Associate Resettlement & Complementary Pathways Officer

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

A (least hardship)

Family

UNOPS IICA1

2024-04-02

April 10, 2024

1. General Background

Costa Rica is a State Party to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol. Costa Rica’s national legal framework dealing with refugee protection is primarily governed under the 2002 Refugee Law No. 27.891 and its complementary regulations (the Refugee Law framework).

Refugee legislation entrusts the Refuge and Restricted Visas Commission / La Comision de Visas Restringidas y Refugio (CVRR) with the task of adjudicating asylum claims and promoting durable solutions for refugees, and the Administrative Migration Tribunal / Tribunal Administrativo Migratorio (TAM) is responsible for the appeals instance. The Migration Authority’s Refugee Unit is the organ that receives, registers, interviews and makes recommendations on refugee status determination (RSD) to the CVRR. The Refugee Law is further complemented by a number of decrees and administrative regulations dealing with specific issues, such as residence permits, documentation, and extradition.

Costa Rican Refugee Law, which generally complies with international refugee law standards, sets out regulations governing RSD procedures and protection safeguards, seeking to guarantee effective access to international protection and basic human rights. However, in practice there are significant challenges to make this protection effective which have been deepened in the context of the significant number of arrivals of Nicaraguan nationals seeking asylum in Costa Rica, since 2018.

Regarding the asylum system, the exponential increase of new applications has strained the Costa Rican asylum system. Challenges stem from the sheer number of pending applications, which has created backlog in registering, documenting and adjudicating cases, ultimately affecting fair and efficient individual status determination, as well as some challenges with management and strategic planning. After the border and Refugee Unit offices reopened in early 2021, the rapid increase in the number of new asylum claims (97,371 in 2021 alone) plus a significant number of appointments that had to be re- scheduled during the pandemic, surpassed the Refugee Unit´s capacity to receive and register cases, causing significant delays in delivering asylum-seeker documentation and work permits. Although UNHCR´s dedicated support to the Refugee Unit helped reduce the delays in registration and documentation, the adjudication process has continued to be negatively affected – with eligibility interviews scheduled for 2029 (for those formalized in early April 2022), with additional waiting time for decisions in the first instance and another year or two for decisions on appeals.

In 2022, for the first time, UNHCR Costa Rica embarked on a pilot resettlement program of 530 individuals, given the significant shifts in the operational context and the increased needs for protection and durable solutions. In 2023, the operation has launched the Safe Mobility Office Initiative with a quota of 3,300 individuals within 6 months. In 2024, Costa Rica has a quota of 11,500 individuals. Considering the growth of the program and increased quota for 2024, the staff is required to support the Resettlement Unit with identifying and submitting for consideration the most vulnerable cases who require resettlement as a durable solution. The staff will work with Associate Resettlement Officers and national resettlement staff under the direct supervision of the Resettlement Officer.

2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment
     
– Identify, interview, assess resettlement and complementary pathways needs, and process cases identified for resettlement and complementary pathways following established procedures; provide counselling to individuals.
– Support monitoring of activities for resettlement and complementary pathways, as applicable, to ensure progress against targets, transparency and efficiency in case submissions and appropriate follow-up with resettlement countries and other key stakeholders.
– Review and provide timely feedback and guidance on resettlement submissions prepared in the country office/ by country offices to harmonize quality and consistency of resettlement delivery.
– Support the management of processes to ensure that persons of concern and partners receive up-to-date and accurate information on UNHCR’s resettlement and complementary pathways policies and procedures.
– Support the implementation of UNHCR’s global resettlement and complementary pathways policies, procedures and guidelines in the AOR.
– 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 in particular.
– Support government officials and partners undertaking missions related to resettlement and complementary pathways.
– Assist selection missions by resettlement countries to the region/country operations.
– Stay abreast and analyze the implication of political, legal, social and economic developments in the AOR and recommend policy / strategic approaches to further UNHCR objectives with respect to resettlement and complementary pathways.
– Contribute to the development and enhancement of policy and guidelines for resettlement and complementary pathways practices.
– Systematically apply an Age, Gender and Diversity perspective in all aspects of the resettlement and complementary pathways process; comply with UNHCR policy and guidelines on HIV/AIDS.
– Promote and support the establishment of mechanisms for preventing fraud in resettlement and complementary pathways activities to maintain the integrity of the resettlement and complementary pathways process in the AOR.
– Contribute to comprehensive protection and solutions strategies in the country operation or region.
– Perform other related duties as required.

3. Monitoring and Progress Controls

– Conduct approximately 10 RRF interviews per week, unless asked to assist with other tasks in which case the interviewing schedule will be adjusted accordingly.

– Draft at least 8-10 RRFs weekly, for submission to resettlement countries in accordance with SOPs, policies and priorities of the unit.

– Ensure post-submission follow up of cases such as preparing responses to deferral requests.

– Support the identification of resettlement cases and establishment of referral mechanisms.

– If required, undertake case processing missions to the field office in Upala and/or other areas.
– If required, assist with complementary pathways.

– If required, assist with the updating of Standard Operating Procedures.

– Ensure timely weekly reporting of completed tasks is sent to the Resettlement Officer

4. Qualifications and Experience

a. Education
    
Area of required and/or preferred education:
Political Science; Social Sciences; International Law; Law; International Public Law; International Refugee Law; International Human Rights Law; Refugee and Forced Migration International Relations; or other relevant field.

b. Work Experience

3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree.  
   
c. Language Requirements

English (mandatory), Level – Fluent (both written and spoken)
Spanish (mandatory), Level – Fluent (both written and spoken)

We are committed to maintaining diversity in terms of gender, ethnicity and culture. Persons belonging to minority groups, persons with special abilities, men and women, are encouraged to apply for vacancies. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

Eligible candidates may be required to take a technical test and/or an interview.
If you have special needs or require assistance to apply, please contact [email protected].

