2023-10-23

Field Officer – Baidoa, Somalia

Baidoa, Somalia
Posted on October 23, 2023

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

Field Officer – Baidoa, Somalia

Closing date: Thursday, 9 November 2023

Only candidates who are not nationals of the country of assignment are eligible to apply to this position: Hardship Level: E (most hardship)

Family Type: Non Family with Residential LocationDanger Pay

Residential location (if applicable): Nairobi (CO), Kenya

Grade: PR3

Staff Member / Affiliate Type: Professional

* S taff members will not normally serve in International Professional positions in the country of their nationality. In addition, in case of a first appointment upon recruitment, the assignment must be outside the staff member’s country of nationality.: In practical terms this means that you are not eligible to apply for International Professional vacancies advertised in the country where you are national of.: Reason: Regular > Regular Assignment

Remote work accepted: No

Target Start Date: 2023-10-13

Job Posting End Date: November 9, 2023

Standard Job Description: Field Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Field Officer is normally supervised by the Senior Field Coordinator or Head of Sub-Office/Field Office depending on the structure of the Office. S/he may receive indirect guidance from other sections and units relevant to the country/regional programme(s). UNHCR Manual, programme and protection objectives, Operations Plans, UN and UNHCR financial/budgetary rules and regulations will guide the work of the incumbent. The incumbent normally supervises some support staff and may supervise lower grade professional staff. S/he has daily contacts with staff in the various field offices and with the functional units at the Country/Regional Office. S/he also has close liaison with a range of local civilian and military authorities and counterparts in NGOs and UN agencies to discuss matters of common interest. 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

– Prepare project proposals; draw up plan of operation for implementation, including institutional arrangements for budgets.

– Assess refugee needs in the various fields of assistance and make recommendations for the establishment of projects, adjustment or discontinuation of existing projects and advise the Head of Office accordingly.

– Closely monitor the implementation of projects under the geographical area of responsibility and ensure the provisions under the agreements signed with the implementing partners are being adhered to.

– Regularly prepare written reports on the implementation of projects and the situation in the sites.

– Maintain good working relations with local government officials, implementing partners and other agencies in the area.

– Report immediately on any security problems that may occur affecting programme, beneficiaries and the smooth running of the operation.

– Provide assistance to UNHCR Technical advisers and consultants as well as visitors visiting project sites. – Represent UNHCR in the Field.

– Negotiate with local authority counterparts, partners and populations of concern.

– Approve expenditures within the DOAP.

– 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 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 Law, Political Sciences,

or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses

UNHCR Protection Learning Programme. UNHCR Operations Management Learning Programme. (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience

Essential Field experience. Desirable Knowledge of refugee law. Good knowledge of UNHCR’s programmes.

Functional Skills

IT-Computer Literacy 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: Same as described in the standard job description.

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):: , ,

Desired languages: , ,

Operational context: Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:: To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:: The Incumbent reports to the Head of the Sub-Office and will manage the Field Unit and will lead a team of seven staff (one IUNV and six UNHCR National Staff).

Ideally, the Incumbent should have the ability to coordinate and manage simultaneous regular and emergency responses of refugee returnees and IDPs in mainly Bay and Bakool Regions of South West State. The incumbent should be able to handle multiple and high intensity challenges and have Managerial skills. Familiarity with the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF) and functionality of the IDP Cluster system are critical for this Position. The incumbent is required to demonstrate sound cultural sensitivity, outstanding team spirit (both internally and on an inter-agency basis) and is familiar working in deep field hardship locations. Strong diplomatic skills are needed to engage with the local authorities. Knowledge in Protection delivery including community-based protection is essential. While there is a programme staff, basic knowledge in UNHCR programme function is needed. The incumbent will eventually represent UNHCR as the member of the Area Security Management Team (ASMT). Also, the incumbent might be appointed as one of the Alternate Area Security Coordinator to coordinate and control security arrangements applicable to all personnel, premises and assets. Therefore, knowledge and training on basic security management is essential.

Living and Working Conditions:: UNHCR has two accommodations for international staff and currently two Office spaces for all staff located in the UN Compound (referred to as UNSOS-UN support mission). Additional two prefabs are expected to be constructed for office space. The office spaces are shared with national and international colleagues while accommodations are self-contained. There is only one restaurant and interested individuals can obtain a prepaid card or pay cash directly for meal. However, UNSOS has a common kitchen should staff preferred to do their own cooking. This would mean that staff need to bring their food stuff when returning from Leave or R&R or liaise with UNHCR national colleagues to get some basic things from the local market. It is worth mentioning that international staff members are not allowed to visit the local market as per the UNDSS security advisory. There is no ATM machine, but United States Dollars is also commonly used locally. Regarding medical facilities, UNSOS has both level 1 and level 2 clinics in the compound that are accessible to UN staff on a cost recovery basis through the Office. For recreational activities, UNSOS has a gym facility that are accessible to UN staff and residents. Also, international staff can walk around certain unrestricted perimeter of the UN compound. There are also some organized activities by some UN staff including Yoga.

The UNSOS compound hosts AMISOM military and Police (both armed and unarmed). Moreover, UNSOS has a security firm called REED that provides security and monitors access to the compound. UNDSS runs a 24hours radio and radio checks is compulsory now for all UN international staff.

UNHCR staff member on assignment receives radio equipment and mobile sim card. Also, each staff member is provided with a laptop. South West State including Baidoa, is a high risks area and as such, a non-family duty station. Field missions by international requires security escort within a very limited radius of Baidoa Town. Travels beyond this point and to some accessible districts as well as Mogadishu are by UN flights. Travels by roads is impassable for security reasons coupled with poor infrastructure.

Additional Qualifications: Skills

MG-Field Operations Management, PR-Refugee Protection Principles and FrameworkEducation

Bachelor of Arts (BA): Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political ScienceCertifications

HCR Protection Learning Program – UNHCR, Programme Management (PM) 1 – UNHCRWork Experience

Annual Budget OL in Operation/Office, Number of Persons of Concern Served, Number of Workforce in Operation/Work Setting, Workforce to Supervise, Working with Persons of Concern: Asylum Seekers, Working with Persons of Concern: Internally Displaced Persons, Working with Persons of Concern: Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: Returned IDPs, Working with Persons of Concern: Returned RefugeesCompetencies: Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Managing performance, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

UNHCR Salary Calculator: https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium: Bi-annual Compendium 2023 Part B – October 2023

Additional Information: Functional clearance: This position doesn’t require a functional clearance

Apply Here

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