The Assistant Durable Solutions Officer can serve as a focal point for solutions related issues in a region, and reports to a more senior Protection, Resettlement or Durable Solutions staff.  The incumbent may have supervisory responsibility for durable solutions staff.

The incumbent is relied upon to ensure the implementation of a durable solutions strategy, and to contribute to ensuring a conducive environment leading towards finding durable solutions. S/he works closely with protection and programme staff.  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.

Operational Context

Nature of the position

The incumbent will be based in Kassala and will report to the head of Kassala Sub Office. The SO covers a Field Office and field posts along the border, a total of 9 camps and 5 border crossing points. The protection, political and economic challenges are enormous in Sudan and in Kassala in particular. The incumbent is expected to have a pro-active mature attitude and be able to perform well under stress, albeit in less-than-ideal living and working conditions. Therefore, flexibility and the ability to live and operate in hardship conditions are essential. The whole region is in a state of humanitarian emergency, and environment requires a mature level of cultural awareness and sensitivity.

The incumbent will maintain close working relations with government counterparts, humanitarian, and development partners, UNHCR different units in Kassala and UNHCR Khartoum. As part of UNHCR strategy, pursuit of durable solutions for PoCs remains a priority for Kassala office with potential programs pledged by several donors to target development, livelihood, and infrastructural projects in the east. The incumbent will assist the HOSO in all issues related to solution-oriented initiatives, development partners’ engagement, self-sufficiency, local integration, host community support.  

Living and Working Conditions

Sub Office Kassala (SOK) is classified as a non-family duty station with the hardship category "E", mainly due to its remoteness and low level of basic facilities. The security level is categorized as level-2 with the situation is becoming unpredictable recently in certain parts of the East (especially Port Sudan). Security clearance is required for all travel between Kassala and other provinces.

Medical services in Kassala are very basic and access is often an issue. Staff members are advised to have enough stock of regularly required medicines. During rainy season (July-Oct), there are seasonal malaria and Chikungunya outbreaks. Kassala market has variety of basic foods, vegetables and fruits available. However, some of the fruits and vegetables are only available on certain seasons.

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.

1. 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Perform other related duties as required.

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

Political Science;                Social Science;                   Law;                     International Relations;

or other relevant field.

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Good knowledge of refugee issues and Human Rights doctrine. Very good reporting and writing ability.

Desirable

Diverse field experience. Knowledge of ProGress database software.

Functional Skills

*IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software

*MS-Drafting, Documentation, Data Presentation

Language Requirements

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

Competency Requirements

Core Competencies

Accountability

Communication

Organizational Awareness

Teamwork & Collaboration

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies

Judgement and Decision Making

Cross-Functional Competencies

Stakeholder Management

Planning and Organizing

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.