Associate Complementary Pathways Officer – UNV  

Description of assignment title: Associate Complementary Pathways Officer
Assignment country: Colombia

Expected start date: 24/06/2024

Sustainable Development Goal: 10. Reduced inequalities

Volunteer category: International UN Volunteer Specialist

Host entity: UNHCR

Type: Onsite

Expected end date: 31/12/2024

Number of assignments: 1

Duty stations: Bogota

Details

Mission and objectives

UNHCR works to ensure that everybody has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge, having fled violence, persecution, war or disaster at home.  Since 1950, UNHCR has provided support in the face of multiple crises globally, and provided vital assistance to refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced and stateless people, many of whom have nobody left to turn to.  UNHCR helps save lives and build better futures for millions forced from their homes. 

Context

Colombia is the country most impacted by the outflow of over 7.7 million Venezuelan refugees and migrants, hosting over 2.8 million Venezuelans, the majority of whom in the process of regularization. In addition, and despite the 2016 Peace Agreement, conflict and armed violence continue to uproot Colombians (an estimated 1 million people newly displaced by the internal conflict since November 2016) and, in a growing and worrying trend, also Venezuelans and other nationalities. Afro-Colombians and indigenous people continue to be disproportionally affected by large-group displacement events and confinements, particularly in the Pacific Coast. UNHCR and partners work to strengthen preventive actions as well as to respond to emergencies, providing protection and solutions for the people with and for whom UNHCR works. Over 2.4 million Venezuelans who live in Colombia have registered to benefit from the Temporary Protection Status (TPS), issued by the Government of Colombia in February 2021. The TPS provides a 10-year protection status and access to a full range of rights including healthcare, education, formal employment, and financial inclusion. More than 1.8 million permits have been delivered, however challenges remain in terms of access to rights and services. Xenophobia against Venezuelans persists, as misinformation and the perceptions that Venezuelans will take away job opportunities from Colombians, fuel general discontent. UNHCR supports the TPS roll-out and believes it is a promising pathway for addressing the vulnerable situation of Venezuelan refugees and migrants and continues to work towards durable solutions. Mixed movements of refugees and migrants continue to increase in the region, including more than 500,000 people transiting through the Darien into Panama and towards Central and North America in 2023; a similar trend is estimated for 2024. UNHCR continues to advocate for the expansion of lawful pathways, including resettlement, that avoid the risk of irregular, dangerous journeys, while, at the same time, preserving the fundamental human right to seek asylum. Since July 2023, with the support of the Government of the United States, UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) are co-leading the ‘Safe Mobility’ initiative which opens an alternative for eligible refugees and migrants to be considered for humanitarian and other regular pathways to the United States or other countries that may offer such opportunities.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the Regular Resettlement Program Coordinator, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: Strategy and SOPs (Standard Operatin Procedures): • Conduct research and analysis on global trends, policies, and best practices related to complementary pathways for refugees. • Draft a multi-year Complementary Pathways strategy for the operation. • Draft a Complementary Pathways SOP (Standard Operatin Procedures). • Promote and support the establishment of mechanisms for preventing fraud in complementary pathways activities to maintain the integrity of the complementary pathways process in the Area of Responsibility (AOR). • Contribute to comprehensive protection and solutions strategy in the country operation. Coordination and training: • Facilitate coordination and collaboration among relevant stakeholders, including UNHCR, governments, NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations), and international organizations, to promote a comprehensive approach to complementary pathways. • Support capacity-building initiatives aimed at enhancing the skills and knowledge of stakeholders involved in complementary pathways programs. • Organize meetings and workshops with different stakeholders on complementary pathways topics. Remain updated on new developments/opportunities: • Stay abreast and analyze the implication or political, social and economic developments in the AOR (Area of Responsibility) and recommend policy/strategic approaches to further UNHCR objectives with respect to complementary pathways. • Regular participation in the special Community of Practice for complementary pathways with the purpose of resources gathering, updating rest of the staff. Monitoring and Reporting: • Monitor and evaluate the impact of complementary pathways initiatives and identify areas for improvement. • Contribute to the preparation of reports, briefings, and other documents on resettlement and complementary pathways issues. Individual case support and data management: • Respond to individual queries sent regularly by different embassies, legal representatives and other stakeholders involved in complementary pathways both for refugees and asylum seekers. • Assist with the quick departure of persons of concern on complementary pathways. • Recording regularly all the departures on complementary pathways indicating the type of visa. • Produce all type of regular statistics (monthly, quarterly and annual), analytical reports, updates and briefing notes on complementary pathways. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities. • Contribute with articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

