Driver at United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

Duties and Qualifications
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships:

• The Driver in the UNHCR Office is normally supervised directly by the Administrative Officer/Associate/Assistant or another staff member when the scale of the Operation so require it.
• Besides driving, the incumbent is responsible for up keep and maintenance of the assigned UNHCR vehicle(s) as per technical guidance and specifications established by the Organisation.
• S/he is required to follow strict instructions and security guidance provided by the supervisor.
• While the basic function of a driver is to drive the official vehicles of UNHCR, s/he may be called upon to perform minor maintenance and repair of UNHCR vehicles.
• The Driver has regular contacts with staff within the UNHCR Office and with others (including Partners, government authorities, etc.) outside UNHCR involving a limited exchange of information.
• 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

• Drive UNHCR vehicles for the transport of authorized passengers, deliver, and collect documents and other items.
• Meet official personnel at airports or other locations and facilitate immigration and customs formalities as required.
• Perform day-to-day maintenance of the assigned vehicles; check oil, water, battery, brakes, tires, etc. and ensure that the assigned UNHCR vehicles are road or waterway worthy and maintained up to the established security standards.
• Perform minor repairs, arrange for other repairs, and ensure that the vehicle is kept clean.
• Ensure that the steps required by rules and regulations, or other local procedures, are taken in case of involvement in an accident.
• Log official trips, daily mileage, gas consumption, oil changes, greasing, etc.
• Ensure that instructions and security guidance provided by the supervisor and security focal point are strictly followed.
• Ensures valid documentation for passengers, items or cargo in vehicle.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Years of Experience / Degree Level:

• For G2D 2 years relevant experience with Completion of Primary Education or High School Diploma or higher

Field(s) of Education:

• Not applicable.

Certificates and/or Licenses:

• *Driving Licences;
• (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential).

Relevant Job Experience:
Essential:

• Driving licence, knowledge of driving rules and regulations.

Desirable:

• Not specified.

Functional Skills:

• * DV-Driving Rules and Regulations
• DV Basic Vehicle Mechanical Skills;
• (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.

Eligible Applicants:

• This Job Opening is available to eligible UNHCR staff members and external applicants.

Position Competencies:   

• Competencies as defined in Job Profile

Language Requirements:

• Please also note that English is essential for this Job Opening.
• Knowledge of local language is highly desirable to ease communication with the community.

Nature of Position

• The Driver at the UNHCR Field Office, Takum is to be supervised directly by the Senior Administrative Assistant it. Besides driving, the incumbent is responsible for upkeep and maintenance of the assigned UNHCR vehicle as per technical guidance and specifications established by the Organization.
• S/he is required to follow strict instructions and security guidance provided by the supervisor or other responsible staff member.
• While the basic function of a driver is to drive the official vehicles of UNHCR, s/he may be called upon to perform minor maintenance and repair of UNHCR vehicles.
• The Driver has regular contacts with staff within the UNHCR Office and with others (including Partners, government authorities, etc.) outside UNHCR involving a limited exchange of information.
• The office desires to recruit an indigene from this location to fill this function given the politicosocio dynamics in the area.

Living and Working Conditions

• The UNHCR Field office is in Takum, a small town  in Taraba state just a 5 hoursdrive to Jalingo the state capital.
• Also 8 hours drive to Abuja respectively via road en-routes three major roads (Takum - Katsina ala, Takum - Wukari and Takum - Kashimbila) but with major security concerns.
• Similarly, Takum to Ogoja is 4.0 hrs drive. Takum is a class D (non-family duty station).
• There is limited access to quality medical care, Food is a major concern for staff as local food is not diverse and does not provide the required nutrients.
• Sanitary and Hygiene Conditions are poor in both locations. Takum have frequent Typhoid outbreaks.
• The streets are not clean with no garbage collection system.
• The food markets are not clean and food items are not kept in hygienic conditions.
• Most sellers cannot afford to own a generator to run a small fridge.
• There are no measures to control mosquitoes and insect infestations, because of the occurrence of security incidents and very limited safe housing options, international staff  are only permitted to live in the UN guest house
• While national staff live in rented apartments in the town. Most of the apartments lack basic facilities such as running water.
• Social isolation is bound to occur at some point as it is a non-family duty station.
• Communication challenges are often experienced as there is limited telephone and data connectivity due to presence of only but two  operators.

Additional Relevant Skills:

• Clerical and record keeping
• Mechanical and diagnostic/first response and repair skills are required of the personnel.
• Familiarity with the geography of Taraba including hard-to-reach areas.
• A good understanding of the security dynamics and the ability to use security communications equipment
• Should be able to drive in very difficult terrain, such as very steep slopes and long distances between the field offices, field units and locations where refugees live.