Operations Associate at UN High Commissioner for Refugees - Tenders Global

Operations Associate at UN High Commissioner for Refugees

United Nations Children's Fund

tendersglobal.net

JOB DESCRIPTION

 

ABOUT THE COMPANY:

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Refugee Agency, is mandated to protect and assist men, women and children forced to flee their homes due to violence, conflict or persecution. UNHCR is dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced and stateless people. The Agency provides protection, shelter, food, water, medical care and other life-saving assistance to refugees and asylum-seekers around the world. The dream of most refugees is to return home. If and where possible, UNHCR helps refugees make this dream a reality. When refugees cannot go back home, we work to find solutions for them, to rebuild their lives in another country. Since its formation by the United Nations General Assembly in 1950, UNHCR has helped millions of refugees restart their lives and has received the Nobel Peace Prize twice.

 

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

CFamily Type (not applicable for home-based)

FamilyStaff Member / Affiliate Type

UNOPS LICA6Target Start Date

2024-09-01Job Posting End Date

August 18, 2024Terms of Reference

  1. General Background
    The UNHCR Representation in Venezuela is comprised of the Country Office in Caracas, three Field Offices located on the border with Colombia (Guasdualito, San Cristobal and Maracaibo), as well as four Field Units one in Caracas, the capital district; one in Puerto Ayacucho (Amazonas) in the border with Colombia; Carupano (Sucre) in the border with Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana; and Santa Elena de Uairen in the border with Brazil.

The operational context in Venezuela remains challenging, affecting both refugees and asylum seekers and the Venezuelan population in humanitarian crisis, including displaced persons, returnees, and people on-the-move.

Since the first quarter of 2022, an increase in returns and a high need for protection has been observed.

This context requires the operation to adapt and lead collaboration within the humanitarian response, focusing on reintegration and integrating climate action as a transversal axis.

The incumbent normally works under the supervision of the Deputy Representative for Operations. The incumbent will perform a variety of functions related to the instructions and guidelines about reporting, implementation and Planning for projects within a certain geographical area.

The incumbent will work quite independently on regular assignments with an oversight from the supervisor who provides general guidance and work plans for identifying work priorities and appropriate approaches.

Work is controlled for meeting expected results and conformity to policy and procedures.

The Incumbent does not normally have a direct supervisory role. Contacts on administrative/budgetary related issues are mainly with Sections/Units/Offices within the Organization and with local suppliers/services/ partners normally on routine subject matters.

  1. Purpose and Scope of Assignment
  2. Assist in identifying operational gaps and problems, contribute to the preparation and implementation of action plans to address any gaps identified and ensure advice/guidance is provided to field offices to improve the delivery of assistance of people we serve.

– Regularly examine operations to identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and areas needing improvement.
– Utilize both quantitative and qualitative data to understand the root causes of operational issues.
– Collaborate with field offices and other stakeholders to gather insights and feedback on operational challenges.
– Contribute to the preparation and implementation of action plans aimed at addressing identified gaps.

This includes setting clear objectives, timelines, and responsibilities.
– Provide guidance to field offices to enhance their operational efficiency and effectiveness. This may involve training sessions, workshops, or one-on-one support to ensure best practices are followed.

  1. Contribute to the drafting of results-oriented operational strategies as well funding proposals (including objectives, work plans, project descriptions, etc.) while ensuring they reflect institutional priorities and make optimal use of resources.

– Assist in the creation of operational strategies that are focused on achieving measurable results.

This includes setting specific, achievable objectives and outlining the steps needed to reach them.
– Ensure that strategies make optimal use of available resources, both human and financial, to maximize impact.
– Contribute to the drafting of funding proposals, including detailed project descriptions, work plans, and budgets. This requires a clear understanding of donor requirements and the ability to align proposals with their priorities.
– Ensure that all strategies and proposals reflect UNHCR’s institutional priorities, such as protecting the rights of displaced people and promoting sustainable solutions for their well-being.

  1. Support cross-organizational initiatives and recommend appropriate solutions to ensure their continued efficient implementation, effectively liaising between UNHCR units as well as with other UN agencies and NGOs whenever necessary.

– Facilitate communication and coordination between various UNHCR units, as well as with other UN agencies and NGOs.
– Identify and recommend appropriate solutions to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of cross-organizational initiatives.

This may involve process improvements, new technologies, or innovative practices.
– Act as a liaison to ensure that all parties involved are informed and aligned with common goals and progress. This includes organizing meetings, sharing updates, and addressing any issues that arise.
– Support the monitoring and evaluation of cross-organizational initiatives to ensure they meet their objectives and contribute to the overall mission of UNHCR. This involves collecting data, analyzing results, and making recommendations for future actions.
3.

Monitoring and Progress Controls
– Draft plans, reports, project documents and submissions for donor funding by drafting and reviewing text and preparing budgets.
– Prepare background information of use in discussions within the Country Operation as well as with the Bureau.
– Identify issues of inconsistency and/or non-compliance with UNHCR’s global strategies, protocols and guidelines that have to be brought to the attention of the supervisor.
– Assist UNHCR’s activities in the operations within the AoR, if necessary, through mission to the countries/operations covered, when requested by the supervisor.
– Support the analysis of the operational context, early warning signs and the protection situation of PoCs.
– Contribute to the analysis of political and social developments impacting on UNHCR’s operations.
– Support the compliance of UNCHR’s project implementation, management and reporting with established policies, guidelines, procedures, and standards, when requested by the supervisor.
– Contribute to identify potential gaps and problems and in cooperation with other relevant sections recommend appropriate solutions to ensure the continued efficient implementation of programme activities and effective coordination with other UN agencies and NGOs.
– Prepare project proposals, conduct needs assessment in various fields of assistance and monitor implementation of projects.
– Provide guidance and support for communication and sharing of best practices with FOs in the operation.
– Coordinate with field offices for provision of timely, coherent, consistent, quality information about their operations, when requested by the supervisor.
– Support senior staff in the allocation of resources required for the operation to meet its objectives, especially during Annual Planning Reviews, Mid-Year Reviews and ad hoc resource allocation consultations.
– Perform other related duties as required.

  1. Qualifications and Experience

Essential
Training in programme design, monitoring & evaluation.

Experience in coordination and reporting.

Desirable
Practical knowledge of/previous experience in Focus, Global Focus, COMPAS, Cloud ERP or any Oracle data management and/or other RBM systems analysis. Understanding of the basics of IPSAS. Completion of UNHCR learning programmes relevant to the functions (e.g. OMLP). Knowledge of UNHCR’s operational rules and procedures. Direct experience as Programme or Operations Associate and in Focus development training.

Language Requirements
Knowledge of English and Spanish is essential. Knowledge of another UN language is an asset.

a.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in any area related to Social Sciences and/or Field Operations, including Management; Project Management; International Relations; Law; Communications; any other related field.

b. Work Experience

At least 3 years of relevant experience working with international organizations in fields related to
Protection; Operations; Programme or Project Management.

c. Key Competencies

Core Competencies
Accountability
Communication
Organizational Awareness
Teamwork & Collaboration
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies
Managing Resources

Cross-Functional Competencies
Analytical Thinking
Planning and Organizing

d.

Travel requirements

Contractor may be required to travel 20% of the time to locations other than their assigned work location.Standard Job Description

Required Languages

English,

Spanish,

Desired Languages

,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

Certifications

Work Experience

Other information

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance
Home-Based

No

 

 


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