Hardship LevelE (most hardship)
Family TypeNon Family with Residential Location
Family TypeNon Family with Residential LocationDanger Pay
Residential location (if applicable)
Nairobi (CO), Kenya
GradeNOB
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeNational Professional Officer
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Target Start Date2024-04-01
Job Posting End DateDecember 3, 2023
Standard Job Description
Head of Field Unit
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The position is under direct supervision and guidance of the Representative/Head of Sub/Field-Office on issues concerning programme, protection, external relations, etc. Advice and operational support may also be received from other senior staff and support units at the Branch Office and from the Bureau at Headquarters.
The incumbent represents UNHCR at the field level. S/he will persuade and obtain assistance of others on matters of non-routine significance. Contacts predominantly with persons on subject matters of importance to Organization¿s programmes (e.g. counterparts in other organizations or at working level in national Governments).
While the functional responsibility of a Head of Field Unit will remain the same despite its grade level, the other parameters (therefore the depth and breadth of the competencies) such as the size of the population of concern to UNHCR, their specific legal/security concerns, volume of assistance, number of operational / Implementing partners and the size of the Office (i.e. number of UNHCR staff and their grade levels) will determine the appropriate grade level. The operational autonomy also depends upon the same parameters/competencies. The supervisor exercises regular oversight and provides guidance, direction and support to the incumbent.
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
- Monitor and report on the implementation of refugee conventional responsibilities and international obligations of the local authorities vis-à-vis the population of concern to UNHCR within the AOR.
- Advocate and promote UNHCR standards concerning the treatment of persons of concern.
- Ensure that the basic needs of the concerned population are properly assessed with the participation of the beneficiaries themselves, the host governments and/or the competent Implementing partners and/or UNHCR itself.
- Subject to the needs, ensure that the planning, formulation and budgeting of identified assistance projects are done as per UNHCR programme cycle; upon approval of assistance project, ensure the timely implementation and monitoring of identified assistance activities.
- Ensure through the subordinate staff that deadlines for monitoring and reporting of UNHCR operational activities are met on a regular basis.
- Manage UNHCR resources, both human, financial/material, at an optimum level for the wellbeing of the concerned population and the UNHCR staff.
- Ensure that security measures of UNHCR office (and residential, wherever applicable) compounds are always up to date; any security breaches and/or potential security threat should be reported immediately to competent UN security coordinator in the country.
- Ensure that staff welfare, both in terms of working and living conditions, are maintained at a satisfactory level within the constraints in the operational area.
- Guide, coach and advocate the subordinate staff to maintain highest standards of conduct and behaviour thorough one¿s own practice and deeds.
- Prepare and submit regular reports, both verbally and written, to the UNHCR Representative/HoSO/HoFO. In the event of substantial telephone conversation that leads to specific action or non-action, it should be recorded and share with the other party.
- Any other responsibilities/functions deemed necessary or as delegated by the UNHCR Representative of the country in order to meet the level of the services in the organization.
- Represent UNHCR in inter-agency fora and with local authorities in the AOR.
- Enforce compliance with UNHCR¿s global protection, programme, finance, human resources and security policies and standards.
- Submit project proposals for assistance to refugees and other persons of concern to UNHCR Representation or Sub-Office in coordination with local authorities and NGOs.
- 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
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
Business Administration; Economics; International Relations;
Law; Management; Political Science;
or other relevant field.
Certificates and/or Licenses
Programme Mgmt
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
- Knowledge of UNHCR mandate and its Field level application.
- Applied knowledge of protection principles, operational arrangements/standards in relation to protection, assistance, UNHCR office management and staff administration.
Desirable
Not specified.
Functional Skills
*UN-UN/UNHCR Mandate and Global Strategic Priorities
*IT-Computer Literacy
*PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework
(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 - Field experience, good knowledge of UNHCR’s programmes.
- Experience in coordinating with Implementing Partners
(Government/INGO/NGO/Corporate).
- Programme Management (project formulation, programme cycles and reporting
standards)
- UNHCR Protection Learning Programme
- Results-Based Management
- Good knowledge of Arabic and one of the main local languages (Acholi, Ma’di or
Lotuko).
- knowledge of the cultural norms and values of communities of Eastern Equatoria
State
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
,
,
Desired languages
,
,
Operational context
The security in Torit operational area as of October 2023, is generally relatively stable though the environment remains fluid and unpredictable. The situation is permissive for humanitarian operations to continue at acceptable “Moderate Risk Level”. Criminality remains the main threat to humanitarian workers and residents of Eastern Equatoria State and includes bag snatching, armed robbery and road ambushes and property theft. The UN curfew is in force from 900pm-600am. All staff are issued with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and VHF radios.
Torit Field Unit, under the management of Yei Field Office, is responsible for providing protection and solutions to spontaneous returnees from neighboring countries hosting South Sudanese refugees (Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia) and host communities in Eastern Equatoria State of South Sudan.
The State counts 125,649 returnees since 2018 after the signing of the peace agreement. In the last few months of 2023, an increase in the trends of returnees was observed and it is likely that figures will keep increasing owing to reduction of assistance in the countries of asylum and perceived stability in the country of origin. In addition, due to recurring intercommunal conflicts and cattle raiding, the Office provides support to internally displaced persons, who in most of the cases return to their places of origin within few months after the conflict.
The Head of Field Unit will lead a team of about 9 staff and 13 support staff. He/she is expected to coordinate all UNHCR activities, aligning the operations with the ‘Triple Nexus’ approach to invest in community-led projects which promote self-reliance and reintegration of the returnees, in collaboration with the Government counterpart: Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, line ministries, local authorities, UN agencies as well as other partners (Implementing and Operating) in the Eastern Equatoria State.
Torit is classified as `E” non-family duty station with basic infrastructure and limited leisure facilities. It can be reached by either road or flight (UNHAS operates 3 times a week and other commercial flights operates throughout the week). UNHCR office and accommodation (International staff stay in the compound while national staff live outside within the communities) is inside UNMISS compound. The climate is relatively hot with heavy rains during rainy season (April to November) and hot/dusty conditions in dry season (December to March). Available mobile telephone networks are Zain and MTN. 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). There are three Banks (Kenya Commercial Bank, Eden Commercial Bank, and Ivory Bank). UNHCR has a relatively well-equipped Gym and staff can also access the one for UNMISS.
UNHCR has a cafeteria serving 2 meals per day (breakfast and lunch). In addition, there are 2 other cafeteria are available inside the compound (1 serving local cuisine lunch only and 1 international cuisine serving 3 meals a day).
Additional Qualifications
SkillsIT-Computer Literacy, PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework, UN-UN/UNHCR Mandate and Global Strategic Priorities
EducationBachelor of Arts (BA): Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Economics, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Relations, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Management, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political Science
CertificationsProgramme Management - Other
Work Experience
CompetenciesAccountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaboration
UNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Additional InformationAll shortlisted candidate will be required to sit for a written test and it will be eliminatory in nature
Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance