- Junior
- Ufficio in Lima
Hardship Level
Family Type
Family Type
Residential location (if applicable)
Grade
Staff Member / Affiliate Type
Reason
Regular > Regular AssignmentTarget Start Date
Deadline for Applications
Standard Job Description
Head of Field Unit
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The position is under direct supervision and guidance of the Representative/Head of Sub/Field-Office on issues concerning programme, protection, external relations, etc. Advice and operational support may also be received from other senior staff and support units at the Branch Office and from the Bureau at Headquarters.
The incumbent represents UNHCR at the field level. S/he will persuade and obtain assistance of others on matters of non-routine significance. Contacts predominantly with persons on subject matters of importance to Organization's programmes (e.g. counterparts in other organizations or at working level in national Governments).
While the functional responsibility of a Head of Field Unit will 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. The Field Unit managed by the incumbent has no other professional position and less than 6 General Service positions. The supervisor exercises substantive oversight and provides regular guidance, direction and support to the incumbent.
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-à-vis the population of concern to UNHCR within the AOR.
- Advocate and promote UNHCR standards concerning the treatment of persons of concern.
- 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 monitoring of identified assistance activities.
- Ensure through the subordinate staff that deadlines for monitoring and reporting of UNHCR operational activities are met on a regular basis.
- Manage UNHCR resources, both human, financial/material, at an optimum level for the wellbeing of the concerned population and the UNHCR staff.
- Ensure that security measures of UNHCR office (and residential, wherever 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.
- 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.
- Any other responsibilities/functions deemed necessary or as delegated by the UNHCR Representative of the country in order to meet the level of the services in the organization.
- 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.
- Lead risk assessments and discussions with team(s) to proactively manage risks and seize opportunities impacting objectives. Ensure that risk management principles are integrated in decision-making both at strategic and operational levels. Allocate resources for planned treatments with resource requirements in Strategic Plans. Ensure that risks are managed to acceptable levels and escalate, as needed. If a Risk Owner, designate the Risk Focal Point and certify that the annual risk review is completed and ensure that the risk register is updated during the year, as needed.
- Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P1/NOA - 1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
Business Administration; Economics; International Relations;
Law; Management; Political Science;
or other relevant field.
Certificates and/or Licenses
HCR Management Learning Prog; HCR Managing Operatns Lrng Prg;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Applied knowledge of protection principles, operational arrangements/standards in relation to protection, assistance, UNHCR office management and staff administration.
Desirable
Not specified.
Functional Skills
*PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework
*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
• The incumbent must have professional experience in the area of refugee protection, human rights and international humanitarian law at field level, including experience in working directly with Government bodies and partners.
• The incumbent must have professional experience in supervising operations in the field in urban contexts.
• Proven experience working directly with refugee and host communities, including community-based and faith-based organizations, refugee committees, neighborhood associations, and other local structures.
• Experience in strengthening relations and partnerships with regional and local authorities is essential.
• Experience in UNHCR office management and staff administration is highly desirable.
• Experience in providing technical guidance to protection colleagues and follow-up on Programme/Admin/Supply matters is essential.
• Strong skills in guiding and accompanying field staff in the delivery of community-based activities, ensuring that refugees, asylum seekers as well as host community needs and rights are considered are essential.
• Experience in providing technical guidance and support in the coordination of the design, implementation, and evaluation of protection related programming to local partners is required.
• Proficiency in Spanish (C1) and English (B2), both written and oral is essential.
This position is based in Lima, Peru.
Please note that this is a local recruitment. All candidates must provide a proof of permanent residency at the time of application. Spanish is essential for this position.
This vacancy is open to internal candidates (i.e., staff members with an indefinite or fixed-term appointment in the same category as the position advertised) and candidates with UNHCR experience at the time of application (i.e., current staff members in other categories, JPOs, staff members on temporary appointment, affiliate workforce, interns, and staff loaned/seconded), only those will be considered for regular appointments and assignments.
Please note that this position is offered under an initial one-year Fixed-term appointment. Extension is subject to operational needs, budget, and performance.
Only short-listed candidates will be notified and might be requested to sit a test. No late applications will be accepted.
Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted based on the information submitted during the application. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.
UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training, or any other fees).
The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity. All applications willl be treated with the strictest confidentiality.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
,
Spanish,
Desired languages
,
,
Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:
Nature of Position:
With over 1.54 million forcibly displaced Venezuelans living in the country, Peru remains the second largest host country in the world for this population. Venezuelans continue to account for most asylum applications, with a total of 493,476 asylum seekers and 4,906 recognized refugees, out of a total of 508,449 asylum seekers and 6,740 recognized refugees living in the country (December 2023). Lima (including El Callao) is the city with the largest Venezuelan population outside Venezuela (over one million people).
In response, UNHCR Peru operates with a Country Office in Lima, and 3 Field Units in Lima, Tumbes, and Tacna.
In response to a challenging panorama for the period 2023-2026, UNHCR aims for the effective functioning of the asylum system, the expanded implementation of legal stay arrangements, in addition to the social, financial, and cultural integration of the forcibly displaced population as the cornerstone of its programming. In Lima, UNHCR is implementing its interventions through an area-based approach (ABA) to respond to the needs of the people with and for whom UNHCR works by providing multi-sectoral support, working with multi-stakeholders, and considering the whole population living in a specific geographical area.
Prioritized territories in Lima and Callao are characterized by high multisectoral poverty levels, a dense population of forcibly displaced Venezuelans, and a strong political commitment to the inclusion of forcibly displaced persons within the community.
The Field Unit in Lima will seek to develop a nexus between humanitarian aid and development, and work closely with government bodies at different levels, such as municipalities and regional governments, to promote and facilitate the inclusion of forcibly displaced persons, in particular refugees and refugee applicants, in national and local services and their access to rights. The position also demands flexibility and a field-oriented approach, as it involves regular engagement in communities located in the outskirts of Lima, including areas that may be subject to a state of emergency due to high levels of insecurity.
Living and Working Conditions:
Despite the security concerns mentioned below and the current stranded health situation, Lima is an "A" family duty station having good medical services.
Recreational facilities, schools, and hotels are of international standards. There are possibilities of renting private accommodation, as well as good banking and currency exchange facilities available at the airport terminal, local banks, shopping malls, and main hotels; there is also unlimited access to communication options such as the internet, telephone sim cards, etc. Lima is a modern city with a great variety of commercial, economic, cultural, and industrial activities.
Besides COVID-19 3rd vaccine set is mandatory, no other vaccinations are required to enter the country; however, it is important to check if the itinerary of the incumbent includes endemic areas of malaria, dengue, or yellow fever to take precautionary prevention measures.
February is the hottest month in Lima with an average temperature of 24°C and the coldest is August at 17°C.
Lima is considered of Low-Security level according to the security Level system methodology.
The most frequent crimes reported nationwide are violent assaults in the streets occurring at night, extortion robberies in hotels, restaurants, and malls.
Traffic accidents have become a public health issue nationwide due to driving negligence, low road safety as well as climatic factors.
It is strongly advised to avoid using ATMs or banking services without basic precautions and, if necessary, use of credit and debit cards, which should never leave one sight, to prevent possible fraud through cloning. Also, avoid withdrawing large amounts of cash, use cashier cheques as much as possible or electronic transactions.
Social unrest is frequently reported in the country, due to its media impact with demonstrations. These actions, mainly related to socio-environmental conflicts, cause roadblocks and demonstrations tending to happen in areas where the main government buildings are located, showing a recent tendency towards localized violence, thereby stressing the government crowd control mechanisms.
As per the last UNDSS travel advisory, Peru is located in the "Circle of Fire of the Pacific Ocean", which concentrates 85% of the world's seismic activity, and hence it is an area of high seismic activity. The risk of a major earthquake in Lima or elsewhere in the country is not to be excluded. The country shows significant infrastructure limitations, especially in rural areas. The National Institute for Civil Defense and emergency responders in general, have serious logistic limitations and poor response capacity to provide support and assistance in case of a mass casualty emergency. UNDSS regularly conducts and outsources relevant trainings and drills in permanent effort to enhance staff’s awareness, improve emergency readiness and preparedness and, overall reduce the impact and improve recovery capacity of the UN in such an event.
Additional Qualifications
Skills
HR-Administration of Staff Contracts and Benefits, IT-Computer Literacy, MG-Office Management, PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators, PR-Refugee Protection Principles and FrameworkEducation
Certifications
HCR Management Learning Program - UNHCR, Programme Management (PM) 1 - UNHCRWork Experience
Competencies
Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaborationUNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Compendium
Additional Information
Functional clearance
