Current Vacancies at United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

• The Programme Officer may be based in HQ, field/regional bureau, typically reporting to and be guided by the Senior Program officer and may supervise a small team of local and international staff. He/she may refer to UNHCR's Programme Manual (Chapter IV), UNHCR's corporate and regional strategic priorities, operation plans and other relevant institutional rules and regulations for further guidance.
• The Programme Officer will provide programmatic guidance and support with regard to the implementation of protection and solutions strategies within available resources. S/he will coordinate with the other sections/units to ensure harmonized programmatic approaches at all levels and throughout the UNHCR Operations Management Cycle. S/he will work in line with the overall UNHCR directions which crucially require working with partners, including with persons of concern, governmental institutions and the private sector, ensuring that programme management is approached as per UNHCR's Strategic Directions, Global Strategic Priorities (GSPs), Global Compact for Refugees (GCR), corporate positions on SDGs.
• The incumbent is expected to work in line with the multi-functional team (MFT) approach as defined within the Program Manual, ensuring the participation of relevant stakeholders in all phases of the Program Management Cycle.
• 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

• Support in assessing and analysing the needs of persons of concern in a participatory manner, using an Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective as basis for planning.
• Provide support on programmatic aspects of developing multi-year protection and solutions strategies and annual plans with corresponding priorities taking into account corporate priorities.
• Support Results Based Management and programme capacity in light of evolving requirements, programming approaches and gaps.
• Support the planning process in compliance with planning parameters outlined in the Programme Manual and the planning instructions.
• Review and analyse plans, mid-year and year-end reports of UNHCR office(s), ensuring quality assurance and compliance with established policies, guidelines, procedures and standards.
• Support in the provision of overall direction to broaden partnerships with key stakeholders in order to maximize the protection and solutions response for persons of concern.
• Provide support to ensure a consistent application of the framework for implementing with partners, including the effective implementation of the policy on selection and retention of partners, management of partnership agreements, risk-based project performance monitoring, and risk-based project audits, among others.
• Contribute to ensure consistent and coherent monitoring approaches, tools and systems in line with global standards and polices.
• Actively contribute to UNHCRs programming of community of practice and continuously contributing to improvements of programming tools and processes.
• Identify potential gaps and problems and in cooperation with other relevant sections recommend appropriate solutions to ensure the efficient implementation of programme activities.
• Oversee a timely and effective follow-up of internal and external audits observations and recommendations that relate to programmatic issues.
• Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience

• For P3/NOC - 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree.

Field(s) of Education

• Economics, Business Administration, Social Sciences or other relevant field.

Essential

• Demonstrated experience in programme management including familiarization with the OMC and sound knowledge Results Based-Management. Demonstrated experience in field operations, sound knowledge on the centrality of protection in programming, Joint Needs Assessments and the principles of targeting.

Desirable

• Demonstrated experience in coordination within an inter-agency context and other actors, in a refugee or humanitarian context. Sound experience in program management training and capacity building activities.

Functional Skills

• PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards)
• PG-Results-Based Management
• PG-UNHCR's Programmes
• (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
Essential:

• Familiarity of UNHCR’s Operations Management Cycle, the Programme related procedures e.g., resources allocation, planning, and management processes, monitoring and evaluation.
• Demonstrated experiences in effective partnership management and multi-stakeholders collaboration in humanitarian and /or development contexts
• Demonstrated experiences in strategic planning processes and knowledge of results-based management (RBM) concepts and tools as well as programming policies and approaches, including PLAN for the Results, GET the Results, and SHOW the Results phases.
• Knowledge of UNHCR Program tools (e.g., BTP, PROMS), and training in UNHCR's and or UN programme management learning programmes.
• Knowledge of Cash-based Interventions (CBI) including supporting and overseeing the CBI components of the operation.

