Hardship LevelU (unclassified)
Family TypeNo designation
Family TypeNo designation
Residential location (if applicable)
GradeNOA
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeNational Professional Officer
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Target Start Date2024-09-23
Deadline for ApplicationsSeptember 7, 2024
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 Field Unit managed by the incumbent has no other professional position and less than 6 General Service positions. The supervisor exercises substantive oversight and provides regular 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. 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 P1/NOA - 1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no 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
HCR Management Learning Prog; HCR Managing Operatns Lrng Prg;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Applied knowledge of protection principles, operational arrangements/standards in relation to protection, assistance, UNHCR office management and staff administration.
Desirable
Not specified.
Functional Skills
*PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework
*PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators
*MG-Office Management
*HR-Administration of Staff Contracts and Benefits
*IT-Computer Literacy
(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 DESIRABLE CANDIDATE PROFILE
For the posted position, applicants should possess the following technical attributes:
• In-depth knowledge in aspects of UNHCR mandate and its Field level application.
• The incumbent must have professional experience in the area of refugee protection, human rights and international humanitarian law at field level, including experience in working directly with Government bodies and partners.
• The incumbent must have proven managerial experience supervising multi-functional and diverse teams.
• Experience in planning, programming, Admin/Supply matters is needed.
• Experience in supervising operations in a border area is highly needed.
• Strong skills in guiding and accompanying field staff in the delivery of community-based activities, ensuring that refugees, asylum seekers and migrants as well as host community needs and rights are considered are essential.
• Experience in providing technical guidance and support in the coordination of the design, implementation, and evaluation of protection related programming to local partners is required.
• Strong teamwork, communications, and interpersonal skills, as well as political awareness are essential.
• Fluency in English and Spanish are essential.
This position is based in TACNA, Peru.
Please note that this is a local recruitment. All candidates must provide a proof of permanent residency at the time of application.
This vacancy is open to internal candidates (i.e., staff members with an indefinite or fixed-term appointment in the same category as the position advertised) and candidates with UNHCR experience at the time of application (i.e., current staff members in other categories, JPOs, staff members on temporary appointment, affiliate workforce, interns, and staff loaned/seconded), will be considered for regular appointments and assignments.
Please note that this position is offered under an initial one-year Fixed-term appointment. Extension is subject to operational needs, budget, and performance.
Only short-listed candidates will be notified and might be requested to sit a test. No late applications will be accepted.
Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted based on the information submitted during the application. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.
UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training, or any other fees).
The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity. All applications willl be treated with the strictest confidentiality.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level): English
,
,
Desired languagesSpanish
,
,
Operational context
To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
Nature of Position:
With over 1.5 million Venezuelans, out of which 532K are asylum-seekers, Peru is the second destination country for Venezuelan nationals, only after Colombia, and the first host country for Venezuelan asylum-seekers worldwide.
UNHCR and partners have supported over 244.000 persons in 2023 with legal assistance, psychosocial support, core relief items, multipurpose cash grants, access to shelter and safe spaces for people with specific needs, especially survivors of SGBV, and economic inclusion projects among others.
Tacna is an important entry and exit point of refugees and migrants in Peru. A considerable number of refugees and migrants entering Peru are traveling on foot and exposed to harsh weather conditions as well as significant protection risks during their journeys. UNHCR is co-leading the local platform of the GTRM and is supporting an interagency humanitarian response at the border providing information and orientation to refugees and migrants, identifying persons with specific needs, and delivering humanitarian assistance to refugees and migrants in transit.
Additionally, Tacna also hosts an estimated 5275 Venezuelans refugees and migrants which have been arriving since the beginning of the humanitarian crisis in 2017 and settling in several districts of the department. The Field Office in Tacna carries out an integral protection response for refugees and migrants residing on a permanent basis in the department, as well as for host communities.
The FU in Tacna works closely with operational and implementing partners and coordinates activities with local authorities, including the Office of the Ombudsperson, the local branch of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Migration Superintendence´s decentralized office as well as regional and municipal authorities, among others. The FU in Tacna also supervises the presence in Desaguadero and support their advocacy activities as well as operational response.
This position will be under the direct supervision of the Senior Field Coordinator based in Lima.
UNHCR Peru operates with a Branch Office in Lima, a Field Office in Lima, a Field Office in Tumbes, a Field Unit in Tacna and satellite presences in Trujillo, Puerto Maldonado, Desaguadero and Arequipa. The position will be based in Tacna.
* Despite the security concerns mentioned below and the current stranded health situation, Lima - category A - is a family duty station having good medical services. The recreational facilities, schools, and hotels are of international standards. There are possibilities of renting private accommodation, as well as good banking and currency exchange facilities available at the airport terminal, local banks, shopping malls, and main hotels; there is also unlimited access to communication options such as the internet, telephone sim cards, etc. Lima is a modern city with a great variety of commercial, economic, cultural, and industrial activities.
* No vaccinations are required to enter the country; however, it is important to check if the itinerary of the incumbent includes endemic areas of malaria, dengue, or yellow fever to take precautionary prevention measures.
* February is the hottest month in Lima with an average temperature of 24 °C and the coldest is August at 17 °C.
* Lima is considered of Low-Security level according to the security Level system methodology.
* The most frequent crimes reported nationwide are violent assaults in the streets occurring at night, extortion robberies in hotels, restaurants, and malls.
* Traffic accidents have become a public health issue nationwide due to driving negligence, low road safety as well as climatic factors.
* It is strongly advised to avoid using ATMs or banking services without basic precautions and, if necessary, use of credit and debit cards, which should never leave one 's sight, to prevent possible fraud through cloning. Also, avoid withdrawing large amounts of cash, use cashier cheques as much as possible or electronic transactions.
* Social unrest is frequently reported in the city of Lima, due to its media impact with demonstrations; however, these are also registered in other cities of the coastal regions. These actions, mainly related to socio-environmental conflicts, cause roadblocks and demonstrations in Lima tending to happen at the historical downtown area near the Congress and in areas where the main government buildings are located, showing a recent tendency towards localized violence, thereby stressing the government crowd control mechanisms.
* Peru is a highly exposed country to natural disasters in particular as it is seismic with several instances of devastating earthquakes and tremors; therefore the possibility of earthquakes is expected at any time.
Additional Qualifications
SkillsHR-Administration of Staff Contracts and Benefits, IT-Computer Literacy, MG-Office Management, PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators, PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework
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
CertificationsHCR Management Learning Program - UNHCR, Programme Management (PM) 1 - UNHCR
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 Information
Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance