Job Vacancy at UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner Refugees

Vacancy Notice No.:IICA/KEN/NBI/18/004

Category /Grade

IICA-1

Duration

Initially up to 31 December 2018

Reporting Date

01 July 2018

Location

Branch Office Nairobi

Closing Date

14 June 2018

Organizational Context (role of the position within the team, describing its leadership role, it’s external/internal work relationships or contacts, the contextual environment in which it operates and the scope of supervision received, and where applicable, exercise by the incumbent)

The Republic of Kenya has acceded to the 1951 Convention relating to the status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol as well as the 1969 OAU Convention, and has ratified various other international instruments protecting human rights.

In December 2006, Kenya enacted its first refugee legislation, the Refugees Act of 2006 (“Act”). Refugees do not have the right to choose their place of residence and to move freely within its territory, Kenya has since the early 1990s practiced an encampment policy. Refugees largely live in two refugee hosting areas: Dadaab (North-eastern Kenya) and Kakuma (North-western Kenya). Each location has a UNHCR Sub-Office and a number of camps under its jurisdiction. The law provides legal sanctions against those who contravene the Act by residing, without authority, outside camps in urban areas.

Refugees who live in the camps receive various support including, inter alia: education, medical and often food aid. Refugees residing in urban centres, as a rule, do not receive material assistance with the exception of extremely vulnerable cases and those with protection concerns. Nevertheless, refugees in the urban centres have considerable difficulty attaining self-sufficiency. Many have good reasons for not living in the camp including security issues, trauma, etc. Those living in the urban areas are subject to arbitrary arrest and detention as they are often without proper documentation to remain outside the camps.

The Urban Resettlement Programme (URP)

A significant number of resettlement referrals are expected during 2018: a total of 5,800 for the whole operation in Kenya, out of which approximately 1300 are expected to be submitted from Nairobi. This position is required in order to assist the Branch Office in Nairobi meet these increased resettlement targets.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

The United States continues to receive the largest percentage of resettlement submissions. Canada and Australia also receive cases from the Kenya operation. Branch Office Nairobi usually receives annual selection missions from the UK. In 2017 it also submitted cases on dossier to France, Sweden, Iceland and New Zealand.

In order to meet its resettlement targets, the Resettlement Unit requires ongoing assistance from a consultant to ensure continuity of operations and quality assurance.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Under the supervision of the Resettlement Officer, the incumbent will perform the following duties:
• Interview refugees, undertake necessary action/assessments to finalise the resettlement assessment, including, refugee status determinations and complete RRFs for cases deemed by the office to meet the resettlement criteria;
  Complete Resettlement Referral Forms (RRFs) to meet agreed targets in Nairobi. The consultant is expected to complete 6 RRFs per week or a NFF in lieu of an RRF when and if the case interviewed is recommended for closure;
  Liaise with other functional units with UNHCR and partner agencies to ensure necessary action is taken/assessments made to finalise documentation on resettlement submissions;
  Draft BIAs for resettlement processing
  Fulfil other resettlement related duties as directed by the supervisor.
• The resettlement case identification system in Kenya focusses on identification of protection or vulnerable cases, identified by other units or by the implementing partners. This year Nairobi will implement a new case identification tool called “AIM”.
• UNHCR’s partner organisation HIAS conducts BIDs for resettlement cases. The UNOPs consultant will not be expected to conduct BIDs.
• Monitoring and Progress Controls
• Consultants will be required to enter appropriate events in ProGres for each case that will enable the manager to easily compute the number of RRFs drafted or reviews completed.

Further, the consultant will be required to prepare reports following standard forms and deadlines:

• Biannual statistical and narrative reports
• 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 and by the Senior Protection Coordinator/ Senior Protection Officer.

Essential Minimum Qualifications and Experience

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

Experience:-

• Minimum one year 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.
• 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 – desirable;
• Experience conducting refugee status determinations and resettlement assessments – required;
• Experience drafting resettlement submissions – required;

Key Competencies:-

• Fluency in English language, strong drafting skills - required.
• Knowledge of and/or preparedness to become familiar with and abide by UNHCR’s principles, code of conduct and humanitarian goals - required.
• Knowledge of the international legal framework governing refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons and statelessness - required.
• Knowledge of UNHCR guidelines on refugee status determination / resettlement. - desirable;
• Awareness of gender issues - required.
• Knowledge of rights and community-based approach to identify and respond to specific needs - desirable.
• Awareness of the importance of preventing fraud - required.
• Awareness of ways to mitigate risks - desirable.
• Respect for diversity. Ability to work in a multicultural environment. Adherence to the principles of transparency, confidentiality and fair treatment of refugees - required.
• Excellent interviewing and counselling skills - required;
• Ability to conduct assessments and identify protection risks of individuals and groups - desirable;
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in teams - desirable;
• Ability to work in stressful situations and in hardship locations - desirable;
• International/field experience – particularly with NGOs or UN agencies working with refugees in countries of refuge – highly desirable.
• Working knowledge of ProGres - essential.

Living Conditions

Nairobi is classed as a B family duty station. Nairobi is in UN Security Phase 2. Politically instigated demonstrations and riots may occur at any time. General crime in Nairobi is high and like many other large cities, it is no longer the safe place that it used to be. Mugging, kidnapping, carjacking and armed robbery occur particularly in Nairobi, Mombasa and other large cities. A high sense of vigilance and alertness is required.

Staff members live in independent MOSS compliant housing in approved Nairobi neighbourhoods. Guidelines available from UNHCR Security and UNDSS.

The climate for most of the year is mild and warm, characterised by two rainy seasons. There are good medical and banking facilities available throughout town.

In order to meet its resettlement targets for 2018, the UNOPs consultant may be required to conduct field missions to Kakuma or Dadaab if, necessary. This will include interviewing and assessing cases and completing RRFs. UNHCR’s Nairobi Branch Office also covers urban refugees in all other locations in Kenya. Therefore other potential mission locations could include other cities, including Mombasa.

5 June 2018