Senior Field Assistant LICA-5

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

U (unclassified)

No designation

UNOPS LICA5

2024-10-01

September 23, 2024

TERMS OF REFERENCE
(Individual Contractor Agreement)

Title: Senior Field Assistant
Project: SERBIA/2024/01
Duty station: Presevo, Serbia
Section/Unit: UNHCR Representation in Serbia – CB Protection Unit / Field
ICA Level: LICA-5
Corresponding level: GS-5
Duration: 01/10/2024 to 31/12/2025
Supervisor: Field Associate GS6

1. General Background
UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner. Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations. With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it. A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners’ needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale.
Background information – Job Specific     

Since 2015, over one million refugees and migrants have arrived in Serbia, of whom the majority has continued their journey towards the European Union. While for many Serbia is a country of transit, it is also becoming a country of asylum and international protection.

The number of recognized refugees in Serbia, even if still small, is gradually increasing, and UNHCR along to the Serbian Commissioner for Refugees and Migration (KIRS) develop individual plans to support their integration. Enhancing integration prospects will also enable more refuges to stay and establish themselves in Serbia, thus reducing their vulnerability and contributing to a durable solution.

Engaging with asylum seekers, refugee and other persons of concern remains a key to build grounds and orient solutions towards their needs while they explore their resources and capacities. Facilitating links with local communities is a solid strategic move for the way forward, to facilitate social inclusion and optimize the human capital that every refugee brings.

As part of its core actions UNHCR Serbia include: Advance the early identification and referral of persons with specific needs and for data disaggregated be age, sex, legal status, and other diversity considerations; Enhance data collection and active participation and inclusiveness of persons of concern through contextualized and adapted means; by promoting participatory approaches to government counterparts and all stakeholders.
UNHCR seeks to strengthen its strategic engagement with refugees and asylum seekers by providing visibility, networking, and capacity building, where appropriate; continue to strengthen communication and transparency through the expansion of good practices and the use of digital/online tools.
Moreover, through its presence and work in the field, UNHCR continues boosting and adapting better the access of survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, children, older persons and persons with disabilities and review and improve existing feedback and response mechanisms.

2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment

– Protection presence in the Reception Transit Centers in the South of Serbia and regular visits to border areas with North Macedonia and Bulgaria using the Border Protection Monitoring Tool.
– Monitor arrivals and departures to and from RTCs in South, identify vulnerable cases and ensure immediate referrals and follow up.
– Provide extensive counselling on asylum and make referrals to legal partner.
– Make referrals for registration of people who are interested in asylum to authorities.
– Conduct Kobo interviews through Regional Protection Monitoring System.
– Coordinate, support, organize and assist legal partner during their visits particularly acting as liaison between authorities and the partner.
– Keep statistics on the asylum seekers up to date and flag follow ups needed within the team including using ProGres V4.
– Contribute to the implementation of the overall community-based protection plan of activities and inclusion by working closely with UNHCR partners, authorities, and local stakeholders.
– Actively contribute to building relationships with local stakeholders and creating opportunities for inclusion of people.
– Produce various reports as requested and provide minutes of meetings.
– Direct incidents and problems to the supervisor when they cannot be resolved at their level.
– Perform other related duties as required.

3. Monitoring and Progress Controls
The Senior Field Assistant is normally supervised by the Protection Associate/Field Associate and performs a variety of functions related to field activities within the office. The supervisor exercises close control and regular review of the work processes and provides regular advice and guidance.

The incumbent keeps frequent internal contacts with staff members in the same duty station to exchange information and with the external contacts generally with officials of national and international institutions, leaders of the refugee community, local population and/or Implementing Partners (IPs) on routine subject matters under the direction of the supervisor.

4. Qualifications and Experience

a. Education (Level and area of required and/or preferred education)
b. Work Experience

Essential
For corresponding level G5 – LICA 5
– For G5 – 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher
– Certificates in Business Administration, Law, Political, Social Sciences an asset.

Desirable
Previous experience in UN/UNHCR or in a humanitarian context.    

c. Key Competencies
     
Functional Skills
*IT-Computer Literacy
MS-Drafting, Documentation, Data Presentation
CL-Multi-stakeholder Communications with Partners
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Knowledge of English and working language of the duty station:
– Be fluent in English, with very good writing skills
– Be fluent in Serbian, with very good writing skills
– Very good communication and networking skills

Core Competencies
(All jobs at UNHCR require six core competencies and may also require managerial competencies and/or cross-functional competencies. The six core competencies are listed below).

Accountability /Communication/ Organizational Awareness
Teamwork & Collaboration/ Commitment to Continuous Learning/ Client & Result Orientation

Cross-Functional Competencies
– Stakeholder Management
– Planning and Organizing
– Technological Awareness

 

Standard Job Description

Required Languages

,

,

Desired Languages

Serbian

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,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

Certifications

Other information

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance

Home-Based

No