Desirable:

• Experience working in complex operational and multicultural environment and building and leading teams and coordinating consultative processes.
• Experience with UNHCR and or UN organization and or INGOs on programme management and understanding of national development planning processes.
• Ability to translate organizational changes, strategies, and policies into programmatic deliverables.
• Experience in guiding teams in designing and monitoring strategies translating them into programmes.
• Prior programme management experience with UNHCR or other UN organizations in the field or relevant working experiences with non-UN international organizations in the field.
• Prior experience working in the field and in similar Operational contexts.

go to method of application »

• In the Bureaux, the Senior Protection Coordinator works under the direct supervision of the Head of Bureau Protection Service, the Bureau Director or Bureau Deputy Director. In the Field, the incumbent normally reports to the Representative, Assistant Representative or Deputy Representative as appropriate. The incumbent has direct supervisory responsibility for protection staff in the Area of Responsibility (AoR) and may supervise other staff.
• The incumbent provides guidance to the Country Operations in the AoR on all protection/legal matters and accountabilities. These include: statelessness (in line with the campaign to End Statelessness by 2024), Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) commitments, age, gender, diversity (AGD) and accountability to affected populations (AAP) through community-based protection, child protection, Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention and response, gender equality, disability inclusion, youth empowerment, psycho-social support and PSEA, registration, asylum/refugee status determination, resettlement, local integration, voluntary repatriation, human rights standards integration, national legislation, judicial engagement, predictable and decisive engagement in situations of internal displacement and engagement in wider mixed movement and climate change/disaster-related displacement responses.
• The incumbent provides protection oversight and guidance to other functions in the AoR, to support protection delivery to populations of concern and to promote and gain support for UNHCR¿s protection agenda also externally. This includes ensuring that operational responses in all areas and sectors are shaped in a protection optic, mainstream protection methodologies and integrate protection safeguards and benchmarks.
• The incumbent works in close collaboration with the Division of International Protection, Division of Resilience and Solutions, Division of Programme Support and Management and other relevant Divisions. He/she maintains close working relations with senior protection staff in all countries in the region or all offices in the country, as appropriate, as well as regional/country-based UN sister entities, other intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organisations, embassies, academic institutions and the media and represents the Organization on protection and legal matters.
• In the Regional Bureaux, the incumbent is responsible for ensuring, in an effective and efficient manner which supports the Organization¿s Mandate, overall quality assurance and managerial support of operations, in line with the Bureau¿s 2nd line function, within the three lines of defence conceptual framework for effective control and risk management adopted by the UN system.
• S/he will, further, cover the full spectrum of managerial oversight, manage performance and monitor the adherence of Country Operations to UNHCR¿s rules and regulations, monitoring, identifying and addressing any emerging issues and risks as appropriate. The incumbent also promotes a culture that is results-oriented, efficient and based on trust and pursues measures to ensure that inclusion, gender balance and diversity are taken into due consideration in staffing, resource allocation and representation at all levels throughout the AoR.
• As a key custodian of the organization¿s standards of conduct, s/he will proactively establish a working environment where all personnel feel safe, heard, equipped and empowered to speak up; demonstrate no tolerance for sexism, gender inequality, discrimination of any kind, abuse of power, harassment or sexual harassment; foster ongoing dialogue on those matters; take seriously all issues of inappropriate behaviour and actions reported, whether formally or informally; and seek guidance and support as necessary to ensure that appropriate follow-up is taken, working on the basis of zero tolerance for any form of misconduct.
• 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

