Hardship LevelE (most hardship)
Family TypeNon Family with Residential Location
Family TypeNon Family with Residential Location
Residential location (if applicable)
Yaounde, Cameroon
GradeNOB
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeNational Professional Officer
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Target Start Date2024-01-01
Job Posting End DateJanuary 1, 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 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 Working under the supervision of the Head of the Office, Maroua, s/he is responsible for managing the office of approximately 10 persons, coordinating with inter-agency and government partners in the District, developing UNHCR’s protection strategy for the District, and implementing the UNHCR programme in the District.
It is essential that the candidate needs to have experience in an environment defined by logistical and security challenges, and working with refugees, IDPS (conflict and natural disaster), and returnees, both IDPs and refugees. Due to poor road conditions, and logistical challenges, the office in Kousseri needs to function relatively independently from the SO Maroua. Therefore, the candidate needs to be able to take decisions and lead a team while able to seek advice and guidance as appropriate.
S/he will need to lead consultative processes with government counterparts, partners, and persons covered by UNHCR’s mandate of concern to prepare, undertake, and monitor the return of Cameroon refugees from Chad, where some 40,000 refugees remain,
S/he will be a key focal point for the Peace Building Fund project implemented in the Logon Birni area together with three other UN Agencies, to be completed in June 2024. For this, the candidate should have a strong protection background but also have solid experience in leading and working on multiple agency projects, with a variety of sectoral components and implementation modalities.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level): French
,
,
Desired languagesEnglish
,
,
Operational context
The security situation in the Far North of Cameroon remains worrying and volatile since 2014 when Boko Haram terrorist groups began carrying out attacks on Cameroonian territory. The security level is high, at SLS 4. Attacks by non-state armed groups (NSAG) continue, either against military positions or against innocent civilians, particularly in on the border areas with Chad and Nigeria. The use of improvised explosive devices has become a preferred operational method by the BH.
This situation seriously influences the activities of humanitarians, making access difficult.
The particularly increasing criminogenic nature is the result of the extreme poverty in which the majority of the population lives, the underemployment which affects young people with little education, the arid soils which do not allow mass agriculture and the search for easy means of survival as well as rising of food prices. Non-state armed groups continue to terrorize residents of villages bordering Nigeria and those located around Lake Chad. Kidnapping for ransom has become a form of crime adopted by said different criminal and terrorist groups to obtain a means of subsistence.
A minor indirect impact is observed on United Nations staff and humanitarian partners because our movements in red zones are dependent on armed escorts as well as respect for the 9 p.m. curfew that all UN staff must observe.
The Far North of Cameroon faces nearly every operational scenario confronted by UNHCR; IDP (conflict and natural disasters), refugees (prima facie and individual status determination), returnees (refugee and IDP), solutions (resettlement and voluntary repatriation), nexus (humanitarian-development-peace building), care and maintenance, emergencies, camp, and non-camp populations.
Violence by the Islamic Sect, Boko Haram, led to an influx of about 130,000 Nigerian refugees according to local authorities, into the Far North region of Cameroon. Approximately 75,000 live in the Minawao refugee camp, the largest in West Africa, and fully supported by humanitarian assistance, while remaining in villages scattered along the Nigerian border, the majority of which n the regional covered by the Kousseri Office.
Refuges continue to arrive at Minawoa, either from Nigeria or coming from Cameroonian villages due to continued insecurity and lack of access to the means of subsistence. This situation has also led to the internal displacement of the local population living along the border, to other localities. There are some 380,000 IDPs in the Far North, mostly living with host families.
Intercommunal violence in 2021 displaced approximately 35,000 people within Cameroon and another estimated 40,000 to Chad. A good number have returned, and the registration/enrolment of the returnee population is essential to provide cash and other forms of reintegration assistance.
The Far North Region is classified under security level 4 with related security concerns and restrictions. Missions in some areas must be accompanied by military escorts.
The working and living conditions are challenging. The working environment is constrained by the security situation, long distances to cover, inaccessibility of some areas due to seasonal flooding, and poor road conditions. The security situation is precarious and stressful. The Cameroonian security forces guarantee the safety of humanitarian workers, refugees and property assigned to the operation. Staff in Kousseri live in private accommodation approved by UN Security Staff.
Additional Qualifications
Skills
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 ExperienceDurable Solutions, Field Operations, Office Context: Field, Programme/Planning, Work Context: Protection
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