on the structure of the Office. S/he may receive indirect guidance from other sections and units relevant to the country/regional programme(s). UNHCR Manual, programme and protection objectives, Operations Plans, UN and UNHCR financial/budgetary rules and regulations will guide the work of the incumbent. The incumbent may supervise some support staff. S/he has daily contacts with staff in the various field offices and with the functional units at the Country/Regional Office. S/he also has close liaison with a range of local civilian and military authorities and counterparts in NGOs and UN agencies to discuss matters of common interest. 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 - Identify vulnerable groups or individuals who may need special attention or special arrangements and make recommendations on the needs of different groups of refugees. - Assess protection and assistance needs of refugees and asylum-seekers in the region and monitor implementation of refugee assistance programmes. - In co-ordination with implementing partners, handle the reception, registration and provision of assistance to persons of concern to UNHCR. - Provide inputs for project submissions and periodic narrative and financial reports for the annual programme. - Develop and maintain relations with local authorities ensuring smooth negotiations in all aspects of UNHCR's mandate for the benefit of refugees. - Monitor the security situation in the area and intervene as appropriate with the local authorities. - Submit recommendation for protection interventions to the designated officer. - Negotiate with local authority counterparts, partners and populations of concern. - Approve expenditures within the DOAP. - 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 Law, Political Sciences or other relevant field. (Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential) Certificates and/or Licenses UNHCR Protection Learning Programme. UNHCR Operations Management Learning Programme. (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential) Relevant Job Experience Essential Field experience. Desirable Knowledge of refugee law. Good knowledge of UNHCR's programmes. Functional Skills IT-Computer Literacy PG-UNHCR's Programmes (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 Under the direct Supervision of the Head of Field office, the Associate Field Officer is expected to have a good knowledge of emergency as well as needs of the people especially under UNHCR mandate. The incumbent of the position will directly interact with partners and Persons of Concern to UNHCR, therefore level of maturity and proven managerial skills as well as good communication skill are essential requirements for the candidate to fill the post.
The Associate Field Officer should be fully committed to developing strong two-way communication with staff and persons of concern and being ready to stay and deliver. S/he should be able to plan strategically, manage human, financial, and material resources, and understand security standards and administrative procedures. The incumbent is also expected to have:
• Strong analytical and reporting skills
• Knowledge and working experience in IDP operational context
• Ability to work in a multinational environment and be a good team member
• Planning and organizing skills
• Flexibility to travel to remote places with limited or no services
• Partnership and program management skills
• Given the emergency nature of the operation, the post often requires the ability to cope with fast moving operational context and revolving requirements.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
,
,
Desired languages
,
,
Operational context
The security situation in South Sudan though generally stable, remains fragile and fluid in complex and unpredictable environment and is characterized by low intensity and localized armed conflict in some areas, high levels of crime across the country, inter/intra communal conflict over a diverse range of issues including cattle raids, competition for resources and revenge attacks and regular civil unrest in refugee and IDP operations and host community. These challenges continue directly and indirectly impact on UNHCR operations. The signing of the Revitalized Agreement of the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan in September 2018 represented an important milestone for the country. The ceasefire is holding in many areas of the country except in some few locations where localized and low intensity armed conflict continues to impact on security situation. Many areas in the country are also affected by season flooding which has also displaced significant number of people.
The security level in South Sudan is assessed as substantial (security level 4) in all areas.
SRM measures in place:
UN curfew is in force across the country, timing differs from one SRM Area to another. UN curfew is from 19:00 to 05:00 in Juba.
International personnel must request and receive security clearance for official and non-official travel.
International personnel on mission must stay in either a UN facility or UN approved commercial lodging for staff members.
Safe and Secure Approaches in Field Environment (SSAFE) to be conducted in areas with HIGH Risk level and above.
All international and national personnel must be issued with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and VHF radios.
The Associate Field Officer is supervised by the Head of Field Office Wau. S/he is required to streamline, improve, and expand existing field protection activities and enhance access to protection services for the most vulnerable members of the community (persons with specific needs and extremely vulnerable individuals) through operational activities.
Presently, UNHCR Wau has 02 international staff and 14 national staff members. Accommodation is arranged for international staff to reside in the UNMISS compound which is secured. Curfew applies from 19:00 to 06:00 hours. There is a UNMISS level 1 health facility supported by a Chinese level 2 facility inside the UNMISS compound. Power and water are available in the container type accommodation which is self-contained.
Wau is serviced by UNHAS flights between Wau and Juba from Monday to Friday. There are three commercial flights that fly the route which are not cleared for UN staff. Zain and MTN connections are good but with fluctuations in the urban. There is no telephone communication network five kilometers from the town Centre. Staff also have access to office VSAT or internet-based voice calls such as VIBER/ WhatsApp (within the office compound where broadband Wi-Fi internet connection is available)
Wau market is the source of foodstuff from the farms and markets outside the state. There are shops that have supplies from Sudan. A UN shop offers limited supplies which subsidizes the food supplies. Referrals to Juba for treatment can be arranged through medical referral or evacuation as the situation would require. There are no operational Banks or any other form to access money. Staff are advised to carry enough cash to see them through to the next R&R. Relatively well-equipped Gym is available within the office and in UNMISS accommodation compound.
UNHCR staff serving in AOR are expected to have the capacity to exercise patience and adjust to the working environment which is characterized with limited to non-social activities outside the compound and at times challenging and demanding relationships with various stakeholders, including local authorities.
Additional factors which I would like to highlight are:
UNHCR office is located in Wau town three kilometres from the UNMISS compound where international staff are accommodated. The office organizes pickups and drop offs for the staff members residing in the UNMISS compound. During rainy season, the road movements are difficult and at the same time UNHAS flights may have difficulty in landing at the airstrip. There may be occasional last-minute cancellations due to poor weather conditions or for any other reasons. Staff member may therefore wish to plan outward journeys out of Juba with this in mind.
Rubber boots or covered shoes are advisable to wear, especially during the rainy season. It is advisable to bring a good medical kit with medicines, pain killers, mosquito or insect repellent, shampoo, bath soap/gel and personal toiletries.
Staff member will be required to work in a culturally and ethnically sensitive environment.
Previous experience in similar security risk operations and good security awareness needed.
Additional Qualifications
SkillsIT-Computer Literacy, PG-UNHCR's Programmes
EducationBachelor of Arts (BA): Law (Required), Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political Science (Required)
CertificationsHCR Protection Learning Program - UNHCR, Programme Management (PM) 1 - UNHCR
Work Experience
CompetenciesAccountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Judgement & decision making, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration
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Additional Information
Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance