Organization: UN High Commissioner for Refugees
Country: Costa Rica
Closing date: 06 Nov 2017
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
The Senior Durable Solutions Officer is a designated focal point for solutions related issues in a country, and reports to the Assistant or Deputy Representative or, as appropriate, to the Representative. The incumbent has direct supervisory responsibility for durable solutions staff, which may include staff within the functional groups of durable solutions, reintegration, repatriation, and resettlement. She/he works closely with protection and programme staff, and ensures operational standards and practices in solutions delivery at the country level.
The Senior Durable Solutions Officer is normally a member of the Office's senior management team and is relied upon by the Office to assist in the development of a durable solutions strategy. The Senior Durable Solutions Officer should provide planning and foresight to advance progress for Protracted Refugee situations, where applicable, and/or to prevent new situations from becoming protracted. Fostering an environment to enhance partnerships is a critical element of the work, as are activities designed to strengthen the involvement of refugee communities and their hosts in the design and implementation of solutions strategies.
FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
Accountability A comprehensive durable solutions strategy reflecting UNHCR's global and regional priorities is in place and implemented.
The Durable solutions strategy capitalizes on mobility frameworks and partnerships
The overall operation has strategic partnership with Governments, development agencies, civil society organizations and the private sector
Durable solutions are integrated in all protection activities.
Appropriate durable solutions are offered to a maximum number of PoCs.
Responsibility
Design and implement a comprehensive durable solutions strategy for persons of concern with a view to finding durable solutions to the maximum number of PoCs
Participate in or lead inter-agency programming processes, namely joint needs assessments, CCA/UNDAF, national development plans.
Participate in the planning of, and advise on, the promotion of peace building and coexistence between PoCs and host communities.
Participate in consultative processes within UNHCR and with a broad range of external partners to promote voluntary repatriation, local integration and resettlement.
Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with UN and other development agencies, civil societies and the private sector to bring area-based development programmes to communities hosting PoCs.
Participate in inter-agency coordination meetings on early recovery/transition projects and represent UNHCR when appropriate.
Ensure that populations of concern are appropriately engaged through participatory assessments and other forms of community based assessment to identify the most appropriate solutions for refugees with respect to individual or group needs.
Provide guidance and input to the annual programme planning to identify adequate resources and means to implement the programme country-wide.
Integrate self-reliance as a key component of a durable solutions strategy and ensure the involvement of PoCs in transition projects, peace-building and development initiatives.
Prepare reports, statistics, and other documents to ensure that all reporting requirements are fully met.
Design and conduct training activities aimed at the capacity building of UNHCR and partner staff on durable solutions, peace building/coexistence and partnership.
Advise populations of concern, Government counterparts, partners and other stakeholders on available durable solutions and alternatives.
Participate in fundraising and engage in drafting and presenting inter-agency project proposals.
Monitor the implementation of the programme through managing the human and financial resources and identify gaps to ensure optimum use of available funds.
Authority
Design and advise on UNHCR's comprehensive durable solutions strategy.
Engage national interlocutors on durable solutions issues.
Represent UNHCR in negotiations and meetings relating to durable solutions.
Clear documents and reports coming out of the Durable Solutions Unit.
ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Education: Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master¿s) in Law/International Law, Political Science, Social Science, Economics, International Relations or related field
- Job experience: Minimum 8 years (9 years with undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS)) relevant professional experience whereof 3 years in the field and 5 years in an international capacity
- Excellent knowledge of English and Spanish.
- *For National Officer positions, very good knowledge of local language and local institutions is essential.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- Diverse field experience desirable.
- Good knowledge of MS Word, Excel, ProGres and MSRP.
- Completion of the RSD- Resettlement Learning Programme, Protection Learning Programme and Management. Learning Programme desirable
Position Competencies
C001L3 – Accountability Level 3
C002L3 – Teamwork & Collaboration Level 3
C003L3 – Communication Level 3
C004L3 – Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 3
C005L3 – Client & Result Orientation Level 3
C006L3 – Organizational Awareness Level 3
M001L3 – Empowering and Building Trust Level 3
M002L3 – Managing Performance Level 3
M006L3 – Managing Resources Level 3
M005L3 – Leadership Level 3
M003L3 – Judgement and Decision Making Level 3
M004L3 – Strategic Planning and Vision Level 3
X006L3 – Policy Development & Research Level 3
X001L3 – Analytical Thinking Level 3
X007L3 – Political Awareness Level 3
How to apply:
Interested applicants should submit their application online here: http://www.unhcr.org/careers.html[.](http://www.unhcr.org/careers.html)
Closing date for receipt of applications: 6 November 2017 (midnight Geneva time)
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.
