United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

Representation in Thailand

Vacancy Announcement No. 12/2020    

Internal/External Circulation

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Availability of the Post               As soon as possible until 31 December 2020.

1. General Background

The Thailand operation along the border with Myanmar has reached a critical juncture wherein the realization of durable solutions for some 93,000 refugees has shifted beyond resettlement towards voluntary repatriation and other possible options. Field Offices are engaged in a range of activities that prepare refugees for repatriation including facilitating the movement of those that already decided to return (prior to UNHCR promoting voluntary repatriation). UNHCR efforts are being strengthened to ensure that durable solutions options (resettlement, voluntary return and migrant status) materialize and that refugees are able to freely avail themselves to solutions of their choice. 

The Community Services Assistant is an integral member of the Protection Team in each Field Office.  Depending on the location, the incumbent reports to the Associate Protection Officer or the Senior Protection Associate.  The Community Services role, broadly described, is to act as a critical interface between UNHCR and communities of concern, providing an AGD sensitive analysis of community risks and capacities that form the essential foundations to all UNHCR work in a given country context.

Under the overall direction of the Protection Officer, and in coordination with other UNHCR staff, government, NGO partners and other stakeholders, Community Services staff work directly with communities to leverage their capacities for community based protection. To fulfil this role, the Community Services Assistant, and all Community Services staff, are required to spend a substantial percentage of their time working outside of the office, building and maintaining networks within communities of persons of concern.

2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment

-           Support is provided to establishing community activities which address the social, cultural, and livelihood needs of populations of concern.

-           Support and advice is provided to involve the host community in the protection of persons of concern. 

-           The Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) approach is applied in all aspects of his/her protection and solutions work on behalf of persons of concern.

-           Ensure that communities of concern are fully aware and confident with the options/durable solutions open to them, so as to make fully informed decisions.

-           Assist in working with host communities to involve national civil society groups and community-based organisations in improving the protection of persons of concern

-           Support implementing and operational partners as well as with displaced and local communities to develop community-owned activities to address, where applicable, the social, educational, psycho-social, cultural, health, organisational and livelihood concerns as well as child protection (including conducting Best Interest work when necessary) and prevention and response to SGBV.

-            Design , provide support training initiatives of relevant actors in communities where relevant.

-           Assist in analysing protection risks and capacities of communities of concern.  

-           Support participatory assessments and ongoing consultation with persons of concern.

-           Collect data for monitoring of programmes and budgets from an AGD perspective.

-           Accompany, and interpret for, senior management in their contacts with local interlocutors.

-           Support efforts and relevant colleagues in advocacy with the local authorities to access local   services where necessary

-           Draft and type routine correspondence, documents and reports using word processing equipment and maintain up-to-date filing systems.

-           Act as outreach focal points in designated camps to receive and to disseminate information on solutions in a culturally-appropriate way.

-           Assist participatory AGD sensitive analysis as an essential basis for UNHCR’s work.

-           Identify which individuals or groups to prioritize for counselling and field visits based on agreed criteria.

-           Enter data in proGres and other databases as required for voluntary repatriation, resettlement and other durable solutions.

3. Monitoring and Progress Controls

• Number of participatory assessments/focus group discussions conducted/facilitated
• Number of Best Interest Determination Conducted
• Progress on access of community to local servicess
• Level of confidence building amongst the community towards self-protection
• Needs assessments conducted on vulnerable groups
• Number of training activities conducted or facilitated;
• The level of relationship built with community-based organisations and local authorities

4. Qualifications and Experience

• Completion of the Secondary education; Training in the related field of work.
• Minimum of three (3) years previous relevant job experience.
• Computer skills (MS Office, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access)
• Fluency in English and working knowledge of another relevant UN language or local language.
• Knowledge of Administrative/financial rules, procedures, processes in the context of UNHCR offices and Field operations.
• UNHCR learning programmes (PLP).
• Knowledge of MSRP.
• Working knowledge of Karen and Burmese is an asset.

5. Key Competencies

• Analytical Thinking
• Planning and Organizing
• Political Awareness

Please submit your Motivation Letter, duly signed P.11 form, Curriculum Vitae and a copy of official ID card/national passport clearly stating the position title, vacancy notice number and your Last Name in the subject line to: THABAHR@unhcr.org by the closing date.

Applications will not be acknowledged.  Only the successful candidate will be notified of the outcome of the selection process.

P.11 form can be down loaded from: https://www.unhcr.or.th/sites/default/files/u11/P11_UNHCR.docm and 

https://www.unhcr.or.th/sites/default/files/u11/P11SUP_UNHCR.docm