• Provide guidance to the Bureau Director on all protection matters.
• Contribute towards the development of a protection and solutions strategy in the AoR consistent with UNHCR¿s priorities and commitments; support regional and country programming for protection from planning to evaluation including contingency planning and advocate for adequate resource allocations.
• Stay abreast of political, social, economic and security developments that have an impact on the protection environment and protection delivery capacity and advise the senior management in the overall management of UNHCR¿s operations.
• Coordinate quality, timely and effective protection responses to the needs of persons of concern in the AoR including emergency responses.
• Maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of the protection service guided by common strategic, principled and practical protection objectives, working towards increased protection impact in line with the regional strategies.
• Provide legal, technical and policy advice to Country Operations or Offices under the AoR and enforce Country Operations¿ compliance with, and operationalization of, UNHCR¿s global protection policies and standards, priorities and commitments.
• Coordinate a consultative process (through Country Offices in the region, if applicable) with government counterparts, partners and persons of concern to develop and implement the protection and solutions strategies at the country level. Ensure strategies address gender equality priorities, internally displaced persons, specific protection needs of women and men, children, youth and older persons, persons with disabilities, persons of diverse sexual orientation and/or gender identity, minority groups, and person living with HIV/AIDS.
• Coordinate with partners and provide oversight to specific protection areas described above.
• Advocate with authorities and stakeholders for access to and respect for the rights of persons of concern and their access to services.
• Support local integration objectives and well as efforts to promote social inclusion.
• Coordinate activities in the area of risk management related to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA), fraud, case-processing data protection, and human rights due diligence at country level, in consultation with relevant Divisions (as appropriate).
• Coordinate the design, implementation and evaluation of protection related programming with implementing and operational partners also in line with Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals.

For positions in Bureaux

• Work with Country Offices in identifying and taking up opportunities to influence legislative, institutional and judicial processes in relation to asylum/RSD, statelessness and internal displacement; ensure quality comments are provided on draft legislation and policies and to Human Rights mechanisms; draft/review judicial interventions and engage with legal and judicial institutions as relevant.
• Guide and support Country Operations in the development of strategies to build and further develop national asylum/RSD systems with a view to ensuring their fairness, efficiency, adaptability and integrity.
• Support Country Operations and ensure they meet their complementary pathways objectives and resettlement quotas.
• 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 P5 12 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 11 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 10 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education

• Law; International Law; Political Science; International Humanitarian Law; International Refugee Law; International Relations; or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses

• Management Learning Programme;
• Protection Learning Programme;
• (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential

• Minimum 8 years of previous work experience in progressively responsible functions in an organisation or institution with a protection mandate, preferably within the UN. Thorough knowledge of International refugee law and its application; ability to analyse and advocate for the application of relevant international and regional legal instruments for the benefits of the persons under UNHCR's mandate.

Desirable

• Solid UNHCR experience from both the Field (including Hardship Duty stations) and Headquarters/Regional entities. Proven track record in emergency preparedness, response and management. Proficiency in local language(s) in the given region. Knowledge of additional UN languages.

Functional Skills

• *PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators
• *PR-Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD)
• PR-Gender Equality
• PR-Refugee Coordination Model
• PR-Human Rights Doctrine/Standards
• PR-International Humanitarian Law
• PR-Developing Strategic Protection Framework
• LE-Judicial Engagement
• PR-Climate change and disaster related displacement
• PR-Comprehensive Solutions Framework
• *PR-Gender Based Violence (GBV) Coordination
• (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 

• The incumbent will be responsible for ensuring a mechanism is in place which supports the Organization’s Mandate, overall quality assurance and managerial support of operations, in line with the Bureau’s 2nd line function, within the three lines of Defence conceptual framework for effective control and risk management adopted by the UN system.
• The EHAGL Regional Bureau based in Nairobi supports UNHCR operations in eleven countries in the East, Horn and Great Lakes regions of Africa. The incumbent will provide guidance to Country Operations on all protection/legal matters and accountabilities. The areas of intervention include adapted asylum systems, mixed movements, registration, protection partnerships, durable solutions for/with refugees, IDPs and stateless persons. 
• The candidate will also have to demonstrate competencies to oversee a Durable Solutions Unit (DSU) in the Regional Bureau working on repatriation and reintegration, resettlement and complementary pathways, prevention of statelessness as well as inclusion and local integration.
• The candidate will be required to develop pragmatic protection responses and strategies in complex operational contexts marked by a combination of new, resurgent, and protracted displacement situations.  
• The incumbent will be expected to have proven knowledge and practice in coordination and policy cultivation of State lead Multi-Year-Multi-Partner Protection (MYMP) and solution strategies. The cross functional competencies desired for this position include ability to define impact driven protection and solution approaches in the East Horn and Great Lakes region of Africa. In this regard political and knowledge of inter-agency and inter-governmental protection and solution.
•  Under the guidance of the Head of Protection Service and in a mutually reinforcing manner with other pillars and in coordination with DIP, the incumbent will be tasked to develop and update policy and guidance, ensuring Standard setting, developing practical tools and guidance, gathering and consolidating operational practice, facilitating community of practice, contributing to global regional policy development and discourse on protection.
• A solid conceptual and practical understanding of UNHCR’s approaches to comprehensive solutions, the CRRF and GCR, the SG’s Action Agenda on IDPs, route-based protection responses to mixed movements and climate and conflict based solutions to displacement are a pre-requisite. Strong drafting skills are necessary for the position, along with a demonstrated ability to work with diverse teams. A good command of French and Arabic would be an advantage.

