Procedures and Eligibility

Before submitting an application, UNHCR staff members intending to apply to this Job Opening are requested to consult the Recruitment and Assignments Policy (RAP, UNHCR/HCP/2017/2 and the Recruitment and Assignments Administrative Instruction (RAAI), UNHCR/AI/2017/7 OF 15 August 2017.

Duties and Qualifications

Senior Livelihoods Officer

Organizational Context

The incumbent will implement a localized version of the global livelihoods strategy by emphasizing market-based approaches, where private sector employment or self-employment shall be seen as a goal in its own right and as a step towards durable solutions.

A market based approach includes clearly distinguishing between programming that targets the most vulnerable and programming that targets beneficiaries with strong potential for actual self-reliance. For the latter, this includes a strong focus on developing partnerships with highly qualified companies and NGOs, development actors (e.g. UNDP, ILO, FAO/IFAD, WFP, the World Bank, UNIFEM, UN DESA, ADB, Regional Economic Communities, and the International Trade Centre) and relevant ministries/national institutions (e.g. related to Labour, Economic Development, Education/Technical Education and Vocational Training, Social Affairs).

The incumbent is expected to have strong capabilities in sustainable and market-based livelihoods programming, livelihoods assessments (incl. HEA/Baseline, market and value/chain), as well as extensive knowledge and skills in some other technical areas such as economic development, poverty reduction, employment and self-employment/entrepreneurship, social finance, access to financial services, technical education/vocational training and rural development. Finally the incumbent should have strong expertise in advocacy, policy dialogue and networking. Also, the incumbent will work closely with the other technical experts, especially those involved in work closely related to livelihoods (e.g. durable solutions, food security/nutrition, cash assistance, SGBV, energy & environment, education and innovation). Managerial competencies including strategic planning and leadership are critical to succeed in the role. The job requires someone with the maturity and strong interpersonal skills to negotiate and deal with government counterparts in unravelling entrenched positions on difficult issues.

Externally, the Senior Livelihoods Officer will maintain and help to establish close and effective regional/local partnerships with Government/Ministries, UN agencies, international organisations, bilateral development agencies, international NGOs, research institutions and universities and the private sector. The incumbent will work closely with technical teams within the Office as well as HQ Livelihoods Unit on issues related to promoting self-reliance and to development of public/private partnerships.

The Senior Livelihoods Officer will supervise livelihoods teams and consultants working on different livelihoods project, trainings, and on field-based assessments, strategic planning, review evaluations and reporting.

The context in which the Office will operate is very favourable to livelihoods initiatives in Chad. The Government is supportive of the new strategy as it includes host communities in the design and implementation of projects: both refugees and the communities will benefit from these efforts. Operationally, the camps are very dispersed in the East and South of the country and the visit of all the camps in the various regions will be a difficulty.

Fonctional Statement

Accountability

• Localized implementation of the ‘Global Strategy for Livelihoods’.
• Maintenance and development of strategic partnerships with a broad range of stakeholders; including private sector companies, UN agencies, government institutions, international and local civil society organizations, Regional Economic Communities in order to maximize the impact and efficiency of operations and to accelerate the realization of shifting from direct assistance to a developmental approach for refugees and their host communities that recognized UNHCR’s comparative advantages.
• Design and implementation of livelihoods programmes that are both flexible in accommodating changes in the surrounding environment, particularly at the economic and political levels, but which also seeks to expand the enabling environment for refugee self-reliance.
• Maximized impact of implemented interventions through effective data-collection and monitoring and evaluation processes
• Strengthened capacity of Implementing Partners and Livelihoods Staff, particularly in relation to data-collection, impact-monitoring and market-based livelihoods programming.

