Head of UNHCR National Office

Post Title: Head of National office

Post Number: #10005802  

Post Grade: NO-C

The above vacancy is announced in the National Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. 

UNHCR is committed to providing a trusted, respectful and inclusive environment where the people we serve and those who work for the organization feel safe, heard, equipped and empowered to speak up for themselves. UNHCR is also committed to responding and preventing sexual exploitation and abuse as well as sexual harassment.

OPERATIONAL CONTEXT: 

The Head of the UNHCR National Office is the senior managerial position guiding and supervising UNHCR activities and resources in the Kyrgyz Republic. The incumbent acts under delegated authority and supervision of the UNHCR Representative for Central Asia. The Head of National Office reports and provides 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 UNHCR staff and the persons of concern to UNHCR) and operational matters (programme and office management / administration) in Kyrgyzstan to the Representative, the Deputy Representative and Senior Regional Protection Officer of the Multi-Country Office for Central Asia on a regular and timely manner. The Representative will direct and guide the Head of National Office to take the most appropriate course of action. Upon request of the Representative the Head of National Office may serve as designated member of the UN Country Team, participating in relevant meetings including monthly UNCT meetings, may advise the UN Resident Coordinator in regard to UNHCR’s issues of concern and support the UN Designated Official as a member of the Security Management Team. Concerning overall physical security concerns, the head of National Office will liaise directly with the competent UN security coordinator while keeping the UNHCR Representative fully informed. 

As the most senior UNHCR staff member based in the Kyrgyz Republic, s/he is required in consultation with the Representative to liaise with relevant government officials, security organs, Non-Governmental Organisations (both national and international which are based in the area), UN and other stakeholders, local opinion makers and the local media. In view of this, s/he should have excellent communication skills and proven experience in establishing and maintaining effective working relations with different stakeholders as well as with different units within UNHCR.

The Head of National Office is the effective advocate and assistant to local authorities to ensure that authorities in the Kyrgyz Republic implement their responsibilities emanating from the 1951 Convention in favour of refugees and others of concern to UNHCR.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Monitor and report on the implementation of 1951 Refugee Convention responsibilities and international obligations of the national authorities vis-a-vis the population of concern to UNHCR within the given geographical area; based on the situations/developments make appropriate recommendation to the UNHCR Representative. Request regional support as appropriate.
• Advocate and promote UNHCR standards concerning the treatment of asylum seekers, refugees and returnees as well as IDPs and stateless persons, where applicable. 
• Ensure that the basic needs of the concerned population are properly assessed with the participation of the beneficiaries themselves, the host government and/or the competent implementing partners and/or UNHCR itself and its UNCT partners.
• 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 rigorous monitoring of identified assistance activities, specifically on integration and self-reliance measures. 
• Ensure, through the subordinate staff, that deadlines for monitoring and reporting of UNHCR operational activities (i.e. include assistance as well as Administrative) 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, where 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. Support the UN Designated Official and represent UNHCR in the regular meetings of the Security Management Team.
• 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 behaviour thorough one’s own practice and deeds.
• Prepare and submit regular reports, both verbally and written, to the UNHCR Representative. 
• Participate in the deliberations and work of the UN Country Team and promote UNHCR’s issues of concern.  
• Any other responsibilities/functions deemed necessary or as delegated by the Representative in order to meet the level of the services in the organization.
• Represent UNHCR in inter-agency fora and with national authorities.
• 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 the UNHCR Multi-Country Office in coordination with local authorities and NGOs.
• Perform other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• University degree or equivalent Management, Personnel Administration, Economics, Political Science, Law, International Relations or other relevant field
• In-depth knowledge in 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 organisation and existing mechanisms within the organisation to implement those priorities.
• Computer Literacy (MS environment)
• Knowledge of Refugee Protection Principles and Framework; UNHCR Operations, mandate, principles and policies
• Office Management and Staff Administration skills
• Working experience both in UNHCR HQ and/or a Regional Office and the Field (Desirable).
• Minimum 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree (or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree)
• Proficiency of English, Russian and Kyrgyz languages required

ADDITIONAL COMPETENCIES   

• Excellent communication, teamwork and client oriented skills. 
• Results oriented
• Managerial and leadership skills

Information for applicants: 

Current NPO staff members holding an indefinite or fixed-term appointment are eligible to apply to advertised positions in the NPO category at their personal grade and one grade below or above, as Group 1 candidates (Group 1 - current NPO staff members holding indefinite or fixed-term appointments in the country  and are at the grade, one grade below or above of the vacant post). 

All other candidates, who do not fall under Group 1, including GS staff members holding a university degree and fulfilling eligibility requirements, regardless of grade or length of service, may apply to this position as external applicants.   

Staff members must serve for a minimum of one year following assignment before being considered eligible to apply for another internally or externally advertised position within the same category.  The minimum one year requirement is waived in respect of a staff member whose position is being discontinued/reclassified.

 Only nationals of the country are eligible to apply to this position. 

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to sit a written test, which is eliminatory. ONLY successful applicants will be invited for the interview. 

Other Requirements

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.

APPLICATIONS:

Closing date is 7 February 2021, 18:00 (Almaty time) the latest. Applications should consist of duly completed UNHCR Personal History Form (PHF) and be sent to the e-mail address: KAZALHR@unhcr.org.  LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Subject line should precisely indicate: VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE POSITION OF HEAD OF NATIONAL OFFICE, UNHCR KYRGYZSTAN.

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 Multi-Country Office, Almaty, Kazakhstan

22 January, 2021

Personal History Form

Personal History Form Supplementary Sheet