go to method of application »

• The Education Inclusion Accelerator (EIA) will be part of the Division of Resilience and Solutions (DRS). Hosted at Regional Bureau level, it will develop innovative ways of working with other agencies to enable leveraging of each partner’s knowledge, skills and experience to deliver the greatest return on investment, streamline coordination and accelerate change. As well as providing granular support to selected country operations, the EIA will develop capacity building approaches for both UNHCR and development partners, gather and disseminate lessons learnt and global public goods in ways which core partners can use both in the region and elsewhere, and engage regional platforms, including the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), on meaningful further operationalization of the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR).
• The EIA will bring together the key enablers from across relevant international community stakeholders to deliver on the promise of the GCR, catalysing work at country and regional levels, building UNHCR capacity and building capacity on refugee issues into sister agencies. These will be docked into the shared work on the Common Agenda and to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (SDCF), embedding a harmonised commitment to operationalising the GCR as One-UN.
• The incumbent of this position will work closely with colleagues in the Regional Bureaux to further develop the strategic relationships at regional level and will report to the Deputy Director of DRS, with a dotted line to the Deputy Director in the Bureau. The incumbent will also work closely with the Chief of the Education Section in DRS.
• 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

Accelerator formulation/establishment:

• Convene and build trusted relationships with the key partners, embedded in the GCR, UNHCR’s Education Strategy, and Regional Bureau’s priorities around education, inclusion, and partnership management.
• Establish an operational framework for full Accelerator.
• Lead the co-design of a strategic work plan. Link to Partnership Frameworks and/or Agreements depending on partner.
• Develop a resource mobilization strategy and provide operational oversight of Accelerator design.
• Analyse and create a detailed matrix of target countries’ policies, inclusion bottlenecks, sector planning processes, public financial management and accountability (PFMA) considerations, and relevant timelines.
• Political economy analysis of IGAD with a view to prioritising and tailoring engagement by the Accelerator.

Inclusion activities:

• Provide high level analysis, advice and guidance to senior management on education inclusion.
• Based on initial analyses and engagement across Regional Bureaux/targeted country operations, develop a series of options paper on core issues around recurrent expenditures: modelling of costs and recommendations for sustainable financing including targeted areas for negotiation, future co-design, and advocacy with the Accelerator partners.
• Develop options papers or other research on the intersection between household income and access to education, right to work and access to domestic financing.
• Produce resource mobilization strategy pegged to implementing those options agreed on by UNHCR senior management and with Accelerator partners engagement.
• Support the operationalisation of the GRF Education mega-pledge in the region as it relates to key partners.

