Hardship LevelC
Family TypeNon Family with Residential Location
Residential location (if applicable)
Dakar, Senegal
GradePR5
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeProfessional
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Remote work acceptedNo
Target Start Date2023-10-13
Job Posting End DateNovember 9, 2023
Standard Job Description
Deputy Representative
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
Direct supervision and guidance is received from the Representative. Advice and operational support may also be provided by the Director/Deputy Director of the Bureau and by other senior staff in the Bureau (Head of Desk, Legal Advice Unit, and Resource Management Unit) and in the support Divisions at Headquarters. The incumbent will also refer to policies, standards, rules and regulations which are in force within UNHCR.
Regular contacts with Representative and staff at Headquarters and in the field, to consult, discuss operational issues, and to seek common grounds for solutions on activities and programmes of importance to UNHCR and with persons on matters of great importance to UNHCR¿s programmes. These contacts may include heads of national/ international organizations, embassies, UN agencies, and high officials/ ministers in the national government. UNHCR is well integrated into the UN Resident Coordinator System.
Decisions taken directly influence the design and operation of all of UNHCR¿s activities in the country of accreditation. Proposals will have a substantive effect on UNHCR¿s policy on a wide range of issues in the country programmes. Errors lead to significant damage to UNHCR¿s major objectives in terms of time, quality, and money in the country and will have a major negative impact on the safety of refugees and other persons of concern. The Office¿s overall credibility and the safety of its staff may also suffer.
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
- Provide legal protection advice and guidance on matters of doctrine and policy to Representative, the Heads of Offices and protection staff in the country.
- Provide advice and support to offices in the country operation on specific issues/problems faced related to asylum, refugee protection and assistance, including access to territory, access to RSD and asylum procedures, non-refoulement adequate reception and the implementation of durable solutions, including developing a Protection Management Framework for each national office.
- Provide legal and programme related advice and guidance to offices in the country on developing and maintaining fair and effective asylum regimes in accordance with international standards and norms, especially with regard to national asylum/refugee legislation and the building of local protection capacity.
- Provide legal and programme related advice and guidance on matters relating to the issue of asylum and migration to the Representative and offices in the country with particular emphasis on the problems of trafficking and smuggling.
- Provide guidance and leadership related to the implementation of the Age, Gender Diversity Mainstreaming (AGDM) Participatory Assessments in sub-region and ensure the follow up on any identified gaps related to the reception and integration systems and structures in the region with relevant stakeholders.
- Keep abreast of and analyse trends and key issues related to legal protection and assistance in the country, including preparing strategy and position papers with policy recommendations on specific protection, assistance and durable solutions related issues relevant to the country.
- Directly supervise Protection and Programme sections and develop operations plan in accordance with the organizational policies and operational strategies.
- Assist the Representative in the promotion of UNHCR strategic goals and objectives in the country, monitoring of the overall progress towards achieving them and in managing the Representation country office.
- Ensure that appropriate security measures are in place to protect staff, and that the country operation complies with UN MOSS/MORSS staff security rules, guidelines and procedures.
- Serve as OIC of the Country Office when the Representative is on mission or leave.
- Any other duties as may be required or assigned by the Representative.
- Represent UNHCR in the meetings and fora related to the functions.
- Enforce local compliance with UNHCR¿s global protection, programme, finance and human resources and security policies and standards.
- Authorize payments as per the organization¿s Delegation of Authority Plan (DOAP) and in accordance with UN/UNHCR rules and procedures.
- Modify operational projects and reallocate funds, within the approved budgets and in respect of donor earmarking.
- Lead risk assessments and discussions with team(s) to proactively manage risks and seize opportunities impacting objectives. Ensure that risk management principles are integrated in decision-making both at strategic and operational levels. Allocate resources for planned treatments with resource requirements in Strategic Plans. Ensure that risks are managed to acceptable levels and escalate, as needed. If a Risk Owner, designate the Risk Focal Point and certify that the annual risk review is completed and ensure that the risk register is updated during the year, as needed.
- Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P5 - 12 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 11 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 10 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
Business Administration; International Relations; Law;
Political Science; Social Science; Human Resources Management;
or other relevant field.
Certificates and/or Licenses
HCR Learning Prog; HCR Managing Operatns Lrng Prg; HCR Protection Learning Prg;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
- A high level of skill in management of broad programmes, political decision making and negotiating.
Desirable
- Completion of UNHCR training programmes, such us Protection Learning Programme, Operations Management Learning Programme.
- Knowledge of geo-political realities and their socio-cultural implications.
Functional Skills
*MG-Field Operations Management
*UN-UN/UNHCR Inter-agency Policies, Standards, Programmes, and Partnerships
*UN-UN/UNHCR Mandate and Global Strategic Priorities
*PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards)
UN-Analysis of geo-political realities and their socio-cultural implications
*MG-Political Decision Making
(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 ideal candidate must possess at least a decade of relevant mixed protection and programme/operations experience in demanding emergency contexts dealing with intricate security and protection issues, involving diverse refugee, internally displaced, and stateless populations. As the candidate will be responsible for representing UNHCR at the UN Programme Management Team (PMT) and several other fora for which excellent communication skills are essential. The incumbent must have diplomatic skills and the ability to courageously take quick decisions. In that sense, understanding of Protection and Programme management principles is essential.
