Resettlement and Complementary Pathways Officer

at  United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)
H (no hardship)
Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
Family
Staff Member / Affiliate Type

UNOPS IICA2

Target Start Date
2025-03-01
Deadline for Applications
February 9, 2025
Terms of Reference
Title: Resettlement and Complementary Pathways Officer (UNOPS)
Project: Strengthening resettlement policy and advocacy
Duty station: Home-Based
Section/Unit: RCPS DIP
ICA Level: ICA 2 level
Corresponding level: P3
Duration: from 01/03/2025 to 31/12/2025
Supervisor: Senior resettlement and complementary pathways officer, Annheli Aldhammar
1. General Background
(Brief description of the national, sector-specific or other relevant context in which the individual contractor will operate)
The position is based in DIP Resettlement and Complementary Pathways Service. For resettlement, the Service coordinates and negotiates global resettlement quota with resettlement countries, manages resettlement deployment scheme, develops policy guidance to ensure resettlement is used strategically and UNHCR develops and expands partnerships in resettlement. For Complementary Pathways and Family Reunification, the Service works on the inclusion of refugees in the global market through labour and education complementary pathways; access to family reunification, travel documents, expansion of community sponsorship schemes and frameworks to support refugees resettling and moving to other countries, as well as policy and implementation of the named sponsorship frameworks globally.
2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment
(Concise and detailed description of activities, tasks and responsibilities to be undertaken, including expected travel, if applicable)
The primary duty of the incumbent is to support the updating of the Resettlement Handbook and to provide or coordinate inputs for other learning products and guidance notes while ensuring consistencies with the Handbook contents. In addition, the incumbent will be responsible for coordinating the response to internal and external resettlement learning needs and inquiries regarding resettlement guidance. The work contributes to expanding the knowledge base among the UNHCR workforce involved in resettlement and to ensure global consistencies in maintaining the high standard for resettlement. The incumbent will closely coordinate with the relevant UNHCR units and sections in DIP (e.g. integrity), UNHCR regional bureaux, States, and partners as relevant. Her/his work contributes to make resettlement strategic and responsive to the needs of refugees in line with the overall goal of Third Country Solutions for Refugees: Roadmap 2030.
UNHCR has issued a revised Resettlement Handbook in May 2023, which superseded the 2011 Resettlement Handbook. Key principles and standards are set out in the Resettlement Handbook, which streamlines and consolidates updated resettlement guidance, promoting transparency in case processing and highlighting best practice. The Handbook site also contains fresh Country Chapters based on a new user-friendly template developed in consultation with resettlement colleagues and resettlement country partners. The Resettlement Handbook is web-based and to be updated periodically to ensure it remains a current, trusted, and practical guide for UNHCR staff and the broader resettlement community. The Handbook is also translated into Arabic, French and Spanish.
The incumbent will report to the Senior Resettlement and Complementary Pathways Officer and receive technical supervision from other colleagues as relevant.

Duties

• Stay abreast with the development and emerging issues and identify areas where updating of the Resettlement Handbook is required. Draft Resettlement Handbook update as required and in consultations with relevant sections and colleagues. Coordinate translations into Arabic, French and Spanish (25%)
• Contribute to the request for comments and guidance on resettlement and maintain a good repository in Teams folder (20%)
• Respond to questions and request for guidance from field operations and bureau (25%)
• Conduct training and webinar as required (15%)
• Perform other related duties as required. (15%)

The position is ideally based in Geneva, Switzerland, but it could be home based (remote) following the Geneva work hours. The incumbent may be required to travel, sometimes on short notice. Living and working conditions in Switzerland are up to the level of a highly developed country, where easy access to quality schooling, services, medical support, and higher education is available.
3. Monitoring and Progress Controls
(Clear description of measurable outputs, milestones, key performance indicators and/or reporting requirements which will enable performance monitoring)
The incumbent will agree on clear deliverables with his/her supervisor and will have regular check-in with the supervisor.
4. Qualifications and Experience
(List the required education, work experience, expertise and competencies of the individual contractor. The listed education and experience should correspond with the level at which the contract is offered.)
The incumbent should be fluent in English, have excellent drafting and communication skills. Fluency in other UN language would be an asset such as Spanish and French. Needs a degree in international human rights law, migration law, or other relevant social science disciplines. Good understanding on third country solutions is necessary. DIP welcomes candidates with field protection experience from diverse backgrounds.
a. Education (Level and area of required and/or preferred education)
For P3/NOC - 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree
Political Science; Social Sciences; International Law; Law; International Public Law; International Refugee Law;
International Human Rights Law; Refugee and Forced Migration; International Relations or other relevant field.
b. Work Experience
(List number of years and area of required work experience. Clearly distinguish between required experience and experience which could be an asset.)
Required
At least 6 years (5 years with Graduate degree) of relevant professional work experience in resettlement. Demonstrated experience in casework, case management, guidance and coaching.
Desirable
2 years in an international capacity in the relevant area. Sound understanding and ability to implement UNHCR’s policy and global strategic priorities.
c. Key Competencies
(Technical knowledge, skills, managerial competencies or other personal competencies relevant to the performance of the assignment. Clearly distinguish between required and desired competencies)
Core Competencies
Accountability
Communication
Organizational Awareness
Teamwork & Collaboration
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Client & Result Orientation
Managerial Competencies
Empowering and Building Trust
Judgement and Decision Making
Managing Resources
Cross-Functional Competencies
Policy Development and Research
Political Awareness
Planning and Organizing
Standard Job Description
Required Languages
,
,
Desired Languages
,
,
Additional Qualifications
Skills
DM-Database Management, PR-Mixed migratory movement management, PR-Refugee Resettlement programs, PR-Resettlement Anti-Fraud Policy and Procedures
Education
Certifications
HCR Resettlement Learning Program - UNHCR
Work Experience
Other information
This position doesn’t require a functional clearance
Home-Based
Ye

• Stay abreast with the development and emerging issues and identify areas where updating of the Resettlement Handbook is required. Draft Resettlement Handbook update as required and in consultations with relevant sections and colleagues. Coordinate translations into Arabic, French and Spanish (25%)
• Contribute to the request for comments and guidance on resettlement and maintain a good repository in Teams folder (20%)
• Respond to questions and request for guidance from field operations and bureau (25%)
• Conduct training and webinar as required (15%)
• Perform other related duties as required. (15%