Jobs at United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

Purpose and Scope of Assignment    

• Refugees in Kenya are primarily identified for resettlement due to protection needs in line with the resettlement criteria in the Resettlement Handbook. In Nairobi, refugees are identified for resettlement through internal – protection referrals and external referrals – refugees self referrals and partners. 

Duties and responsibilities

• Under the direct supervision of the Resettlement & CP Officer at the UNHCR Branch Office in Nairobi for Kenya, the UNOPS IICA L2 will:
• Review resettlement needs assessments and RRFs for onward submissions as per the set targets by the Office (minimum of 12 to 15 cases per week).
• Provide expert advice and guidance on complex refugee and resettlement related issues, including legal issues, to Resettlement Consultants/Case Workers.
•  Interview refugees, undertake necessary action / assessments to finalize the resettlement assessment, and complete RRFs for cases deemed by the office to meet the resettlement criteria, if required.
• May be required to work on deferral cases and review as appropriate.
• Liaise with other functional units with UNHCR and partner agencies to ensure necessary action is taken / assessments made to finalize documentation on resettlement submissions.
• Act as country focal point (country missions) if required by the supervisor.
• Ensure to assess training needs and conduct training needs when required.
• Fulfil other resettlement related duties as directed by the supervisor.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

• The consultant will be required to enter appropriate events in proGres for each case that will enable the manager to easily compute the number of reviews completed (or RRFs drafted).
• Further, the consultant will be required to prepare reports following standard forms and deadlines:
• Weekly reports
• Statistical and narrative reports
• Provide statistics where needed to support program planning
• A Final Report (at the end of the assignment or end of the year)
• A Performance Appraisal Report (PAR) as per Annex N (UNOPS)
• The Performance Appraisal Report (PAR) must be signed by the direct UNHCR supervisor.

Qualifications and Experience

Education      

• University degree in relevant area (e.g. international law / refugee law, political science, social sciences – preferably in social work etc.) thorough understanding of the principles of refugee law and UNHCR’s mandate.

Work Experience 

Essential.

• 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Desirable

• Minimum 4 years professional experience in relevant work area (e.g. Assisting refugees in a resettlement context, case advocacy, assisting with family reunification, identifying resettlement needs, preparing resettlement referrals/submissions etc.) - required.
• Minimum of one-year professional experience in case review work - desired
• Experience in editing resettlement submissions and/or other legal documents– desired.
• Professional experience in the area of refugee law or advocacy on behalf of refugees - required.
• Professional experience writing detailed submissions on complex issues related to refugee law or refugee matters – required.
• Experience conducting refugee status determination and resettlement interviews – required.
• Experience drafting RRFs – required
• Experience drafting BIAs – required

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Duties

• Support the implementation of communications strategies for countries, situations and special projects within the AoR; help identify thematic priorities and target audiences to meet UNHCR's global, regional and country-level communications objectives of leading the narrative, generating empathy and mobilizing action for forcibly displaced and stateless people.
• Monitor news and popular trends to insert UNHCR's messaging into ongoing conversations; identify key moments for proactive communications.
• Help forge strategic partnerships with individuals and organizations who can help produce and promote UNHCR content, activities and messaging as well as provide research insights to improve communications; promote the work of engaged businesses and civil society actors.
• Support the development of news-driven and authoritative content to lead the narrative on forced displacement and show UNHCR's impact (e.g. interviews, press releases, flagship reports, speeches), create emotive storytelling to generate empathy (e.g. stories, multimedia content) and mobilize action by signposting concrete steps people can take to help refugees (e.g. digital diplomacy, action-driven campaigns, fundraising).
• Help ensure that content created reaches maximum impact by supporting the development of strategies for distribution from the outset, boosting the visibility of our content on relevant UNHCR channels and placing it on external channels.
• Monitor the implementation of communications projects and adjust accordingly.
• Assist in research, preparation, editing and production of professional media and communications materials for target audiences and ensure their timely dissemination via UNHCR's communications channels, ensuring highest quality standards.
• Continually maintain and upgrade communications skills, keeping abreast of emerging platforms and tools, and systematically reviewing media impact results and other measurement tools for learning purposes.
• May be required to support the implementation of campaigns, events and other initiatives in support of UNHCR's strategic objectives, including its need for a leading share of voice on refugee and related matters.
• May be required to undertake missions and field trips with media and other official visitors in support of UNHCR and its work.
• 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

Years of Experience / Degree Level

• For G7 4 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Certificates and/or Licenses

• Journalism, Social Sciences, Humanities or related fields
• (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience

Essential:

• Excellent computer skills and knowledge of MS Office applications. Excellent drafting skills.

Desirable:

• Experience implementing communications strategies. Professional writing and editing skills. Experience working on advocacy campaigns.