Responsibility

• In line with the Global Strategy for Livelihoods, improve and fine tune the local self-reliance strategy focusing on the development of clear operational plans and livelihoods projects for the upcoming three years indicating the comprehensive needs and setting clear annual operational targets.
• Mainstream into livelihoods activities, where appropriate, the use of the ‘Graduation Approach’ methodology to graduate vulnerable refugees out of poverty and into continued degrees of self-reliance.
• In line with a market-based approach, design and implement livelihoods activities tailor-made to and targeting different segments of the refugee population according to their potential for reaching self-reliance (educational level, work-experience, previous skills training, etc.).
• Lead and guide the processes of improving the methodologies and operational procedures adopted by the livelihoods implementing partners.
• Support the regular sharing of livelihoods related information among different humanitarian, developmental and governmental stakeholders.
• Ensure active internal UNHCR knowledge sharing on refugee livelihoods with the UNHCR Livelihoods Practitioners Community (on UNHCR-learn.org).
• Oversee the process of conducting a risk assessment for the livelihoods interventions undertaken by UNHCR and propose risk mitigation alternatives.
• Continuously monitor changes in the context to guide the directions of the livelihoods programmes; particularly with regards to the transfer of basic services to the government and maintain updated information on issues and policy changes that may affect livelihood opportunities for refugees, as well as ongoing measures by the Government and other institutions that can affect or contribute to the achievement of strategic goals for refugee livelihoods.
• Develop a solid monitoring and evaluation system with clear indicators to monitor the impact of the livelihoods programming on refugees.
• Emphasize the capacity building of IPs through technical assistance, institutional assessment, training and coaching.
• Review and provide technical guidance to the project proposals submitted by Implementing Partners (IPs), and guide and monitor livelihoods activities/programmes for refugees in line with the global livelihoods strategy.
• Identify opportunities and implement solutions to challenges identified through livelihoods relevant assessments (Household Economy Approach/Baseline, market and value-chain).
• Proactively seek new opportunities for effective partnership building and resource mobilisation amongst highly qualified companies and NGOs, as well as development actors and donors.
• Promote cooperation with national institutions in supporting the inclusion of refugees in e.g. vocational training, access to finance, labour market.
• Facilitate access to online livelihoods and educational opportunities in line with the CTA programme document.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Authority

• Decide when and how to orient livelihoods operations in i) conducting assessments ii) developing comprehensive multiyear strategic plans, iii) implementing coherent programmes through suitable partners, iv) designing and implementing specific livelihood-support interventions, and expanding or halting pilot initiatives, and v) defining phase-out and hand-over strategies.
• Set standard on what resources are required for livelihoods operations to do the above, in terms of technical expertise, staffing capacity, partner capacity, technical tools/guidelines, time and budgets, and ensure that critical resource requirements are communicated to managers as appropriate.
• Make judgments on the quality of project proposals coming from implementing partners, on the quality of CVs screened for field deployments and on the quality of material/outputs submitted by consultants.
• Make decisions with regards to the allocation of resources (funds, staffing, and partners) needed to meet the Livelihood objectives of the office.

Essential minimum qualifications and professional experience required

• Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master’s) plus minimum 8 years of previous work experience relevant to the function or a related field. Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) plus 9 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 7 years of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted.
• Technical competencies in at least two sub-sectors relevant to livelihood programming e.g. social finance, employment promotion, entrepreneurship building, private sector development, local economic recovery/poverty-reduction strategies, agriculture/livestock/natural resource management, Vocational and Technical Education and Training (VTET).
• Knowledge of sector assessments using quality social-science methods and tools, and in developing at least one comprehensive multi-year strategic plan for livelihoods support at field-level.
• Experience in working effectively with NGOs, UN organisations, or government authorities at national level.
• Excellent networking skills with private and public sector institutions.
• Excellent computer skills.
• Excellent knowledge of French and English.

Desirable qualification & competences

• University degree in Economics, Socio-Economic Development, International Development, Development Planning, Financial Management, Rural development, Agronomy or other related fields.
• Proven experience in developing and influencing organizational policy development on areas related to livelihood/economic programming.
• Working knowledge of other UN language.

Position Competencies

• C001L3 – Accountability Level 3
• C002L3 – Teamwork & Collaboration Level 3
• C003L3 – Communication Level 3
• C004L3 – Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 3
• C005L3 – Client & Result Orientation Level 3
• C006L3 – Organizational Awareness Level 3
• M003L3 – Judgement and Decision Making Level 3
• M006L3 – Managing Resources Level 3
• M005L3 – Leadership Level 3
• M004L3 – Strategic Planning and Vision Level 3
• X001L3 – Analytical Thinking Level 3
• X005L3 – Planning and Organizing Level 3
• X008L3 – Stakeholder Management Level 3

Additional Information

The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.

See below for this postion’s Operational Context

Additional Information

For those people applying for High Risk Duty Stations, we strongly encourage colleagues to read the country specific security and welfare profiles which can be found on the Intranet under Support Services – Duty of Care (https://intranet.unhcr.org/en/support-services/duty-of-care.html). These profiles have been specifically designed to answer some of the key questions (on security conditions, medical provisions, staff welfare, living and working conditions) potential applicants might have before deciding to apply. Ensuring staff are better informed is part of the increased attention UNHCR is paying to Duty of Care. This project is still in the pilot phase, and as such some of the information leaflets are being produced as we speak and might not be available yet. They will be soon, so keep checking.

Desirable Attributes

The Snr Livelihoods Officer based in NDjamena reports directly to the Assistant Representative (Operations).

• The Senior Livelihoods Officer will be crucial to enhancing protection space in Chad by advocating for, developing strategies and implementing activities to supports refugees economic inclusion.
• The incumbent will be responsible for UNHCR’s role in coordinating livelihoods interventions in an environment in which important improvement are being made to promote refugees’ economic inclusion by a variety of agencies, NGOs and donors. The post therefore requires coordination and mediation skills, ability to advocate effectively, ability to analyse the economic and political context and propose policy shifts, and advise management on how to position UNHCR in the humanitarian-development nexus. The position require diplomatic skills, ability to think strategically and organize processes effectively, and the ability to manage effectively a relative small programmatic envelope.
• A considerable number of actors and a great deal of coordination are involved in this work. The intricacies and strategic importance place a premium on the ability to strengthen partnerships, the ability to grasp and reformulate complex problems, knowledge of inter-agency coordination, and the ability to represent UNHCR in a strong and effective manner. Demonstrated ability in these areas is absolutely critical to the function.
• S/he will work with other agencies on developing strategic ideas to further strengthen refugees’ economic inclusions.

Desirable Attributes

• The incumbent will work constantly with external parties, including the government, donors, UN sister agencies, foundations, research entities, NGOs as well as private sector both at national level and internationally. The incumbent will be able to brief delegations and the press on issues pertaining right to work, livelihoods programmes and on the situation of refugees in the country, thus advocating for refugees economic inclusion at all levels.

Desirable Attributes

Interpersonal Skills: Great sense of initiative and leadership, as well as teambuilding skills, are required for this position. Proven record of inter-personal skills and team spirit are paramount to the nature of this culture and the staff of UNHCR Chad. S/he should be able to work effectively with people from all backgrounds and be comfortable in working with a large workforce that demands respect and appreciates leadership. Political sensitivity, effective resource management skills, performance orientation, pro-activeness and maturity are crucial for effective management of the workforce and ensuring the best results in the operation.

Experience and Skills: Apart from excellent functional competencies, the incumbent for this position would also be expected to possess proven managerial skills and competencies with an emphasis on capacity building, leadership and planning. S/he must have clearly demonstrated competencies in managing processes and performance of a large and diverse workforce including knowledge of the latest developments in the livelihood sector and in-depth knowledge of at least 2 livelihoods technical sub-sectors (rural development, microfinance, vocational and technical education, entrepreneurship, financial support, community development, employment services, etc.). Performance orientation, initiative and maturity are equally crucial to keep the workforce together and to yield the best results in the operation. Previous experience in livelihoods field is essential, as well and exposure to very large operations and management of huge data. S/he should have previous experience in the region and/or working in a complex operations in high risk duty stations with large scale IDP and returnees (refugees/IDPs).

External Environment: Political awareness is of essence since the incumbent will have regular contacts with other UN Agencies, UNHCR partners and government institutions and ministries.

Current Situation

Chad hosts some 400,000 refugees including Sudanese, Central Africans, and Nigerian, Congolese and other refugees and tens of thousands of Chadians who returned from CAR and are at risk of statelessness. A landlocked country in central Africa, Chad is located between Sudan in the east, CAR in the south, Cameroon, Nigeria and Niger in the west, and Libya in the north. It covers an area of 1.284.000 Km2. Because of its geographical location and its climate, Chad is very closely linked to the Sahelian zone. The situation of instability in neighbouring countries has led Chad to welcome hundreds of thousands of refugees from areas where conflicts are still open or latent.

Given the security situation prevailing in the areas of origin of the refugees living in Chad, the prospects for a safe and dignified return remain very blurred. As a result, more than 80% of refugees living in Chad are in a protracted situation. Chad operation has developed Multi-Year Multi-Partner (MYMP 2018-2021) strategic approach to strengthen collaboration between all actors in order to improve the protection environment and help refugees and other affected populations to find solutions aimed at addressing protection and socio-economic problems associated with protracted displacement.

One of the 4 strategic pillars of UNHCR’s Chad vision is access to livelihoods. This will be achieved through the successful implementation of self-reliance and resilience programs, contributing to a transition from humanitarian aid to development. More specifically, refugees’ and their host communities’ living conditions will be improved, enabling them to meet their basic needs.

Working and Living Conditions

N’Djamena is an expensive city. Finding good accommodations remains a challenge. However there are a number of supermarkets where local and foreign goods are available and expatriates frequent a number of restaurants offering Lebanese, Chinese, French and other foods

Security Considerations

N’Djamena is a security level 2 duty station. While security in N’Djamena is, at present, stable, due to criminality staff are discouraged from walking in the streets, taking taxis, staying out late at night and visiting public places alone. Physical integrity of UNHCR staff. UNHCR staff are always reminded the need to strictly respect all norms of security.

Additional Factors

Given the considerable and diverse work load, it is important that the applicant be motivated, hard-working, organized and fluent in French (written and spoken). Working knowledge in English, especially written, is also required as more and more reports, internal as well as external, are requested in English.

Closing Date

Please note that the closing date for all vacancies in the Add.2 to March 2018 Compendium is Monday 11 June 2018 (midnight Geneva time).