Job ID 33533

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Durable Solutions Associate reports to a more senior Durable Solutions or Protection colleague.

The incumbent is relied upon to contribute to the implementation of a durable solutions strategy. S/he works closely with protection, program and field staff, contributes to fostering an environment to enhance partnerships is a critical element of the work, as are activities designed to strength the involvement of refugee communities and their hosts in the design and implementation of solutions strategies.

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

• Provide counselling to refugees and other persons of concern (POC) to identify the most appropriate durable solution and to enable them to make a well-informed decision.
• Interview candidates for voluntary repatriation and prepare documentation for their return, in line with Voluntary Repatriation SOPs.
• Interview and prepare Resettlement Referral Forms (RRF), in line with Resettlement SOPs.
• Interview candidates for local integration and prepare the appropriate documentation for onward submission to local authorities or partners, in line with Local Integration SOPs.
• Assist in updating the electronic database for resettlement, voluntary repatriation and local integration, in line with Standard Operating Procedures.
• Process documentation to ensure that POC receive the documents required for their durable solutions in a timely manner.
• Prepare statistical and ad-hoc reports to ensure accurate information is available and shared with relevant offices and partners.
• Interview and advise on the appropriate durable solution to be provided to POC.
• Prepare documents relating to durable solutions.
• Enter information into available database, in line with SOPs.
• Draft and submit reports relating to durable solutions.
• Perform other related duties as required.

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.

Additional Information

Please note that UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing, training or any other fees).

Nature of the Position:

The Protection Associate (Solutions) has a significant responsibility to the Protection Solutions and reports to the Head of the Field Office in Semera Office.

The UNHCR Field Office Samara is now consisting of two Field Units UNHCR Field Unit Aysaita, and UNHCR Field Unit Barahle. The refugee camp of Berhale counts as of December 2021 20,639 refugees. While Aysaita refugee camp counts 26,149 refugees as of December 2021. Aysaita is 70km far from Samara, Barahle is about 480km far from Samara.

The conflict in Tigray has impacted the Eritrean refugee operation in the camps, and while Aysaita and Barhale Eritrean refugee camps were less impacted, there are still important protection challenges and particularly for Barhale, an impact on delivery of basic services (financial and communication services). The overall registered Eritrean refugee population registered under level 3 standards stands at 148,889 individuals. Eritrean refugees in the Afar camps are comprised of around 50% female, and mostly young with children making up close to 60% of the population, and youth between 15-24 around 18%. The average family size stands at 4.6 individuals.

The conflict in Tigray also resulted in an increase of IDP situation across the region and neighbouring regions (Amhara and Afar), which UNHCR is scaling up its response towards. The exact number of affected IDPs populations in most locations is still unclear, including population breakdown, although some authorities have claimed over 2 million IDPs. UNHCR is therefore increasing its staffing resources to respond to the additional needs, including provision of relief assistance, protection and coordination.

The incumbent of the position will contribute to the implementation of a durable solutions strategy. S/he works closely with protection, programme, and field staff, contributes to fostering an environment to enhance partnerships is a critical element of the work, as are activities designed to strength the involvement of refugee communities and their hosts in the design and implementation of solutions strategies.

The incumbent will have daily contacts with POCs and staff in the various functional units at the Field Office. The Protection Associate should have strong report writing and analytical skills. She/ He should have experience in conducting assessments to understand IDP/returnee issues for support and guidance provided to partners. She/ He should have strong coordination skills and work well in a team of various actors including government counterparts.

Living and Working Conditions:

Staff members should be prepared to operate under challenging conditions with limited resources in the Samara UNHCR Field Office and camps, Aysaita and Barhale.

The Field Office deals primarily with several local camp environments with inherent risks to staff safety and health. Regardless of information campaigns, there are realistically few, or no COVID-19 protocols adhered to by the camp(s) population. Staff wear masks but will often work within large groups of refugees who do not. There are several clinics and pharmacies within a 5 km radius of Samara that offer basic services. The nearest hospital, run by the government, is located 10km away. It is recommended that staff with prescriptions should come with at least 3 months of prescription medication. There are, however, daily one -hour flights to the capital city, Addis Ababa, which could facilitate the replenishment of medical and other supplies.The region is extremely hot, especially from May to September. Consequently, the region is open for business from 7:00 am until 6:00 pm with most commercial and government entities closing between 12:00 noon to 03:00 pm.

Presently, being a newly opened office, the Samara Field Office does not offer guest house services. Staff will have to rent in nearby hotels or subject to availability, seek accommodation in the WFP guest house.

• Banking services including ATM, Visa and Mastercard services are available in this town.
• This Job is on a Temporary Appointment.
• Knowledge of Local Language (Afar and Amharic) is desirable.
• An eliminatory or complementary written test for shortlisted candidates may be conducted which will be followed by competency-based interview.
• Female candidates are encouraged to apply.
• Only Shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Location Semera, Eth-Fed D-R

Salary Grade Hardship Level

Family Location Type Non-Family

Job Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Professional Work Experience

Years of Experience / Degree Level

• For G6 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Certificates and/or Licenses

• HCR Protection Learning, HCR Resettlement and HCR Protection Induction Program
• (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
• Relevant Job Experience

Essential

• Not specified.

Desirable

• Diverse field experience. Experience in interviewing.

Functional Skills

• DM-Database Management
• IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software
• (Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Core Competencies

• Accountability
• Communication
• Organizational Awareness
• Teamwork & Collaboration
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies

• Not specified.

Cross-Functional Competencies

• Political Awareness
• Stakeholder Management
• Technological Awareness

Language Requirements

• For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified applicants can send their CV'S through

CLICK HERE