Head of Field Office at United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

Job ID: 14104
Location: Yola, Adamawa
Salary Grade: P3
           
Organizational Context

• Head of a UNHCR Field Office (HoFO) is a senior managerial position within a given country operation.
• The incumbent carries the full delegated authority of the UNHCR Representative (or the country Manager or Head of Sub-Office) of the country, who will exercise entire supervisory managerial responsibility over the position.
• The position, on the other hand, provides all information on developments in relation to the protection (legal protection issues relating to the persons of concern to UNHCR), security (Physical security in relation to the UNCR staff and the persons of concern to UNHCR) and operational matters (programme and office management / administration) within the domain of its geographical area of responsibility to the UNHCR Representative (or the country manager) on a regular and timely manner.
• Subject to the specific legal or socio economic or security developments in the Area of Responsibility (AOR), Representative will direct and guide the Head of Field Office to take the most appropriate course of action. Concerning overall physical security concerns, HoFO will liaise directly with the competent UN security coordinator while keeping the UNHCR Representative fully informed.
• While the functional responsibility of a Head of Field Office will always remain the same despite its grade level, the other parameters (therefore the depth and breadth of the competencies) such as the size of the population of concern to UNHCR, their specific legal/security concerns, volume of assistance, Number of operational / Implementing partners and the size of the Office (i.e. number of UNHCR staff and their grade levels) will determine the appropriate grade level. The operational autonomy also depends upon the same parameters/competencies.
• As the most senior UNHCR staff member within the given geographical area, he/she is required to liaise with all the relevant senior government officials, security organs in the area, the Head of various Non-Governmental Organisations (both national and internationals based in the area), Civilian/tribal leaders/elders, local opinion makers and the local media net-work to ensure his/her assigned responsibilities are effectively and efficiently discharged.
• As the extended field representative of UNHCR at the front line of High Commissioner's operations, he/she remain as the effective advocate and assistant to the local authorities to ensure that the respective government authorities in the area implement their conventional responsibilities in favour of refugees and others of concern to UNHCR.

Functional Statement
Accountability:

• The Convention concerning the treatment of asylum seekers, IDPs, refugees, returnees and the stateless, where applicable, is disseminated to the local authorities.
• UNHCR policies and standards are applied consistently in the AOR to ensure quality protection of populations of concern.
• A healthy, safe and respectful working environment is provided to the workforce in the AOR.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and report on the implementation of refugee conventional responsibilities and international obligations of the local authorities Vis a Vis the population of concern to UNHCR within the given geographical area; based on local situations/developments make appropriate recommendation to the UNHCR Representative/HoSO.
• Advocate and promote UNHCR  standards concerning the treatment of asylum seekers, refugees and returnees as well as IDPs, where applicable; Advocate, promote and encourage the concerned authorities and local opinion makers to uphold established UNHCR standards that have become the international norms.
• Ensure that the basic needs of the concerned population are properly assessed with the participation of the beneficiaries themselves, the host governments and/or the competent Implementing partners and/or UNHCR itself.
• Subject to the needs, ensure that the planning, formulation and budgeting of identified assistance projects are done as per UNHCR programme cycle; upon approval of assistance project, ensure the timely implementation and rigorous monitoring  of identified assistance activities
• Ensure through the subordinate staff that all deadlines for monitoring and reporting of UNHCR operational activities (i.e. include assistance as well as Administrative) are met on a regular basis.
• Manage all UNHCR resources, both human, financial/material, at an optimum level for the wellbeing of the concerned population and the UNHCR staff.
• Ensure that all security measures of UNHCR office (and residential, where ever applicable) compounds are always up to date; any security breaches and/or potential security threat should be reported immediately to competent UN security coordinator in the country.
• Ensure that staff welfare, both in terms of working and living conditions, are maintained at a satisfactory level within the constraints in the operational area; this requires remaining current in health and medical facilities locally available and evacuation options available in a moment of medical urgency.
• Guide, coach and advocate the subordinate staff to maintain highest standards of conduct and behaviour thorough one's own practice and deeds.
• Prepare and submit regular reports, both verbally and written, to the UNHCR Representative/HoSO. In the event of substantial telephone conversation that leads to specific action or non-action, it should be recorded and share with the other party.
• Any other responsibilities/functions deemed necessary or as delegated by the UNHCR Representative of the country in order to meet the level of the services in the organization.

Authority:

• Represent UNHCR in inter-agency fora and with local authorities in the AOR.
• Enforce compliance with UNHCR's global protection, programme, finance, human resources and security policies and standards.
• Submit project proposals for assistance to refugees and other persons of concern to UNHCR Representation or Sub-Office in coordination with local authorities and NGOs.

Minimum Qualifications and Professional Experience

• University degree in Management/Personnel Administration or Law or Political Science or International Relation or Economics or a related field.
• At least 8 years (6 years with advanced university degree) of relevant work experience.
• In-depth knowledge in all aspects of UNHCR mandate and its Field level application.
• Applied knowledge of protection principles, operational arrangements/standards in relation to protection, assistance, UNHCR office management and staff administration.
• Should be conversant in the current priorities in the organisation and existing mechanisms within the organisation to implement those priorities.
• Basic computer skills and working knowledge in MS office software.
• Excellent knowledge of English with working knowledge of another relevant UN language. (In offices where the working language is not English, excellent knowledge of working language of duty station and working knowledge of English.)

Desirable Qualifications and Competencies:

• Working experience both in UNHCR HQ and/or a Regional Office and the Field
• UNHCR Specific learning/training activities ( i.e. Learning Programme in Management & Operations)
• Proficiency of the language(s) that are used within the Sub Office area.

Position Competencies:   

• C001L3 Accountability Level 3
• C002L3 Teamwork & Collaboration Level 3
• C003L3 Communication Level 3
• C004L3 Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 3
• C005L3 Client & Result Orientation Level 3
• C006L3 Organizational Awareness Level 3
• M001L3 Empowering and Building Trust Level 3
• M006L3 Managing Resources Level 3
• M005L3 Leadership Level 3
• M002L3 Managing Performance Level 3
• M004L3 Strategic Planning and Vision Level 3
• X005L3 Planning and Organizing Level 3
• X001L3 Analytical Thinking Level 3
• X007L3 Political Awareness Level 3

Desirable Attributes:

• Knowledge of the political, social and cultural practices of IDP population;
• Demonstrated humility while dealing with persons of concern and level headedness;
• Demonstrated openness in dealing with issues and showing high level of transparency and accountability;
• Experience serving as Head of Office or Unit;
• Knowledge of IDP populations / Cluster approach;
• Experience in implementing field protection at the point of delivery;
• Ability to manage a large team and coordinate with other Field Offices;
• Sensitive political context requires ability to work collaboratively with government counterparts;
• Consensus and team building and cultural sensitivity needed since the team will be diverse;
• Ability to mentor both international and national staff under his or her supervision;
• Ability to demonstrate multi-agency co-ordination and dealing with the public;
• Experience in dealing with multiple crises;
• Ability to come up with innovative and creative solutions to operational challenges;
• Strong analytical skills in conducting research and developing policy and concept papers;
• As this operation is dealing mostly with IDP/Refugee issues, the Head of Office should have more protection rather than programme experience.

Procedures and Eligibility

• Before submitting an application, UNHCR staff members intending to apply to this Job Opening are requested to consult the IOM-FOM issued for this Compendium / Fast Track exercise, as well as the  Revised Policy and Procedures on Assignments (UNHCR/HCP/2015/2 refers).