Head of Field Office, P3, Menaka At UN High Commissioner for Refugees

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 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 UNHCR 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 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.
– Any other responsibilities/functions deemed necessary or as delegated by the UNHCR Representative of the country in order to meet the level of the services in the organization.
– 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 P3/NOC – 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Management;
Personnel Administration;
Law;
Political Science;
International Relation;
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-Computer Literacy
IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software
UN-UNHCR’s Mandate/Policy and Global Strategic Priorities
MG-Office Management
HR-Administration of Staff Contracts and Benefits
PR-Principles and Procedures, operational arrangements/assistance
(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

Taking under consideration the operational context and especially the security situation, the desired profile is a colleague able to immediately assess security and political implications in order to make recommendations on possible strategies and other measures to address issues of concern; including and not excluding possible refugee influx and or evacuation.
Produce analytical, timely and high-quality reports; including briefing notes, talking points and profiles on pertinent developments and issues; especially as related to possible influxes.
Experienced with resource mobilization, candidate must be ready to draft project proposals, including for inclusion in inter-agency funding appeals as well as be ready to train NGOs to be able to successfully apply for such funding.
Experience with Refugee Coordination Model, transitioning beyond emergency response and with linking humanitarian and development action, whilst enhancing activities that build and sustaining integration or re-integration and peace. Experience with nexus approach is a plus.
Development of and implementation of innovative responses.

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:

Since 2012, the protection environment in Mali has been marked by a series of successive political, security, and socioeconomic crises. More recently, the rise of violent extremism, the worsening security situation in the Liptako-Gourma region, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the effects of climate change in the north and centre of the country were exacerbated by two consecutive coups in 2020 and 2021.

Non-State armed groups’ activities have intensified, resulting in civilians being caught in the crossfire and forced to flee violence and persecution.

This complex situation has resulted in the deepening of humanitarian needs in the country, and has had a particularly large impact on forced displacement. In this volatile environment, influxes of refugees and widespread internal displacement have, as expected, continued.

The population of Menaka is about 130,000 people from different communities (Tamasheq,

Arabs, Peuls, Daoussahack – shepherds of Berber origin integrated into Tuareg society within the confederation, Tuareg Ouelleminden (Kel Ataram) Sonrhaï, Hausa etc.…).

Some of these communities periodically clash due to competition for access to natural resources.

In response to the increase in crime, modest local initiatives have been initiated by notables who provide subsidies for needy young people and Signatory Armed Movements as part of the “Menaka sans Arme” operation.

However, the low capacity in terms of employment opportunities, recreational and socio-cultural activities to educate, channel and Increased youth awareness contributes to a vulnerable and potentially hostile environment for humanitarians and development actors.

In this context of armed conflict born of the recent incursions of the extremist group Islamic State in the Sahel Province (EIPS, ex-EIGS), the city of Menaka is experiencing an influx of internally displaced persons (IDPs). Although they are welcomed in different sites in the city of Menaka, however other IDPs live in precarious conditions in sites under construction about four kilometers (04km) from the city and whose needs are urgent.

The security situation in the Menaka region continues to deteriorate, some areas of this region, including cities of Anderaboukane and Inekar, are inaccessible for humanitarian actions. Menaka also continues to host increasing number of refuges from Niger in need to protection and assistance.

Apart from the Menaka region, there has been a worrying development in the security situation in the central regions over the past three weeks, which could cause the forced displacement of populations towards northern Mali in a geostrategic environment which is becoming more complex every day.

To respond to the increased number of POC in the North and Center, UNHCR Mali requested the upgrade of the status of the office in Menaka to Field Office, headed by an experienced P3 field officer.

Security Considerations

On a 1 to 6 overall security level scale, Bamako is at 4 (substantial) while the central and northern parts of the country are at 5 (high). The capital city is at the same security level as the Southern regions which is higher than those of the Western regions. Notwithstanding Bamako ‘s security level, staff are discouraged from using accommodations that are not recommended by UNDSS or renting apartments in unrecommended suburbs. All accommodations need to be approved, and residential security measures (RSM) implemented.

The capital city ‘s security level 4 rating hides high levels of security threats related to terrorism, civil unrest and criminality. Past incidents and frequent security threats demonstrate that these threats remain a concern. Recent attacks at Kati military barrack (15 km from Bamako) by extremist combatants, reported presence of sleeping cells of terrorist groups in Bamako highlight the intention to harm within Bamako. Furthermore, with a long-lasting socio-political crisis, demonstrations are recurrent in Bamako and other urban locations and are set to take place very often. Up regions, road movements remain the main challenge to the access of POCs due to asymmetric warfare of extremist groups. Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and highway banditry are frequent. UN humanitarian agencies enjoy the broad acceptance by communities through their leaders, but criminals and Non-State Actors are beyond the control of the community leadership. Al Qaeda affiliated groups are present in the center of Mali (Mopti and Tombuktu) while the Islamic State in the Great Sahara operates mostly around Gao and Menaka, yet their demarcation lines of influence overlap very often.

The UN staff remain potential targets of crime, armed assaults, and robberies. The crime threats exist both in Bamako and elsewhere in Mali and are becoming more and more violent. Road Traffic accidents also represent a substantial threat with scores of careless ridings of motorcyclists and driving irresponsibility.

For additional information on occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

The Head of Field Office represents UNHCR at field level with a primary responsibility to manage ongoing activities and issues of concern in an effective and efficient manner which supports the overall mandate of the Office. Under the direct supervision of the Head of Sub Office Gao and the overall guidance of the Deputy Representative, the incumbent assists the local authorities to ensure the implementation of governmental conventional responsibilities for refugees and other persons of concern to UNHCR. S/he should be able to provide on regular and timely manner information on developments in relation to the legal protection issues and to the physical security of UNHCR staff. The incumbent is also responsible for operational issues like program, office management and administration aspects.

The candidate will be expected to have proven managerial and excellent functional competencies and leadership. Given the considerable and diverse workload, it is important that the applicant be motivated, hard-working, organized and fluent in French (written and spoken), as all communications within the office and with external partners such as Government and humanitarian agencies are conducted in French. Working knowledge in English, especially written, is also required as more and more reports, internal as well as external, are requested in English.

Living and Working Conditions:

Menaka is an E-High Risk duty station, with an 18 months’ SAL and 4 weeks R&R cycles.

Seasons of high heat, rain and strong winds (sandstorms) impact living and working conditions of

United Nations staff deployed in the Menaka Region.

In times of high water, flooding makes entire areas inaccessible and during the heat wave season, sandstorms and high temperatures disrupt air movements and sometimes road movements.

The road infrastructure in the Menaka region is in poor condition.

Electricity is supplied by generators from the national electricity company EDM-SA.

The telephone networks available (Orange-Mali and Malitel) are unstable due to the outdated state of the relays and their sabotage by extremist and violent groups. Internet access is very limited for the same reasons.

There are two local radio stations located in the city of Menaka (Rural Radio and Radio ADAR).

Access to medical care is difficult for the inhabitants of the city of Menaka, its reference health center (CSRéf) operates on a daily basis with enormous difficulties due to the lack of human resources and quality care. UN staff can use the MINUSMA health facilities when needed.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

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

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