Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

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.

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

- 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.

- 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. - Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Professional Work Experience Years of Experience / Degree Level For P4 - 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree Field(s) of Education Human Resources Management; Personnel Administration; Law; Political Science; International Relations; Economics; or other relevant field. (Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential) Certificates and/or Licenses HCR Management Lrng Prg; HCR Managing Operatns Lrng Prg; (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential) Relevant Job Experience Essential In-depth knowledge in all aspects of UNHCR¿s Field level operation. Applied experience 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. Desirable Working experience both in UNHCR HQ and/or a Regional Office and the Field.

Functional Skills

IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators MG-Office Management HR-Administration of Staff Contracts and Benefits IT-Computer Literacy (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

The best-fit candidate will be one with a profound and proven stakeholder management skill, ability to resolve conflicts and coordinate a wide range of actors. Fluency in French is essential. Good working knowledge in English is also required as more and more reports, internal as well as external, are requested in English. Ability to live and work in the difficult and harsh conditions of developing countries is essential.

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

French

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Desired languages

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Nature of Position:

The Greater Kasai region is home to about 20,000 returnees and approximately 750,000 people who have been deported from Angola. This eviction has further weakened the situation of access to basic social services, including health, education, water and sanitation, as well as security and peaceful coexistence already precarious for IDPS and their host populations. These returnees and deportees are in addition to thousands of displaced persons from the Kamuina Nsapu crisis, 222,794 of whom continue to reside in places of displacement and 83,700 have returned to their areas of origin. The Head of Field Office will report directly to the Head of Sub Office based in Kananga. His/her primary responsibility will be to assist with critical unmet needs in the Kasai Operation, including managing and supporting all activities pertaining to finance, administration, human resources. The incumbent is expected to have strong competencies of a skilful leader in guiding and supporting staff, addressing various operational challenges, along with security concerns. He/she should possess a good level of maturity to be able to lead discussions with colleagues from numerous partner organizations. The incumbent on the post will be required to demonstrate competencies in operational leadership, coordination and management of assistance programmes, technical sectors and supply chain services/delivery as well as programme support. Additionally, s/he will be tasked to assure integrity of and compliance with all UNHCR administrative/HR/ Financial/Supply chain procurement rules and procedures. Fluency in French is essential. Good working knowledge in English is also required as more and more reports, internal as well as external, are requested in English.

Living and Working Conditions:

Tshikapa is a small city with an estimated population of 1,000,000. The city lies near the Kasai and Lulua Rivers. A main commercial centre, the city now serves as an area producing diamonds, livestock, and large quantities of coffee and cotton. Palm oil, rice, cassava, groundnuts, bananas, and pineapples are also produced and processed in the city. Other industries include brewing and printing. Tshikapa is mainly a commercial city linked by around 1.000 kms of road to Kinshasa via Kikwit and Kenge cities. It is approximately 300 kms from Kananga which is the largest city in the Kasai region. Tshikapa is currently a security level 3 duty station. Accommodations are very limited in Tshikapa. Hence, International staff resides in commercial ones. There are limited medical facilities in Tshikapa, but Air ambulance evacuation can be organized for life threatening emergencies during daytime. Candidates with conditions requiring regular treatment or medical supervision should be appropriately advised. Malaria is common in the region due the high presence of mosquitoes. Telephone networks are not very reliable, but the Office has Wi-Fi and Voice through IP telephones (PAMA).

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CL-Inter-Agency Leadership/Coordination, FO-Complex field emergency operations, FO-Operational activities in hardship duty stations, MG-Field Operations Management, MG-Office Management, PR-Assessment of IDPs Status, Rights, Obligation, PR-Country Operations applying the Cluster Approach

Education

BA: Economics (Required), BA: International Relations (Required), BA: Law (Required), BA: Management (Required), BA: Personnel Administration (Required), BA: Political Science (Required)

Certifications

HCR Management Learning Program - UNHCR, Programme Management (PM) 1 - UNHCR

Work 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: Returned IDPs, Working with Persons of Concern: Returned Refugees

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Political awareness, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration

UNHCR Salary Calculator

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Add. 3 to Bi-annual Compendium 2022 - Part B

Additional Information

Functional clearance

This position doesn't require a functional clearance