Standard Job Description

Associate Resettlement and Complementary Pathways Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The position for Associate Resettlement and Complementary Pathways Officer may be based in Country Operations, Regional Bureaux or Headquarters.

The incumbent’s primary role is to support resettlement and complementary pathways activities in his/her Area of Responsibility (AOR) through identification of needs, submission of cases, monitoring procedural compliance, integrity and quality of case submissions, and ensure progress against targets. S/he takes part in assessing cases for resettlement and conducting interviews as well as monitoring procedural compliance and quality of case submissions. The role may also involve managerial responsibilities in supervising staff and affiliate workforce. S/he contributes to comprehensive protection and solutions strategies and needs to make resettlement both strategic as well as responsive to the needs of people of concern to UNHCR.

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 UNHCR’s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties
– Identify, interview, assess resettlement and complementary pathways needs, and process cases identified for resettlement and complementary pathways following established procedures; provide counselling to individuals.
– Support monitoring of activities for resettlement and complementary pathways, as applicable, to ensure progress against targets, transparency and efficiency in case submissions and appropriate follow-up with resettlement countries and other key stakeholders.
– Review and provide timely feedback and guidance on resettlement submissions prepared in the country office/ by country offices to harmonize quality and consistency of resettlement delivery.
– Support the management of processes to ensure that persons of concern and partners receive up-to-date and accurate information on UNHCR’s resettlement and complementary pathways policies and procedures.
– Support the implementation of UNHCR’s global resettlement and complementary pathways policies, procedures and guidelines in the AOR.
– Ensure Standard Operating Procedures for identification of cases for resettlement and resettlement case management are in place and in line with UNHCR Global Standards.
– 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 in particular.
– Support senior management in maintaining regular contact and close cooperation with resettlement countries and partners to ensure effective delivery of resettlement and complementary pathways; and adherence to adequate protection standards.
– Support government officials and partners undertaking missions related to resettlement and complementary pathways.
– Assist selection missions by resettlement countries to the region/country operations.
– Stay abreast and analyse the implication of political, legal, social and economic developments in the AOR and recommend policy / strategic approaches to further UNHCR objectives with respect to resettlement and complementary pathways.
– Contribute to the development and enhancement of policy and guidelines for resettlement and complementary pathways practices.
– Systematically apply an Age, Gender and Diversity perspective in all aspects of the resettlement and complementary pathways process; comply with UNHCR policy and guidelines on HIV/AIDS.
– Promote and support the establishment of mechanisms for preventing fraud in resettlement and complementary pathways activities to maintain the integrity of the resettlement and complementary pathways process in the AOR.
– Assist in the production of up-to-date and accurate statistics, analytical reports on resettlement and complementary pathways, updates and briefing notes, including with regard to 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.

– Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
– Perform other related duties as required.

For jobs in the Regional Bureaux only:
– Review and provide feedback and advice to country operations on their resettlement and complementary pathways strategies and priorities, to ensure that they are coherent and consistent with the regional strategy and are fully integrated into country operations plans.
– Assist offices in the annual planning exercise for resettlement and complementary pathways.
– Review and provide timely feedback and guidance on resettlement submissions prepared by country offices to harmonize quality and consistency of resettlement delivery; assist the supervisor in monitoring procedural compliance.
– Conduct periodic field missions to provide advice on the quality and consistency of resettlement submissions, decisions and activities.
– Assist in negotiating with resettlement countries the design and development of regional resettlement programmes and complementary pathways involving governments and non-governmental organisations in close consultation with the Resettlement and Complementary Pathways Service in the Division of International Protection (DIP) at Headquarters.
– Coordinate with DIP, other entities within the Bureau and country operations to ensure a comprehensive and consistent approach in the prevention, detection and response to fraud committed by persons of concern across the region.
– Collect resettlement and complementary pathways related information to be used by the Resettlement and Complementary Pathways Service in the DIP for external publications.
– Assist in assessing training needs, draw regional training plan and strategy and deliver resettlement, complementary pathways and related training to UNHCR staff, partners and other stakeholders as required.
– Contribute to a communications strategy that generates support from external parties for the expansion of resettlement and complementary pathways.

Minimum Qualifications
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P2/NOB – 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Political Science;
Social Sciences;
International Law;
Law;
International Public Law;
International Refugee Law;
International Human Rights Law;
Refugee and Forced Migration International Relations;
or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Protection Learning Programme;
Resettlement Learning Programme;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
At least 1 year 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.
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. Diverse field experience. Experience working in a multi-cultural environment.

Functional Skills
DM-Database Management
PR-Refugee Resettlement programs
PR-Resettlement Anti-Fraud Policy and Procedures
PR-Mixed migratory movement management
(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.

Required Languages

,

,

Desired Languages

Spanish

,

English

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

DM-Database Management, PR-Mixed migratory movement management, PR-Refugee Resettlement programs, PR-Resettlement Anti-Fraud Policy and Procedures

Education

Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Relations, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political Science, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Social Science

Certifications

HCR Protection Learning Program – UNHCR, HCR Resettlement Learning Program – UNHCR

Other information

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance

Home-Based

No