Ongoing Recruitment at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

UNHCR was created in 1950, during the aftermath of the Second World War, to help millions of Europeans who had fled or lost their homes. We had three years to complete our work and then disband. Today, over 65 years later, our organization is still hard at work, protecting and assisting refugees around the world.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: WASH Associate 

Position number: N/A
Location: Adikpo, Benue
Grade: G-6
Contract Type: Temporary Appointment
Duration of Contract: Three months (with possible renewal)
Supervisor:  Shelter officer
Proposed Starting: As soon as possible

Organizational Context

• Following continued protests from the population in the English-speaking part of Cameroon, which started in October 2016, against marginalization, historic injustices, including the deployment of French-speaking teachers to Southern Cameroon, over 21,291 officially registered asylum seekers have fled into Nigeria for their safety.
• More Cameroonians are arriving through Cross River, Taraba and Benue States in South-South and Middle-Belt Nigeria. UNHCR’s immediate priorities include working with State authorities to create temporary settlements, pending identification, with a long-term view to exploring avenues that should allow refugees to live in host communities.
• UNHCR with implementing partners is to develop these settlements with shelters, and to provide water and sanitation infrastructure with adequate hygiene, which is the focus of this role.

Core Duties And Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Shelter Officer, the incumbent will have the following duties and responsibilities:

Technical Assistance:

• Prepare designs, bill of quantities, and cost estimates of the works to be undertaken to improve water and sanitation systems in emergency basis for new sites identified as well as for provision of improved environmental sanitation.
• Provide necessary technical input and appropriate supervision during construction of emergency latrines, water points and other general infrastructure.  This includes quality control and advising and implementing improvements, as well a cost-effective implementation.
• Lead the implementation of proper hygiene promotion methods/approaches that ensure proper use of water and sanitation facilities for the IDP camps.
• In collaboration with WASH officer produce appropriate IEC materials for hygiene promotion activities implementation in consultation with Persons of Concern and WASH Partners.
• Ensure that the use of IEC materials in the hygiene promotion activities in all Camp are with pre-tested message in relation to culture and religions sensitivity of the beneficiaries.
• Lead in conducting the appropriate Environmental Health (EH) Knowledge, Practice and Coverage (KPC) surveys during survey design, data collection, data entry, analysis and reporting in order to monitor and evaluate the impact of sanitation and hygiene promotion activities;

Monitoring, Evaluation and Quality Assurance:

• Closely supervise and monitor the implementation of all water and sanitation construction activities to ensure that they are executed in accordance with the designs, specifications and schedules.
• Assist in identifying appropriate sites for establishment of WASH facilities considering the site condition specially the risk of ground water contamination while installing emergency latrine.
• Help ensure that the WASH monitoring system data collection and reporting is carried out systematically, properly and timely with quality information

Reporting:

• Compile various reports/documents prepared by different entities on water and sanitation sectors and gather additional data, as necessary.
• Report regularly on WASH activity implementation by the WASH partners, while helping the WASH Unit to maintain accurate records of all relevant WASH performance indicators.
• Prepare weekly reports with updates on activities and events.

Coordination:

• Regularly liaise and coordinate with other specialists in other UNHCR offices, Ikom Field Office, and Calabar Sub office, and assist with liaison with authorities as well as other agencies.
• Participate in co-ordination meetings to promote active sharing of information and synergy in activities’ implementation.
• Perform other duties as required.

Essential Minimum Qualifications

• Completion of the Secondary Education with post-secondary training in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Construction Site Management or other related field.
• Minimum 6 years professional experience and additional training/experience desirable in site planning, construction of building works, Shelter and Infrastructure.
• Knowledge of computer software (Ms Word, Excel PowerPoint), as well as the capacity to use mapping tools, i.e. GPS and MapInfo.
• Knowledge of computer aided design software (AutoCAD or ArchiCAD, MS Visio, MapInfo etc.) is a requirement.
• Fluency in English language skills (written and spoken) and excellent analytical capacity in English (written and spoken).
• Technical drafting and design skills, preferably with basis computer-aided drafting (CAD) experience.
• Knowledge of SPHERE standards and the ability to use basic survey equipment, digital cameras, and computer equipment.

Desirable Qualifications & Competencies:

• Good judgement and decision making skills.
• Analytical thinking and resource management skills
• Stakeholder Management

Job Title: Shelter Associate

Vacancy Notice No: 2018/VA/043
Location: Ikom, Cross River
Grade:G-6
Contract Type:Temporary Appointment
Duration of Contract:Three months (with possible renewal)
Supervisor:WASH officer
Proposed Starting: As soon as possible

Operational Context

• This position will provide support and assistance to UNHCR Field Office in Adikpo on shelter and shelter related activities for the refugee settlement in Anyake; under the direct supervision of the Shelter Officer and working in close collaboration with the Assistant Shelter Officer, Ikom Field Unit and Head of Field Unit in Adikpo.
• The incumbent is expected to have relevant technical background in order to provide the appropriate analysis, assessment, planning, monitoring and evaluation support to the shelter response provided to refugees in Benue State.
• As part of the shelter team, the Shelter Associate assists the Field Office to ensure smooth implementation of the UNHCR Shelter programme in Benue State. The post is based in Adikpo, but requires also traveling to other field offices and areas of program implementation.
• He/she will be required to have regular contact with Programme, protection and field staff in field office in order to ensure  technical support related to shelter, site planning and construction activities.

Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the WASH Officer, the incumbent shall carry out the responsibilities below:

• Provide support and advice on all technical matters, including settlement development, shelter and infrastructure construction to the UNHCR Field Office, Partners and Agencies involved in the UNHCR Operations in Benue State.
• Provide direct supervision and guidance for all UNHCR implemented shelter and construction activities to ensure quality control, timely and cost effective implementation.
• Assist the UNHCR Field Office in close monitoring of shelter and settlement activities by highlighting budgetary implications of technical components, as well as the technical integrity of shelter interventions in refugee locations.
• Prepare detailed designs, drawings, specifications, bills of quantities, material lists and cost estimates for all shelter and settlement related works. Review all proposed Partners designs/plans and drawings to ensure they meet the minimum required technical standards and specifications.
• Identify and evaluate shelter needs in refugee settlement and host communities, in line with UNHCR’s mandate and planned activities. Provide inputs for formulation of project submissions to address shelter and settlement needs, taking into consideration technical standards (UNHCR/Sphere/National) as well as UNHCR protection mandate and policy priorities.
• Regularly liaise and coordinate with other specialists in Ikom, and Calabar Sub office and Government authorities as well as other agencies, maintaining close working relationship through different information sharing mechanisms;
• Attend relevant co-ordination meetings to promote the active sharing of information and synergy in activities’ implementation.
• Make recommendations on procurement of all necessary materials, equipment and tools for timely implementation of plans and site facilities functionality.
• Provide regular technical reports to the supervisor and to other colleagues as appropriate.
• Perform other relevant duties as required.

Essential Minimum Qualifications

• Completion of the Secondary Education with post-secondary training in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Construction Site Management or other related field
• Minimum 6 years professional experience and additional training/experience desirable in site planning, construction of building works, Shelter and Infrastructure.
• Knowledge of computer software (Ms Word, Excel PowerPoint), as well as the capacity to use mapping tools, i.e. GPS and MapInfo.
• Knowledge of computer aided design software (AutoCAD or ArchiCAD, MS Visio, MapInfo etc.) is a requirement.
• Fluency in English language skills (written and spoken) and excellent analytical capacity in English (written and spoken).
• Technical drafting and design skills, preferably with basis computer-aided drafting (CAD) experience.
• Knowledge of SPHERE standards and the ability to use basic survey equipment, digital cameras, and computer equipment.

Desirable Qualifications & Competencies:

• Good judgement and decision making skills.
• Analytical thinking and resource management skills
• Stakeholder Management.

