Careers opportunities - UNHCR United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees - Bamenda, Cameroun

Bamenda, Cameroon
time type : Full time
posted on
job requisition id : JR2322046
Only candidates who are not nationals of the country of assignment are eligible to apply to this position
Hardship Level

D
Family Type

Non Family with Residential LocationDanger Pay
Residential location (if applicable)

Yaounde, Cameroon
Grade

PR4
Staff Member / Affiliate Type

Professional
* Staff members will not normally serve in International Professional positions in the country of their nationality. In addition, in case of a first appointment upon recruitment, the assignment must be outside the staff member’s country of nationality.
In practical terms this means that you are not eligible to apply for International Professional vacancies advertised in the country where you are national of.
Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment
Remote work accepted

Non
Job Posting End Date : July 13, 2023

Standard Job Description

Head of Field Office

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

Head of a UNHCR Field Office (HoFO) is a senior managerial position within a given country operation. The incumbent carries the full delegated authority of the UNHCR Representative (or the country Manager or Head of Sub-Office) of the country, who will exercise entire supervisory managerial responsibility over the position. The position, on the other hand, provides all information on developments in relation to the protection (legal protection issues relating to the persons of concern to UNHCR), security (Physical security in relation to the UNCR staff and the persons of concern to UNHCR) and operational matters (programme and office management / administration) within the domain of its geographical area of responsibility to the UNHCR Representative (or the country manager) on a regular and timely manner. Subject to the specific legal or socio economic or security developments in the Area of Responsibility (AOR), Representative will direct and guide the Head of Field Office to take the most appropriate course of action. Concerning overall physical security concerns, HoFO will liaise directly with the competent UN security coordinator while keeping the UNHCR Representative fully informed.

While the functional responsibility of a Head of Field Office will always remain the same despite its grade level, the other parameters (therefore the depth and breadth of the competencies) such as the size of the population of concern to UNHCR, their specific legal/security concerns, volume of assistance, Number of operational / Implementing partners and the size of the Office (i.e. number of UNHCR staff and their grade levels) will determine the appropriate grade level. The operational autonomy also depends upon the same parameters/competencies.

As the most senior UNHCR staff member within the given geographical area, he/she is required to liaise with all the relevant senior government officials, security organs in the area, the Head of various Non-Governmental Organisations (both national and internationals based in the area), Civilian/tribal leaders/elders, local opinion makers and the local media net-work to ensure his/her assigned responsibilities are effectively and efficiently discharged.

As the extended field representative of UNHCR at the front line of High Commissioner¿s operations, he/she remain as the effective advocate and assistant to the local authorities to ensure that the respective government authorities in the area implement their conventional responsibilities in favour of refugees and others 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
- Monitor and report on the implementation of refugee conventional responsibilities and international obligations of the local authorities Vis a Vis the population of concern to UNHCR within the given geographical area; based on local situations/developments make appropriate recommendation to the UNHCR Representative/HoSO.
- Advocate and promote UNHCR standards concerning the treatment of asylum seekers, refugees and returnees as well as IDPs, where applicable; Advocate, promote and encourage the concerned authorities and local opinion makers to uphold established UNHCR standards that have become the international norms.
- Ensure that the basic needs of the concerned population are properly assessed with the participation of the beneficiaries themselves, the host governments and/or the competent Implementing partners and/or UNHCR itself.
- Subject to the needs, ensure that the planning, formulation and budgeting of identified assistance projects are done as per UNHCR programme cycle; upon approval of assistance project, ensure the timely implementation and rigorous monitoring of identified assistance activities
- Ensure through the subordinate staff that all deadlines for monitoring and reporting of UNHCR operational activities (i.e. include assistance as well as Administrative) are met on a regular basis.
- Manage all UNHCR resources, both human, financial/material, at an optimum level for the wellbeing of the concerned population and the UNHCR staff.
- Ensure that all security measures of UNHCR office (and residential, where ever applicable) compounds are always up to date; any security breaches and/or potential security threat should be reported immediately to competent UN security coordinator in the country.
- Ensure that staff welfare, both in terms of working and living conditions, are maintained at a satisfactory level within the constraints in the operational area; this requires remaining current in health and medical facilities locally available and evacuation options available in a moment of medical urgency.
- Guide, coach and advocate the subordinate staff to maintain highest standards of conduct and behaviour thorough one¿s own practice and deeds.
- Prepare and submit regular reports, both verbally and written, to the UNHCR Representative/HoSO. In the event of substantial telephone conversation that leads to specific action or non-action, it should be recorded and share with the other party.
- Represent UNHCR in inter-agency fora and with local authorities in the AOR.
- Enforce compliance with UNHCR¿s global protection, programme, finance, human resources and security policies and standards.
- Submit project proposals for assistance to refugees and other persons of concern to UNHCR Representation or Sub-Office in coordination with local authorities and NGOs.
- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P4 - 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

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

Certificates and/or Licenses
HCR Management Lrng Prg;   
HCR Managing Operatns Lrng Prg;   
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
In-depth knowledge in all aspects of UNHCR¿s Field level operation.  Applied experience of protection principles, operational arrangements/standards in relation to protection, assistance, UNHCR office management and staff administration. Should be conversant in the current priorities in the organisation and existing mechanisms within the organisation to implement those priorities.
Desirable
Working experience both in UNHCR HQ and/or a Regional Office and the Field.

Functional Skills
IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software
PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators
MG-Office Management
HR-Administration of Staff Contracts and Benefits
IT-Computer Literacy
(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

Candidate should be able to work in difficult and hardship duty station with little supervision and exert leadership.  The incumbent must speak and write English since this region is English Speaking. He/she should know how to coordinate the clusters (clients are mostly IDPs) , move the UN agenda on internal displacement and the centrality of protection forward, and set up a refugee response (Nigerian refugees). Experience of refugee response, cluster coordination, Global Compact refugees, is needed.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

,

,

Desired languages

French
,

,

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

Job Specific Occupational Safety and Health Considerations (if applicable):

Nature of Position:

Five years of continuous armed confrontations between Government Defense and Security Forces (GDSF) and Non-State Armed Groups (NSAG), in the Northwest and Southwest (NWSW) regions of Cameroon has rendered the region extremely volatile and precarious. Armed confrontations, terrorism and criminality are major causes of insecurity which are marred by sporadic civil unrest incidents. The response to IDPs and returnees are coordinated through cluster system where UNHCR is lead for Protection and Shelter Clusters.

Thus, the incumbent will report to Head of Sub-Office Douala. S/he is required to liaise with all the relevant senior government officials, security organs in the area, the Head of various Non-Governmental Organizations (both national and internationals based in the area), Civilian/tribal leaders/elders, local opinion makers and the local media network to ensure his/her assigned responsibilities are effectively and efficiently discharged. The incumbent must have the capacity to work in the context where Inter-Agency coordination and collaboration are crucial.

The operation is politically very sensitive and humanitarian organizations must maintain their neutrality to avoid being taking side.

As the field missions are authorized when negotiations are done both with the government and the separatists, the Incumbent should have a very good negotiation skills with various groups and conflicting parties. Due to the fact that Bamenda is located in the English speaking, the incumbent must have the capacity to communicate in English and report to the SO Douala, especially during field missions or in public. French language is also necessary to communicate with some state authorities.

Although UNHCR is not directly targeted by the armed groups, its personnel and operations can be exposed to collateral damage (wrong place wrong time), roadside IEDs, kidnapping and hostage taking, carjacking, armed robbery, destruction or looting of property, humanitarian access denials, etc.

A knowledge of COMPASS is an asset

Living and Working Conditions:

Bamenda is a High-Risk Duty station and a non-family duty station. Staff appointed will benefit Danger Pay and R&R cycle is 6 weeks. The official places of R&R are Yaoundé or Douala. However, the staff has the flexibility to take the R&R to any place outside the country. Very basic infrastructures, as well as leisure and recreational facilities (Gym and Tennis club) are accessible only in the Government Residential Area (commonly called GRA) and surroundings area Up Station in the city of Bamenda which is the only recommended residential area for international

staff. Limited health facilities are available locally. There are local banking facilities and main markets in Bamenda downtown. However, it is difficult to access to these locations (downtown Bamenda) during lockdowns/ghost towns. Few shops are available in the residential area (Bamenda Up Station). For the accommodation, the staff will rent private accommodation and it is recommended to all UNHCR staff to reside in Up Station only.

International staff appointed to Bamenda have the possibility to travel by UNHAS flights (1h15mn) to Yaoundé or by road (7 hours). Travels to Douala, Bafoussam and Buea are possible only by road. Current operational circumstances frequently require long working hours. Highly stressful work context, therefore the capacity for self-care is critical due to repetitive lockdowns/ghost towns and a difficult security situation. All United Nations personnel must comply with UNDSS procedures and recommendations during their assignment to Cameroon. Thefts and burglary are the main incidents against UN personnel. They have also to comply with COVID-19 measures put in place by both the Government and the UN. Due to the highest number of infections of COVID 19, the vaccination campaign continues in the health facilities have been selected by the Government.

All staff are requested to be vaccinated

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

Bachelor of Arts (BA) : Economics (obligatoire), Bachelor of Arts (BA) : International Relations (obligatoire), Bachelor of Arts (BA) : Law (obligatoire), Bachelor of Arts (BA) : Management (obligatoire), Bachelor of Arts (BA) : Personnel Administration (obligatoire), Bachelor of Arts (BA) : Political Science (obligatoire)
Certifications

HCR Management Learning Program - UNHCR, Programme Management (PM) 1 - UNHCR
Work Experience

Competencies

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, Political awareness, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration
UNHCR Salary Calculator

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium
Add. 3 to March 2023 Compendium - Part B
Additional Information

All applications must be submitted ONLINE at : https://unhcr.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/fr-FR/External/details/Head-of-Field-Office-P4_JR2322046