Senior Field Assistant - UNHCR

Operational Context:

The Senior Field Assistant is normally supervised by the (Senior) Field Officer/Associate and performs a variety of functions related to supporting the management and coordination of humanitarian activities in the camps and the engagement of refugees in governance structures. The supervisor defines general work objectives and provides necessary advice and guidance. Senior Field Assistant develops weekly and monthly work plans and takes necessary initiatives to fulfil their tasks as well as ensure refugee assistance is provided in an effective manner in the refugee camps.

The incumbent keeps frequent internal contacts with staff members in the same duty station to exchange information and with the external contacts generally with officials of national and international institutions, leaders of the refugee community, local population and/or Implementing Partners (IPs) on routine subject matters under the direction of the supervisor.

The Senior Field Assistant supports on camp and site management activities in the camps, under Area of Responsibility (AoR), where UNHCR has the responsibility for site management. S/He will work with the Field Officer/Associate to provide on-site support to the Camp in Charge (CiCs) – (camp administrators) in the management of refugee sites.

The Senior Field Assistant will require dynamic and field-oriented skills, good coordination and communication both written and oral skills along other competencies to engage with partners in addressing needs gaps and challenges of large populations. The incumbent should have analytical thinking with good drafting skills to produce reports and analysis. Strong skills in excel and other software processing large amount of data would be necessary.

The humanitarian needs of the large camp-based population, combined with the difficult conditions in the camps and the significant number of organizations providing assistance, reinforces the need for effective Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM). The Senior Field Assistant will require dynamic and field-oriented skills, good inter-personal and communication both written and oral skills along other competencies to engage with partners in addressing needs gaps and challenges of large populations. Previous working experience with UN/NGOs will be an important asset. A background in CCCM training and experience will be highly desirable.

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:

• Assist in monitoring the implementation of UNHCR programme including the delivery of all assistance items and monitoring of infrastructure.
• Assist in administrative tasks as required such as preparation of reports and meeting authorized personnel and assisting them during field missions.
• Act as interpreter in the exchange of routine information, contribute to related liaison activities and respond directly to routine queries.
• Collect data and other information relevant to UNHCR and report to the supervisor accordingly.
• Keep regular contacts with local authorities and implementing partners as requested by supervisor.
• In coordination with implementing partners, assist in the reception, registration and provision of assistance to persons of concern to UNHCR.
• Follow up, on a regular basis, the overall situation of persons of concern in camps and other areas where they have been accommodated and report accordingly.
• Liaise with local authority counterparts, partners and populations of concern.
• Direct incidents and problems to the supervisor when they cannot be resolved at their level.
• 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.

Certificates and/or Licenses:

• Business Administration
• Law
• Political Science

Relevant Job Experience:

Desirable

• Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of the position.

Functional Skills:

• IT- Computer Literacy
• MS-Drafting, Documentation, Data Presentation
• CL-Multi-stakeholder Communications with Partners

Language Requirements:

• Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

Competency requirements:

Core Competencies

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

Cross-Functional Competencies

• Analytical Thinking
• Political Awareness
• Stakeholder Management

Eligibility:

Interested staff members should consult the Administrative Instruction on Recruitment and Assignment of Locally Recruited Staff (RALS, UNHCR/AI/2020/1/Rev.1). If you have questions regarding your eligibility, you may also contact the HR Unit.

In line with the RALS, the below categories of candidates are eligible to apply for internally/externally advertised vacancies.

Group 1 candidates: Group 1 comprises current GS staff members holding an indefinite or fixed-term appointment who, at the date of the deadline for application, are serving in the country of the vacancy at the grade of the position or one grade below or above.

Group 2 candidates: Group 2 comprises candidates from the below categories after completion of one cumulative or continuous year of service in the country of the vacancy.

1. Currently employed locally recruited UNHCR staff members holding a Temporary Appointment;
2. Former locally recruited UNHCR staff members who held an indefinite or fixed-term appointment (within 2 years of separation for males and 5 years for females);
3. National United Nations Volunteers currently working for UNHCR;
4. National UNOPS and individual contractors currently working for UNHCR;
5. Current GS staff members holding an indefinite or fixed-term appointment applying to a position in the same category two grades above the staff member's personal grade;
6. Current UNHCR staff members in the International Professional category holding an indefinite or fixed-term appointment applying to a GS post;
7. Current UNHCR staff members in the NPO category holding an indefinite or fixed-term appointment applying to a GS post;
8. Current locally recruited female staff members from other UN system Organizations holding the equivalent of an indefinite or fixed-term appointment.

External candidates: External candidates are candidates who are not in Group 1 or Group 2. They must meet the essential minimum requirements of the position and candidates not citizens of the country must comply with all eligibility requirements for employment in line with the prevailing legislative prerequisites in the country.

Remuneration:

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, please visit the portal of the International Civil Service Commission at: http://icsc.un.org

Submission of Applications:

Interested candidates meeting the above requirements are requested to submit their applications with fully complete and signed Personal History Form and Supplementary Pages as well as updated factsheet (internal candidates only) via online: UNHCR Bangladesh Job Portal www.unhcr.io/jobs.

Personal History Form not submitted in UNHCR format as well as not signed, incomplete and late applications will not be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates will be required to sit for a written test and/or oral interview. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing or any other fees).

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 strongly encourages qualified female applicants for this position. UNHCR seeks to ensure that male and female employees are given equal career opportunities. UNHCR is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

UNHCR has a zero-tolerance policy against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA). SEA is unacceptable behaviour and prohibited conduct for UNHCR personnel. It constitutes acts of serious misconduct and is therefore grounds for disciplinary measures, including dismissal. Any concerns or suspicions about a possible case of SEA should be reported immediately to the Inspector General's Office (IGO) at [email protected] or through the online complain form at https://www.unhcr.org/php/complaints.php or by confidential fax: +41 22 739 73 80.