Internal UNHCR activities:

• Develop and conduct training and mentorship programme for targeted Education staff, Senior Development Officers and leadership, along with partners. Build this out into a shared capacity building package / set of global public goods for all Accelerator partner staff to ensure harmonization of knowledge and approaches.
• Analyse and share recommendations on internal bottlenecks.
• 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.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level

• For P5 - 12 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 11 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 10 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education

Education

• Social Science; 
• International Development;  or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses

• Not specified.
• (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

• Substantial demonstrated previous work experience relevant to the function. Experience with the refugee inclusion agenda and related global and national frameworks. Demonstrable multi-country experience in providing high quality advice across education pathways including access (including with groups such as girls and children with disabilities), quality (teacher management and professional development, curriculum and teaching and learning materials) and governance (working with Ministries and sector architecture). Experience in building/expanding partnerships at global/regional levels. Experience in high level advocacy and influencing.

Desirable

• Previous working experience in emergency education with UN or NGOs.  Experience in the field operations. Good understanding of UNHCR's protection and solutions mandate.

Functional Skills

• ED-Education systems analysis and strengthening;
• ED-Education capacity building - education programming;
• ED-Education programming design and quality assurance;
• CL-Multi-stakeholder Communications with Partners, Government & Community;
• DM-Data Management;
• MG-Strategic Partnership Development (global)
• (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.

Competency Requirements

• All jobs at UNHCR require six core competencies and may also require managerial competencies and/or cross-functional competencies. The six core competencies are listed below.

Core Competencies

• Accountability
• Communication
• Organizational Awareness
• Teamwork & Collaboration
• Commitment to Continuous Learning 
• Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies

• Leadership
• Strategic Planning & Vision
• Empowering & Building Trust
• Judgement & Decision Making
• Managing Resource
• Managing Performance

Cross-Functional Competencies

• Analytical Thinking
• Stakeholder Management
• Policy Development &Research
• 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 

• The incumbent will be a recognized strategic and inspiring leader in education, with experience working at national, regional and global levels to transform education policy, programming and practice and the ability to convene stakeholders with wide ranging priorities under a common objective. Essential experience includes evidence of delivering at the juncture between global/national education architecture, refugee law and policy, opportunities and bottlenecks to be overcome, and partnerships required to achieve the full inclusion of refugees in national systems.

Required experience includes: 

• Demonstrable technical expertise and multi-country experience of providing technical guidance across partnerships, innovation and evidence. Extensive experience and knowledge of the refugee inclusion agenda and related global and national frameworks, and its application at multiple country levels.
• Significant representation and partnership building expertise including with Development Banks.  Experience of building multi-stakeholder portfolios including with Member States will be an advantage. 
• Evidence of excellent evidence-based analytic skills and the ability to build transformational approaches to partnerships on the inclusion of refugees in national education systems, including with UNICEF, UNESCO and the World Bank.
• Demonstrable global and regional experience in high level advocacy and influencing.  
• Knowledge of and experience with alliances and partnerships such as GRF, Transforming Education Summit, GPE and ECW.
• Experience in dotted line reporting, building capacity within these structures, including coaching and mentoring skills.

go to method of application »