Job Title: Senior Data Management Assistant

Vacancy Notice No: 2018/VA/046
Location: Abuja
Position number:NA
Grade: G-5
Contract Type: Temporary Appointment
Duration of Contract:  Three months (with possible renewal)
Supervisor: Information Management Officer
Proposed Starting: As soon as possible

Organizational Context

• Clashes between the Nigerian military and non-state armed groups (NSAGs) escalated into conflict in May 2013, with authorities declaring a state of emergency in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states. Since then, the region has experienced a massive destruction of infrastructure, a collapse of livelihoods, widespread displacement and brutal attacks on the civilian population.
• The crisis in north-east Nigeria is one of the most severe in the world today. Across the six affected states of Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe and Taraba, 10.2 million people are estimated to be in need of humanitarian assistance in 2018, of whom 52 per cent are women and girls, and 48 per cent are men and boys. Children constitute 63 per cent of those needing assistance. The most acute humanitarian needs are clearly concentrated in Borno State – and areas bordering Borno in Adamawa and Yobe states – where the crisis shows no sign of abating.
• The ongoing conflict has resulted in grave violations of human rights, including brutal attacks resulting in death, injuries, sexual violence, abductions, early and/or forced marriages, arbitrary and extended detentions without trial, disappearances, and deprivations, denial of services, family separations and forced recruitments by armed groups. Due to the high levels of human rights abuses, IDPs are manifesting signs of mass psycho-social distress. The majority of the 6.7 million people in need of protection services are located in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states. The most vulnerable populations in these three states are in desperate need of life-saving interventions. The limited availability of basic services, particularly in remote areas, continues to exacerbate protection risks to the affected people.
• UNHCR is hiring a data management expert to provide data and information management support to effectively address the protection of population of concern in Nigeria
• The incumbent of this position will oversee Data Management at the national and field level ensuring effective systematization and management of data to enhance monitoring of population, response and evaluation mechanisms to support the development of reliable and meaningful information products for UNHCR Nigeria.
• The incumbent shall report to the National Information Management Officer, with a functional line to the Senior Protection Officer who serves as UNHCR’s lead for Protection. The incumbent shall also work in close coordination and consultation with the UNHCR Information Management staff in the field.

Core Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the National Information Management Officer, the incumbent shall carry out the responsibilities below:

• Enter data mainly related to asylum seekers, refugees and other persons of concern to UNHCR into the computer database.
• Prepare reports and project documents by providing information, preparing tables and drafting routine correspondence and reports.
• Assist in compilation of data and interpreting the statistics for various reports.
• Assist in the development of forms for data collection and analysis, if requested.
• Act as interpreter in the exchange of routine information and translate routine documents and correspondence as and when required.
• May be required to collect GIS data, update maps and undertake field trips to project sites.
• Perform any other duty, as requested.
• Decide on the data recorded in database.
• Decide on appropriate resolution to incidents and escalate issues to the supervisor if incident cannot be resolved within the scope of responsibility.

Essential Minimum Qualifications

• Completion of the Secondary Education with post-secondary training/certificate in Electronic Data Processing, Information Technology or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of previous job experience relevant to the function.
• Fluency in English and working knowledge of another relevant UN language or local language.

Desirable Qualifications & Competencies:

• Knowledge of any other relevant UN or local language.
• Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of the position.

Job Title: Security Associate

Position number: N/A
Location: Adikpo, Benue
Vacancy Notice No: 2018/VA/042
Grade: G-6
Contract Type: Temporary Appointment
Duration of Contract: Three months (with possible renewal)
Supervisor: Head of Field Office
Proposed Starting: As soon as possible

Core Duties And Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Head of Field office, the incumbent shall carry out the responsibilities below:

• Assist in the processing of internal Security clearance (MSCR) at Cross River level for all UNHCR staff travelling within Nigeria where required,
• Assist the Senior Field Security Advisor in the preparation and update of Staff tracking, Security Warden System and security plans (fire, evacuation, medical etc.) for UNHCR  staff and/or at any other location where determined.
• Conduct Security briefing for new Staff as required.
• Update and advise Head of Sub office/management and staff on security issues
• Conduct premises assessment for UNHCR Office and staff accommodations in compliance with UN Minimum Operating Security Standards and Minimum Operating Residential Security Standards.
• Attend to security incidents/accidents that involves UNHCR staff and report accordingly.
• Supervise and monitor security Guards at UNHCR premises.
• Collect open security information from available sources that could impact staff safety and security, and report accordingly.
• Conduct field security assessment missions when required.
• Record all mandatory UN training (SSAFE, BSITF and ASITF, SAT) for staff
• Maintain proper record keeping system in the Field Security Unit.
• Assist in the collection of data and drafting of periodic security reports.
• Perform radio room duties by assisting in the tracking of staff on road mission, conduct periodic radio checks in the absence of radio operator at the duty station.
• Liaise and work in close collaboration with United Nations Department for Safety and Security (UNDSS) for all matters regarding staff training, Police escorts, and other security matters.
• Work in close collaboration with UNHCR security colleagues in the field outside Cross River.
• Any other responsibilities/functions deemed necessary or as delegated by the Head of office and/or the Senior Field Security Advisor.

Essential Minimum Qualifications

• Completion of Secondary Education with relevant training and experience in security and safety issues. Military or Police background preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years (6 with advanced training/certificate) of previous relevant job experience.
• Excellent knowledge of English and working knowledge of another relevant UN language or local language.
• Ability to work in a team under pressure with minimum supervision; good analytic and training skills, organized and good sense of initiative.
• Be professional, discrete, organized, flexible and available at short notice.
• Good communication skills (written and oral).

Desirable Qualifications & Competencies:

• Good computer skills – (MS Word; MS Excel; MS PPT).
• Excellent knowledge of local security apparatus.
• United Nations experience in the field of security or closely related in lieu of Military or Police training.
• Successful training in UN Security related course(s) an asset
• Sensitive to and good knowledge of the local culture.
• Knowledge of another relevant UN or local languages.

Job Title: Senior Administrative Assistant

Vacancy Notice No: 2018/VA/047
Location: Cross River
Grade: G5
Contract Type: Temporary Appointment
Duration of Contract: Three months (with possible renewal)
Supervisor: Administrative/Finance Officer
Proposed Starting: As soon as possible

Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Head Of field Office, the incumbent will have the following duties and responsibilities:

• Assist in interpreting and processing of entitlements, issuance of contracts and maintenance of various personnel records and files;
• Attend meetings on day-to-day admin matters; administer the movement of UNHCR staff members and monitor their attendance records, leave plans, overtime and visa requirements.
• Search office files and records relating to a variety of topics for information and reference. Select information and records in specified format or on the basis of general instructions for use by others in preparing reports, correspondence, technical papers, project or programme plans and general reference documents;
• Assist in requisition of office supplies, equipment and arrange for distribution together with the appropriate inventory records;
• Assist in administrative formalities related to travel arrangements and issuance/ renewal of visas, licences, travel arrangements and other similar documents;
• Draft correspondence and reports, as required, on general administrative or specialized tasks which may be of a confidential nature within the assigned area of responsibility; Type correspondence, documents and reports, some of which may be highly confidential;
• Arrange appointments and maintain supervisor’s calendar, receive visitors, place and screen telephone calls and answer queries with discretion; Keep lists of names, addresses and telephone numbers of ministers, government officials and members of the diplomatic corps;
• Assist the management to organise and run UNHCR Office and Residential (wherever applicable) compounds;
• Facilitate various official missions of UNHCR staff and other persons of concern to UNHCR;
• Prepare attestations and certificates required by the staff members for signature of senior officer;
• Assist in processing MIP and various other claims by UNHCR staff and other clients of UNHCR ;
• Any other responsibilities/functions deemed necessary or as delegated by the Head of the office and/or Supervisor in order to meet the level of the services in the organization.

