Strategic Partnership Advisor, P5, Temporary Appointment at UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Terms of Reference
Strategic Partnership Advisor, P5
Strategic Planning and Management Pillar

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is offering a full-time position within the UNHCR Regional Bureau for East, Horn of Africa and Great Lakes in Nairobi.

UNHCR is a global organisation 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: Strategic Partnership Advisor
Grade: P-5
Duty Station: Nairobi
Duration: 01 Year
Contract Type: Temporary Appointment
Closing date: 24 May 2021
Start date: Immediately

Organisational context
The Strategic Partnership Adviser will support the development of regional strategies and priorities in line with UNHCR corporate and regional objectives, through engagement with a wide array of stakeholders and regional actors, s/he will collaborate closely with other Pillars in the region and HQ-based Divisions and deliver strategic guidance of planning and management services to the Bureau and Country Operations through relevant technical teams. The incumbent may supervise a team of staff in the Bureau and will also be responsible for providing support or guidance to host Governments whenever required on developing comprehensive plans under national leadership setting out policy priorities, institutional and operational arrangements, requirements for support from the international community, including investment, financing, material and technical assistance, that need to be aligned with UNHCR¿s 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.

Duties and responsibilities

• Ensure UNHCR is engaged in regional inter-agency processes, including regional Economic Commissions and regional UNSDG.
• Establish regional coordination mechanisms and/or consultation fora for situations led by UNHCR.
• Where applicable, coordinate the compilation of a regional refugee response plan (in some situations, this could be a regional refugee and migrant response plan or a refugee and resilience plan), as well as its monitoring and the tracking of financial contributions.
• Support and manage the staff appointed in support of an RRC (if appointed);
• Ensure UNHCR lead in RRP processes and other inter agency response plans related to refugees while ensuring coherence and relevant highlight of the displacement issues with the HRP as well as the UNSDCF, including through supporting interagency information-management, analysis and reporting where necessary.
• Ensure, in close liaise with other inter agency staff, that regional NGO consultations are held in order to reach out to regional and national NGOs and civil society groups and build consensus
• Promote with relevant country operations coordinated approaches to humanitarian inter agency processes, including development processes as they impact on UNHCR in the field.
• Liaise with other UN agencies and other inter government agencies and fora at the regional level to find areas of cooperation, joint initiatives and where applicable negotiate joint agreements or work programmes to further protection and assistance for persons of concern.
• Ensure efficient and timely circulation of information to stakeholders, including through the production of regular and up-to-date information, key messages and regional situational analysis.
• Ensure effective coordination mechanisms are in place in country operations in line with globally agreed arrangements and the refugee coordination model) and ensure support is provided in a timely manner.
• Advise field operations on how to facilitate UNHCR¿s catalytic and convener¿s role in the context of the Global Compact on Refugees
• Advise field operations on how to engage in UN development processes
• Organize regional-level capacity building, as required.
• Alert the HQ (DER and DESS) on issues related to coordination arrangements interface with development and humanitarian systems.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Essential minimum qualifications and professional experience required
Years of Experience / Degree Level: For P5 – 12 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 11 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 10 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree.
Field(s) of Education: Political Science, Social Science, Law, Business Administration, International Relations, Human Resource Management or another relevant field. Possess a Bachelor¿s degree in a relevant field.

Relevant Job Experience
Essential:
Minimum 8 years of experience in international capacity. Senior positions in a large governmental or international agency. Extensive knowledge of UNHCR operations and services. A high level of skill in management of broad programmes, political decision making and negotiating, as well as demonstrated tolerance to frequently changing and highly charged situations. Demonstrated leadership qualities, integrity, tact, diplomacy, and good management and communication skills. Ability to manage for results: translate strategic aims into achievable plans.

Desirable:
Solid UNHCR experience from both the Field (including Hardship Duty stations) and Headquarters. Completion of UNHCR learning programmes, such as Programme Management Learning Programme, Protection Learning Programme, Operations Management Learning Programme, and Senior Management Learning Programme. Knowledge of geo-political realities and their socio-cultural implications.

Functional Skills:
MG-Change Management (Tools/Design/Administration);
PG-Results-Based Management;
EM-Emergency Management – Operations/Preparedness/Response;
MG-UNHCR Management Practices/Standards and Processes;
PG-Resource Planning; e.g. FOCUS, Global Focus Insight,
BU-Budgeting
MG-Project Analysis/Development/Implementation/Management/Coordination
SP-Environmental Assessment/Planning/Monitoring/Evaluation of integrated projects/programs
Core Competencies:
Accountability
Communication
Organizational Awareness
Teamwork & Collaboration
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies:
Empowering and Building Trust
Judgement and Decision Making
Leadership
Managing Performance
Managing Resources
Strategic Planning and Vision
Cross-Functional Competencies:
Analytical Thinking
Political Awareness
Stakeholder Management

Location
The successful candidate will be based with the team in Regional Bureau for East, Horn of Africa and Great Lakes, Nairobi, Kenya.