Snr Resettlement Asst at United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

• A Senior Resettlement Assistant position is typically located at Multi-Country Office, Branch Office or Field Office. Under supervision, the incumbent's primary role is to assist the supervisor in effective resettlement delivery of a given UNHCR Office in accordance with the UNHCR Resettlement Handbook, UNHCR Manual and relevant policy papers and publications. The incumbent provides important clerical and administrative support to resettlement operations and may as required take part in assessing cases for resettlement and conducting interviews. S/he maintains frequent contacts with the supervisor, relevant colleagues within the same Office or Offices under purview to exchange information and discuss issues on resettlement cases. Some contacts and communication at a working level are required with Embassy / Immigration Officials of resettlement countries, IOM as well as with other operating partners regarding resettlement issues.
• 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

• Carry out preliminary interviews and initial assessments to process refugees for resettlement following established procedures.
• Prepare written documentation for resettlement submission; ensure that records / files of individual cases are updated in a systematic and timely manner.
• Assess and review individual resettlement cases and prepare individual / group submission for scrutiny by the supervisor. 
• Provide persons of concern (PoC) with up-to-date and accurate information on UNHCR's resettlement policies and procedures.
• Comply with UNHCR's standard operating procedures on resettlement, ensuring timely action on cases. 
• Follow up on cases from time of submission to final decision and departure; ensure effective in-country communication on the status and follow-up on PoC being considered for resettlement. 
• Assist in maintaining and updating proGres or Consolidated Online Resettlement Tracking System (CORTS) database and provide technical support. 
• Coordinate travel and departure arrangements for refugees accepted for resettlement.
• Organize logistical support for governments undertaking resettlement missions.
• Provide administrative support for resettlement-related training activities, including organization of resettlement workshops and meetings as required.
• Maintain accurate resettlement statistics as well as up-to-date records on individual cases; assist in the preparation of reports.
• Draft / type routine correspondence to Field Offices / Multi-Country Offices / Headquarters.
• Systematically apply an Age, Gender and Diversity perspective in all aspects of the resettlement process; comply with UNHCR policy and guidelines on HIV/AIDS. 
• Assist in mitigating resettlement fraud by reporting suspected fraud.
• Recommend eligible cases for resettlement consideration.
• Provide counselling to PoC.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level

• For G5 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education 

• Not applicable
• (Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential) 

Certificates and/or Licenses 

• International Law;   
• International Relations; 
• (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential) 

Relevant Job Experience
Essential

• Not specified

Desirable

• Good knowledge of resettlement issues and UNHCR resettlement policies and operational applications. Completion of UNHCR specific learning/training activities (e.g., PLP and RSD/Resettlement Learning Programme, resettlement anti-fraud workshop).

Functional Skills 

• PR-Refugee Resettlement programs
• PR-Resettlement Anti-Fraud Policy and Procedures
• CO-Cross-cultural communication
• (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.

Desired Candidate Profile 

• The ideal candidate should have experience in refugee work, including the ability to interview refugees, assess their needs, and determine their eligibility for refugee status and resettlement. They should also possess excellent interviewing and counseling skills, as well as proficiency in written English. The candidate should have a proven track record of producing high-quality, accurate written reports. Additionally, they should have demonstrable analytical skills that enable them to evaluate complex cases and make well-informed decisions.
• The candidate should also have the ability to work effectively and efficiently in a high-paced environment, meeting established targets for case processing. As they may be assigned additional responsibilities, the candidate should be flexible and capable of managing diverse tasks.
• The incumbent will be positioned within the Resettlement/Complementary Pathways unit and will be reporting to the RST/CP Officer. The incumbent of this position will be expected to conduct resettlement interviews and draft RRFs for onward review, as per set targets (3 interviews and RRFs per week).

Essential qualifications: 

• University degree in relevant area (e.g. international law/refugee law, political science, social science etc.);
• Minimum of two years 'work experience in relevant field (e.g. assisting refugees in a resettlement context, case advocacy, assisting with family reunification, identifying resettlement needs etc.);
• Knowledge of the international legal framework governing refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons and statelessness;
• Knowledge of UNHCR guidelines on refugee status determination / resettlement;
• Previous professional experience working as a resettlement caseworker or RSD caseworker dealing with complex cases;
• Excellent interviewing and counselling skills as demonstrated in previous assignments; 
• Excellent drafting and written skills in English, very strong attention to detail, very strong analytical skills, as demonstrated in previous assignments;
• Awareness of UNHCR mandate, the importance of preventing fraud and ways to mitigate risks;
• Ability to assess and to identify protection risks of individuals and groups, and family reunification needs;
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in a team;
• Ability to work effectively in stressful situations;

Desirable Qualifications & Competencies:

• Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of the position (e.g. the IPeLC).