Grade

GS5

General Service

Reason

Temporary > Temporary Assignment/ Appointment

A (least hardship)

Family<p></p><p></p>

2024-01-31

2024-12-31

February 20, 2024

Standard Job Description

Senior Resettlement Assistant

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
A Senior Resettlement Assistant position is typically located at Multi-Country Office, Branch Office or Field Office. Under supervision, the incumbent’s primary role is to assist the supervisor in effective resettlement delivery of a given UNHCR Office in accordance with the UNHCR Resettlement Handbook, UNHCR Manual and relevant policy papers and publications. The incumbent provides important clerical and administrative support to resettlement operations and may as required take part in assessing cases for resettlement and conducting interviews. S/he maintains frequent contacts with the supervisor, relevant colleagues within the same Office or Offices under purview to exchange information and discuss issues on resettlement cases. Some contacts and communication at a working level are required with Embassy / Immigration Officials of resettlement countries, IOM as well as with other operating partners regarding resettlement issues.

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
– Carry out preliminary interviews and initial assessments to process refugees for resettlement following established procedures.
– Prepare written documentation for resettlement submission; ensure that records / files of individual cases are updated in a systematic and timely manner.
– Assess and review individual resettlement cases and prepare individual / group submission for scrutiny by the supervisor.
– Provide persons of concern (PoC) with up-to-date and accurate information on UNHCR’s resettlement policies and procedures.
– Comply with UNHCR’s standard operating procedures on resettlement, ensuring timely action on cases.
– Follow up on cases from time of submission to final decision and departure; ensure effective in-country communication on the status and follow-up on PoC being considered for resettlement.
– Assist in maintaining and updating proGres or Consolidated Online Resettlement Tracking System (CORTS) database and provide technical support.
– Coordinate travel and departure arrangements for refugees accepted for resettlement.
– Organize logistical support for governments undertaking resettlement missions.
– Provide administrative support for resettlement-related training activities, including organization of resettlement workshops and meetings as required.
– Maintain accurate resettlement statistics as well as up-to-date records on individual cases; assist in the preparation of reports.
– Draft / type routine correspondence to Field Offices / Multi-Country Offices / Headquarters.
– Systematically apply an Age, Gender and Diversity perspective in all aspects of the resettlement process; comply with UNHCR policy and guidelines on HIV/AIDS.
– Assist in mitigating resettlement fraud by reporting suspected fraud.
– Recommend eligible cases for resettlement consideration.
– Provide counselling to PoC.

– 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 G5 – 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not applicable

Certificates and/or Licenses
International Law;
International Relations;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Not specified

Desirable
Good knowledge of resettlement issues and UNHCR resettlement policies and operational applications. Completion of UNHCR specific learning/training activities (e.g., PLP and RSD/Resettlement Learning Programme, resettlement anti-fraud workshop).

Functional Skills
PR-Refugee Resettlement programs
PR-Resettlement Anti-Fraud Policy and Procedures
CO-Cross-cultural communication
(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.

Candidates must be legally present in Costa Rica at the time of application, recruitment and hire.
Only candidates holding a legally residency a in Costa Rica will be considered eligible.
Candidates could have to complete Written Test and Interview.

Covid-19 Vaccination and related Safety Measures:
UNHCR has a responsibility to prevent and curb the spread of COVID-19 as part of its accountability to its workforce and the communities it works in and serves. Whilst other measures (such as hand hygiene, physical distancing, ventilation and wearing masks) remain crucial, being vaccinated against COVID-19 plays a key role in protecting oneself, families, colleagues, and the community including persons of concerns and has been proven to significantly reduce risks of serious illness and death from COVID-19. Therefore, in alignment with other UN agencies and based on the advice of the UN Medical Directors network, UNHCR strongly urges all colleagues to get vaccinated as soon as possible to protect themselves and others.
Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme or as an intern is subject to proof of full vaccination, independently of contract type and duration, unless the candidate is based in a location with documented lack of access to COVID-19 vaccines.
Therefore, the people recommended for the position must provide proof of vaccination or the medical recommendation that justifies non-vaccination.

General Background :
     
The continued situation of socio-political strife in Nicaragua, particularly in the wake of the presidential elections of November 2021, has resulted in a constant increase in the numbers of persons seeking international protection in Costa Rica – with a record high 14,500 starting the process in January 2022. Given the impact of the Nicaragua political context, political context in Costa Rica and to adjust and implement a sound response and solutions strategy to the Nicaraguan influx in coordination with the Government of Costa Rica and other key partners, the office in Costa Rica is requesting the position of Senior Resettlement Assistant as of 1 January 2023. This position will be located in the Costa Rica Operation and support the scale-up of the Resettlement Programme in the country. Following the conclusion of the Resettlement Pilot Program in December 2022, the Operation has confirmed a significant increase in quotas from resettlement countries for 2023. It is imperative that this position be approved to ensure the continued development of the programme in the upcoming months.

Under the supervision of the Resettlement & Complementary Pathways Officer, the Senior Resettlement Assistant will support the Costa Rican Operation in the Resettlement activities. The incumbent will be mainly responsible for conducting needs assessment and resettlement interviews and drafting Resettlement Registration Forms (RRFs) in English.

Additionally, the Senior Resettlement Assistant might be requested to assist the Operation with the identification, development, promotion, and facilitation of access to Complementary Pathways. The incumbent will also assist with local integration and voluntary repatriation if necessary.

Qualifications and Experience:

a. Education (Level and area of required and/or preferred education)
2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher.

Desirable
Good knowledge of resettlement issues and UNHCR resettlement policies and operational applications. Completion of UNHCR specific learning/training activities (e.g., PLP and RSD/Resettlement Learning Programme, resettlement anti-fraud workshop).

c. Language requirements: Spanish C2 and English minimum B2 (mandatory)

Proven experience on protection with UNHCR, UNHCR’s partners or other United Nations agency is highly valued.

The incumbent will also maintain ongoing contact with the cases interviewed to ensure proper follow-up and support with review of identification and needs assessment forms if needed. A good understanding of the UNHCR’s persons served and political environment in the countries of origin and Costa Rica is required.

d. Key Competencies
     
Functional Skills
CM-Cross-cultural communication
PR-Resettlement/Repatriation/Voluntary Repatriation
UN-UNHCR Operations, mandate, principles and policies
PR-Resettlement Anti-Fraud Policy and Procedures

Core Competencies
Accountability
Communication
Organizational Awareness
Teamwork & Collaboration
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies
Not specified.

Cross-Functional Competencies
Analytical Thinking
Planning and Organizing
Stakeholder Management

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance

,

,

Spanish

,

English

,

Skills

CO-Cross-cultural communication, PR-Refugee Resettlement programs, PR-Resettlement Anti-Fraud Policy and Procedures

Education

Certifications

International Law – Other, International Relations – Other

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