The candidate is expected to lead consultative processes for application of the organizations criteria and policies for the selection of implementing partners; good coordination practices; very familiar with UNHCR standard procedures related to the Results Based Programme (RBM) management; application of UNHCR’s corporate tools (e.g., COMPASS, Global Focus, Focus Client). Apart from excellent functional competencies, the incumbent would also be expected to possess proven managerial and leadership skills. Demonstrated experience working with or at a Regional Bureau would be an advantage.
Previous involvement in an operation at senior level with a strong advocacy agenda and excellent interpersonal skills for interaction with high-level government authorities, UN sister agencies, and NGOs are also required.
The candidate should also have experience in implementing area-based and localization approaches, multi-stakeholder partnerships and HDP nexus approaches, as well as relevant experience of Accountability to Affected Populations in remote contexts. The candidate should have confirmed experience contributing to strategic planning processes such as the MYMP, the HNO-HRP, the UNSDCF, etc. S/He should be well-informed about the positioning and engagement modalities of UNHCR in these processes.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
,
,
Desired languages
,
,
Operational context
To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
Under the direct supervision of the Representative, the Deputy Representative will provide strategic and operational guidance and advice to UNHCR staff and implementing partners regarding the implementation of the Burkina Faso’s MYMP protection and solutions strategies (2022-2025) within available resources. In line with UNHCR’s policies, standards, rules and regulations, s/he will supervise all Heads of Sub and Field Offices and will ensure coordinated and harmonized programmatic approaches at all levels and throughout the UNHCR Operations Management Cycle and the UNHCR Burkina Faso’s MYMP Strategy which crucially require working with local partners, including with affected communities, governmental institutions, and the private sector. S/he will ensure that programme management is approached as per UNHCR’s Strategic Directions, Global Strategic Priorities (GSPs), Global Compact for Refugees (GCR), corporate positions on SDGs.
The incumbent is expected to work and keep regular/daily contacts with the Representative and staff at in the field as well as Operations’ colleagues at the Regional Bureau for WCA region, to consult, discuss operational issues, and to seek common grounds for solutions on activities and programmes of importance to UNHCR in Burkina Faso and with persons on matters of great importance to UNHCR’s programmes. These contacts may include also heads of national/ international organizations, embassies, UN agencies, and high officials/ ministers in the national government.
Burkina Faso is experiencing a convergence of multifaceted crises, which is contributing to the accelerated displacement of populations from rural areas to secondary towns, which are the primary destination for IDPs seeking protection and security. In addition, the negative socio-economic effects of inflation and the Ukrainian crisis continue to weigh heavily on the country's economic structure. Forced primary, secondary, and commuting displacements further endanger IDPs, more than 80% of whom are women and children highly dependent on largely insufficient humanitarian assistance. In 2023, internal and cross-border forced displacement has expanded significantly due to non-state armed groups' (NSAGs) activism, affecting 2,062,534 IDPs and 37,249 refugees and asylum seekers in Burkina Faso, in addition to more than 90,000 Burkinabè refugees in neighbouring countries. This activism has resulted in the continuous deterioration of the Protection environment, which has had a substantial impact on civilian's security and freedom of movement.
In 2022, Burkina Faso underwent two military coups on 24 January and 30 September respectively, which led to significant transformations in its socio-political landscape. However, despite these upheavals, the security and humanitarian situation has continued to deteriorate, with persistent attacks by non-state armed groups (NSAGs) and increased use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). These armed groups now control 35% of Burkina Faso's territory, leading to blockades in several towns, massive displacement and increased humanitarian and protection needs, particularly for food, shelter, and civil document.
Climate change is an important factor negatively impacting forcibly displaced people, those at risk of statelessness and host communities in Burkina Faso, where natural disasters such as drought and floods are frequent.
Burkina Faso has very basic infrastructures, including in the health sector. In Ouagadougou, there are more than 20 health clinics, but only 7 recommended by the UN System. Epidemics and other disease outbreaks are common in the operational area.
Ouagadougou is a non-family duty station, and you are eligible for R&R for every eight weeks. Banking services available include more than five international banks among which two are recommended by the UN System (United Bank of Africa and Ecobank).
Hot and dry desert environment with high daylight temperature fluctuations.
In the field, due to security-borne restrictions, the office has built four guest houses for staff on short missions. Due to its limited capacity, staff are not advised to permanently reside.
Housing in Ouagadougou is mainly individual houses and are easily available. But most buildings are not well maintained and need repair. Electricity is very expensive, and a backup generator is recommended.
Additional Qualifications
SkillsPR-Analysis of laws and practice relevant to human rights
EducationBachelor of Arts (BA): Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Human Resources Management, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Relations, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political Science, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Social Science
CertificationsHCR Learning Program - UNHCR, HCR Protection Learning Program - UNHCR, Programme Management (PM) 1 - UNHCR
Work ExperienceAnnual Budget OL in Operation/Office, Number of Persons of Concern Served, Number of Workforce in Operation/Work Setting, Workforce to Supervise, Working with Persons of Concern: Asylum Seekers, Working with Persons of Concern: Internally Displaced Persons, Working with Persons of Concern: Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: Stateless
CompetenciesAccountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Stakeholder management, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration
UNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Additional Information
Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance