Senior Policy Officer – Protection & National Security, P4, Geneva At UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

Security considerations are an essential factor in shaping policy responses and developments relevant to international refugee protection. Already for some time, this has been manifested, at the global level, through ever more restrictive, control-oriented and indiscriminate policies in the areas of asylum/migration and counterterrorism, rejections at the border, denial of admission into asylum procedures, harsh detention policies, and extradition or expulsion without minimum procedural guarantees or judicial review, often in breach of the principle of non-refoulement. More recently, these and other security-focused measures limiting access to and enjoyment of international protection have been compounded by restrictions imposed in the context of States¿ responses to COVID-19.

In light of these developments, the need for UNHCR to engage with States and other stakeholders remains critically important to promoting respect for international protection principles and standards while addressing (national) security concerns in the context of States¿ asylum systems and procedures (incl. institutional and structural aspects), law enforcement and counter-terrorism, as well as through broader policies and measures with beneficial effects for security. UNHCR is also required to redouble efforts to preserve the integrity of its own procedures and operations. This requires proper coordination between UNHCR’s work in the area of policy and law, individual case processing and other operational activities. The Protection & National Security Section within the Division of International Protection (DIP) leads UNHCR¿s efforts in this regard.

The Snr Policy Advisor (Prot. & Nat. Security) works under the direct supervision of the Snr Coordinator (Prot. & Nat.Security), within the Protection & National Security Section, DIP.

The Snr Policy Advisor (Prot. & Nat. Security) will provide strategic advice and draft UNHCR positions on policy, legal and operational issues at the intersection of (national) security and international refugee protection, coordinating closely with Regional Bureaux, Country Operations, relevant sections within DIP and other Divisions in Headquarters. The incumbent will also support and assist Regional Bureaux and Operations in the development and review of protection and solutions and other strategies on issues and areas related to (national) security and ensure their alignment with regional/Bureau/corporate priorities. S/he will conduct specialized training and other capacity-building/strengthening efforts within their AoR, in close coordination with the Global Learning and Development Centre (GLDC).

The incumbent will engage with States and other external stakeholders, including scholars, civil society and staff from other UN and regional organizations, with the overall objective of staying abreast of developments at the intersection of (national) security and international refugee protection, drawing attention to principles and standards relevant to protection and solutions of forcibly displaced. This will happen in the context of disseminating information and advocacy, including through representing UNHCR and its policies in relevant external fora, with a view to ensuring that measures to address States¿ (national) security interests, including in the context of counterterrorism and other crime/security-related concerns, are designed and implemented in a manner that upholds respect for international protection principles and standards.

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

• Develop and draft UNHCR’s legal, policy and doctrinal positions on matters related to (national) security and international refugee protection for internal and external application, in close coordination with internal and external stakeholders, as appropriate.
• Monitor and share information on (inter)national legislative developments, jurisprudence, policies, and processes on matters related to (national) security relevant to international refugee protection and solutions issues.
• Gather, analyse and disseminate information on legal, political, security and other developments which arise at the intersection of (national) security and international refugee protection.
• Engage with external stakeholders, including governments, international and regional organizations, civil society organizations, scholars/academia, and relevant processes on legal, policy and operational issues related to protection and solutions issues arising at the intersection of (national) security and international refugee protection.
• Provide legal/procedural/operational advice, guidance and support on issues related to (national) security and international refugee protection to Regional Bureaux, Field Operations, other parts of DIP and other HQ Divisions, as appropriate.
• Provide timely advice to Regional Bureaux and Operations on complex and sensitive cases or caseloads raising (national) security questions, referred to DIP in accordance with relevant standards and policies, in consultation with other relevant sections within DIP and other Divisions in Headquarters and/or Regional Bureaux, as appropriate.
• Conduct monitoring/support missions and other capacity-building initiatives, as appropriate.
• Guide and support the development/rollout of specialized training on issues arising at the intersection of (national) security and international refugee protection, in coordination with the Global Learning and Development Centre (GLDC) as well as Regional Bureaux, Field Operations, other parts of DIP and other HQ Divisions, as required.
• Ensure that UNHCR’s strategies and tools in the areas of (national) security and international refugee protection address the specific protection needs of women and men, youth and older persons, persons with disabilities, and groups such as persons with a minority sexual orientation or gender identity, and persons living with HIV/AIDS.
• Contribute to internal and external UNHCR reports and publications (Global Report, Global Appeal, Global Trends, Statistical Yearbook, etc.), as required.
• 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
Law;
International Law;
International Refugee Law;
International Human Rights Law;
International Relations;
International Affairs;
Political Science;
Social and Behavioural Sciences;
Humanities;
Law Enforcement;
Security;
or other relevant field.
(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified.

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
7 years of experience working in an office/organization/institution in areas directly relevant to the current position. 5 years of experience working in or with Governments in functions dealing with contemporary security-related challenges. In-depth knowledge of international refugee law, international human rights law, international criminal law and other fields of international law relevant to the interpretation and application of security-related provisions in international and regional refugee instruments, and ability to apply the relevant legal principles. Thorough knowledge of global and regional actors and processes relevant to (national) security and international refugee protection, including UN and regional counterterrorism entities and initiatives. In-depth knowledge of UNHCR’s standards and policies on issues related to (national) security and international refugee protection. Demonstrated ability to provide effective training. Ability to think strategically and creatively. Strong interpersonal and communication skills; excellent analytical, research and drafting skills; discretion and judgement; and strong political acumen. Willingness, and capacity, to go on mission at short notice.
Desirable
Experience working directly with principles and procedures related to international refugee/human rights protection within the UN or in a Government capacity. Exposure to provision of policy, legal and operational support services in an international organization. Operational experience in the field with UNHCR, other UN or international/regional organizations or in a Government capacity. Exposure to UNHCR-specific training/learning activities. Knowledge of French.