Head of Sub-Office P5

Description

and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Desired Candidate Profile

The incumbent is expected to be a senior experienced staff member, with an all-round previous experience in managing field operations in a complex and highly sensitive, unpredictable, and fragile operational environment. The Sub Office is located in the northeast of the country, which is still reeling from remnants of Boko Haram, non-state agent groups, and inter-communal conflicts. There is a large humanitarian environment in the location and the incumbent will be required to be able to lead the UNHCR team in the location to manage the competitive Inter-agency domain, which is under very high scrutiny from State authorities and other stakeholders. There is a heightened donor interest in the location so the incumbent will be required to be familiar with project proposal applications such as the CERF, the Internal Displacement Support Fund, The Mixed Migration Fund, and extensive donor stakeholder management experience.

The Area of Responsibility covers an IDP population of over 3.6 million persons, over 300,000 returnees, some 35,000 refugees, and an unknown number of stateless persons. As such, the incumbent will need to be both familiar with a cross-range of operational experience and have a solid protection background as well. Proven coordination skills will also be an asset, as UNHCR is the lead of the Protection Sector and co-lead of the merged CCCM/Shelter and NFI sectors. As the Northeast borders Niger and other Lake Chad basin countries, it would be useful to have an incumbent that is well-versed in French, emergency management (the region is currently under emergency level 4), and an ability to undertake a range of cross-border interactions with other UNHCR Offices and staff. A familiarity with the regional dynamics of the Lake Chad basin would be a useful addition. Previous experience of tripartite processes would be handy.

The incumbent will also need to possess strong managerial and fine interpersonal skills to handle the sensitivity of the relationship with a variety of stakeholders, particularly the state government apparatus. Previous knowledge and ability to work in conflict and post-conflict environments are very important, as well as strong diplomatic skills. Sound previous security management experience, as well as an ability to manage an office budget of over 10 million USD would be needed. Strong ability to oversight report drafting and content in order to communicate different messages and clear UNHCR submissions to the clusters/sectors is fundamental.

Demonstrated ability to manage large teams, including consensus team building and cultural sensitivity as the team is diverse and has around 70 staff in total, including 21 international staff/AWF. Tied to this is the ability to demonstrate proven ethical behavior, code of conduct applicability, a high sense of integrity, and leading by example. The applicant should have the ability to come up with innovative and creative solutions to operational challenges in an environment with fragile security and changing political dynamics.

Previous experience in managing, IDP/Refugee/Returnee and Stateless operations; combined with the capability of being part of the Senior Executive team in the country to advise and guide the Representative would be essential.

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

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Desired languages

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

Nature of Position

UNHCR operation in Maiduguri provides protection and support to IDPs, refugees, refugee returnees and asylum seekers. The North East crisis is challenging, complex and a protracted emergency with approximately 10 million people affected. There are new displacements into the Local Government Areas (LGAs) as a result of attacks by Non-State Armed Groups (NSAG) or security operations as well as uncoordinated relocation of populations into the camps or LGAs headquarters by the military. The crisis in the Northeast is also labelled as a protection crisis. The security situation remains volatile, with significant impact on humanitarian access. Although the Nigerian security forces do patrol areas surrounding garrison towns, territory beyond the garrison towns remain highly insecure, and military convoys are frequently ambushed. The COVID 19 pandemic has exacerbated existing challenges whereas the government and humanitarian agencies are unable to ensure effective preventive measures including social distancing. Other key protection challenges include absence of civil administration in LGAs resulting in decision making by the Nigerian military and the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF). The incumbent is expected to be a senior experienced staff member who can handle and coordinate the complex and highly competitive operations ranging from protection delivery to inter-agency coordination, including sectors, bilateral relations with national interlocutors such as local authorities, the security forces.
 

Living and Working Conditions

Maiduguri is the capital and the largest city of Borno State in north-eastern Nigeria. Spoken languages are English (official), Hausa, Fulani, and others.

Security: Continuous security challenges due to armed conflicts and terrorism in the NE and NEC security areas. Being a Level 5 High-Risk Duty station, mandatory adherence to all SRM measures is vital for safety and security of UNHCR personnel and/or assets and operations. Due to the prevailing security situation, host government curfew time in Maiduguri: 22:00 hrs. - 06:00 hrs. - curfew time in Humanitarian Hubs within Local Government Areas: 18:00 hrs. - 06:00 hrs.

Accommodation: UNHCR international staff appointed to Maiduguri must stay in UNHCR guesthouse which is well equipped with facilities. There are other UN Guesthouses, Compounds and Humanitarian Hub locations where staff can stay can be booked on:

Travels: All movements in the city are conducted using armoured vehicles (AV). Maiduguri is approximately 1 hour 30 minutes flight from Abuja and is the capital and largest city of Borno State. Travelling to Abuja is possible only by air from Maiduguri airport in Borno State which is operational with daily commercial airlines operating throughout the week and UNHAS flights operating three days a week. Staff members use UNHAS helicopters for their movements to remote Humanitarian Hubs. Being a Level 5 High-Risk Duty station, mandatory adherence to all SRM measures is vital for safety and security of UNHCR personnel and/or assets and operations. Road Travels not recommended outside Maiduguri City area. Security Clearances - Security clearance (TRIP) at is mandatory to all states within

Food: Food stuff and other groceries are readily available locally, including supermarkets.

Additional Qualifications

MG-Diplomacy, MG-Office Management, MG-Political Decision MakingBachelor of Arts (BA): Economics, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Relations, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Management, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Personnel Administration, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political ScienceHCR Learning Program - UNHCR, Programme Management (PM) 1 - UNHCRAnnual Budget OL in Operation/Office, Number of Persons of Concern Served, Number of Workforce in Operation/Work Setting, Workforce to Supervise, Working with Persons of Concern: Asylum Seekers, Working with Persons of Concern: Internally Displaced Persons, Working with Persons of Concern: Others of Concern, Working with Persons of Concern: Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: Returned IDPs, Working with Persons of Concern: Returned Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: Stateless

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Political awareness, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration

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Compendium

Bi-annual Compendium 2023 Part B - October 2023

Additional Information

Functional clearance

This position doesn't require a functional clearance