Senior Resettlement and Complementary Pathways Officer at United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

The incumbent's primary role is to provide, in close coordination with the Resettlement and Complementary Pathways Service, relevant Bureau and other concerned sections in the field and HQ, continuous support within in his/her Area of Responsibility (AOR) ensuring that resettlement and complementary pathways for admission policies are correctly implemented and assist UNHCR in establishing comprehensive protection and solutions strategies. She/he contributes to policy development, revising and developing resettlement and complementary pathways methodologies and systems, support for complementary pathways development and implementation, monitoring procedural compliance, integrity and quality of resettlement case submissions, staff training as well as assisting the regional management of resettlement and complementary pathways operations, resources allocation and coordination of resettlement and complementary pathways activities involving governments and non-governmental organisations.

Duties

Note that regional duties reflected below will only apply for positions located in regional bureaux.

• In close coordination with other entities within the Bureau and country offices, ensure measures to prevent, detect and respond to instances of fraud in the resettlement and complementary pathways processes, and are comprehensively and consistently implemented across the region.
• Places allocated for resettlement and complementary pathways are used efficiently and effectively and targets are met at the country and regional level if appropriate.
• Stay abreast and analyse the implications of political, legal, social and economic developments in the AOR and provide advice/recommendations on policy/strategic approaches to further UNHCR objectives with respect to resettlement and complementary pathways for admission.
• Manage a consultative process within the AOR including country operations (if applicable), partners and other stakeholders to: i) identify and analyse resettlement and complementary pathways challenges, trends and gaps; and ii) develop and implement a resettlement and complementary pathways strategy.
• Ensure that the strategy addresses the specific protection needs of women and men, children, youth and older persons, persons with disabilities, minority groups such as sexual minorities (AGD) and persons living with HIV/AIDS.
• Review and provide feedback and advice on their resettlement and complementary pathways strategies and priorities, to ensure that they are coherent and consistent with the AOR strategy and fully integrated into country operations plans and that the necessary resources are allocated to address resettlement and complementary pathways gaps across the AOR.
• Promote, disseminate and strengthen understanding and capacity for and monitor the implementation of UNHCR's global resettlement and complementary pathways policies, procedures and guidelines in the AOR.
• Monitor and provide advice to country offices on resettlement and complementary pathways policies, procedures, guidelines and activities as well as in implementing standard operating procedures related to resettlement and complementary pathways.
• Contribute to policy development, revising and refining resettlement and complementary pathways methodologies and systems.
• Provide guidance and advice on policies, protection standards and procedures for complementary pathways for admission.
• Review and provide timely feedback and guidance on resettlement submissions to harmonize quality and consistency of resettlement delivery.
• Conduct periodic field missions to review and provide advice and guidance on the quality and consistency of resettlement submissions, decisions and activities.
• In cooperation with field offices, identify, interview, assess resettlement needs, and process cases identified for resettlement (mainly complex and sensitive cases) and provide counselling to individuals.
• Guide and support government officials and partners undertaking resettlement and complementary pathways related missions to the AOR.
• In close coordination with Headquarters, promote mechanisms for preventing and responding to fraud in resettlement and complementary pathways activities to maintain the integrity of the processes in the AOR.
• Negotiate with resettlement countries the design and development of resettlement programmes and/or complementary pathways for admission in close consultation with the Headquarters.
• Manage a two-way communication process to ensure that persons of concern and partners receive up-to-date and accurate information on UNHCR's resettlement and complementary pathways policies and procedures. Ensure mechanism for accountability and effective feedback are in place.
• Ensure the production of up-to-date and accurate statistics and analytical reports on resettlement and complementary pathways, updates and briefing notes, including with regard to the trends, the region¿s performance in meeting resettlement targets, challenges and responses.
• Coordinate, in close consultation with Headquarters, to collect resettlement and complementary pathways related information for external publications.
• For the AOR assess training needs, draw training plan and strategy and deliver resettlement complementary pathways related training to UNHCR staff, partners and other stakeholders as required.
• Contribute to a communications strategy that generates support for UNHCR's operations from external partners ensuring resettlement and complementary pathways positive protection outcomes are showcased when appropriate.
• Approve, if applicable, the regional and country resettlement and complementary pathways strategies for endorsement by the Regional Representative or Headquarters.
• Take review decisions on individual cases and approve resettlement submissions/withdrawals/resubmissions.
• Approve expenditures under the UNHCR resettlement and complementary pathways budget.
• Negotiate locally with resettlement and/or complementary pathways countries and as appropriate with host government on behalf of UNHCR.
• Represent UNHCR's resettlement and complementary pathways positions with resettlement and other third countries, with host government and in regional fora.
• Enforce compliance with, and integrity of, resettlement standard operating procedures across the AOR.
• Ensure that UNHCR's facilitation role on complementary pathways for admission takes into account relevant protection considerations and safeguards.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level

• For P4/NOD 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education 

• Political Science;
• Social Sciences;
• International Law, including International Public Law;
• International Refugee Law;
• International Human Rights Law;
• Refugee and Forced Migration;
• Law;
• International Relations  or other relevant field. International Public Law;