• The incumbent heads the Protection Service in the Regional Bureau and reports to the Bureau Director. S/he has direct supervisory responsibility for protection staff in the Bureau and may supervise other staff.
• The incumbent ensures coordination of regional protection and solutions support and acts as a senior advisor to the Bureau Director and to Country Operations in the region on all protection and legal matters and accountabilities, including durable solutions. These include: statelessness (in line with the campaign to End Statelessness by 2024), Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) commitments, age, gender, diversity (AGD) and accountability to affected populations (AAP) through community-based protection, child protection, Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention and response, gender equality, disability inclusion, youth empowerment, registration, asylum systems building and refugee status determination, resettlement, local integration, voluntary repatriation human rights standards integration, national legislation, judicial engagement, predictable and decisive engagement in situations of internal displacement and engagement in wider mixed movement and climate change/disaster-related displacement responses. The incumbent will be responsible for ensuring the centrality of protection in all of UNHCR's activities.
• The incumbent works in close collaboration with the Division of International Protection (DIP), Division of Resilience and Solutions, Division of Programme Support and Management and other relevant Divisions.
• He/she maintains close working relations with senior protection staff in all countries in the region as well as regionally based UN entities, other intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organisations, embassies, donors, international financial institutions, academic institutions and the media and represents the Organization on protection and legal matters.
• The incumbent is responsible for ensuring, in an effective and efficient manner which supports the Organization's Mandate, overall quality assurance and managerial support of operations, in line with the Bureau's 2nd line function, within the three lines of defence conceptual framework for effective control and risk management adopted by the UN system.
• S/he will, further, cover the full spectrum of managerial oversight, manage performance and monitor the adherence of Country Operations to UNHCR's rules and regulations, monitoring, identifying and addressing any emerging issues and risks as appropriate. The incumbent also promotes a culture that is results-oriented, efficient and based on trust and pursues measures to ensure that inclusion, gender balance and diversity are taken into due consideration in staffing, resource allocation and representation at all levels throughout the region.
• As a key custodian of the organization's standards of conduct, s/he will proactively establish a working environment where all personnel feel safe, heard, equipped and empowered to speak up; demonstrate no tolerance for sexism, gender inequality, discrimination of any kind, abuse of power, harassment or sexual harassment; foster ongoing dialogue on those matters; take seriously all issues of inappropriate behaviour and actions reported, whether formally or informally; and seek guidance and support as necessary to ensure that appropriate follow-up is taken, working on the basis of zero tolerance for any form of misconduct.
• 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

• Provide strategic guidance to the Bureau Director on all protection matters.
• Develop a regional protection and solutions strategy consistent with UNHCR's priorities and commitments; support regional and country programming for protection from planning to evaluation including contingency planning and advocate for adequate resource allocations.
• Ensure the continued functioning of the protection service under her/his supervision as one strong team, guided by common strategic, principled and practical protection objectives, working towards increased protection impact.
• Coordinate quality, timely and effective protection responses to the needs of persons of concern in the region including emergency responses. Facilitate overall harmonization, coherence and application of the Bureau's protection strategies, policies and operations.
• Engage in regional fora and forge regional partnerships with broad cross-section of stakeholders to advocate for key protection and mandate issues, to ensure effective protection leadership and strengthen regional and national protection frameworks plans and capacities. Coordinate development of the Bureau's strategic protection partnerships with selected institutions, including regional organizations, relevant NGOs, civil society and academic institutions. Advocate for protection within regional coordination mechanisms.
• Maintain a functional link and oversight of the most senior protection staff in Country Offices. Coordinate and provide legal, technical and policy advice to Country Operations and enforce Country Operations' compliance with, and operationalization of, UNHCR's global protection policies and standards, priorities and commitments.
• Support Country Offices in identifying and taking up opportunities to influence legislative, institutional and judicial processes in relation to asylum, statelessness and internal displacement; ensure quality comments are provided on draft legislation and policies and to Human Rights mechanisms; review judicial interventions and engage with legal and judicial institutions as relevant.
• Guide and support Country Operations in the development of strategies to build and further develop national asylum/RSD systems with a view to ensuring their fairness, efficiency, adaptability and integrity.
• Support Country Operations in the preparations of Exchange of Letters, Tripartite Agreements, and other agreements as required.
• Support Country Operations and ensure they meet their complementary pathways objectives and resettlement quotas. Support local integration objectives and well as efforts to promote social inclusion.
• Guide and support risk management related to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA), fraud, data protection, and human rights due diligence at country level, in consultation with relevant Divisions (as appropriate).
• Consolidate and share analysis of emerging protection risks and recommended practices with DIP for global analysis and consult DIP on sensitive protection issues and when proposed regional/local UNHCR policy/position could affect global coherence and accountabilities.
• Coordinate efforts to harmonize and ensure the effectiveness of the Bureau's external protection communications with key counterparts including donors and the media.
• Develop protection capacity of senior protection and legal staff in the region through protection training and regional consultations; promote reviews and evaluations across all areas of protection and identify, document and disseminate promising practices.
• 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 D1 17 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 16 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 15 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education

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

Certificates and/or Licenses

• Not specified.

