internal and external vacancy announcement

The Representation of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Greece invites qualified candidates to apply for the following Job Opening:

Job Opening ID: 26098

Job Posting Title: Head of Field Office

Duration of appointment: One-year Fixed-term Appointment (with possibility of extension).

Position number: 10034656

Category and Grade: National Professional Officer, NOA

Duty Station: Thessaloniki

Closing date: 16 April 2021 (Midnight, Geneva)

Operational Context

Nature of the position:

The position is under the direct supervision and guidance of the Deputy Representative on issues concerning programme, protection, external relations etc. Advice and operational support may also be received from other senior staff and support units at the Country Office including on protection, administration, finance and supply. The office, in close consultation with CO Athens, pursues its operational priorities in the area of integration and community mobilisation, including municipal support, as well as protection monitoring in the urban setting, in detention and at international borders. The office also coordinates with local authorities, agencies and NGOs in Northern Greece to monitor access to rights and services of all people of concern including in open reception facilities and ESTIA II.

The incumbent represents UNHCR at the field level. S/he will maintain contacts predominantly with persons on subject matters of importance to Organization’s programmes (e.g. counterparts in other organizations, institutions and local authorities including in particular Municipalities, the Asylum Service and Police). The Field Office has no other professional position and less than 6 General Service positions under the incumbent’s supervision. The incumbent will ensure smooth implementation of activities and proper management of resources in line with applicable policies, regularly seeking guidance and advice from CO Athens. In addition to solid knowledge of UNHCR’s mandate, rules and regulations, the incumbent needs to have proven managerial skills, ability to lead teams maintaining a positive and respectful work environment.

Living and Working Conditions

There are over 119,000 asylum-seekers and refugees currently hosted in Greece who arrived and remained since the 2015 - 2016 humanitarian emergency. In 2020, until mid-December, 15,400 people had arrived either by sea or by land, mostly from Afghanistan and Syria. UNHCR supports the Government who coordinates the refugee and migrant response in the development of policy, capacity building and targeted interventions in the areas of reception, asylum procedures, and for finding durable solutions. UNHCR has multiple interventions in core areas of Child Protection, GBV, and other areas addressing specific needs of persons of concern. The Office also retains a readiness to respond to emergencies and new arrivals, with particular focus on immediate support to the most vulnerable.

In 2021, UNHCR is working with the Ministry of Migration and Asylum to finalize transition of the large scale ESTIA accommodation programme by Q1 and will thereafter provide training and capacity support to Government ESTIA partners on protection, reception and asylum standards. The large-scale ESTIA cash assistance programme is to be transitioned to the Greek authorities by end-June 2021. UNHCR also supports the Government’s prevention and response to COVID-19 through CWC, technical interventions, increased coordination and protecting asylum-seekers at high-risk of COVID-19 complications.

While the situation on mainland Greece is better overall, most of the roughly 19,500 asylum-seekers at the reception and identification centres on the Greek Aegean Islands must cope with difficult living conditions and are exposed to various security risks. UNHCR has long warned of the urgent need to address the situation and conditions for asylum-seekers on the Aegean Islands. Continued support is also needed from European countries and European Union institutions in providing immediate protection to those most at-risk through sufficient resources, ensuring capacity in the country and responsibility-sharing through expedited relocations of unaccompanied children and other vulnerable people. UNHCR, along with other actors, fully supports the ongoing relocation process, led by the Greek government and supported by the European Commission, of unaccompanied children, asylum-seeking families with children with severe medical conditions and beneficiaries of international protection. As of mid-December 2020, almost 2,000 people had been relocated from Greece to ten European countries. UNHCR will continue to assist Greek authorities in responding to both short-term and long-term challenges.

Thessaloniki is a family duty station. In accordance with UNDSS security risk assessment, the whole Greek operation is classified as Security Level 2 (low). Security Clearance is required for travelling in the country.

Duties and Qualifications

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The position is under direct supervision and guidance of the Representative/Head of Sub-Office on issues concerning programme, protection, external relations etc. Advice and operational support may also be received from other senior staff and support units at the Branch Office and from the Bureau at Headquarters.

The incumbent represents UNHCR at the field level. S/he will persuade and obtain assistance of others on matters of non-routine significance. Contacts predominantly with persons on subject matters of importance to Organization’s programmes (e.g. counterparts in other organizations or at working level in national Governments). The Field Office managed by the incumbent has no other professional position and less than 6 General Service positions.

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-à-vis the population of concern to UNHCR within the AOR.
• Advocate and promote UNHCR standards concerning the treatment of persons of concern.
• 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 programme cycle; upon approval of assistance project, ensure the timely implementation and monitoring of identified assistance activities.
• Ensure through the subordinate staff that deadlines for monitoring and reporting of UNHCR operational activities 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.
• 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 threat 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.
• 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/HoSO. In the event of substantial telephone conversation that leads to specific action or non-action, it should be recorded and share 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 fora and with local authorities in the AOR.
• 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 UNHCR Representation or Sub-Office in coordination with local authorities and NGOs.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Professional Work Experience

Years of Experience / Degree Level

• 1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education

Desirable:

• Business Administration; Economics; International Relations; Law; Political Science; or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses

Desirable:

• HCR Managing Operatns Lrng Prg

Language Requirements

• Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.

Relevant Job Experience

Essential:

• Knowledge 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.

Desirable:

• Working experience both in HQ.

Functional Skills

Essential:

• IT-MS Office Applications;
• MG-Office Management;
• HR-Staff Administration;
• PR-International protection concepts and principles;
• UN-UNHCR Operations, mandate, principles and policies;
• EX-Field experience with UNHCR and/or with other humanitarian organizations

Desirable:

• EX-HQs experience with UNHCR and/or with other humanitarian organizations;

Competencies

All jobs at UNHCR require six core competencies and may also require managerial competencies and/or cross-functional competencies. The six core competencies are listed below:

Core Competencies:

• Accountability
• Communication
• Organizational Awareness
• Teamwork & Collaboration
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies:

• Empowering and Building Trust
• Managing Performance
• Judgement and Decision Making
• Managing Resources

Cross-Functional Competencies:

• Analytical Thinking
• Planning and Organizing
• Political Awareness

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.

Eligible Applicants

• This Job Opening is available to eligible UNHCR staff members (as per paragraphs 38-40 of the RALS) and external applicants.
• Recruitment against this position is on a local basis.
• Candidates for positions in the National Professional Officer category must be nationals of Greece.
• A Functional Clearance by the functional Division might be required for a candidate to be shortlisted for a NPO position.

Additional Information

The closing date for submission is 16 April 2021 (Midnight, Geneva).

• No late applications will be accepted.
• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
• Shortlisted candidates might be required to sit for a written test and will have to undergo an oral interview.

Kindly note that only electronic applications will be considered:

• Internal applicants are invited to apply on-line through the MSRP portal and fill in the letter of interest.
• External applicants are invited to apply using the external Careers pages and https://www.unhcr.org/gr-jobs/ .
• If you have questions during the on-line application, please contact the HR Unit at well before the deadline.

UNHCR is an equal opportunity employer and does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).

UNHCR is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.