Hardship LevelU (unclassified)
Family TypeFamily
Family TypeFamily
Residential location (if applicable)
GradeNOB
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeNational Professional Officer
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Target Start Date2024-03-01
Job Posting End DateFebruary 15, 2024
Standard Job Description
Associate Field Officer
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Associate Field Officer is normally supervised by the Senior 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.
- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
- 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.
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 A bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as social sciences, Law, Political Sciences, or a related discipline.
Relevant field experience and managerial experience are essential. Good knowledge of UNHCR’s programs.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Proven managerial skills, including a solid understanding of HR processes, commitment to staff welfare, and promoting a harmonious workplace.
Must be a proactive and mature team leader, adept at handling interpersonal conflicts and staff grievances.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
,
,
Desired languages
,
,
Operational context
UNHCR in Turkiye operates through a branch office in Ankara with three field offices in Gaziantep, Istanbul and Van, as well as three field units in Izmir, Hatay, Adana and Sanliurfa. The total number of staff in the operation is 410 around 80-20% local-international staff ratio respectively, as well as around 7% of affiliated staff.
The general security situation in Izmir remains calm and stable, with security level assessed as 1 (Minimal) in line with the general threat assessment. The Turkish security forces are trained, well-resourced and effective. Although thefts and burglaries have been reported in Izmir from time to time, the crime rate is assessed as low. The UN is not considered as a direct target, although the situation can change rapidly due to regional and/or international developments. Protest demonstrations occur in parts of Izmir, against different socio-political and socio-economic issues, and recently against hostilities in Gaza. Hazard incidents including road traffic crashes, extreme weather conditions, and earthquake remain a concern for the safety of staff. As part of Great Turkiye security risk management area, same as Ankara, UNHCR security management is guided by the UN Common Security Management System and security advisories are shared with staff as and when required.
UNHCR Izmir Field Unit is working closely with provincial directorates of line ministries and of the Presidency of Migration Management as well as with Law enforcement authorities, provincial governorates, INGOs/NGOs, and refugee populations in the Aegean and Mediterranean region. UNHCR's Izmir Field Unit promotes and supports access to and provision of protection and quality services for asylum-seekers and refugees in the Aegean and Mediterranean region. The area of responsibility hosts a considerable urban refugee with more than 260,000 persons of concern. UNHCR Izmir Field Unit covers 10 provinces including Izmir, Aydin, Mugla, Manisa, Denizli, Usak, Kütahya, Isparta, Burdur and Antalya.
Izmir Field Unit has expanded its network and capacity development activities with diverse actors such as municipalities, social service centers, mukhtars, imams, and other significant local actors that contribute to the expansion of protection space for refugees. Moreover, the Field Unit is enhancing its outreach activities through partners, increasing community-based protection activities, and involving refugees in its programs.
The coastal provinces along the Aegean are also relevant border regions for often irregular movements by sea. To support protection-sensitive border management and delivery of immediate humanitarian assistance to intercepted, apprehended, and rescued persons, UNHCR Izmir Field Unit works in cooperation with relevant border authorities and national institutions in charge of managing Türkiye's borders, including the Turkish Coast Guard, the Gendarmerie General Command and the National Police.
The Field Unit has been strengthening coordination mechanisms in the Aegean and Mediterranean Region, in line with UNHCR Türkiye strategic priorities.
The Associate Field Officer develops, maintains, and strengthens partnerships through regular and close contact with local authorities including Deputy Governors, District Governors, Provincial PDMM directors, Turkish Coast Guard, Gendarmerie, Provincial Directorates of Family, Labour and Social Services, selected Municipalities and other stakeholders, IOM, local organizations, NGOs and partners in the area of responsibility and build a productive relationship in the area of responsibility.
The Associate Field Officer participates in coordination meetings led by the governorate and represents UNHCR and chairs the inter-Sectoral coordination meeting to discuss all aspects of protection, registration, onward movement trends, humanitarian assistance, NFI and outreach to refugees in urban settlement and advocacy for the rights of persons with specific needs.
Through local contacts such as Coast Guard, Gendarmerie, and Police, S/he monitors onward movement situation and reports regularly on trends, routes, protection challenges, and urgent humanitarian needs of the people who are on the move based on interviews with persons of concern and meetings with other relevant counterparts in the area of responsibility.
The Associate Field Officer is supervised by the Representative.
UNHCR Manual, program and protection objectives, Operations Plans, and UN and UNHCR financial/budgetary rules and regulations will guide the work of the incumbent.
The Associate Field Officer manages and guides the UNHCR Izmir Field Unit.
In coordination with Programme Unit in BO Ankara, S/he monitors the implementation of UNHCR-funded projects in the AoR, ensuring established PPAs and plans are implemented effectively. S/he organizes UNHCR training on International Protection and Refugee Law to enhance the capacity of local authorities and NGOs. S/he supports Izmir Field Unit staff in providing information related to reception, access to registration, and services/assistance available to persons of concern to UNHCR.
In consultation with Protection Unit in BO Ankara, s/he keeps track of specific protection cases (detention, UAM, SGBV, voluntary return, family reunification and/or resettlement, etc.) as well as with PDU in BO Ankara (for PDMM related issues and the analysis of onward movement trends).
The Associate Field Officer supports Izmir Field Unit staff for the continuation of regular field visits, organizing in-depth/semi-structured interviews and FGDs with refugees in cooperation with partners to receive information on the capacities, challenges, and proposed solutions of the refugees. S/he liaises with local authorities to discuss the findings of the in-depth/semi-structured interviews and FGDs with refugees to find durable solutions for the problems of the refugees.
S/he works closely with local authorities, municipalities, religious affairs personnel, mukhtars, NGOs, and partners for better planning to reach out PoCs and identify protection challenges and gaps, specific risk groups and enhance community-based protection mechanisms in the area of responsibility.
As the country's one of the metropolitan cities in Turkiye, Izmir offers good infrastructure, medical facilities, schools, hotels, and residential apartments for rent.
Additional Qualifications
SkillsIT-Computer Literacy, PG-UNHCR's Programmes
EducationBachelor of Arts (BA): Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political Science
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
UNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Additional Information
The English version is considered original and authoritative, translation to other language(s) serve the purpose of advertisement of local positions where applicable but are not considered as official translations
Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme or as an intern is subject to successful reference checks, and integrity clearances.
Staff members should serve for a minimum of one year following assignment before being considered eligible to apply for another position within the same category. This requirement is waived concerning staff members whose position is being changed or whose assignment/appointment through the joint staff/management review body is in a replacement capacity.
UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training, or any other fees).
Only short-listed candidates will be notified. The recruitment process might include a written test and/or oral interview for this job opening. No late applications will be accepted.
The primary nationality of the candidate should be Turkish. The minimum educational requirement for this position is a completed university degree.
For further information on how to apply, please visit the ‘UNHCR - Application and Selection’ page, at https://www.unhcr.org/how-to-apply.html.
Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance