Deputy Representative

UNHCR

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

Direct supervision and guidance is received from the Representative. Advice and operational support may also be provided by the Director/Deputy Director of the Bureau and by other senior staff in the Bureau (Head of Desk, Legal Advice Unit, and Resource Management Unit) and in the support Divisions at Headquarters. The incumbent will also refer to policies, standards, rules and regulations which are in force within UNHCR.

Regular contacts with Representative and staff at Headquarters and in the field, to consult, discuss operational issues, and to seek common grounds for solutions on activities and programmes of importance to UNHCR and with persons on matters of great importance to UNHCRs programmes. These contacts may include heads of national/ international organizations, embassies, UN agencies, and high officials/ ministers in the national government. UNHCR is well integrated into the UN Resident Coordinator System.

Decisions taken directly influence the design and operation of all of UNHCRs activities in the country of accreditation. Proposals will have a substantive effect on UNHCRs policy on a wide range of issues in the country programmes. Errors lead to significant damage to UNHCRs major objectives in terms of time, quality, and money in the country and will have a major negative impact on the safety of refugees and other persons of concern. The Offices overall credibility and the safety of its staff may also suffer.

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 UNHCRs core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties

  • Provide legal protection advice and guidance on matters of doctrine and policy to Representative, the Heads of Offices and protection staff in the country.
  • Provide advice and support to offices in the country operation on specific issues/problems faced related to asylum, refugee protection and assistance, including access to territory, access to RSD and asylum procedures, non-refoulement adequate reception and the implementation of durable solutions, including developing a Protection Management Framework for each national office.
  • Provide legal and programme related advice and guidance to offices in the country on developing and maintaining fair and effective asylum regimes in accordance with international standards and norms, especially with regard to national asylum/refugee legislation and the building of local protection capacity.
  • Provide legal and programme related advice and guidance on matters relating to the issue of asylum and migration to the Representative and offices in the country with particular emphasis on the problems of trafficking and smuggling.
  • Provide guidance and leadership related to the implementation of the Age, Gender Diversity Mainstreaming (AGDM) Participatory Assessments in sub-region and ensure the follow up on any identified gaps related to the reception and integration systems and structures in the region with relevant stakeholders.
  • Keep abreast of and analyse trends and key issues related to legal protection and assistance in the country, including preparing strategy and position papers with policy recommendations on specific protection, assistance and durable solutions related issues relevant to the country.
  • Directly supervise Protection and Programme sections and develop operations plan in accordance with the organizational policies and operational strategies.
  • Assist the Representative in the promotion of UNHCR strategic goals and objectives in the country, monitoring of the overall progress towards achieving them and in managing the Representation country office.
  • Ensure that appropriate security measures are in place to protect staff, and that the country operation complies with UN MOSS/MORSS staff security rules, guidelines and procedures. – Serve as OIC of the Country Office when the Representative is on mission or leave.
  • Any other duties as may be required or assigned by the Representative.
  • Represent UNHCR in the meetings and fora related to the functions.
  • Enforce local compliance with UNHCRs global protection, programme, finance and human resources and security policies and standards.
  • Authorize payments as per the organizations Delegation of Authority Plan (DOAP) and in accordance with UN/UNHCR rules and procedures.
  • Modify operational projects and reallocate funds, within the approved budgets and in respect of donor earmarking.
  • Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications Education & Professional Work Experience

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

Business Administration; International Relations; Law; Political Science; Social Science; Human Resources Management; or other relevant field. (Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Certificates and/or Licenses

HCR Learning Prog; HCR Managing Operatns Lrng Prg; HCR Protection Learning Prg; (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience Essential

  • A high level of skill in management of broad programmes, political decision making and negotiating. Desirable
  • Completion of UNHCR training programmes, such us Protection Learning Programme, Operations Management Learning Programme.
  • Knowledge of geo-political realities and their socio-cultural implications.

Functional Skills

*MG-Field Operations Management

*UN-UN/UNHCR Inter-agency Policies, Standards, Programmes, and Partnerships

*UN-UN/UNHCR Mandate and Global Strategic Priorities

*PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards) UN-Analysis of geo-political realities and their socio-cultural implications

*MG-Political Decision Making (Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements

For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.

For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.

