Associate Resettlement and Complementary Pathways Officer At UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Job Title: Associate Resettlement and Complementary Pathways Officer

Location: San Pedro Sula, Honduras

Time type: Full time

Job requisition ID: JR2437107

Hardship Level: B

Family Type: Family

Staff Member/Affiliate Type: UNOPS IICA-1

Target Start Date: 2024-04-01

Job Posting End Date: March 03, 2024

Terms of Reference
The candidate ideally would have prior resettlement experience, or at least RSD experience. The person must be fluent in both Spanish and English and with excellent English writing skills.

• Sound understanding and ability to implement UNHCR’s policy and global strategic priorities, such as AGDM, IDP, Statelessness, and HIV/AIDS, in the area of responsibility at appropriate level. Diverse field experience. Experience working in a multi-cultural environment.
• This position is for a resettlement case worker. It does not include managerial tasks.
• Spanish level: C1 (required)
• English level: C1 (required)
Contract duration: until 31st December 2024.

General Background
Honduras is characterized by a situation of protracted internal displacement due to violence. It continues to be affected by high levels of violence representing a challenge in terms of protection and assistance. Despite the fact that forced displacement was recognized by the Government in 2013, an adequate response remains a challenge due to: i) multiple flows of people within the same high risk zones (people in risk of displacement, IDPs, deportees, and the population as a whole); ii) high risk cases unable to access international protection; iii) a crisis of rule of law due to governance problems that inhibit an adequate response to human rights violations and widespread violence mainly, but not exclusively, in urban settings.

The Government faces the challenge of strengthening their governance structure and overcoming issues of corruption and impunity. The country has one of the highest number of gangs (maras y pandillas) per territory, and they are mostly located in urban areas in Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba, exercising territorial control over most of the neighborhoods. The situation has worsened since 2000 when Honduras became a key narcotraffic route in the Central American Region.

Regarding mixed movements, the reformulation of migration routes in the past 5 years alongside Honduras’ geographic position means that there are continuous flows of people in transit. Honduras is also a reception country for Refugees and Asylum Seekers. This condition takes special relevance after the political crisis in Nicaragua in 2018 that created an increased need of protection in the region. Honduras adhered to the Comprehensive Regional Protection and Solutions Framework (known as MIRPS in Spanish) in 2017.

IDPs and returnees living in high-risk communities share similar obstacles to access employment and self-reliance opportunities due to a stigmatization process based on the place of residence and the age. In 2017, UNHCR introduced the Protection Transfer Arrangement (PTA), a regional resettlement program. IDPs who have been persecuted and/or are at high risk of future persecution are identified and evaluated in Honduras and submitted to different RST countries.

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Living and Working Conditions:
Family duty station: B

Limited access to infrastructure (health, housing, banking, transportation, telecommunications) and limited access to leisure and recreational facilities due to security restrictions.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, limitations in many aspects of daily life for staff (leisure, cultural activities, attractions) have increased and the levels of insecurity, as well as basic development indicators (poverty, food security, etc.) have worsened. The possibility of walking in the main cities is non-existent due to lack of security (assault, robbery) and lack of sidewalks or sidewalks in poor conditions, lack of lighting.

There is no lack of private schools, although the number of bilingual or bicultural schools is not so high.

Security: high level of violent crime, including murder, robbery and threats of kidnapping, a growing number of femicides, lack of safe and reliable public transportation and of safe public spaces for socializing and deficiency off health services. It is strongly advised to exercise extreme caution and maintain a high level of personal security awareness.

Due to the number of robberies and armed assaults suffered by UN staff and some visitors, it is discouraged to walk alone at all times in Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba, personal or official movements should be done in a vehicle.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
• This position is advertised to internal and external applicants. Honduran nationals are not eligible to apply.

• Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme or as an intern, is subject to proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, independently of contract type and duration. The selected candidate(s) will be required to provide the proof of vaccination prior to recruitment.

• Only short-listed candidates will be notified. The recruitment process might include written test and/or oral interview for this job opening. No late applications will be accepted.

• UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).

• Remuneration: A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered depending on relevant experience as per the requirements of the job advertisement.

• The evaluation of applicants will be conducted based on the information submitted during the application. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

• UNHCR is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, sexual orientation, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. UNHCR seeks to ensure that male and female employees are given equal career opportunities. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

• 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.

• UNHCR has a zero-tolerance policy against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA). SEA is unacceptable behavior and prohibited conduct for UNHCR personnel. It constitutes acts of serious misconduct and is therefore grounds for disciplinary measures, including dismissal.

Standard Job Description

Associate Resettlement and Complementary Pathways Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships:

The position for Associate Resettlement and Complementary Pathways Officer may be based in Country Operations, Regional Bureau, or Headquarters.

