Associate Project Officer At UN High Commissioner for Refugees

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is offering a an IICA full time position Khartoum RO Office Sudan.

Every year an increasing number of refugees and migrants perish in the Central Mediterranean in an attempt to reach Europe by dangerous means. Traditionally, many of them are Somalis, Eritreans and Ethiopians of concern to UNHCR. In an effort to respond to this situation, UNHCR is implementing an information campaign called ‘Telling the real Story’ to inform them of the full scope of the perils and difficulties of such voyages and about the legal, social and economic realities of life in Europe. Ultimately, this campaign is seking to enable them to make informed decisions about their movements and future plans.

UNHCR is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. Every year, millions of men, women and children are forced to flee their homes to escape conflict and persecution. We are in over 125 countries, using our expertise to protect and care for millions.

Title: Associate Project Officer

Duty Station: Khartoum, Sudan

Duration: through 31/12/2022

Contract Type: UNOPS International Individual Contractor – IICA 1

Closing date: 30 May 2022

Posting Date: 23 May 2022

Start date: ASAP

Operational context

Every year an increasing number of refugees and migrants perish in the Central Mediterranean in an attempt to reach Europe by dangerous means. Traditionally, many of them are Somalis, Eritreans and Ethiopians of concern to UNHCR. In an effort to respond to this situation, UNHCR is implementing an information campaign called ‘Telling the real Story’ to inform them of the full scope of the perils and difficulties of such voyages and about the legal, social and economic realities of life in Europe. Ultimately, this campaign is seking to enable them to make informed decisions about their movements and future plans.

Telling the Real Story success comes from using an innovative campaigning methodology that combines a number of novel elements centered on authentic testimonials. The project was developed based on social research in the communication habits, decision-making patterns and cultural traits of the target audiences. The project utilized both traditional forms of communication in camps and urban settings as well as social media and, increasingly, broadcast media to reach the wider communities. Thus, the platform successfully serves as an enabler and amplifier of intra-community dialogue.

The information campaign enables concerned people to take an informed decision about their plans and the pros and cons about possible onward movements.

The objectives of Telling the Real Story are:

1. Countering the narrative of smugglers and inform segments of the Somali, Eritrean and Ethiopian community of the full scope of dangers associated with irregular movement to and real life in Europe.

2. Maintain and reinforce an intra-community discourse on the dangers of irregular movement by countering the narrative of smugglers and undermining their credibility.

Duties and responsibilities

The Associate Project Officer will be responsible for the following:

a) Dissemination of the project to urban refugees in Khartoum.

b) Take a lead role in establishing and nurturing partnerships with stakeholders, build networks with existing refugee associations and engage with celebrity supporters to expand advocacy activities in Khartoum.

c) Provide refugees with information on services and opportunities available for refugees, “do’s and don’ts” and information on complementary pathways should they be made available;

d) In close consultation with the UNHCR teams, he/she will work towards ensuring sustainability of the project through co-designing sustainable models for the project continuity with partners and UNHCR Programme officers.

e) Analyze existing data in order to provide operations information on trends and lead research into gaps in information concerning onward movement.

f) Through direct engagement with refugees, the Associate Project Officer will analyze existing trends, motivations for departure and misinformation provided within the community and by smugglers particularly related to current mixed movement developments.

g) Develop real-time evaluation strategies of the campaign to enable the adjustment of ongoing activities and measure impact of activities.

h) Drive engagement and awareness-raising activities through combining different communication outputs aimed at reframing the discourse to counter the narrative of the smugglers and inform the refugees of the full scope of dangers associated with irregular movement to and life in Europe.

i) Hold regular awareness raising activities intended for different segments of the population of concern. The activities will involve – and be not limited to, distributing IEC materials in refugee schools, holding sessions with parents and guardians, screen testimonies as well as focus group discussions, organizing community engagement sessions using a range of creative mechanisms such as theater, poetry, art, etc. targeting mainly the young generation.

j) Develop messages and create posters and other campaign materials in consultation with beneficiaries and the Office;

k) Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

The consultant will also be supervised by the Protection Officer – Mixed Movement. She/He will also be functionally supervised by the Project Manager in Stockholm.

He/she will:

• Provide analytical reports on trends, motivations and misinformation related to activities undertaken
• Provide regular feedback and progress on partnership activities
• Manage budget allocated to activities
• Provide an end of contract report

Essential minimum qualifications and professional experience required

3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree.

Field(s) of Education

communication, law, political science, international relations, migration studies or related field.

Work Experience

– Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in communication, law, political science, international relations, migration studies or related field.

– Capacity to develop strategic communication visions.

– A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in public information, migration management or related areas.

– Work experience in the field of refugee protection and assistance would be an asset. Knowledge of UN policies and procedures.

– Basic understanding of international refugee protection and UNHCR’s mandate

– Conceptual and practical understanding of protection issues and approaches in humanitarian contexts, including the constraints, sensitivities and risks associated with such work.

– General familiarity with the regional mixed movement dynamics.

– Excellent analytical skills and strategic thinking.

– Experience of working with persons of concern.

– Proven ability to establish and maintain strong working relations with relevant Government counterparts.

– Excellent command of English (written, oral, comprehension) including highly developed drafting skills. Knowledge of Arabic, Tigrinya or Amharic is an asset.

Language Requirements

Knowledge of English.

Location

The IICA will be based in Khartoum, Sudan with Travel to other states within Sudan.

Remuneration

Monthly fees range between USD $ 7,076.16 to $ 8,054.53, depending on the level of expertise of the candidate. Daily subsistence allowance for travel with Sudan will be payable as applicable.