Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Inter-Agency Coordination Officer is located in Country Operations, Multi-Country Offices, Regional Bureaux, Regional Refugee Coordinator¿s Office or in the Partnership and Coordination Service (PCS) in Headquarters. S/he plays a crucial role in ensuring UNHCR¿s approach to partnership and inter-agency processes are consistent, strategic and coherent. The main aim is to ensure that UNHCR can fulfil its role to support the Government to lead the refugee response, coordinate other actors in the initial stages of a refugee emergency and adhere to UNHCR inter agency commitments in IDP situations. This should be done in line with UNHCRs Mandate, the Global Compact for Refugees, the IDP policy, and agreed inter- agency commitments. More specifically, s/he advises the senior management on inter-agency processes and related positioning, coordination, advocacy, information, resource allocation, fundraising, reporting, and communication with government entities, other UN agencies, NGOs, civil society actors, private sector media, other relevant actors through strong engagement in humanitarian inter- agency processes, but also with a focus on development processes as they impact on UNHCR. The overall goal of the position is to strengthen and enhance the effectiveness of UNHCR¿s leadership roles and responses to situations affecting people of concern to UNHCR (refugees, IDPs, stateless persons, returnees, host communities) through an open and transparent partnership approach.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR¿s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties
– Proactively lead and/or participate in inter-agency fora to ensure that UNHCR¿s Mandate and programmes are given due attention and reflected in linkage at the country level, bureaux and at the policy levels of humanitarian and development coordination systems.
– Formulate UNHCR inter-agency positions and ensure senior management endorsement for internal and external consumption and provide briefing notes, talking points and issue papers for relevant discussions in-house with partners, including UN agencies and NGOs, donors, and in inter-agency fora.
– Promote UNHCR’s policies and linkages within multilateral processes, including humanitarian and development processes as elaborated by the humanitarian working groups, the Inter -Agency Standing Committee, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG), as well as in regional intergovernmental fora (IGAD, ASEAN, ECOWAS, etc) .
– Contribute or lead the effective establishment and maintenance of coordination mechanisms and tools, in line with the refugee coordination model and globally-agreed arrangements applicable in various situations (refugee-only; mixed refugee-IDPs; refugee and migrant movements), ensuring timely and effective needs assessment, appropriate planning, prioritization, implementation, reporting and evaluation, including through the development of joint appeals, regional refugee response plans, regional refugee and migrant response plans, refugee and resilience plans, comprehensive responses.
– Ensure UNHCR participates in line with current policy in inter- agency appeals for IDPs to allow access to pooled funds.
– Lead cross-functional preparation of issues and follow-up within UNHCR in the relevant substantive units and services.
– Maintain frequent formal and informal contacts with his/her counterparts in other organisations.
– Responsible for furthering understanding within UNHCR on inter- agency issues and priorities and advising staff on policy developments and reform initiatives within the humanitarian sphere, as well as the broader UN and development processes. This includes updating key staff on the developments within the Inter-Agency frameworks, UN reforms, Global Compact, as well as promoting and stimulating UNHCR’s implementation of key reforms within the humanitarian and development architecture.
– Ensure internal institutional coherence and coordination of actions pursued for a strong refugee coordination system under government leadership where possible, with accompanying planning instruments in the delivery of refugee responses.
– Where there is lack of clarity as to UNHCR¿s positions and priorities, identify where there are gaps or a lack of clarity and stimulate a process whereby policy will be clearly mapped out and agreed at the highest levels in the organisation.
– Maintain close contact with DER/PCS on emerging issues.
– Perform other related duties as required.

For positions in country operations only:
– Establish and coordinate country-specific coordination mechanisms for situations led by UNHCR. Where applicable, coordinate the development of country-specific refugee response plans (or refugee and migration response plan and refugee and resilience plan) and comprehensive responses.
– Advise senior management on engagement in country inter-agency processes, including inter-alia, Humanitarian Response Plans, UNDAF and humanitarian-development nexus initiatives; represent and facilitate UNHCR¿s contribution to these processes.
– Ensure that the High Commissioner¿s accountability towards refugees is reaffirmed in inter agency processes, including under the refugee coordination model and try to harness inter agency support for the coordination mechanisms established.
– Facilitate UNHCR¿s catalytic role in the context of the Global Compact on Refugees
– Liaise with other UN agencies and other inter government agencies and fora to find areas of cooperation, joint initiatives and where applicable negotiate joint agreements or work programmes to further protection and assistance for persons of concern
– Participate, chair and/or coordinate the work of Multi–sector group (MSG), including determining collective priorities, managing the MSG work plans and supervising secretariat functions.
– Ensure that UNHCR provides constructive and coherent inputs on the humanitarian policy and coordination issues addressed by the IASC and other fora in regions and country operations. This should be in collaboration with main partner agencies (OCHA, WFP, UNICEF, the ICRC and NGOs).
– Participate in field support and advise missions as appropriate.
– Provide support to colleagues on humanitarian coordination issues
– Alert the regional Bureau, multi-country office and/or RRC office on issues related to coordination arrangements interface with development and humanitarian systems.