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 relevant field assisting refugees in a registration, RSD (Refugee Status Determination) or resettlement context, child protection including BIA (Best Interests Assessment) / BIDS (Best Interests Assessment), case advocacy and management, legal aid provider to asylum seekers; refugee protection and durable solutions, community-based protection, communication with affected populations, immigration etc.). • Basic knowledge of Complementary Pathways Admission programs. • Excellent drafting and analytical skills; • Awareness of gender issues and how to apply rights and community-based approaches to identify and respond to specific needs. • Awareness of the importance of ensuring confidentiality and preventing fraud and ways to mitigate risks. • Demonstrated leadership skills in developing communication strategies, negotiating and implementing large group activities within a multicultural / refugee and multi-sectoral setting – highly desirable. • Ability to work effectively in stressful situations. • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in teams • Experience in delivering training and capacity-building on refugee protection • Experience in liaising and building relationships with governmental and non-governmental partner organizations, including liaising with Embassy officials, Representatives, implementing and operational partners. • Excellent knowledge of MS word, Excel, PowerPoint, and virtual meeting platforms.

Area(s) of expertise

Crisis and emergency response, Community development

Driving license

–

Languages

Spanish, Level: Fluent, Required English, Level: Fluent, Desirable

Required education level

Bachelor degree or equivalent in international relations, law, social sciences, or a related 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. • Accountability: 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 different stakeholders; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to work independently and as part of a team. • 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

Living conditions in any of the UNHCR Colombia destinations, including Bogotá, are generally good. There is a wide variety of activities in these cities, from tourism, theater, cultural and sports activities, and restaurants offering typical local and regional food. Medical services in the main cities (clinics and private hospitals) are available. Visitors are advised that some clinics request an initial payment before admitting a patient, even in emergency situations. Visitors should take medical precautions and should seek medical advice before traveling. Travelers to the areas of Urabá, Chocó, Córdoba, Putumayo, Vichada, Guainía, Guaviare, Meta, Amazonas, Casanare, Vaupés, Norte de Santander, and Caquetá should carry certificates of vaccination against yellow fever, malaria, measles, and chickenpox, as some airlines require passengers to carry such documents. Conditions of Service The initial contract is issued upon arrival for the period indicated above. The contract can be extended depending on continuation of mandate, availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectancy of renewal of the assignment. A UN Volunteer receives a Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA), which is composed of a Monthly Living Allowance (MLA) and a Family Allowance (FA) for those with dependents (maximum three). The Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) is paid at the end of each month to cover housing, utilities, transportation, communications and other basic needs. The VLA can be calculated using by applying the Post-Adjustment Multiplier (PAM) to the VLA base rate US$ 2726.46. The VLA base rate is a global rate across the world, while the PAM is duty station/country-specific and fluctuates on a monthly basis according to cost of living. This method ensures that international UN Volunteers have comparable purchasing power at all duty stations irrespective of varying costs of living. The PAM is established by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) and is published at the beginning of every month on the ICSC website – http://icsc.un.org. In non-family duty stations that belong to hardship categories D or E, as classified by the ICSC, international UN Volunteers receive a Well-Being Differential (WBD) on a monthly basis. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are provided a settling-in-grant (SIG) at the start of the assignment (if the volunteer did not reside in the duty station for at least 6 months prior to taking up the assignment) and in the event of a permanent reassignment to another duty station. UNV provides life, health, permanent disability insurances as well as assignment travel, annual leave, full integration in the UN security framework (including residential security reimbursements). UN Volunteers are paid Daily Subsistence Allowance at the UN rate for official travels, flight tickets for periodic home visit and for the final repatriation travel (if applicable). Resettlement allowance is paid for satisfactory service at the end of the assignment. UNV will provide, together with the offer of assignment, a copy of the Conditions of Service, including Code of conduct, to the successful candidate.

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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