RequirementsEssential Minimum Qualifications:

• Completion of Secondary education or equivalent technical or commercial school with certificate/training in Business Administration, Finance, Office Management, Human Resources or other related field.
• Minimum 5 years of job experience relevant to the function;
• Computer skills (MS office and People Soft applications).
• Fluency in English and working knowledge of another relevant UN language or local language (as applicable in the duty station).

Desirable Qualifications & Competencies:

• Knowledge in UNHCR Admin and financial rules, procedures and processes;
• Knowledge and working experience of MSRP (Peoplesoft);
• Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of the position.
• Knowledge of another relevant UN or local languages.

Job Title: Senior Protection Assistant 

Vacancy Notice No: 2018/VA/041
Location: Abuja
Position number:  N/A
Grade:  G5
Contract Type: Temporary Appointment
Duration of Contract:  Three months (with possible renewal)
Supervisor:  Protection Officer

Organizational Context
The Senior Protection Assistant will provide quality, timely and effective protection support to persons of concern and identifies opportunities to mainstream protection methodologies and safeguards in operational responses. The Senior Protection Assistant also ensures that persons of concern are involved with the Office in making decisions that affect them, whether in accessing their rights or in identifying appropriate solutions to their problems. To achieve this, the incumbent will need to build and maintain effective interfaces with communities of concern, local authorities and protection and assistance partners.

The Senior Protection Assistant will contribute to strengthening the coordination of members’ activities and the exchange of all protection-related information in the country, including through regular communication with Protection Sector actors (governmental, non-governmental and UN). He/she will maintain linkages with Protection Sector Sub-Working Groups (SWGs), chiefly the Child Protection and Gender-Based Violence SWGs, and will support the UNHCR protection unit in ensuring the centrality of protection in the humanitarian response in Nigeria through effective mainstreaming of protection across all sectors.

He/she will stay abreast of protection standards, operational procedures and practices in protection delivery in line with international standards and provide functional protection support to other units, including information management, external relations and programme staff.

Operational Context
UNHCR’s Protection Unit in the Abuja Branch Office covers UNHCR protection activities throughout the country, including in Northeast (NE) Nigeria where UNHCR is currently operational in 3 States with independent governments under Nigeria’s federal system. There are almost 2 million IDPs and more than 6 million people have been identified as being in need of humanitarian assistance by humanitarian agencies. Protection activities are implemented by UNHCR directly and through the Protection Sector Working Group (PSWG) under the sector approach; the Protection Sector is co-chaired at the national-level by UNHCR and the National Human Rights Commission.

Ongoing conflict and counter-insurgency measures have resulted in severe humanitarian crisis and large scale forced displacement across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States. An estimated 6.7 million civilians are in need of protection services and have experienced grave human rights abuses including abductions, sexual abuse, forced marriage and witnessing first hand violence to family members. More than 1.7 million people have been internally displaced, 79% of which are women and children; 6 out of 10 IDPs are in host communities. Insecurity continues to restrict humanitarian access to an estimated 930,000 people in several LGAs particularly in the Borno. In August 2016, UNHCR declared a Level 3 emergency to respond to the humanitarian crisis in North East of Nigeria.

Since 2015, over 1 million displaced persons have made the return journey to their areas of origin or areas closer to their homes. This includes over 388,000 Nigerian refugees who have returned from neighbouring countries mainly from Cameroon and Niger. Many returns have fallen short of international standards on voluntariness, safety and dignity, including refoulement, and populations have returned to dire situations of secondary displacement, with shortages of basic needs/services including food, water, shelter and health. Most of returning refugees are in secondary displacement situations as they have not been able to return to their places of origin. Similarly, attempted returns of IDPs are not always successful or sustainable. While the desire by some IDPs and refugees to return to their places of origin remains a priority, concerns persist that conditions in those areas are not yet conducive for such returns, particularly in Borno State. Returning IDPs may not be sufficiently informed regarding remaining threats, including IEDs and unexploded devices, and may be incentivised by assistance, political agendas, and push or pull factors.

