UNV REGISTRATION ASSISTANT AT UNHCR - FOR INDIAN NATIONAL ONLY
Location : New Delhi, INDIA
Application Deadline : 04-Dec-13
Type of Contract : UNV
Post Level : UNV
Languages Required :English
Starting Date :(date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 02-Jan-2014
Duration of Initial Contract : One year with possibility of extension
Expected Duration of Assignment : One year with possibility of extension
Background
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) assists more than 20,000 recognised refugees and asylum seekers in India, mostly from Afghanistan and Myanmar, making it one of the largest urban refugee caseload in the world. While some groups are considered refugees by the Government of India, (Tibetans, Sri Lankans), individual refugee status determination (RSD) is undertaken by UNHCR in India for most of the other nationalities. With increasing rates of arrivals from countries as diverse as Somalia, Myanmar and Afghanistan, UNHCR's important RSD function continues to be a much needed protection tool.
The RSD procedure begins with reception of new arrivals, and the role of the NUNV would primarily be to assist in UNHCR's key reception function, which is an important support function to the RSD procedure and assistance programmes. This is the critical first and subsequent point of contact between an asylum-seeker/refugee and the Office. The post is both challenging and rewarding and requires someone who is patient, has excellent people and counseling skills, is helpful by nature and has the genuine interest of refugees at heart.
UNHCR's collaboration with UNV and active deployment of UN Volunteers began in 1990. This collaboration progressively expanded as humanitarian crisis continued to unfold. UNHCR now administers UNVs in both emergency and non-emergency situations to work closely implementing UNHCR's mandate towards refugees and IDPs.
Living Conditions:
New Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region is a large and bustling metropolis of some 14 million people undergoing rapid changes. The capital city is an administrative, cultural and commercial centre with modern amenities and well connected by air. It is a safe place with large expatriate community drawn from embassies, UN agencies, MNCs and foreign businesses. It has short moderate winter and long hot summer.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Assistant RSD Officer and the overall supervision of the RSD Officer the UNV volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
- Carry out UNHCR's standard reception functions for asylum-seekers and refugees.
- Provide protection counseling and advice at reception and identify with serious protection problems and/or other vulnerabilities in need of urgent intervention.
- Handle daily scheduling of interviews, protection queries by telephone and directly, professionally manage individual files, registration activities, prepare UNHCR documentation and follow up other correspondence as necessary.
- Maintain statistics relating to reception procedures and be familiar with relevant databases.
- Prepare regular data analysis and timely reports, including on trends and patterns.
- Alert supervisor to any protection issues or challenges arising.
- Assist in any other related protection activities as required by the Office.
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to:
- Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark IVD);
- Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
- Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
- Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
- Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
- Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.
Results/Expected Output:
- Asylum seekers and refugees are received in a positive, helpful and responsive manner in accordance with UNHCR's standards and procedures at reception.
- Close monitoring of trends and patterns and protection concerns are reported each month in a timely and qualitative manner.
- Updated statistics are produced every month.
- A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development within your host community.
- 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
Corporate Competencies
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
- Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
Required Skills and Experience
Education
- University degree (BA) in Political Science, Social Science, Business and Administration, International Relations, or a related field.
Experience and knowledge
- Good analytical skills, good communications and inter-personal skills and the ability to work under pressure, both independently and as part of a team.
- Good knowledge of refugee issues and Human Rights doctrine would be an asset.
- Knowledge of MS Word, Excel and Access
- Experience in social welfare work and/or legal counselling would be an asset.
- Previous experience with UNHCR would be an asset.
Languages
- Fluency in English and Hindi.
- Knowledge of other UN languages would be an asset
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