ThaiNGO

UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES (UNHCR)

INTERNAL / EXTERNAL VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Vacancy Notice No. 23/2020

1. Operational Context

The Royal Thai Government is not a signatory to the 1951 Convention and does not have national legislation governing the stay and rights of refugees on its territory. The presence of refugees is regulated under an exception clause in the Immigration Act and refugees from Myanmar are hosted in temporary shelters on the Thai-Myanmar border, administered by the Ministry of Interior. Tak Province, in which Mae Sot is located, hosts approximately 50,000 refugees in three temporary shelters. Protection issues are emblematic of a prolonged stay in enclosed shelters and continue to surface, requiring prevention measures and responses from UNHCR and partners.

The Field Associate reports to Assistant Durable Solutions Officer and provides support to protection and durable solutions in all three temporary shelters in Tak Province. The Field Associate maintains daily contacts with communities of concern, authorities, partners and other stakeholders to maintain a flow of protection information and analysis, including on political, social and economic developments that have an impact on the protection and assistance of communities of concern. The Field Associate has responsibility for protection delivery in the temporary shelters in accordance with developed protection strategies, standards, as well as operational procedures and practices. S/he will undertake timely and effective responses to the needs of populations of concern and facilitate the delivery of programmes. To achieve this, the Field Associate will need to maintain effective interfaces with communities of concern, local authorities and partners delivering protection and assistance.

Excellent inter-personal and negotiation skills are required. Experience in working with refugees or persons with specific needs would be an advantage, as well as knowledge of the Karen and Burmese languages.  

2. Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Field Associate is normally supervised by the (Senior) Field Officer or Head of Office and performs a variety of functions related to Field activities within the office. The supervisor defines general work objectives and provides necessary advice and guidance. The Field Associate may supervise some General Service support staff.

The incumbent keeps frequent internal contacts with staff members in the same duty station to exchange information, to establish understanding of respective needs; to ensure provision of services and resolution of problems 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 subject matters which may be of importance to the Organization.

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.

3. Duties

• Monitor the situation in the AoR, collect data and other information relevant to UNHCR and report to the supervisor accordingly.
• Monitor the implementation of UNHCR programme including the delivery of all assistance items and monitoring of infrastructure.
• Undertake regular visits to various sites in order to assess needs of persons of concern, with particular attention to vulnerable groups.
• Keep regular contacts with local authorities and implementing partners as requested by supervisor.
• Act as interpreter when required.
• Contribute to the preparation of status and progress reports by providing info, preparing tables, etc.
• Assist in administrative tasks as required such as preparation of reports and meeting authorized personnel and assisting them during field missions.
• Inform and act on the reports received on persons of concern within the refugee community or from the local authorities.
• In coordination with implementing partners, assist in the reception, registration and provision of assistance to persons of concern to UNHCR.
• Negotiate with local authority counterparts, partners and populations of concern.
• Represent UNHCR in physical monitoring of projects.
• Perform other related duties as required.

4. Minimum Qualifications

Education & Professional Work Experience

Years of Experience / Degree Level

3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Certificates and/or Licenses (desirable)

Business Administration , Law, or Political Science

Relevant Job Experience

Desirable

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

Functional Skills

*IT-Computer Literacy (essential)

EX-Field experience (desirable)

MS-Drafting, Documentation, Data Presentation (desirable)

CL-Multi-stakeholder Communications with Partners (desirable)

PG-Programme Management (project formulation, programme cycles and reporting standards) (desirable)

Language Requirements

For General Service jobs: Fluency in English and Thai.

5. Competency Requirements

Core Competencies

Accountability

Communication

Organizational Awareness

Teamwork & Collaboration

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies

Empowering and Building Trust

Cross-Functional Competencies

Analytical Thinking

Planning and Organizing

Stakeholder Management

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:

If you wish to be considered for this vacancy, please submit your letter of motivation, updated factsheet (for internals), signed Personal History Form (for externals) by e-mail clearly stating the position title, vacancy notice number and your Last Name in the subject line to THABAHR@unhcr.org by the closing date.

The Personal History Form and its supplementary sheet can be downloaded from: https://www.unhcr.or.th/sites/default/files/u11/P11_UNHCR.docm and

https://www.unhcr.or.th/sites/default/files/u11/P11SUP_UNHCR.docm

No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates may 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).

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.

Refugees – who cares? We Do