For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power. As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise. This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Desired Candidate Profile

  • The candidate should have prior operations and program management experience and expertise as well as strong written and oral communication skills.
  • The candidate should also have demonstrated leadership and high-level representational capabilities.
  • The candidate should be familiar with UN reform and joint programming involving multilateral donors, international financial institutions, the private sector and development partners.

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

Desired languages

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

As at end October, Zambia hosts 93,493 persons that require UNHCR continuous attention including 66,257 Refugees, 3,348 Asylum seekers and 3,888 Former refugees (Angolan & Rwandan).  The caseload is a combination of protracted refugee situation compounded by periodic arrivals from neighboring DRC. The Deputy Representative should be fully familiar with the Refugee Coordination Model (RCM) and skilled in managing the country-wide refugee response using this framework. S/he will support the Representative to mainstream development engagement to advance refugee inclusion in national system delivery and support host communities through development, national and local government partnerships in the three refugee settlements. The operation’s focus on advancing refugee inclusion and searching long-term solutions for refugees through voluntary repatriation, resettlement and local solutions will guide the management of financial and human resources. The Deputy Representative in particular coordinates the management of the operation’s compliance with financial rules and procedures, the management of multi-purpose CBI in line with UNHCR policy and strengthened internal controls over finance and supply management. A sound understanding of effective risk management across operational areas, including procurement, contracts, and frame agreements is important. The position requires demonstrated skills in multi-sectoral program coordination and efficient resource management. Zambia is a Delivering as One (DaO) country and the Deputy Representative will regularly participate in the UNCT- Program Management Team (PMT) where inter-agency priorities are determined and where decisions are made to develop and implement joint common system initiatives involving UNHCR and UN development sister agencies. The Deputy Representative will liaise with heads of units for quality assurance, effective and sound resource management, coordinate the development of the Multi-Year Multi Partner Protection and Solution Strategy (MYMPPSS) and ensure a multi-functional team (MFT) monitors and reports on key impact indicators. The Deputy Representative acts in absence of the Representative.

Desired Candidate Profile

The candidate should have prior operations and program management experience and expertise as well as strong written and oral communication skills.

The candidate should also have demonstrated leadership and high-level representational capabilities.

The candidate should be familiar with UN reform and joint programming involving multilateral donors, international financial institutions, the private sector and development partners.

Living and Working Conditions:

Lusaka is the capital city of the Republic of Zambia, a country heading towards middle-income country status. Zambia is an English-speaking country while majority of POCs (DRC & Rwanda) are French speakers. Shops are well stocked, and all basic commodities can be found, Lusaka has various supermarkets and malls around town. Imported goods tend to be available but more expensive. Health facilities, international schools, banking services are available in Lusaka. Finding accommodation meeting UN SRM standard is possible, either in stand- alone house, apartment, or town house in housing complexes. Domestic flights are costly but available. The local airline, Pro-flight and Mahogany operates flights to larger towns in the country. Zambia is a vast country and road travel can take days, given the distances and at times the road conditions. Zambia is peaceful with minimal security threats. There have been no restrictions on travel within Zambia. There have been no curfews or restricted movements within Lusaka or elsewhere. There have been no reported cases of serious incidents involving UNHCR staff members in the past. No incidents affecting UN staff members have been reported so far. Like in other duty stations, staff members are advised not to be complacent and be vigilant. International staff members are expected to have security guards from a recognized / recommended security company at their residences. Due to the COVID 19 pandemic, entry screening will be conducted at all airports and all travellers entering the airport are subjected to temperature and symptom screening. All travellers coming into the country through the international airports are required to provide a negative SARS CoV-2 PCR test result. The test should have been conducted within the previous 14 days. Travelers not meeting this requirement are not allowed entry into the country. All UNHCR staff are expected to be fully vaccinated.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

BA: Business Administration (Required), BA: Human Resources Management (Required), BA: International Relations (Required), BA: Law (Required), BA: Political Science (Required), BA: Social Science (Required)

Certifications

HCR Learning Program – UNHCR, HCR Protection Learning Program – UNHCR, Programme Management (PM) 1 – UNHCR

Work Experience

Annual Budget OL in Operation/Office, Number of Workforce in Operation/Work Setting, Working with Persons of Concern: Asylum Seekers, Working with Persons of Concern: Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: StatelessCompetencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Stakeholder management, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaborationUNHCR Salary

Compendium

Bi-annual Compendium 2022 Part B – November 2022

Functional clearance

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance


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