ThaiNGO

UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES (UNHCR)

INTERNAL / EXTERNAL VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Vacancy Notice No. 24/2020

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 Durable Solutions Associate reports to Protection Officer and Durable Solutions Associate’s primary role is to provide continuous support to the Durable Solutions Unit, IOM, relevant NGOs and resettlement counterparts in the resettlement processing to third countries. S/he takes part in interviewing and assessing refugees for resettlement and ensures that resettlement policies are correctly implemented. Furthermore, the incumbent will provide counselling to refugees under resettlement consideration, liaise with resettlement counterparts, including the Royal Thai Government to facilitate resettlement processing and organize logistical support for governments undertaking missions to the temporary shelters in Tak Province.

Excellent drafting skills in English are required. Experience in working with refugees or persons with specific needs would be an advantage, as well as knowledge of resettlement processing and the Karen and Burmese languages.  

2. Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Durable Solutions Associate reports to a more senior Durable Solutions or Protection colleague. 

The incumbent is relied upon to contribute to the implementation of a durable solutions strategy. S/he works closely with protection, programme and field staff, contributes to fostering an environment to enhance partnerships is a critical element of the work, as are activities designed to strength the involvement of refugee communities and their hosts in the design and implementation of solutions strategies. 

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

• Provide counselling to refugees and other persons of concern (POC) to identify the most appropriate durable solution and to enable them to make a well-informed decision.
• Interview candidates for voluntary repatriation and prepare documentation for their return, in line with Voluntary Repatriation SOPs.
• Interview and prepare Resettlement Referral Forms (RRF), in line with Resettlement SOPs.
• Interview candidates for local integration and prepare the appropriate documentation for onward submission to local authorities or partners, in line with Local Integration SOPs.
• Assist in updating the electronic database for resettlement, voluntary repatriation and local integration, in line with Standard Operating Procedures.
• Process documentation to ensure that POC receive the documents required for their durable solutions in a timely manner.
• Prepare statistical and ad-hoc reports to ensure accurate information is available and shared with relevant offices and partners.
• Interview and advise on the appropriate durable solution to be provided to POC.
• Prepare documents relating to durable solutions.
• Enter information into available database, in line with SOPs.
• Draft and submit reports relating to durable solutions.
• 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)

HCR Protection Learning Prg;               

HCR Resettlement Lrng Prg;                 

HCR Protection Induction Prog;

Relevant Job Experience

Desirable

Diverse field experience. Experience in interviewing.

Functional Skills (desirable)

IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software;

DM-Database Management;

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:

Not specified.

Cross-Functional Competencies:

Political Awareness

Stakeholder Management

Technological Awareness

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.

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