For positions in the Regional Bureaux, Multi-Country offices or RRC offices only:
– Promote within relevant country operations coordinated approaches to decision making frameworks, especially in regards to humanitarian inter agency processes, but also with a focus on development processes as they impact on UNHCR in the field.
– Operationalize UNHCR¿s inter-agency policies and maintain an inclusive inter-agency regional approach.
– Advise UNHCR¿s senior management on engagement in regional inter-agency processes, including regional Economic Commissions and regional UNSDG as well as regional fora (IGAD,ECOWAS, ASEAN, etc).
– Establish regional coordination mechanisms and/or consultation fora for situations led by UNHCR. This should include, inter alia: support to RRC (if appointed); information-management; reporting.
– Ensure timely preparedness across the region / multi-countries.
– Liaise with other UN agencies and other inter government agencies and fora at the regional level to find areas of cooperation, joint initiatives and where applicable negotiate joint agreements or work programmes to further protection and assistance for persons of concern.
– Where applicable, coordinate the compilation of a regional refugee response plan (in some situations, this could be a regional refugee and migrant response plan or a refugee and resilience plan), as well as its monitoring and the tracking of financial contributions.
– Ensure efficient and timely circulation of information to stakeholders, including through the production of regular and up-to-date information, key messages and regional situational analysis.
– Ensure effective coordination mechanisms are in place in country operations in line with globally-agreed arrangements and the refugee coordination model and provide support as required, including through field missions, to safeguard harmonized position and communication between national and regional coordination mechanisms UNHCR leads or is actively engaged in.
– Advise field operations on how to facilitate UNHCR¿s catalytic and convener¿s role in the context of the Global Compact on Refugees.
– Advise field operations on how to engage in UNDAF processes.
– Organize regional-level capacity building, as required.
– Support the organization of annual regional NGO consultations and facilitate events as required.
– Alert the HQ (DER and DESS) on issues related to coordination arrangements interface with development and humanitarian systems.

For positions in the Partnership and Coordination Service only:
– Liaise with other UN agencies and other inter government agencies and fora to find areas of cooperation, joint initiatives and where applicable negotiate joint agreements, letters and MOUs to further refugee protection and assistance as well as agreements for other persons of concern.
– Promote within UNHCR’s Bureaux and Functional Divisions coordinated approaches to decision making frameworks, especially in regards to humanitarian inter agency processes, but also with a focus on development processes as they impact on UNHCR in the field.
– Advise Regional Bureaux, multi-country offices, RRC offices and country operations on inter-agency and coordination matters, including issues related to the humanitarian-development nexus.
– Carry out field support missions, as required.
– Represent UNHCR with the Inter-Agency Standing Committee: ensure UNHCR¿s engagement in IASC structures is strategic and coherent and that UNHCR is represented adequately in the relevant subsidiary bodies, support the Head of Service in representing UNHCR in the Operational Policy and Advocacy Group.
– Compile inputs and draft reports or comments for key inter-agency processes, amongst others the Secretary General¿s report for ECOSOC on humanitarian coordination and UNHCR¿s self-report on commitments made at the World Humanitarian Summit.
– Assist with UNHCR¿s participation in the ECOSOC Humanitarian Segment, in cooperation with UNHCR New York.
– Draft input and coordinate the input of others into annual reports in the area of partnership and coordination, such as the Global Appeal and Report and into Standing Committee documents.
– Support the organization of Annual NGO Consultations.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P4/NOD – 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Law, Political Science, Economics, International Relations,
Business Administration, Social Science
or other relevant field.
(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Certificates and/or Licenses
In future: completion of the Inter-Agency Coordination Learning Programme
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Experience of working in an inter-agency environment at field or Headquarters level. Experience of liaising with governments and/or the donor community. Thorough understanding of UNHCR’s protection mandate and core mission. Thorough understanding of humanitarian coordination processes and recent inter-agency developments related to the IASC and the broader UN.

Desirable
Inter-agency coordination role. Drafting joint appeal/ refugee response plan/HRP. Experience with another UN agency or partner.

Functional Skills
MG-Coordination
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.
Desired Candidate Profile

The incumbent will require a strong understanding of UNHCR’s field operations, a demonstrated knowledge of inter-agency and mixed migration dynamics, preferably in large-scale emergencies, as well as strong managerial and organizational abilities to maximize the impact of existing resources.

