Associate Registration Officer

Job Title: Associate Registration Officer

Organization: United Nations Volunteers (UNV)

Host entity: UNHCR

Assignment country: Niger

Expected start date: 02/10/2023

Sustainable Development Goal: 16. Peace, justice and strong institutions

Volunteer category: International UN Volunteer Specialist

Type: Onsite

Duration: 3 months (with possibility of extension)

Number of assignments: 1

Duty stations: Tahoua

Details

Mission and objectives

The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assem-bly. 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. The UN Refugee Agency in Niger acting within its mandate of protecting persons in need of international protection, and in partnership with the Government of Niger has established the Evacuation Transit Mechanism (ETM). The mechanism aims at evacuating persons of con-cern with acute protection needs from Libya to Niger, where they undergo RSD and are di-rected to appropriate durable solutions. Most of these evacuees come from Eritrea, Sudan and Somalia and are victims of severe human rights violations during their journey.

Context

Niger was a host to a total population of 682,412 persons of concern to UNHCR as of 31 August 2023. This population is mainly composed of 308,917 refugees and asylum seekers, 335,277 internally displaced persons, and 38,218 Nigerien returnees. These populations are mainly distributed in six regions and grouped into three situations the Lake Chad Basin situation with Nigerian refugees in the regions of Diffa, Maradi and recently in Tahoua, the Sahel situation with Malian refugees in the regions of Tahoua and Tillabéri, the Urban situation with refugees and asylum seekers in Niamey, including the evacuees from Libya to Niamey by humanitarian flights (Emergency Transit Mechanism - ETM), and the mixed migration where we have refugees and asylum seekers in Agadez region. Following the widespread insecurity that erupted in the northern region of Mali, Malian refugees began to arrive in 2012, mainly in the region of Tillabéry and in the region of Tahoua. In the Tahoua region, Malian refugees have settled in Agando, a town near the Malian border. In view of the threats of overflowing attacks or infiltration of non-state armed groups on the Niger side of the border with Mali, these refugees have been relocated to the refugee reception area (ZAR) of Intikane. At the end of May 2020, the ZAR was hosting around 20,000 Malian refugees and 15,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs). The majority ethnic component being those of the Tuareg, followed by that of the members of the Peul ethnic group. In 2018, with the increase in attacks in Agando, IDPs were relocated to the ZAR and Agando continued to be an area of military operations. During 2020, the resurgence of violent attacks on Nigerien territory has also led to significant internal displacement in the border areas of Niger where the majority of refugees are also hosted. On May 31, 2020, an attack by elements of non-state armed groups (GANE) took place in the ZAR of Intikane. It caused material damage to infrastructure and loss of human life. There also followed the displacement of populations from Intikane to the locality of Telemces and to small camps located near Intikane. These localities include sites such as: Talokames (located approximately 7 km from Intikane), Adarzagaren (located approximately 17 km from Intikane), Inabagargar (located approximately 80 km from Intikane), Intakana (located approximately 83 km of Intikane), etc. Faced with this situation, the authorities took several drastic measures concerning the reception area in June 2021, measures which led to its closure and the cessation of all humanitarian interventions. Tahoua Field-Office provides protection and assistance to Nigerian, Malian refugees and nigerien IDPs, through respectively an integrated services approach aimed at promoting the autonomy of per-sons of concern, the policy of alternatives to camps and a humanitarian coordination mechanism . The Strategy invests in four complementary priority areas: data management and governance; information systems; capacities and skill development; and culture for evidence-informed decision-making. The Data Transformation Strategy also includes UNHCR’s forward learning action plan on digital identity and the importance of strengthening a trusted and secure digital platform to facilitate protection and solutions, assistance delivery and the inclusion of POCs in State systems and their increased access to services.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the Protection Officer, the IUN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: - Assist in the implementation of appropriate registration strategies and methodologies for populations of concern in compliance with the protection strategy of the operation and ensuring that registration standards are met. - Assist in the drafting and implementation of operation-specific SOPs for all aspects of registration in accordance with applicable standards and policies, including provisions for the protection of individual data and prevention and identification of fraud. - Assist in the implementation of appropriate procedures and systems for the assurance of quality registration data through continuous registration and verification exercises, including in the securing and distribution of identity and entitlement documents. - Assist in conducting regular data quality checks to monitor the accuracy of data collected. - Assist in the development of mass information campaigns to ensure that persons of concern have accurate information on registration procedures. - Liaise with Government authorities and partners as necessary for delivery of assistance and other registration-related activities. - In coordination with the operational data management staff, assist in the timely consolidation and drafting of statistics and registration data reports on persons of concern. - Contribute to training and internal capacity building of UNHCR staff in registration, including on-the-job coaching and guidance. - Enforce compliance by UNHCR staff engaged in registration and related activities with UN-HCR standards and policies and operation specific SOPs for all aspects of the registration operation. - In consultation with the supervisor, make decisions relating to the day-to-day operations of the registration unit and ensure registration procedures are efficient and effective. - Draft and submit reports and statistics related to registration. - 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 3 years relevant experience with Bachelor's degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Master’s degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree • Minimum 1 year of experience with refugees and/or other people of concern in a protection capacity required. • Prior experience in registration or individual case management, including use of UNHCR ProGres software, in refugee and internal displacement situations; • Strong understanding of the principles of and concepts of international protection and UNHCR; • Training in registration, operational data management or information management desirable; • Experience in registration, information management and communication in Humanitarian and Protection affairs, in particular in the framework of registration; • Experience with relevant information management tools and software is desirable; • Field experience in particular of working with persons of concern desirable; • Commitment to help persons of concern and willingness to cooperate with counterparts and partners; • Good analytical skills; • Strong interpersonal and communication skills in a multi-cultural setting; • Ability to design, organize, deliver and evaluate training/capacity building activities; • Ability to live and work in the difficult and harsh conditions of developing countries is essential. Protection of refugees, asylum seekers and IDPs Mandatory. Excellent computer skills particularly in data management including use of UNHCR ProGres software.

Area(s) of expertise

Legal affairs, Social work, Information technology

Driving license

-

Languages

English, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable French, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level

Bachelor degree or equivalent in Information Technology, Social Sciences, International Relations, Law or other relevant field.

Competencies and values

• Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented. • Acccountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations. • 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. • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender; • 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; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

Other information

Living conditions and remarks

• Tahoua is one of eight Regions of Niger. The capital of the region is the commune of Tahoua. The region covers 106,677 km².Tahoua borders Agadez Region to the north-east, Maradi Region to the southeast, Nigeria's Sokoto State to the south, and Mali (Gao and Kidal regions), Dosso Region and Tillabéri Region to the west. Much of the region lies with the Sahel, merging into the Sahara desert in the north. • Tahoua is a small city of 150,000 inhabitants. It is a non-family high risks duty station. The R&R cycle is every 6 weeks, and the designated R&R location is Niamey. • Staffing statistics: • Most of travels within the country are undertaken regularly through UNHAS flights or by route. Non accessible localities are reached by car. • There are some local vegetable and fruit markets with limited supplies, and no meat and dai-ry products are available. • There are several banks and ATM available in the town, however the ATMs are mostly out of service due to connection problem. It is advisable to make financial arrangements at the level of the capital, Niamey. • There are 3 seasons in Niger: rainy (June-September), cool (October-February), and very hot (March-May) The communication by the mobile telephony is acceptable and allows to join the staffs.

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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