Resettlement Officer (Integrity) at United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

Accountability

• Resettlement delivery in the country has integrity, is needs-based, non-discriminatory and prioritized for refugees most in need of this solution.
• Persons of concern are made aware of UNHCR’s resettlement procedures and have fair and transparent access to and participation in the resettlement process.
• Fraud in the resettlement process is promptly identified and addressed.
• UNHCR’s resettlement policies and standards are correctly and coherently applied; efficient, fair and transparent resettlement procedures are in place.
• Internal staff and external partners are properly trained on anti-fraud procedures and guidelines.
• Anti-fraud procedures and mechanisms are fully established and implemented in all locations in Kenya.

Responsibility

• Assist in developing and enhancing policy and guidelines for resettlement practices. Revise and implement procedures for promoting resettlement of refugees for whom it is the preferred or the only viable durable solution.
• Maintain links with relevant units/sections in the Office to draw up strategies and devise transparent operational mechanisms to address the resettlement fraud.
• Monitor the case processing in the Resettlement Unit, to ensure transparency and efficiency in file submissions and appropriate follow-up with resettlement countries.
• Undertake review of the individual resettlement cases referred by various actors and submitted for resettlement consideration with different resettlement countries.
• Ensure that Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for resettlement and the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on Implementation of IOM008/FOM010 are established and implemented.
• Conduct fraud investigation interviews and prepare assessments on individual cases identified by the Sub-Offices and/or those reviewed and referred by the Oversight Panel at the BO Nairobi.
• Prepare quarterly reports documenting the progress of investigations and anti-fraud measures implemented in registration, RSD, resettlement and assistance programmes.
• Ensure timely update and tracking of individual cases referred for fraud investigation by Registration, Eligibility, Protection Delivery Unit and Resettlement teams in the Sub-Offices, as well as the Oversight Panel in the Branch-Office.
• Disseminate Policy guidelines and operational procedures among refugees, partners, and Government authorities. Facilitate training activities for UNHCR staff and implementing partners, as well as take part in the community-based protection trainings, organized for community volunteer workers and refugee leaders on annual basis.
• Communicate with various stakeholders concerning the general fraud trends and respond on individual inquiries presenting fraudulent issues.
• Identify, interview, assess resettlement needs, and process persons identified for resettlement following established procedures; undertake field missions as required; provide counselling to individuals.
• Assist selection missions by resettlement countries to the country.
• Provide briefings, and perform other tasks that may be required.

Authority

• Take review decisions on individual cases and approve resettlement submissions / withdrawals / resubmissions.
• Make recommendations with regards to investigations of allegations of fraud committed by refugees for presentation to the Oversight panel.
• Represent UNHCR’s resettlement positions with regards to anti-fraud policies and procedures during meetings with resettlement countries in local fora.
• Enforce compliance with, and integrity of, resettlement standard operating procedures.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• University degree in Law, International Law, political Sciences or related field with good knowledge of International Refugee and Human Rights Law.
• Minimum 8 years (6 years with Advanced University degree) relevant work experience of which 2 years in the field and 3 years in an international capacity.
• Extensive demonstrated experience with resettlement processing at a review level; excellent knowledge of UNHCR procedures and guidelines related to fraud perpetrated by refugees; strong investigation, analytical and drafting skills, solid training skills, good interpersonal skills.
• Excellent knowledge of English.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

• Diverse field experience desirable.
• Ability to understand and implement UNHCR’s policy and global strategic priorities, such as AGDM, IDP, Statelessness, and HIV/AIDS, in the area of responsibility at appropriate level.
• Good IT skills including database management skills.
• Completion of the Protection Learning Programme, RSD- Resettlement Learning Programme.
• Working knowledge of another UN language preferable.