The incumbent is expected to have a pro-active mature attitude and be able to perform well under stress, albeit in less-than-ideal living and working conditions. Flexibility and the ability to live and operate in hardship conditions are essential. Excellent coordination and advocacy skills, as well as practical experience in resource mobilization, fund raising, and excellent proposal and report writing skills in English are required. Previous working experience in an emergency environment is desirable.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

Desired languages

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
The security situation in South Sudan though generally stable, remains fragile and fluid in complex and unpredictable environment and is characterized by low intensity and localized armed conflict in some areas, high levels of crime across the country, inter/intra communal conflict over a diverse range of issues including cattle raids, competition for resources and revenge attacks and regular civil unrest in refugee and IDP operations and host community. These challenges continue directly and indirectly impact on UNHCR operations. The signing of the Revitalized Agreement of the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan in September 2018 represented an important milestone for the country. The ceasefire is holding in many areas of the country except in some few locations where localized and low intensity armed conflict continues to impact on security situation. Many areas in the country are also affected by season flooding which has also displaced significant number of people.

The security level in South Sudan is assessed as substantial (security level 4) in all areas.

SRM measures in place:

UN curfew is in force across the country, timing differs from one SRM Area to another. UN curfew is from 19:00 to 05:00 in Juba.

International personnel must request and receive security clearance for official and non-official travel.

International personnel on mission must stay in either a UN facility or UN approved commercial lodging for staff members.

Safe and Secure Approaches in Field Environment (SSAFE) to be conducted in areas with HIGH Risk level and above.

All international and national personnel must be issued with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and VHF radios.

Nature of Position:
South Sudan remains a complex context, where emergencies causing new returnees, refugees from Sudan and internal displacement due internal conflict and natural disasters. Further to the escalation of the fighting in Sudan, UNHCR declared a level 2 emergency in South Sudan. The response to the growing needs of South Sudanese returnees, Sudan refugees and internal displacement due to this emergency and the wider displacement situation, is complex and fraught by an ever-changing context and humanitarian access challenges. Furthermore, the country operation is during strategic repositioning its IDP response in a fast-paced operating context and competitive inter-agency environment.

The incumbent of this position will be based at the UNHCR Representation in Juba, South Sudan. Working under the supervision of the UNHCR Representative, the Snr Inter-Agency Coordination Officer will manage the inter-agency component of UNHCR’s response for IDP and returnees, as well as lead the Refugee Coordination working group as required. In addition, the incumbent will supervise the External Relations Unit, overseeing reporting and donors relations activities in particular. S/he will ensure that UNHCR’s led thematic working groups and sub-national coordination groups are functioning effectively, in an inclusive manner, while remaining responsive to the needs of displaced Sudanese in South Sudan, and maintain close liaison with Regional Inter-Agency Platform in Nairobi.

Working closely with all relevant in-house stakeholders and external partners, the Snr Inter-Agency Coordination Officer will lead and support the humanitarian and development coordination processes (development/actualization of national response plans; monitoring of the response; elaboration of information products; financial monitoring), support national and sub-national coordination mechanisms, as well as external communication, in particular with donors.

Living and Working Conditions:
South Sudan is classified as an E non-family High Risk duty station with a 6-week R&R cycle and is prone to malaria. Movement to and from locations require official vehicle transport; use of taxi is not allowed. There are very limited medical facilities in South Sudan, with facilities concentrated in Juba.

All international personnel reside in UNHCR provided accommodation equipped with furniture, cafeteria, housekeeping services and a gym or some sports equipment. In Juba, all basic foods are available in the market ranging from meat, dairy, fruit and vegetables. There are a few hotels with pools and restaurants where staff can visit. While in the field, food supply varies depending on the season. Taking photos is strongly discouraged in all locations, as may result in arrest by local security forces. Extreme caution is required while driving a UN vehicle due to bad local driving culture, lots of motorbikes and three-wheelers (boda-boda) and periodic attempts by local police to extort money from the driver for whatever violation claimed.

There are several airlines flying from most destinations to Juba via Dubai, Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Istanbul, Khartoum, Cairo or Entebbe. Travel to field offices in South Sudan are handled by UN humanitarian flights.

Staff can open USD bank accounts in South Sudan and only high US Dollar bills i.e. US$50 and US$100 are accepted for foreign currency exchange transactions. South Sudan bank notes exist in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 South Sudanese Pounds. Foreign exchange transactions can be done at any commercial bank in a safe and secure location. There are very few ATMs and credit card facilities in South Sudan to draw USD (max $500 per 24hours).

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