Job Title: Associate Durable Solutions Officer
Organization: United Nations Volunteers (UNV)
Host entity: UNHCR
Assignment country: Nigeria
Expected start date: 01/09/2023
Sustainable Development Goal: 10. Reduced inequalities
Volunteer category: International UN Volunteer Specialist
Type: Onsite
Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments: 1
Duty stations: Maiduguri
Details
Mission and objectives
The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950
by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate
international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems
worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of
refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek
asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home
voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country
(www.unhcr.org). UNHCR has also been involved in various IDP operations at the
request of the concerned countries or the United Nations General
Assembly/Secretariat General (UNGA/SG). Further to the humanitarian reform in
2005, UNHCR has been appointed to ensure the leadership of Protection,
Shelter/NFI, and Camp management and camp coordination clusters in emergency
settings. As a result, the staffing requirements have increased in UNHCR’s
operations worldwide. In Nigeria, UNHCR plays the role of co-sharing with IOM
the Shelter/ NFI and CCCM sector, coordination for the Protection sector
working group. In the meantime, UNHCR, as a protection agency, is implementing
activities to promote a favorable protection environment. In addition, UNHCR
Nigeria continues to respond to a complex humanitarian situation in northeast
Nigeria which has caused massive internal displacement and refugee outflows
into the neighboring countries of Cameroon, Niger, and Chad.
Context
UNHCR’s approach to durable solutions is people-centered and
in-line with the state development plans to enable inclusion and integration as
well as international guiding principles on achieving sustainable solutions for
displacement affected communities. UNHCR’s durable solutions projects
contribute to the Government's comprehensive approach to durable solutions
through implementing activities linked with early recovery, livelihoods,
shelter, NFI support, and community-based protection. UNHCR’s objective is to
ensure durable solutions are voluntary, safe, and dignified for displaced
populations. UNHCR’s area-based approaches are inclusive of the host community
to strengthen the resilience and social cohesion of the population and reduce
pressure on the existing socio-economic infrastructure. UNHCR in collaboration
with others builds the capacity of Government and partners to enhance practical
understanding on solutions and develop a state level road map to support
government-led processes in Northeast Nigeria. In Adamawa State, the Government
has established and chairs the Durable Solutions Steering Committee (DSSC).
Under the DSSC, UNHCR co-chairs the Durable Solutions Technical Working Group
(DSTWG) with IOM. The purpose of the working group was to develop a durable
solutions strategy for Adamawa State. UNHCR, in collaboration with other
agencies and the government, will endeavor to establish similar coordination
structures on durable solutions in Borno and Yobe States. UNHCR has expanded
their protection and solution programming to offer services in the urban
context for those that have decided to remain in Maiduguri. Coordination with
relevant line ministries and development actors is required to ensure
sustainability and successful local integration as a durable solution. UNHCR
partners with NGOs, both local and international, and Government entities,
including the State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMA), National Emergency
Management Agency (NEMA), Ministry for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement
(MRRR), National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and IDPs (NCFRMI), National
Human Rights Commission (NHRC), among others to ensure joint approaches and
outreach to address protection issues in displacement-affected areas. UNHCR
engages with development actors working to expand opportunities for cooperation
in the IDP and refugee response, including the Durable Solutions Initiative.
Programmatic interventions encourage partnership with and the inclusion of
displaced populations into development planning to enhance platforms for equal
consultation with displaced and local communities, ensuring that both benefit
from operational responses and have active avenues to provide feedback to
complaints. UNHCR interventions and strategies are fully aligned with
Humanitarian Response Plans (HRPs), the Nigeria Economic Recovery Plan, and
other national and local state strategic documents.
Task description
Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of
Senior Protection Officer or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the
UN Volunteer in the position of Associate Durable Solutions Officer will serve
as a focal point for solutions related issues in Northeast Nigeria, and reports
to the to the Senior Protection Officer with the Maiduguri Sub-Office. The
following is a description of key responsibilities of the Associate Durable
Solutions Officer: • Participate in the planning of and advise on opportunities
for solutions across the humanitarian-development-peace nexus, in-line with
available frameworks, including the Global Compact for Refugees, that is
inclusive of IDPs in Nigeria. • Participate in consultative processes within
UNHCR and externally on voluntary repatriation (for refugees) as well as local
integration, relocation, and return (for IDPs). • Lead monitoring and reporting
on voluntary repatriation in Northeast Nigeria. • Support fund raising, such as
proposal writing, for funding for solutions initiatives in Northeast Nigeria. •
Engage national and local interlocutors on durable solutions issues. • Meet
IDPs, refugees, returnees to assess their durable solutions needs and identify
the most appropriate solutions for them. • Implement activities in accordance
with solutions strategies and frameworks. • Monitor the implementation of the durable
solutions projects and provide advice for improvements. • Interview candidates
for local integration and prepare the appropriate documentation for onward
submission to local authorities or partners, in line with Local Integration
SOPs. • Contribute to the designing of state and/or national durable solutions
strategies. • Analyze statistics, trends, and other documents, and draft
reports. • Co-lead the Information Management Analysis Cell (IMAC) with OCHA to
continue to drive the evidence-base of durable solutions in Northeast Nigeria.
• Perform other related duties as required.
Eligibility criteria
Age
27 - 80
Nationality
Candidate must be a national of a country other than the
country of assignment.
Requirements
Required experience
3 years of experience in refugee, IDP, returnee issues and
Human Rights doctrine. • Very good reporting and writing ability. • 3 years
experience required for undergraduate degree holders; 2 years relevant
experience with Graduate degree; 1-year relevant experience with Doctorate
degree. • Ability to live and work in the hardship conditions. • Knowledge of
UN policies and procedures related to the humanitarian-development-peace nexus.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to
work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including
grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and
authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of
communications for development; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and
effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a
multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Solid overall
computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel,
Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and
office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, takes initiative, ability to
work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Interest
in Protection and Solutions for displaced populations (refugees, IDPs,
returnees), volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN
System.
Area(s) of expertise
Social work, Development programmes, Crisis and emergency
response
Driving license
-
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required French, Level: Working
knowledge, Desirable
Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in Political Science, Social
Science, Law/International Law, International Relations, or related field.
Competencies and values
• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations
relevant to UNHCR; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or
transferrable to UNHCR procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity,
diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement;
ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially
in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal
initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept
wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established
procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and
confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the
values and ethical standards of the UN and UNHCR in daily activities and
behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue
political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the
organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases
of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; •
Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across
organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish
and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a
multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and
respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender,
religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender
equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and
men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and
provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous
learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of
new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work
environment. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and
problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an
efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan,
coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with
conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; •
Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written
communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports;
ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely;
ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and
empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel,
volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse
backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of
different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and
work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical
hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments
for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and
to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;
• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which
includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity, and self-reliance; and commitment
towards UNHCR’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
UNHCR international staff appointed to Maiduguri must stay
in UNHCR guesthouse which is well equipped with facilities. The curfew time in
Maiduguri is daily from 22:00 hrs to 06:00 hrs.
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme
that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to
achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part
of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to
combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights
and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender
identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability,
pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
This UNV assignment is subject to proof of vaccination
against Covid-19 with WHO approved vaccine, unless the UNHCR Medical Service
approves an exemption from this requirement on medical grounds
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