UNHCR Nigeria’s aim is to support the government to establish an effective coordination and protection system for refugees, asylum seekers, IDPs, stateless persons, returnees and other persons of concern, with a particular emphasis on protection-focused response to the displacement crisis in the North East. The office provides targeted protection services to the most vulnerable IDPs, IDP returnees and refugee returnees in coordination and complementarity of the efforts of authorities at the national and State levels, UN partners and NGOs. UNHCR Nigeria utilizes a rights-based protection approach to implement activities, incorporating age gender and diversity analysis and focusing on strengthening community-based protection mechanisms.

Duties And Responsibilities

• The Senior Protection Assistant will support the National Protection Sector Coordinator and Secretariat, working closely with the UNHCR Protection Coordination teams in North East offices (Borno, Adamawa and Yobe), to enable effective coordination, in line with international standards. He/she will contribute to carrying out the Protection Sector’s strategy and will liaise externally with agencies (UN, INGO, NNGO and government) on protection issues and operational delivery as guided by the supervisor.
• The Senior Protection Assistant will support the UNHCR Protection Unit in the development, carrying out and monitoring of protection operations in the North East.
• Fundamental to the position is the frequent drafting of high-quality reports for UNHCR and the Protection Sector on protection issues and operational achievements, which will be published externally.

The incumbent will have the following responsibilities:

• Consistently apply International and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards and codes of conduct.
• Provide counselling on protection issues to persons of concern; liaise with competent authorities to ensure the issuance of personal and other relevant documentation.
• Support activities in protection related AGD based programming with implementing and operational partners.
• Conduct preliminary information gathering and interviews in support of eligibility, status determination, durable solutions and social needs assessment.
• Contribute to measures to identify, prevent and reduce statelessness.
• Contribute to a country-level child protection plan as part of the protection strategy.
• Contribute to a country-level education plan for persons of concern as part of the protection strategy.
• Monitor Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all protection/solutions activities.
• Participate in individual protection case management including cases of SGBV and child protection. Monitor and report on cases of refoulement, expulsion and other protection incidents.
• Assist in identifying durable solutions for persons of concern in voluntary repatriation, local integration and where appropriate, resettlement.
• Contribute to the design, implementation and evaluation of protection related AGD based programming with implementing and operational partners.
• Assist in drafting reports, routine correspondence, updating relevant databases and compiling statistics for the protection unit / section.
• Contribute to initiatives to enhance national and local protection capacities.

Essential Minimum Qualifications

• Completion of secondary school. Additional Training courses in protection related issues.
• 4 years relevant job experience.
• Fluency in English and working knowledge of another relevant UN language or local language.

Desirable Qualifications & Competencies:

• Excellent computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint; basic administrative skills.
• Completed Protection Learning Programme.
• Understanding of humanitarian emergency response and cluster system.
• Experience working with internally displaced persons and/or refugees in humanitarian aid/international law/human rights disciplines.
• Demonstrated inter-personal skills and respect for people with special needs and other vulnerabilities; ability to work in a multicultural context as a flexible and respectful team player.
• Strong attention to detail, proactive approach, ability to learn quickly, work efficiently under pressure and juggle multiple tasks.
• Familiarity with digital data collection/analysis

Deadline: 17th July, 2018. 

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their Application/Letter of Motivation, Resume as well as fully completed and signed UN Personal History Form (P11) and send via email ONLY to: niglahr@unhcr.org quoting in the subject line the above vacancy notice number and title of the position.

Click Here to Download UN Personal History Form (P11) – MS Word

Note

• Kindly note that a written test may be conducted for this position which will be followed by a competency based interview.
• There is no need to send other certificates with the application at this stage.
• Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
• Kindly note that only short-listed applicants will be contacted.
• Applications from female candidates are strongly encouraged.