Social Worker

at  United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)
C
Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
Family
Staff Member / Affiliate Type

UNOPS LICA4

Target Start Date
2024-10-01
Deadline for Applications
September 29, 2024
Terms of Reference
This position will be located in Meteti, Darien.
Please note that this position is offered under UNOPS LICA contract at LICA-4 level until 31 December 2024, with possible extension subject to budget, good performance and operational needs.
Persons interested in applying for this position must be legally present in Panama at the time of recruitment and must comply with all eligibility requirements for employment in line with the prevailing legislative prerequisites in the country and demonstrate a proof of residency and/or work permit for the said country at the time of application.
The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities.
Levels of language knowledge:
A1-beginner
A2-elementary
B1-lower intermediate
B2-upper intermediate
C1-advanced/proficient
C2-fluent
English and Spanish are required at the B2 level.
I. Background and Context
As stated in Article No. 16 of Executive Decree No. 5 of January 16, 2018, “the National Office for the Attention of Refugees (ONPAR), attached to the Ministry of Government, will be in charge of coordinating and executing the decisions reached by the National Commission for the Protection of Refugees (hereinafter CONARE), as well as the programs for the attention and protection of refugees.”
One of the functions assigned to ONPAR through the legal instrument mentioned in the previous paragraph is to process asylum claims, which includes their reception, conducting interviews, compiling files, analyzing, and drafting reports of the cases to be presented for recognition before CONARE. Additionally, ONPAR provides psychosocial guidance to asylum seekers and refugees, ensuring that identified needs are addressed and referred to appropriate actors for case follow-up.
The Province of Darién, located on the border of Panama and Colombia, has historically been an access point to Panamanian territory for people forced to flee their country of origin in search of international protection.
Currently, Darién is the second province with the highest number of recognized refugees, mostly from Colombia, who find it difficult to carry out their procedures before ONPAR due to the costs associated with traveling to Panama City, considering the distance from the communities where they reside and the difficulty of leaving them.
In 2023, a historic milestone was marked with the transiting the Panamanian territory, and entering through the border with Colombia, of more than 500,000 refugees and migrants, as part of mixed movements, including a considerable number of people with international protection needs.
With the support of UNHCR, ONPAR established a field office in Metetí, Province of Darién, in February 2024. This office attends to individuals seeking asylum in Panama and provides support and accompaniment to recognized refugees residing in the province.
In accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding between UNHCR and MINGOB, signed on November 29, 2022, on the provision of technical assistance through the temporary assignment of personnel, the structure of ONPAR will continue to be strengthened to improve and enhance its capacities and promote the quality of the asylum system in Panama through the hiring of a Social Worker for the ONPAR field office located in Metetí, Province of Darién.
II. Specific Objectives
Objective No. 1: Conduct interviews with asylum seekers to better understand their economic situation, health conditions, skills, or any specific needs, in order to detect if they require humanitarian or other assistance and do the proper referrals to the appropriate public institutions or social organizations.
Objective No. 2: Follow up on attended cases and incorporate the corresponding reports into the applicants’ files.
Objective No. 3: Conduct follow-up interviews in cases requested by the National Commission for the Protection of Refugees.
Objective No. 4: Support ONPAR in any additional tasks requested, as well as perform all necessary activities to successfully carry out their work.
III. Workplace and Supervision
The hired individual will be physically located at the ONPAR field office in Metetí, Province of Darién. Due to the responsibilities inherent to their position, the Social Worker must travel to ETRMs, transit and reception communities where asylum seekers and recognized refugees resides by land, river, sea, and air.
The persons will be under the supervision of ONPAR’s General Director and must adhere to the working hours and guidelines of said institution.
IV. Profile and Requirements

Education and Knowledge Level

• University degree in Social Work
• Knowledge of the work of public institutions and mandates of international organizations that provide psychosocial support and various programs for the accompaniment of people with specific needs.
• Knowledge of the situation of mixed movements entering Panamanian territory through the Darién National Park.

Work Experience

• Two (2) years of experience in Social Work with vulnerable populations or fragile contexts.
• Experience in international protection, refugee protection, and migration is desirable.
• Knowledge of the refugee situation in Panama.
• Knowledge of the situation in the main countries of origin of people entering Panamanian territory through the border with Colombia.
• Experience and knowledge in handling critical situations.

Other Skills

• Proactive attitude for conflict resolution and difficulties in the development of their functions.
• Good writing and synthesis, ability to analyze context.
• Proven experience in the use of MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Standard Job Description
Required Languages
Spanish
,
English
,
Desired Languages
,
,
Additional Qualifications
Skills
Education
Certifications
Work Experience
Other information
This position doesn’t require a functional clearance
Home-Based
N

Please refer the Job description for details