Standard Job Description:

Associate Durable Solutions Officer: Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Associate Durable Solutions Officer can serve as a focal point for solutions related issues in a region, and reports to the Durable Solutions Officer, Protection Officer or, where appropriate, to the Senior Protection Officer or Head of Office. The incumbent may have supervisory responsibility for durable solutions staff.

The incumbent is relied upon to contribute to ensuring a conducive environment leading towards finding durable solutions. The Associate Durable Solutions Officer should participate in consultative processes within UNHCR and a broad range of partners to promote durable solutions and advance the efficiency of UNHCR’s interventions. Activities to strengthen the involvement of refugee communities and their hosts in the design and implementation of solutions strategies are a critical element of the work.

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

•  Implement activities in accordance with the comprehensive solutions strategy, with a view to finding durable solutions to the maximum number of PoCs.
•  Participate in the planning of, and advise on opportunities for alternative solutions, including available regional and national legal frameworks.
•  Participate in consultative processes within UNHCR and with a broad range of regional and national external partners to promote voluntary repatriation, local integration and resettlement.
•  Meet PoC, assess their durable solutions needs and identify the most appropriate solutions for them.
•  Monitor the implementation of the durable solutions strategy and provide advice for improvements.
•  Analyse statistics, trends, and other documents, and draft reports.
•  Interview and prepare Resettlement Referral Forms (RRF), in line with Resettlement SOPs.
•  Interview candidates for local integration and prepare the appropriate documentation for onward submission to local authorities or partners, in line with Local Integration SOPs.
•  Implement and contribute to the designing of national and regional comprehensive durable solutions strategies
•  Engage national and local interlocutors on durable solutions issues. efKhU8z BIpnb
•  Authorize payments relating to durable solutions.
•  Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
•  Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Professional Work Experience

Years of Experience / Degree Level

For P2/NOB – 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education

Political Science;

Social Science;

Law/International Law;

Economics;

International Relations;

or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses

HCR Resettlement Lrng Prg;

HCR RSD Lrng Programme;

(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Good knowledge of refugee issues and Human Rights doctrine. Very good reporting and writing ability.

Desirable

Diverse field experience. Knowledge of ProGress database software.

Functional Skills

*CO-Drafting and Documentation

*IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software

(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 is required to have solid protection experience including community-based protection, Child Protection, GBV, and protection of refugee returnees. Exposure to the IDP durable solutions coordination mechanism is essential. Since the incumbent will be assuming the supervisory role, managerial experience is also important.
•  Experience in Durable Solution coordination group and assist in the implementation and oversight of TORs and SOPs.
•  Experience in designing a comprehensive protection and solutions strategy.
•  Experience in coordinating with various stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and other UN bodies, to implement comprehensive solutions.
•  Experience in collecting and analyzing data on IDP populations to inform program planning and policy development.
•  Experience in providing training and support to local authorities and partners to enhance their capacity to address IDP issues.
•  Extensive experience working in complex Inter-Agency contexts of IDP operations is desirable.
•  Candidate should have demonstrated experience and expertise in IDP legal frameworks and UN/HCR policies as well as IASC policy.
•  Experience in refugee returnees’ management and complementary pathways.
•  The candidate is expected to have skills and proven experience in navigating complex political and humanitarian contexts, ensuring UNHCR’s credibility in its leadership and accountability as lead agency.

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):: ,

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Desired languages: ,

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Operational context: Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:: To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link: h ttps://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:: In Puntland and Galmudug, the enduring consequences of both current and past hostilities on civilians continue to be the primary catalyst for ongoing humanitarian needs. Intermittent low-level conflicts occasionally erupt, with periodic confrontations involving militant groups associated with Al-Shabaab and ISIS, particularly in the Bari region of Puntland. In Galmudug, where clan dynamics are intense, incidents of clan-based violence, including retaliatory killings, burning of houses, abduction, and sexual assault of women and girls, are frequently documented.

IDPs in both Puntland and Galmudug continue to face multiple protection risks, including overcrowding and unsanitary living conditions with limited access to shelter and basic services, exposure to explosive hazards, as well as increased risk of GBV. IDPs belonging to minority groups were particularly vulnerable, as they lacked vital clan protection and connections. Women and girls are particularly exposed to widespread and severe forms of physical and sexual violence with little access to protection from justice institutions.

Recurrence of climatic shocks, including droughts and flooding resulted in food insecurity vulnerability and displacement. These shifts have further destroyed infrastructure, businesses, agricultural lands, and residences. A moderate but steady influx of refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants continues to arrive in Puntland and Galmudug from Ethiopia, Yemen, and Syria. Mixed migrants are seeking to cross the Red Sea towards Gulf countries. Refugees and asylum seekers particularly face significant vulnerability due to limited economic prospects, a lack of lasting solutions, and challenges in local integration, compounded by reduced funding and the scaling down of UNHCR assistance and humanitarian services. This has increased the level of anxiety and distress among many families struggling to survive.

A significant number of IDPs who have been displaced for an extended period view the option of local integration within their current displacement locations as a more viable solution. However, the primary challenges facing IDPs include inadequate land tenure and affordable housing, limited livelihood opportunities, and insufficient access to basic services. In alignment with the national IDP strategy for IDPs, the state governments of Puntland and Galmudug have actively taken measures to put into effect local integration initiatives mostly involving land allocation schemes in priority sites.

UNHCR’s solutions interventions build upon the existing partnerships and engagement with relevant government ministries both Puntland and Galmudug. Such partnerships aim to contribute towards the realization of durable solutions to the agreed objectives and targets. This framework would be focused on the inclusion of refugees, returnees, and IDPs into government services.

UNHCR also focuses on vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers to enable them to attain self-reliance and solutions aligning with the new strategy of finding alternative pathways for them.

The incumbent leads the UNHCR durable solutions operational response in Puntland and Galmudug. The incumbent reports to the Protection Officer, he/she has supervisory responsibilities over protection and field staff and acts as OIC in the absence of the Protection Officer.

The incumbent will be responsible for the application of protection standards, operational procedures, and practices in protection delivery at the field level and is relied upon by the Office to plan, lead, and coordinate quality, timely, and effective durable solutions initiatives to forcibly displaced persons. He/she ensures that the Field-based durable solutions strategy is consistent with the comprehensive protection strategy for the country and is grounded on evidence collected in the field. In addition, the Associate Durable Solutions Officer will assume the leadership role of coordinating durable solutions interventions in Puntland and Galmudug. The incumbent is relied upon to contribute to ensuring a conducive environment leading towards finding durable solutions. The Associate Durable Solutions Officer should participate in consultative processes within UNHCR and a broad range of partners to promote durable solutions and advance the efficiency of UNHCR’s interventions.

Living and Working Conditions:: Security

The overall security environment in Puntland and Galmudug is substantial, with armed conflict, Terrorism, and organised crimes as the main threats. Staff are encouraged to attain respective briefings before any travel. All staff are encouraged to submit their TRIP before any movement.

Transportation

With the approval of several domestic flights, UNHAS remains the preferred means of transportation to and from Galkayo due to the irregularities. However, within Puntland, Ethiopian Airlines regularly has flights to and from Garowe and Bossaso, along with other domestic flights like Freedom and Premier Airlines.

For inter-town movements, local staff can move by road transport using third-party transport under low profile on official missions, and taxi services are available for private movements.

Medical

Regarding medical facilities, there is a UN dispensary in the Common Compound managed by a medical doctor and a nurse from UNDP. In addition to the dispensary, Modern Hospital and GMC Hospital have an agreement with UNHCR Somalia and do accept the use of our medical insurance (MIP).

Accommodation

In Galkayo, local staff can get accommodation from reliable guest houses with support from the security team. Also, local dishes can be found from the local restaurants in the town and vicinity.

Banking

There are no official banking facilities like in Mogadishu with ATMs, but local staff can access their accounts using a mobile money transfer agent, Amal Money Transfer. Local staff are encouraged to open an account with Amal.

Dress code

UN staff travelling to the field are advised to respect the Somali culture, and women are particularly encouraged to cover their hair and wear long skirts/trousers and long-sleeved blouses.

Telecommunication

The major telecommunication companies in Galkayo are Golis and SOMTEL with all staff using Golis. Nevertheless, the network supports roaming services for Hormud telecommunication and Kenya’s Safaricom network.

Additional Qualifications: Skills

CO-Drafting and Documentation, IT-Microsoft Office Productivity SoftwareEducation

Bachelor of Arts (BA): Economics, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Relations, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political Science, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Social ScienceCertifications

HCR Resettlement Learning Program – UNHCR, HCR RSD Learning Program – UNHCRWork Experience

Competencies: Accountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Judgement & decision making, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

UNHCR Salary Calculator: https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium: Additional Information: Shortlisted candidates may be required to undertake a written test.

Functional clearance: This position doesn’t require a functional clearance