Chief of Section (Comprehensive Solutions)

Chief of Section (Comprehensive Solution)

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
There are more forcibly displaced and stateless people in the world today than at any time since the Second World War, a significant proportion of whom are refugees in need of protection and solutions. There is an unprecedented level of focus on the increasingly protracted nature of displacement and the challenge of finding solutions for refugees and UNHCR is being called upon to provide substantially scaled -up support to Governments to achieve solutions by seizing opportunities, expanding avenues for solutions and partnerships.

As UNHCR advances on longer term protection and solutions strategies and their implementation, the need to ensure coherent presentation of two linked elements of the organisation's mandate becomes more pressing.  UNHCR's operational approach has long focused on close and meaningful engagement with communities of concern and those who host them.  Similarly, collaboration with civil society and national actors is considered central to successful protection and solutions advocacy and delivery globally, and new partners, particularly at the national and regional levels, are being identified as a wider range of solutions pathways are developed.

Two teams in the Division of International Protection are jointly tasked with supporting operational level progress on participatory and sustainable approaches to protection and comprehensive solutions. The Community-Based Protection Unit and the Comprehensive Solutions Unit together represent the Division's work to support an organisational shift towards an integrated and partnership focused approach to achieving protection and solutions results. Collaborating closely with every part of DIP and of other Divisions in HQ, the two units will support advances in working with national civil society and national and local authorities; meaningful and long-term engagement with communities; and giving voice and responding to the views and priorities of all segments of populations of concern, including marginalized groups.

The Chief of Section (Comprehensive Solutions) supports the Deputy Director with regard to all work of the Solutions and Partnership Section, acting as officer-in-charge in her absence, as well as for performing any additional tasks assigned by the Deputy Director or the Executive Office of the Division. S/he advises the Deputy Director on a range of thematic issue in the areas of solutions and community-based protection (CBP). The Chief of Section (Comprehensive Solutions) manages the Heads of the CBP Unit and the Solutions Unit and ensures overall responsibility for the accomplishment of the tasks assigned to each Unit. S/he maintains close contact with colleagues across DIP on doctrinal and operational issues. Coordinated and regular planning and cooperation with a number of divisions and services, including DHRM, DPSM, PDES, the GLC, DER, and DESS is necessary. Regular exchange is maintained with Bureaux and country operations concerning strategic direction and operational guidance in the areas covered.

Advocacy, policy development and coordination needs require the Chief of Section (Comprehensive Solutions) to proactively seek and enhance inter-agency, INGO, National NGO, research and operational partnerships, as well as to undertake a number of public speaking engagements and expert discussions. The position is also called upon to brief donors, member States and other agencies.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

Accountability
- The protection of populations of concern is strengthened and supported through policy development, operational guidance and capacity support on community-based approaches and comprehensive solutions. Standards and tools are developed, established and utilized for assessment and delivery of services to populations of concern.
- UNHCR operations and partners are able to access timely and appropriate guidance as well as the necessary tools, resources and support to recognize and respond effectively to the protection needs/risks of persons of concern, and grow the capacities of communities of concern from the beginning of displacement, through to solutions.
- Momentum is gained and sustained to put into action new approaches on solutions, particularly in relation to use of comprehensive solutions frameworks, as well as in relation to forms of solutions related to safe pathways for solutions-related mobility for refugees.
- Consistent linkages are maintained between UNHCR¿s protection policy and operational guidance and the inter-agency bodies in which it participates.
- UNHCR's operational interests are actively represented in and shape the global discourse and developments in protection and solutions. 
- Standards and tools are developed, established and utilized for assessment and delivery of community-based protection and solutions programmes.
- Policy and operational guidance developed by the units fully reflect an age, gender and diversity approach.
- The community-based protection and solutions capacity of UNHCR staff, partners and stakeholders is progressively improved through quality, timely and relevant training and other capacity-building initiatives.

Responsibility
- Oversee policy and strategy development, guidance and implementation in regards to community-based protection and comprehensive solutions.
- Coordinate all activities of the community-based protection and comprehensive solutions units, manage their work plans, implementation rates and ensure consistency of approaches.
- Engage with and maintain close contact with operations for the purpose of providing timely and expert advice as well as support in meeting UNHCR priorities (including in relation to protection strategies, adequate operational engagement, protection & solutions strategies, coordination and collaboration with partners, protection information management and complying with internal and inter-agency policies and standards.
- Identify needs and support development of training materials and tools to strengthen UNHCR¿s and partners' response for persons of concern from all AGD groups, in various operational contexts; coordinate with GLC and DPSM, as appropriate.
- Stay abreast of key developments in relation to community-based protection and solutions, engage various Bureaux and operations on solutions issues, and participate in relevant fora as necessary so as to influence policy and planning on thematic and operational areas relating to solutions.
- Ensure coherence of the policy and standard setting work.
- Plan, budget and monitor expenditures and resources related to the work of the community-based protection and solutions units, and support the Deputy Director in planning, managing and monitoring expenditures and resources.
- Advocate with donors in relation to funding for community-based protection and solutions.

Authority
- Represent DIP in the meetings within UNHCR and represents UNHCR externally, as appropriate, for example in accountability-related fora.
- Clear documents and policies developed by the units.
- Appraise the performance of staff in the units.
- Approve financial commitments and spending as stipulated in DOAP.
- Decide on allocation and reallocation of Ops and Admin budgets of the units.
- Approve and decide on project proposals and project implementation.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Advanced university degree or university degree in International Law, relevant Social Sciences (e.g. Economics, Public Policy, etc.), Political Science, or a related field.
- 15 years (MA) or 17 years (BA) of previous work experience relevant to the function, with 10 years in an international capacity.
- Strong understanding of UNHCR's protection and solutions role and responsibilities. 
- Highly-developed policy making skills, including excellent analytical and excellent English drafting skills.
- Relevant field experience, including work in contexts of internal displacement.
- Excellent drafting skills.
- Excellent knowledge of English and knowledge of another relevant UN language.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- Familiarity with UNHCR learning policies and an understanding of learning design.
- UNHCR learning programmes, e.g. SMLP.
- Working knowledge of French
- Arabic and/or Spanish an asset for the post.