Operational context:

The influx of South Sudanese refugees during 2016 saw many arriving in large numbers in East Darfur and subsequently into some of the most impoverished and difficult areas to access in Sudan. East Darfur experienced the largest number of arrivals since 2016, which is continuing with over 75,000 refugees residing in two camps (Kario and El Nimir) and seven settlements areas / localities spread apart over a large geographically area. The refugees comprising two main groups: Dinka refugees mainly from Northern Bahr el Ghazal area displaced as a result of conflict-related food insecurity, and Feratit from in and around Raja town in Western Bahr el Ghazal due in large part to localized violence in Raja.

A majority of new arrivals from Northern Bahr el Ghazal initially resided in desperate conditions in East Darfur’s Khor Omer IDP camp, but have since departed to other parts of Darfur or been relocated by UNHCR to Kario camp in end 2016. This refugee population has been highly mobile, seeking livelihood and seasonal labour opportunities in different parts of East Darfur and surrounding states. The population figure of Kario camp is 25,791 individuals biometrically registered by end-February 2020 and over 8,000 unregistered new arrivals from South Sudan.  Refugees from Western Bahr el Ghazal initially resided in Old Raja area in the surrounding of El Daein, but they are now residing El Nimir camp after they were relocated from Old Raja to a newly established camp in April 2017. The population of El Nimir camp is 10,241 individuals biometrically registered by end-February 2020 and some 2,000 new arrivals unregistered from South Sudan.

Basic services are provided to refugees through various partners (National & International) in both camps as well as in the seven settlements areas.  UNHCR in East-Darfur is responsible for the implementation of protection and assistance programme to refugees leaving in camps and in settlements. The operation also include the leading of the Protections cluster, Shelter and NFI cluster, as well as supporting durable solutions for IDPs, promoting and supporting the peace building process through implementation of community support projects and community-based protection.

The Assistant Field Officer will be working with several actors including Refugee, Host government agency in charge of refugee, national and international NGOs. The staff will be providing training, guidance and oversight on matter related to humanitarian assistance to refugees and other peoples of concern to UNHCR.

Security overview:

• Communal (tribal and sectarian) violence emanating from disputes over access to land, water, grazing areas and stock theft is one of the main causes of insecurity in East Darfur
• Criminality is the most significant threat factor which affects UN operations in East Darfur. Car-jacking, armed attacks, theft, break-ins and burglaries are frequently committed by groups or individuals.
• The law enforcement authorities are present in various location in ED but with limited capacity. 
• Staff movements to/from refugee camps does not require escort, when travelling by mini-bus, however, travel by Land cruiser hard-top needs armed escort by the Government of Sudan Police.

Living conditions:

• Ed Daein is a non-family category E duty station.
• National staff mostly reside in private rented houses.
• Public health facilities are well below standard and there are some clinics privately run.
• There is no designated UN doctor / facilities in El Daein and staff undertake entry/exist and periodic medical examinations in Nyala.
• The locally recruited personnel are entitled five days of “time-off” every 10 weeks upon fulfilling the stipulated conditions.
• Ed Daein is a very poor town with poor infrastructure and living conditions. Food items are scarce and limited in variety. Some food supplies are available but their quality is questionable with limited availability of vegetables. The market is located in the middle of town and most of the items are supplied from other States (South and West Darfur) or from the capital, Khartoum.
• In East Darfur, the heat can reach 45-50 Celsius at times, especially between January and June. Rainy season starts in July and ends in September/October.
• Two banks are operating in ED, Sudan Bank and Blue Nile Mashrig Bank. There are few telephone companies but the network connection at times is poor. 
• The electricity supply in town is unstable. Blackouts can at times last 15 hours. Hence, organizations including UNHCR rely on generators.

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Assistant Field Officer is normally supervised by the  Head of Sub-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 does not normally have any direct supervisory role. 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.

Duties

• Assess the needs of persons of concern in the AoR and formulate project submissions in collaboration with district authorities and implementing partners.
• Promote and monitor the implementation of assistance projects.
• Report regularly on rate of flow of new arrivals and estimate expected influx based on interviews with persons of concern.
• In co-ordination with implementing partners, assist with the reception, registration and provision of assistance to persons of concern to UNHCR.
• Keep track of cases of detention; register applicants for voluntary repatriation and family reunion.
• Assist in the preparation of monthly sectoral reports and submit material for preparation of periodic project monitoring reports and year-end reports.
• Submit recommendation for protection interventions to the designated officer.
• Negotiate with local authority counterparts, partners and populations of concern.
• Perform other related duties as required.

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

Law, Political Sciences   or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses

UNHCR Protection Learning Programme

UNHCR Operations Management Learning Programme.

Relevant Job Experience

Field experience. Knowledge of refugee law. Good knowledge of UNHCR’s programmes.

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

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.

Only short listed candidates will be notified.

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply

Candidate Assessments may include a written examination followed by a Competency Based Interview.