Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)A (least hardship)
Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
Family
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeUNOPS LICA6
Target Start Date2023-04-27
Job Posting End DateApril 30, 2023
Terms of ReferenceDesired Candidate Profile:
Candidates must be legally present in Costa Rica at the time of application, recruitment and hire.
Only candidates holding a legally residency a in Costa Rica will be considered eligible.
Candidates could have to complete Written Test and Interview
Desirable experience: priori experience in proGres system and conducting Registration Interviews and managerial experience will be an asset
Covid-19 Vaccination and related Safety Measures:
UNHCR has a responsibility to prevent and curb the spread of COVID-19 as part of its accountability to its workforce and the communities it works in and serves. Whilst other measures (such as hand hygiene, physical distancing, ventilation and wearing masks) remain crucial, being vaccinated against COVID-19 plays a key role in protecting oneself, families, colleagues, and the community including persons of concerns and has been proven to significantly reduce risks of serious illness and death from COVID-19. Therefore, in alignment with other UN agencies and based on the advice of the UN Medical Directors network, UNHCR strongly urges all colleagues to get vaccinated as soon as possible to protect themselves and others.
Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme or as an intern is subject to proof of full vaccination, independently of contract type and duration, unless the candidate is based in a location with documented lack of access to COVID-19 vaccines.
Therefore, the people recommended for the position must provide proof of vaccination or the medical recommendation that justifies non-vaccination.
Operational Context:
The socio-political crisis and rise in persecution factors in Nicaragua since April 2018 has produced a particularly sharp increase in the number of Nicaraguan asylum-seekers in Costa Rica. Only 78 Nicaraguans were registered as asylum-seekers in 2017. However, from April 2018 to mid-2020, the number had grown to over 86,000. This includes a significant number of vulnerable persons: at least one quarter of the arrivals has required humanitarian assistance, although this figure has likely increased in the months since the arrival of COVID in March 2020. With the onset of the COVID pandemic and related measures, the regular influx of new asylum seekers slowed to a trickle, but is expected to increase again once the situation “normalizes” and borders are reopened on a greater level. The level of humanitarian and legal protection needs has only increased for those asylum-seekers, refugees, and persons at risk of statelessness – known collectively as Persons of Concern (“PoC”) – in the country.
Costa Rica also continues to receive asylum-seekers from Venezuela, Colombia, El Salvador, Honduras, Cuba and other countries with approximately 160,000 total PoC in Costa Rica at end-2021. The country also hosts a significant number of persons from within and outside the region who are in transit through Costa Rica as part of mixed movements, but some of these persons apply for asylum as well.
The response capacities of Costa Rica, a country of approximately 5 million people, and those of UNHCR and other partners, have been severely stretched, resulting in inadequate reception facilities and significant delays in registering and processing asylum claims. The large backlog can inhibit asylum-seekers from timely access to documentation, work authorization, health insurance and other rights, as well as a final refugee recognition decision, increasing their vulnerability and exposure to protection risks, and increasing their dependency on humanitarian aid.
UNHCR carries out registration activities for Persons of Concern (POC) to ensure that they are identified and monitored for assistance, protection interventions and case management activities. Registration involves the recording, verifying and updating of information on POC to UNHCR with the aim of protecting, and of implementing durable solutions. Registration with UNHCR would result in identifying persons with specific needs and facilitate access to protection interventions.
According to Conclusion No. 91 (LII) of the Executive Committee (ExCom), registration is a protection tool and should be an ongoing process that records both essential information on initial displacement and changes in the refugee population. The continuous process of updating the information guarantees the integrity of the database so that quality protection, well-targeted assistance and durable solutions can be provided to the PoC.
While the Costa Rican government registers refugees for refugee status determination, UNHCR registers refugees and asylum-seekers to provide effective protection for people, manage individual cases, provide financial assistance, and for programmatic responses.
Candidates must be legally present in Costa Rica at the time of application, recruitment and hire.
Only candidates holding a legally job permit in Costa Rica will be considered eligible.
We are committed to maintaining diversity in terms of gender, ethnicity and culture. Persons belonging to minority groups, persons with special abilities, men and women, are encouraged to apply for vacancies. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.
Eligible candidates may be required to take a technical test and/or an interview.
If you have special needs or require assistance to apply, please contact cossarrhh@unhcr.org
Covid-19 Vaccination and related Safety Measures:
UNHCR has a responsibility to prevent and curb the spread of COVID-19 as part of its accountability to its workforce and the communities it works in and serves. Whilst other measures (such as hand hygiene, physical distancing, ventilation and wearing masks) remain crucial, being vaccinated against COVID-19 plays a key role in protecting oneself, families, colleagues, and the community including persons of concerns and has been proven to significantly reduce risks of serious illness and death from COVID-19. Therefore, in alignment with other UN agencies and based on the advice of the UN Medical Directors network, UNHCR strongly urges all colleagues to get vaccinated as soon as possible to protect themselves and others.
Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme or as an intern is subject to proof of full vaccination, independently of contract type and duration, unless the candidate is based in a location with documented lack of access to COVID-19 vaccines.
Therefore, the people recommended for the position must provide proof of vaccination or the medical recommendation that justifies non-vaccination.
The Registration Associate may provide day-to day supervision, direction and support to UNHCR staff engaged in registration and related activities (including Reception, Filing, Data Management and conduct interviews), and monitors the efficiency and quality of registration processes, identify and entitlement documentation activities, and population data management. The Registration Associate collaborates closely with Protection, Programme, Operational Information Management collegues as well as with Government authorities and parthners on the provision of quality population data for the delivery of registration activities as needed. The incumbent also provides counselling to, and responds to queries from asylum-seekers and refugees regarding UNHCR’s registration procedures and their rights and entitlements. S/he liases closely with protection staff and partners to endure timely identification and referrals of persons of concern for protection follow up. S/he may assist in compiling and analyzing information related to registration activities in the operation. The Registration Associate may provide interpretation and/or translation services in cases for which s/he has the required language competencies. Additionally, s/he responds to queries from asylum seekers, and refugees regarding UNHCR’s registration procedures and their rights and entitlements, conduct registration interviews, scheduling activities, or perform any other type of reverification interview when needed. Additionally, as part of the multifunctional team in UNHCR, the registration unit at San Jose will be conduct assessments and issuance of documentation to persons of concern as part of the UNHCR-CCSS (Caja Costarricense De Seguro Social) continuation of project to identify and provide beneficiries with health insurance coverage.
2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment
(Concise and detailed description of activities, tasks and responsibilities to be undertaken, including expected travel, if applicable)
Duties and responsibilites include but are not limited to:
- UNHCR’s Registration Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are implemented in accordance with relevant UNHCR standards and policies.
- Persons of concern have fair and transparent access to registration procedures.
- Assist in the implementation of registration strategies and methodologies for populations of concern.
- Assist in the supervision and daily running of registration team activities, where required.
- Conduct registration interviews when required in accordance with registration standards and guidance.
- Provide counselling to, and responds to queries from, asylum seekers and refugees regarding UNHCR's registration procedures and their rights and entitlements.
- Maintain accurate and up-to date records and data related to all registration cases.
- Identify persons with specific needs and ensure timely referral to protection follow-up as required.
- Collaborate with protection staff and/or partners in the delivery of assistance and programming, including provision of identity and entitlement documentation.
- Draft correspondence and reports relating to registration activities in the operation, when required
- In consultation with the supervisor, make decisions related to day-to-da
- Provide statistics and draft reports related to registration data, as requested.
- In consultation with the supervisor, make decisions related to the day-to-day operations of the registration unit and devise registration procedures which are efficient and effective.
- Draft and submit reports and statistics as needed.
- Act as interpreter and translator when needed.
- Perform other related duties as required.
3. Monitoring and Progress Controls
(Clear description of measurable outputs, milestones, key performance indicators and/or reporting requirements which will enable performance monitoring)
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.
Key Performance indicators includes but not limited to:
• Core Values and Corporate Commitment - Works to achieve the goals of UNOPS as a whole, and demonstrates commitment to the UN’s core values; respects individual, gender and cultural differences in dealing with others.
• Teamwork - Works collaboratively with and supports colleagues to achieve organizational goals.
• Client Orientation - Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect, and by identifying clients’ needs and matching them with appropriate solutions.
• Planning and Organization - Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Uses time efficiently.
• Communication - Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• Accountability - Takes ownership for all responsibilities and honours commitments. Delivers outputs for which he/she has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards.
Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
• Building and Knowledge sharing - Contributes to own field of practice (e.g., documents and shares knowledge inside or outside own office/project, engages in practice discussions etc.).
• Commitment to Continuous Learning - Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; actively seeks to develop him/herself professionally and personally; shows willingness to learn from others.
. Key Competencies
(Technical knowledge, skills, managerial competencies or other personal competencies relevant to the performance of the assignment. Clearly distinguish between required and desired competencies)
Essential
Good computer skills, particularly in data management.
Fluency in English and Spanish both spoken and written.
Experience conducting Registration interviews and knowledge on UNHCR’s proGres system is essential.
Desirable
Training in basic principles of international protection. Experience in working with UNHCR proGres software.
Ability to review registration interview
Ability to make sound judgement and decision making
Management performance and ability to oversea the team in the absence of the senior officers.
Knowledge of UNHCR programmes and activities.
Core Competencies
Accountability
Communication
Organizational Awareness
Teamwork & Collaboration
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Client & Result Orientation
Managerial Competencies
Ability to lead people
Abitility to support and develop staff
Planning
Problem solving
Managing relationships
Cross-Functional Competencies
Analytical Thinking
Technological Awareness
Planning and Organizing
,English
,
Skills
Education
CertificationsInformation Technology - Other, Mathematics - Other, Social Sciences - Other, Statistics - Other
Work Experience
Other informationThis position doesn't require a functional clearance
This vacancy is archived.