ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The Associate Field Officer is normally supervised by the Snr Field Coordinator or Field Officer or Head of Sub-Office/Field Office depending on the structure of the Office. S/he may receive indirect guidance from other sections and units relevant to the country/regional programme(s). UNHCR Manual, programme and protection objectives, Operations Plans, UN and UNHCR financial/budgetary rules and regulations will guide the work of the incumbent.

The incumbent may supervise some support staff. S/he has daily contacts with staff in the various field offices and with the functional units at the Country/Regional Office. S/he also has close liaison with a range of local civilian and military authorities and counterparts in NGOs and UN agencies to discuss matters of common interest.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
Accountability

• UNHCR’s policies, standards and procedures are constantly and coherently applied in the area of responsibility (AoR).
• The needs of persons of concern in the AoR are assessed and analysed in a participating manner and using an Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective to form a firm basis for planning.
• Protection incidents and gaps in assistance are immediately identified and addressed.

Responsibility

• Identify vulnerable groups or individuals who may need special attention or special arrangements and make recommendations on the needs of different groups of refugees.
• Assess protection and assistance needs of refugees and asylum-seekers in the region and monitor implementation of refugee assistance programmes.
• In co-ordination with implementing partners, handle the reception, registration and provision of assistance to persons of concern to UNHCR.
• Provide inputs for project submissions and periodic narrative and financial reports for the annual programme.
• Develop and maintain relations with local authorities ensuring smooth negotiations in all aspects of UNHCR’s mandate for the benefit of refugees.
• Monitor the security situation in the area and intervene as appropriate with the local authorities.
• Undertake other relevant duties as required.

Authority

• Submit recommendation for protection interventions to the designated officer.
• Negotiate with local authority counterparts, partners and populations of concern.
• Approve expenditures within the DOAP.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) in Law, Political Sciences or related fields plus minimum 3 years of previous work experience relevant to the function. Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master¿s) plus 2 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 1 year of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted.
• Field experience.
• Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.

***For National Officer positions, very good knowledge of local language and local institutions is essential.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

• Computer skills.
• Knowledge of refugee law.
• Good knowledge of UNHCR’s programmes.
• UNHCR Protection Learning Programme.
• UNHCR Operations Management Learning Programme.
• Knowledge of additional UN languages.