Careers opportunities – UNHCR United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees – Maroua, Cameroon: Head of Sub-Office

Head of Sub-Office P4
locations: Maroua, Cameroon
time type: Full time

job requisition id: JR2330003
Only candidates who are not nationals of the country of assignment are eligible to apply to this position
Hardship Level

E (most hardship)
Family Type

Non Family with Residential Location
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
Target Start Date

2024-01-01
Job Posting End Date: November 28, 2023
Standard Job Description

Head of Sub-Office

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
Head of a UNHCR Sub-Office (HoSO) 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) 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 (program and office management / administration) within the domain of its geographical area of ​​responsibility to the UNHCR Representative (or the country manager) on a regular timely and 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 the Sub-Office to take the most appropriate course of action. Concerning overall physical security concerns, HoSO will liaise directly with the competent UN security coordinator while keeping the UNHCR Representative fully informed.
While the functional responsibility of a Head of a Sub-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 (ie 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 Organizations (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 favor 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.
– 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 program 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 (ie 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 threats 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 behavior through one¿s own practice and deeds.
– Prepare and submit regular reports, both verbally and written, to the UNHCR Representative. In the event of substantial telephone conversation that leads to specific action or non-action, it should be recorded and shared 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 forum and with local authorities in the AOR.
– Enforce compliance with UNHCR¿s global protection, program, finance, human resources and security policies and standards.
– Submit project proposals for assistance to refugees and other persons of concern to UNHCR Representation in coordination with local authorities and NGOs.

– Lead risk assessments and discussions with team(s) to proactively manage risks and sixteen 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
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
Management Administration, Personnel Administration, Law,
Political Science, International Relation, Economics,
or other relevant field.
(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified.
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
In-depth knowledge in all aspects of UNHCR mandate and its Field level application. Applied knowledge 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 organization and existing mechanisms within the organization to implement those priorities.

Desirable
Working experience both in UNHCR HQ and/or a Regional Office and the Field. UNHCR Specific learning/training activities (ie Learning Program in Management & Operations).

Functional Skills
IT-Computer Literacy
UN-UN/UNHCR Mandate and Global Strategic Priorities
MG-Office Management
HR-Administration of Staff Contracts and Benefits
PR-International protection concepts and principles
(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, supporting 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 Head of Sub-Office, Maroua, should be someone with a protection background, who knows the context of mixed situations, who knows how to work with IDPs and the cluster system, SDGs and transition from humanitarian to development + inclusion.

Therefore the incumbent, must be a well-rounded and experienced officer, who possesses strong leadership and management skills, strong political sense, mature diplomacy and negotiation skills, knowledge of the operational complex and highly politicized context, as well as awareness of the surrounding local and regional political dynamics. Moreover, prior managerial experience with complex mixed emergencies, involving both IDPs and refugees and refugee returns, is essential, and so his/her demonstrated ability to lead, manage and deliver successfully in stressful high security risk environment.
The incumbent should be proactive by nature and able to implement successfully under adverse security conditions. S/he should have demonstrated political awareness and mature negotiation/diplomatic skills and ability to deal effectively with authorities, UN agencies as well as international and national NGO partners. S/he must be a team leader with excellent interpersonal skills, capable of motivating and effectively leading a team of international and national staff of different backgrounds and varying experiences.

The HOSO must be familiar with the UNSG agenda on internal displacement, the IASC review on the centrality of protection, the cluster system, the whole of society approach and new way of working, a knowledge of the SDG and how to transition from humanitarian to development . The HOSO will act as a catalyst in a region where there are nexus areas of convergence. The HOSO must have a strong protection background coupled with an experience in operations and sustainable solutions.
Required languages ​​(expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

,

,

Desired languages

​​French
,

,

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations

The Far North Region is classified under security level 4 with related security concerns and restrictions. Missions in some areas must be accompanied by military escorts.

To view detailed occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

All applications must be submitted ONLINE at: https://unhcr.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/fr-FR/External/details/Head-of-Sub-Office-P4_JR2330003?locationCountry=b579d21545a140c49418f0a3451a3160