Associate Resettlement Officer

Details

Mission and objectives

The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org).

Context

The Associate Resettlement (RST) Officer is a Resettlement Unit and Protection section member. Under the direct supervision of the Resettlement and Complementary Pathways Officer, Bujumbura, s/he is responsible for conducting resettlement interviews and drafting Resettlement Registration Forms (RRFs). S/he may be required to undertake country of origin (COI) and other research related to the claim, and resettlement needs to be included in the RRF and resettlement assessments. The Associate Resettlement Officer provides counseling to refugees on UNHCR’s Resettlement procedures, the status of their cases, fraud and corruption matters, and the procedure to report such issues. The Associate Resettlement Officer may review deferral responses, resettlement assessments, and RRFs of other resettlement case workers and provide procedural guidance and coaching, as required. S/he contributes to comprehensive protection and solutions strategies and needs to make resettlement both strategic as well as responsive to the needs of forcibly displaced and stateless people for whom UNHCR works. The Associate Resettlement Officer may assist in developing and implementing resettlement training, including for Government authorities and partners, as well as other measures to enhance the quality and efficiency of resettlement processing. The Associate Resettlement Officer assists with the organization and logistics of resettlement selection missions, compiles and analyses information related to the operation’s resettlement activities, and participates in decisions regarding appropriate case management strategies. S/he will also be required to attend BID and fraud panels.
Sustainable Development Goals: 16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Supervision, induction, and duty of care of UN Volunteers
UN Volunteers should be provided with equal duty of care, as extended to all host entity personnel. Host entity support to the UN Volunteer includes, but is not limited to:
• Introductory briefings about the organization and office-related context, including security, emergency procedures, good cultural practice, and orientation to the local environment.
• Support with arrival administration, including setting up bank accounts, residence permit applications, and completing other official processes as required by the host government or host entity.
• Structured guidance, mentoring, and coaching by a supervisor, including a clear workplan and performance appraisal.
• Access to office space, equipment, IT support, and any other systems and tools required to complete the objectives of the assignment, including a host entity email address.
• Access to shared host entity corporate knowledge, training, and learning.
• Inclusion of the volunteer in emergency procedures such as evacuations.
• Leave management.
• DSA for official travel, when applicable.
• All changes in the Description of Assignment occurring between recruitment and arrival or during the assignment need to be formalized with the United Nations Volunteer Programme.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the Resettlement & Complimentary Pathways Officer in Bujumbura, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
• Conduct casework by interviewing identified refugees for resettlement.
• Assess resettlement needs, complete Resettlement Registration Forms (RRF), and refer cases for review to the Resettlement & Complementary Pathways Officer.
• Research country of origin information to support and strengthen resettlement cases.
• Support and assist in preparing and facilitating resettlement country missions.
• Assist the Resettlement and Complementary Officer with organizing training workshops and seminars on resettlement-related issues for UNHCR staff.
• Manage refugees’ resettlement expectations in a fair manner through information sharing, outreach, and counseling.
• Regularly liaise with Protection, Community Services, and other relevant Units for individual case processing within the Office.
• Regularly update the proGres database with resettlement events and maintain own statistical data for reporting purposes.
• Participate in the Resettlement Unit, Protection Section, and Office meetings when required.
• Act as Officer in Charge of the resettlement unit in the absence of the Resettlement and Complimentary Pathways Officer/Associate Resettlement and Complimentary Pathways Officer.
• Undertake support resettlement missions to field locations when required.
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:
• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and taking an 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.
• Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities.
• Contribute to 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 on online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever possible.
Results/Expected Outputs:
• Cases are referred for resettlement in accordance with existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Completion of about 8 to 15 RRFs per week, depending on the complexity of the cases.
• Conduct counseling sessions for resettlement cases.
• Preparation of interim reports for assignments of six (6) months or more and/or as necessary. A final report covering the entire period of his/her assignment is compulsory. The report shall contain a description of activities and the data collected regarding the number of cases worked on, the number of persons submitted, and to which country (whether accepted/denied/pending);
• Participate in in-office meetings to discuss cases identified for possible resettlement consideration.
• Ensure consistent resettlement updates in the proGres database and effective case tracking.
• Resettlement country missions and refugee departures from (country) are facilitated.
• Provide resettlement counseling to resettlement applicants.
• Assist in the development of capacity building through coaching, mentoring, and formal on-the-job training when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counterparts, including Implementing Partners (IPs);
• The age, Gender, and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated, and documented in all activities throughout the assignment.
• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in, and capacities developed.