The incumbent’s primary role is to support resettlement and complementary pathways activities in his/her Area of Responsibility (AOR) through identification of needs, submission of cases, monitoring procedural compliance, integrity, and quality of case submissions, and ensure progress against targets. S/he takes part in assessing cases for resettlement and conducting interviews as well as monitoring procedural compliance and quality of case submissions. The role may also involve managerial responsibilities in supervising staff and affiliate workforce. S/he contributes to comprehensive protection and solutions strategies and needs to make resettlement both strategic as well as responsive to the needs of people 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:
– Identify, interview, assess resettlement and complementary pathways needs, and process cases identified for resettlement and complementary pathways following established procedures; provide counselling to individuals.
– Support monitoring of activities for resettlement and complementary pathways, as applicable, to ensure progress against targets, transparency and efficiency in case submissions and appropriate follow-up with resettlement countries and other key stakeholders.
– Review and provide timely feedback and guidance on resettlement submissions prepared in the country office/ by country offices to harmonize quality and consistency of resettlement delivery.
– Support the management of processes to ensure that persons of concern and partners receive up-to-date and accurate information on UNHCR’s resettlement and complementary pathways policies and procedures.
– Support the implementation of UNHCR’s global resettlement and complementary pathways policies, procedures and guidelines in the AOR.
– Ensure Standard Operating Procedures for identification of cases for resettlement and resettlement case management are in place and in line with UNHCR Global Standards.
– Support and contribute to measures that enhance the prevention, detection and response to fraud committed by persons of concern generally and in resettlement and complementary pathways in particular.
– Support senior management in maintaining regular contact and close cooperation with resettlement countries and partners to ensure effective delivery of resettlement and complementary pathways; and adherence to adequate protection standards.
– Support government officials and partners undertaking missions related to resettlement and complementary pathways.
– Assist selection missions by resettlement countries to the region/country operations.
– Stay abreast and analyse the implication of political, legal, social and economic developments in the AOR and recommend policy / strategic approaches to further UNHCR objectives with respect to resettlement and complementary pathways.
– Contribute to the development and enhancement of policy and guidelines for resettlement and complementary pathways practices.
– Systematically apply an Age, Gender and Diversity perspective in all aspects of the resettlement and complementary pathways process; comply with UNHCR policy and guidelines on HIV/AIDS.
– Promote and support the establishment of mechanisms for preventing fraud in resettlement and complementary pathways activities to maintain the integrity of the resettlement and complementary pathways process in the AOR.
– Assist in the production of up-to-date and accurate statistics, analytical reports on resettlement and complementary pathways, updates and briefing notes, including with regard to the trends, the country/ region’s performance in meeting resettlement targets, challenges and responses.
– Contribute to comprehensive protection and solutions strategies in the country operation or region.

– Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
– Perform other related duties as required.

For jobs in the Regional Bureau only:

– Review and provide feedback and advice to country operations on their resettlement and complementary pathways strategies and priorities, to ensure that they are coherent and consistent with the regional strategy and are fully integrated into country operations plans.
– Assist offices in the annual planning exercise for resettlement and complementary pathways.
– Review and provide timely feedback and guidance on resettlement submissions prepared by country offices to harmonize quality and consistency of resettlement delivery; assist the supervisor in monitoring procedural compliance.
– Conduct periodic field missions to provide advice on the quality and consistency of resettlement submissions, decisions and activities.
– Assist in negotiating with resettlement countries the design and development of regional resettlement programmes and complementary pathways involving governments and non-governmental organizations in close consultation with the Resettlement and Complementary Pathways Service in the Division of International Protection (DIP) at Headquarters.
– Coordinate with DIP, other entities within the Bureau and country operations to ensure a comprehensive and consistent approach in the prevention, detection and response to fraud committed by persons of concern across the region.
– Collect resettlement and complementary pathways related information to be used by the Resettlement and Complementary Pathways Service in the DIP for external publications.
– Assist in assessing training needs, draw regional training plan and strategy and deliver resettlement, complementary pathways and related training to UNHCR staff, partners and other stakeholders as required.
– Contribute to a communications strategy that generates support from external parties for the expansion of resettlement and complementary pathways.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Professional Work Experience:
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P2/NOB – 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

Political Science;
Social Sciences;
International Law;
Law;
International Public Law;
International Refugee Law;
International Human Rights Law;
Refugee and Forced Migration International Relations;
or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses

Protection Learning Programme;
Resettlement Learning Programme;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience

Essential:
At least 1 year of professional work experience relevant to refugee protection work, preferably within the international capacity. Demonstrated experience in casework or case management, preferably in a refugee or immigration context.
Desirable:
Sound understanding and ability to implement UNHCR’s policy and global strategic priorities, such as AGDM, IDP, Statelessness, and HIV/AIDS, in the area of responsibility at appropriate level. Diverse field experience. Experience working in a multi-cultural environment.

Functional Skills

DM-Database Management
PR-Refugee Resettlement programs
PR-Resettlement Anti-Fraud Policy and Procedures
PR-Mixed migratory movement management

(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.

Required languages

Spanish, English

Desired Languages

Additional Qualifications

Skills

DM-Database Management, PR-Mixed migratory movement management, PR-Refugee Resettlement programs, PR-Resettlement Anti-Fraud Policy and Procedures.

Education

Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Relations, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political Science, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Social Science.

Certifications
HCR Protection Learning Program – UNHCR, HCR Resettlement Learning Program – UNHCR

Work Experience

–

Other Information

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance.

Home-Based

No