Resettlement Associate, G6, FTA, UNHCR, SO Erbil, Iraq Operation at UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

A Resettlement Associate position is typically located at Multi-Country Office, Branch Office or Field Office. Under supervision, the incumbent’s primary role is to assist in providing, in close coordination with concerned sections within UNHCR as well as external parties such as resettlement countries, IOM and NGOs, a continuous support to resettlement operations by ensuring that resettlement polices are correctly implemented and operations are supported in establishing comprehensive protection and solutions strategies. The incumbent takes part in assessing cases for resettlement and conducting interviews as well as monitoring procedural compliance and quality of case submissions. The role of the Resettlement Associate may involve managerial responsibilities in supervising, coaching and training junior staff, and assisting in implementing organisational objectives and priorities. 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.

1. Duties
2. Interview, assess resettlement needs, and process persons identified for resettlement, following established procedures; undertake field missions as required.
3. Where applicable, review and assess special resettlement cases and prepares individual submissions for presentation to resettlement countries; keep offices informed on the status of special resettlement cases; liaise with offices on case processing and provide advice as required.
4. Comply with UNHCR’s standard operating procedures on resettlement, ensuring timely action on cases.
5. Follow up on status of cases from submission to departure; ensure effective in-country communication on the status and follow-up on persons of concern (PoC) being considered for resettlement; ensure that records on individual cases are kept up-to-date.
6. Provide PoC and partners with up-to-date and accurate information on UNHCR’s resettlement policies and procedures. – Assist in monitoring the quality of submissions, providing the concerned staff with basic guidance and advice.
7. Manage, maintain and update proGres or Consolidated Online Resettlement Tracking System (CORTS) database and provide technical support.
8. Coordinate travel and departure arrangements for refugees accepted for resettlement.
9. Organize logistical support for governments undertaking resettlement missions.
10. Maintain accurate resettlement statistics as well as up-to-date records on individual cases; assist in the preparation of reports.
11. Assist with preparing a strategy and budget for resettlement activities and monitoring expenditures.
12. Provide administrative support for resettlement-related training activities.
13. Systematically apply an Age, Gender and Diversity perspective in all aspects of the resettlement process; comply with UNHCR policy and guidelines on HIV/AIDS.
14. Assist in mitigating resettlement fraud through oversight (including in-country travel), advice and guidance).
15. Recommend cases that are eligible for resettlement consideration.
16. Provide counselling to PoC. – Perform other related duties as required.

While resettlement remains essential to meeting the protection needs of refugees at heightened risk, UNHCR in Iraq aims to enhance access to existing or new complementary pathways for admission of refugees. Specifically, UNHCR aims to widen safe and regulated avenues available to refugees when durable solutions are not achievable for all members of a refugee population, and with over a quarter of a million asylum seekers and refugees registered in Iraq, alleviate pressure on the host country. These pathways may include family reunification, scholarships and education programmes, labour mobility, regional labour schemes, community/private sponsorship schemes, special visa and humanitarian admission programmes, among others. The Complementary Pathways Associate would actively engage in and contribute to expanding and streamlining access to Complementary Pathways for Persons of Concern to UNHCR.

The required experience:

Ind-epth knowledge of and past experience in case management of any of the following types of Complementary Pathways is considered a significant asset: family reunification, third country scholarships and third country education programmes, labour mobility, regional labour schemes, community/private third country sponsorship schemes, special visa and humanitarian admission programmes.

Experience with Family Reunification case management and processing of private applications to third countries is essential;

Alternatively, experience providing support to persons of Concern to UNHCR on third country labour or education pathways is essential.

Experience in providing training on any or all of the available Complementary Pathways (and UNHCR’s role in facilitating them) is desirable;

Experience and ability to ensure that persons of concern have access to information and accurate messages on Complementary Pathways through regular communication is desirable;

Experience counselling Persons of Concern to UNHCR on third country solutions and managing expectations of communities and Persons of Concern to UNHCR is desirable;

Previous experience addressing documentation issues faced by asylum seekers and refugees during cross border travel and access to Embassies of asylum seekers and refugees is desirable.

Experience conducting advocacy and liaison with third country counterparts and other relevant stakeholders, in particular in the context of third• country solutions, is desirable.

Familiarity with ProGres V4 is desirable;

Previous experience maintaining accurate and current statistics as well as up-to-date records on individual cases is desirable;

Demonstrable understanding of the need to monitor for and report integrity issues, and data protection safeguards related to Complementary Pathways as necessary is desirable;

Knowledge of UNHCR anti- fraud, in particular in the context of Resettlement & Complementary procedures Pathways is desirable;

Knowledge of UNHCR systems and procedures, in particular when it comes to protection, education and livelihoods.

Minimum Qualifications Education & Professional Work Experience

Years of Experience / Degree Level

• 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education

Not applicable.

Certificates and/or Licenses

International Law; International Relations;

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Not specified.

Desirable

Good knowledge of UNHCR Resettlement policies and operational applications in different resettlement countries and situations. Completion of UNHCR specific learning/training activities (e.g., PLP and RSD/Resettlement Learning Programme, resettlement anti-fraud workshop).

Functional Skills

CM-Cross-cultural communication

PR-Resettlement/Repatriation/Voluntary Repatriation

UN-UNHCR Operations, mandate, principles and policies

PR-Resettlement Anti-Fraud Policy and Procedures
PG-Stakeholder management and coordination with Implementing Partners (Gov/NGO/Corporate)
PR-Counselling Asylum Seekers or Refugees
PR-Interviewing skills (People of Concern)
PR-Individual Case Managemen
PR-Resettlement and Complementary Pathways programme development
PR-Resettlement and Complementary Pathways programme implementation

Language Requirements:

English, Arabic, Kurdish (Sorani and Kurmanji)

Core Competencies

Accountability

Communication

Organizational Awareness

Teamwork & Collaboration

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies

Judgement and Decision Making

Cross-Functional Competencies

Analytical Thinking

Planning and Organizing

Stakeholder Management

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.