UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is offering a IICA full time position within the Kassala FO office Sudan.
This job opportunity is within the Resettlement Unit in Kassala and falls within the UNHCR’s Strategic Resettlement and Complementary Pathways Section (RCPS), which sits within the Department of International Protection (DIP) and the wider organisation. This opportunity will offer an experience of working in a not-for-profit organisation as well as within the UN system.
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 Resettlement Officer
Duty Station: Kassala, Sudan
Duration: through 31/12/2021
Contract Type: UNOPS International Individual Contactor- IICA 2
Closing date: 9/06/2021
Start date: 27/05/2021
Organizational context
Sudan has been hosting large numbers of refugees from neighbouring countries. In February 1974, Sudan acceded to the 1951 Convention and its 1967 Protocol and in November 1978 to the 1969 OAU Convention. In April 1974, it adopted the Asylum Act which allocated main responsibilities in the reception of asylum seekers to the Commissioner for Refugees (COR) under the Minister of Interior and contained basic provisions on the registration, recognition and documentation of refugees. The status and treatment of refugees in Sudan is governed by the Asylum (Organization) Act 2014 under the supervision of COR. .
As of 30th April 2021, there were a total of 1,085,845 Persons of Concern (POCs) in Sudan; mainly from South Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Syria, Yemen, DRC and various other countries. A majority of refugees in East Sudan are from Eritrea and Ethiopia, comprising both a protracted population and newly arriving refugees. Most of them reside in refugee camps and rural settlements, the rest stay in urban locations, primarily Gedaref, Kassala and Port Sudan. The Office will continue its strategy of identifying the most vulnerable refugees for resettlement consideration based on their presenting protection needs, prioritizing the most vulnerable. These include women and girls at risk, minorities including sexual and gender minorities, survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), victims of trafficking, and children at risk.
The Associate Resettlement Officer position will be located at the UNHCR Sub-Office Kassala. Under the supervision of the Resettlement & Complementary Pathways Officer, the incumbent’s primary role is to assist in the effective resettlement delivery in accordance with the UNHCR Resettlement Handbook and relevant policy papers and publications. The Associate Resettlement Officer provides important support in his/her Area of Responsibility (AOR) through resettlement casework. The incumbent maintains frequent contacts with his/her supervisor, relevant colleagues within the same office and the Regional Bureau to exchange information and discuss issues on resettlement cases. Some limited contacts and communication at a working level are required with embassy/immigration officials of resettlement countries, IOM as well as with other partners regarding resettlement as well as needs of people of concern to UNHCR.
Duties and responsibilities
- Conduct casework - Identify, interview, assess resettlement and complementary pathways needs, and process cases identified for resettlement and complementary pathways following established procedures and refer cases for review to the Resettlement & Complementary Pathways Officer; provide counselling to individuals.
- Provide support in RRF reviews –as assigned by the supervisor.
- Regularly update the proGres database and the physical file with resettlement events and maintain own statistical data for reporting purposes.
- Review and provide timely feedback and guidance on resettlement submissions prepared in the country office. Follow-up on deferrals and review resettlement cases for possible resubmission.
- Assist the Resettlement & Complementary Pathways Officer with the organization of training workshops and seminars on resettlement related issues.
- Assist the office in managing refugees’ expectations through information sharing, outreach and counselling of refugees in the resettlement pipeline.
- Regularly liaise with colleagues in other units on cases that need protection follow-up.
- 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.
- Assist in the production of up-to-date and accurate statistics, analytical reports on resettlement and complementary pathways, updates and briefing notes, including 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.
- Undertake missions to the field as required.
- Perform any other resettlement related activities as required.
Monitoring and Progress Controls
- Completion of about 5 to 7 RRFs per week (including RRF reviews), depending on complexity of the cases. Conduct counselling sessions of resettlement cases.**
- Preparation of interim reports for assignments of 6 months or more or as necessary. A final report covering the entire period of his/her assignment is compulsory. The report shall contain a description of activities and the data collected regarding number of cases worked, number of persons submitted and to which country (whether accepted/denied/pending).
Essential minimum qualifications and professional experience required
- A university degree in international law / refugee law, political science, social sciences – preferably in social work etc;
Essential
- At least 5 years 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.
- At least 5 years resettlement casework experience, with at least 2 years review experience is required.
- Awareness of the importance of ensuring confidentiality and preventing fraud and ways to mitigate risks.
- Excellent interviewing and counselling skills following an AGDM approach.
- Excellent drafting and analytical skills.
- English is the working language for resettlement, hence fluency in English is required.
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.**
- Experience working in a multi-cultural environment.**
- Knowledge of the international legal framework governing refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons and statelessness.
- Knowledge of UNHCR guidelines on BIDs and BIAs and resettlement.
- Training in Protection and Resettlement Learning Programmes is an added advantage.
- Diverse field experience.**
Functional Skills
- Good knowledge of resettlement issues and UNHCR resettlement policies and operational applications.
- Completion of UNHCR specific learning/training activities, including Resettlement Learning Program
Language Requirements
- Fluency and very good working knowledge of English.
- Knowledge in other relevant languages (e.g. Arabic or refugee languages, Tigre, Tigrinya, Amharic) an added advantage
Location
The successful candidate will be based with the team in the UN City in Kassala, Sudan. With travel to other states within Sudan.
Remuneration
Monthly fees range between USD $ 6000 to $12000, depending on the level of expertise of the candidate. Daily subsistence allowance for travel with Sudan will be payable as applicable.
How to apply:
Interested applicants should submit their letter of motivation, Personal History Form (PHF) and CV to [SUDKH-HR@unhcr.org] indicating [Associate Resettlement Officer- Kassala] in the subject of the email.
Personal History Forms are available at PHF Form / Supplementary Sheet.
The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.