Mission and objectives

The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org)

Context

The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and re-solve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org). Please provide basic background information on the project

Task Description

Under the direct supervision of the Iriba Head of Office, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Keep abreast of all developments in operations to prepare appropriate briefings and reports. • Prepare periodic reports, i.e. donor updates, internal situation reports (sitrep), briefing notes for senior managers, and activity-specific reports as required. • Prepare funding submissions for donors, and draft any required after-action reports. • Develop and maintain working relationships with the government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and UN agencies to ensure cooperation in inter-related activities. • Support the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)-led Cluster activities by preparing and distributing minutes, assisting in the organization of meetings, occasionally chairing meetings, and serving as the general secretariat for the relevant Cluster. • Support the supervisor in preparation for meetings and missions, including drafting of talking points. • Organize and accompany missions for VIP visitors, media, donors, and delegates to visit refugee sites or the activities of UNHCR implementing partners. • Serve as Communications focal point, contributing to and coordinating press events, interviews, communications and media missions, and other activities related to information dissemination to the general public to promote UNHCR activities. • With the support of the External Relations sections in N’Djamena and Abeche, regularly produce content material (video, photos, print articles) for use on national and regional communications platforms. • Develop capacity through coaching, mentoring, and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counterparts, including Implementing Partners (IPs). • Ensure that the Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated, and documented in all activities throughout the assignment. • Provide a final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in, and capacities developed.

Competencies and values

• Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under estab-lished procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impar-tiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented. • Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations. • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work envi-ronment. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflict-ing deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities. • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articu-late options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volun-teers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing per-sonal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, re-mote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hard-ship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes soli-darity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core val-ues.

Living conditions and remarks

Chad is a unique humanitarian operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environ-ment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and com-mitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential. Candidates applying to positions in Chad should be prepared to work under challenging condi-tions and be able to manage stressful situations. All the duty stations in Chad are classified E, except N’Djamena which is at D. In terms of working and living conditions, Iriba is a small town that has only very basic infrastruc-ture with very limited leisure and recreational facilities. There are no banking facilities in Iriba. The nearest bank facility is in Abeche where ATMs are also operational. Malaria is prevalent and all staff need to be vigilant by taking the relevant measures. Iriba is an E non-family location. There are also very limited health facilities available locally. Finding good accommodations in Iriba remains a challenge. Therefore, UNHCR managed guest houses provide and facilitate accommodation to UNHCR staff. All communications within the office and with external partners such as Government and hu-manitarian agencies are conducted in French. Fluent French (both written and spoken) is es-sential for this position. However, working knowledge of English, especially written, is also re-quired as reports, internal as well as external, are requested in English. While security in Iriba is, at present, stable, due to criminality staff are discouraged from walking in the streets, staying out late at night and visiting public places alone. Physical integrity of UN-HCR staff. UNHCR staff are always reminded the need to strictly respect all norms of security. R&R circle is every 8 weeks. There are specific security measures to be taken into consideration. Aside from the mandatory security briefing provided to the staff upon arrival in N’Djamena with specific location information and requirements: - All UN personnel must complete their BSAFE training online - Per the classification of roads, all road movements between cities should be accom-panied by an armed escort in the SRM East zone. These movements are conditioned by a granted security clearance through TRIP - Unless exceptionally allowed all road movements between cities must be started after 6 a.m. and completed by 6 p.m. - All movements of UNSMS vehicles in Abeche are allowed only between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m, while all movements of UNSMS vehicles in Iri-ba, Amdjarass, Guéréda, Farchana, and Goz Beida, are allowed only between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.