Relevant Job Experience
Essential

• Minimum 12 years of previous work experience in progressively responsible functions in an organisation or institution that assists asylum-seekers, refugees, stateless persons and/or IDPs, preferably within the UN. Thorough knowledge of International refugee law and its application; ability to analyse and advocate the application of various regional legal instruments for the benefits of the persons under UNHCR's mandate. Proven and outstanding track record and intimate familiarity with UNHCR's protection doctrine and operational experiences, including experience of application of protection doctrine in highly political context, senior level protection management, leadership in coordination within UNHCR and the UN and with government counterparts. Excellent drafting and analytic skills.

Desirable

• Solid UNHCR experience from both the Field (including Hardship Duty stations) and Headquarters.

Functional Skills

• *PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators
• *PR-Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD)
• *PR-Developing Strategic Protection Framework
• *PR-Comprehensive Solutions Framework
• *PR-Gender Based Violence (GBV) Coordination
• (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 

• The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring a mechanism is in place which supports the Organization’s Mandate, overall quality assurance and managerial support of operations, in line with the Bureau’s second line function, within the three lines of Defense conceptual framework for effective control and risk management adopted by the UN system.

Key tasks of the Head of Bureau protection services include the following:

• Support country offices to develop comprehensive protection and solutions strategies that comply with global policies and address needs across the full spectrum of forced displacement and build on country strategies to develop and implement regional (e.g., situational) protection and solutions strategies while ensuring that the Regional Bureau has the requisite expertise to support country operations to comprehensively address protection, response, and solutions challenges.
• Support development of regional and country level strategic advocacy plans to support broader regional/country strategies for protection and solutions and undertake advocacy for key protection and mandate issues in line with relevant global advocacy strategies.
• Engage in regional fora (including IGAD, EAC, ICGLR) and forge effective partnerships to ensure protection leadership, adapted approaches that take into account regional integration frameworks, and promote corporate priorities and commitments on forced displacement, mixed movements and comprehensive solutions.
• Support operations in ensuring accurate and timely monitoring and reporting on progress made in relation to organizational protection priorities, including creating or promoting tools that enable the regional bureau to oversee protection standards across the region.
• Support operations in the implementation of the 2013 GRF pledges, and ensure knowledge exchanges across the region.
• Support targeted resources mobilization efforts aimed at addressing specific protection gaps in emergencies as well as resilience and solutions programmes.
• Coordinate efforts to harmonize and ensure the effectiveness of the Bureau’s external protection communications with key counterparts including donors and the media.
• The Head of Protection reports to the Regional Director and ensures a comprehensive and adapted protection and solutions response in EHAGL, aligned with the regional frameworks, including those of IGAD, EAC and ICGLR. The successful candidates supports  the Regional Director in guiding country offices to develop comprehensive protection and solutions strategies that comply with global policies and address needs across the full spectrum of forced displacement and build on country strategies. S/he also supports development of regional and country level strategic advocacy plans in line with relevant global advocacy strategies. S/he is also tasked in engaging in regional fora and forge regional partnerships to ensure effective protection leadership and promote corporate priorities and commitments on forced displacement, mixed movements, and comprehensive solutions. The incumbent also advises the Regional Director for accurate and timely monitoring and reporting on progress made in the implementation of the GRF pledges and other priorities, all aligned with the Global Compact on Refugees.
• The successful candidate should have a solid experience in effectively leading protection and multifunctional teams, including in complex settings. A demonstrated experience in advancing protection and solutions in complex refugee, IDP and returnee setting as well as in mixed movements (which are prevalent in the East and Horn, and Great Lakes) is a requirement. S/he is expected to lead the development and implementation of the region's protection and solutions strategies and undertake quality, timely and effective protection interventions, including in the emergency contexts, which are recurrent in the region. S/he needs to be familiar with UNHCR’s operational responses in the field, at regional and global level. The ability of the candidate to analyze protection data, and related information (including from external actors), to inform effective program planning, development and management will be highly relevant. S/he needs demonstrated communication skills and the ability to effectively work with diverse teams, in the region and with HQ, including DIP. The ability to forge meaningful partnerships (humanitarian, development, peace, etc), to advance protection and solutions in the region will be expected of the successful candidate.

go to method of application »

• The Administrative Associate is normally supervised by a (Senior) Administrative Officer or a National Administrative Officer who defines general work objectives and provides necessary advice and guidance. The incumbent may supervise some support staff. S/he keeps frequent contacts with staff at various levels in the office and occasionally with staff at the same level in other duty stations and/or Headquarters; with local suppliers and/or officials and/or Implementing Partners (IPs) on subject matters which may be of importance to the Organization.
• 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

• Assist the supervisor in the provision of resources (human, material and services) necessary to support the day-to-day activities of the staff in the office.
• Assist the supervisor in ensuring the UNHCR Office premises provide a healthy, safe and respectful working environment.
• Provide administrative support in the areas of finance, administrative and human resources as well as up to date and accurate data and records in MSRP and other systems.
• Provide interpretation of administrative rules, regulations and procedures. Perform personnel work including processing of entitlement, issuance of contracts maintenance of various personnel records and files.
• Assist in the recruitment of General Service staff for non-specialized work including evaluating candidate applications, administering recruitment exams if applicable, conducting preliminary interviews of candidates; assign General Service staff to meet work requirements.
• Collect information and assist in conduct of surveys on local cost of living, daily subsistence allowance criteria, local salaries for office and servicing staff, house rentals.
• Brief international personnel on general administrative matters relating to visas, licences, security; provide advice and ensure administrative support as required.
• Arrange for and/or attend meetings on day-to-day administrative matters, participate in discussions of new or revised procedures and practices, interpret and assess the impact of changes and make recommendations for follow-up action.
• Prepare, on own initiative, correspondence, reports, evaluations and justifications, as required, on general administrative or specialized tasks which may be of a confidential nature within the assigned area of responsibility.
• Assist in the preparation of office budgets applicable to staff and servicing costs and maintain necessary budgetary control records.
• In addition to general administration responsibilities, may also supervise directly or indirectly, activities concerned with office and grounds maintenance, security, transport and similar services.
• Arrange for requisition of office supplies and equipment and arrange for control of distribution and maintenance of appropriate inventory records.
• Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
• Perform other related duties as required.

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

• For G6 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education

• Not applicable.

Certificates and/or Licenses

• Business Administration, Finance,
• Office Management, Human Resources or other related fields.;
• (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential

• Not specified

Desirable

• Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of the position.

Functional Skills

• IT-Computer Literacy
• UN-UN/UNHCR Administrative Rules, Regulations and Procedures
• BU-PeopleSoft EPM/Budget
• SC-UN/UNHCR Procurement Rules and Procedures
• (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

• Under the direct supervision of the Administrative Officer, who defines general work objectives and provides necessary advice and guidance, the candidate will assist with the arrangement and follow up on the staff movements inside and outside Sub Office Dadaab on missions, training, leave, etc., booking flights and arranging airstrip pick up in coordination with the Radio room. The candidate will use Cloud ERP for processing requisitions, raising invoices, travel requests, travel advances and claims, as well as generating monthly, annual, and ad-hoc reports for appropriate decision making by the office. The candidate will supervise the transport unit, coordinating drivers and vehicle assignments. Under the guidance of the Associate Compound Manager; the candidate is expected to assist in accommodation bookings and invoicing using the booking hub and following up on the rental charges. The candidate will be responsible for the billing and invoice in Cloud ERP for accommodation charges for staff members (International, national, and Affiliate Workforce) and recoveries in MODE. Additionally, the candidate will assist with creating new vendors, raising requisitions, and conducting low value procurement. The candidate will perform backup supervisory functions for the compound contractors (cleaning, A/C service, refuse collection, among others). The candidate will assist in the implementation of the Admin Instruction on accommodation provided in the field, ensuring that all users sign the rental agreements, and other procedures followed.