Senior Repatriation Assistant

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

DNon FamilyUNOPS LICA52025-01-01January 1, 2025Operational Context:

Iraq is currently at a turning point, leaving behind the effects of three decades of political turmoil and armed conflicts that deeply impacted its people and public service delivery. Since the end of large-scale military operations in 2017, Iraq is experiencing relative stability and advancing towards sustainable development, through expanding its fiscal space due to increased oil revenues. Despite this, the country still faces protracted humanitarian and development needs, a volatile security situation, and fragile economy.

The country generously hosts over 327,000 refugees and asylum-seekers, 90% of whom are Syrian and live in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KR-I). Over 70% of refugees live in urban areas while 30% reside in nine refugee camps in the KR-I. Refugees in Iraq have limited prospects for return in the immediate future given insecurity and ongoing human rights and humanitarian law violations, including in North-East Syria where most originate from. The protection environment in Iraq is relatively favourable for refugees and asylum-seekers, particularly in the KR-I where refugees and asylum-seekers access public services, such as healthcare and education on par with nationals, and pursue livelihood opportunities mainly in the informal sector. Nonetheless, Iraq continues to lack a comprehensive legal framework governing the status and protection of refugees in line with international standards and best practices.

Iraq also has over 1 million internally displaced persons (IDPs). While the majority live in private accommodation in urban settings or informal settlements, some 115,000 live in 21 IDP camps in the KR-I. The protracted displacement of IDPs is linked to various factors unique to each displaced individual/family given their profile, their socio-economic status, as well as the situation in their areas of origin. In early 2024, the Government of Iraq announced its intent to close the remaining IDPs camps in the KR-I. While many IDPs hope to return to their homes at some point, many may be unable or unwilling to do so because of their specific profiles or the situation in their areas of origin. As a general principle and in line with the global out-of-camp policies, UNHCR supports closure of camps as long as all three recognized solutions are made available to IDPs on a voluntary and well-informed basis. In summary, from 2025 onwards, the needs of IDPs and IDP returnees in Iraq will be addressed more effectively through sustainable development approaches.

In view of this, UNHCR and partners transitioned from a humanitarian response to a development-focused approach. In UNHCR’s new multi-year strategy 2025-2029, UNHCR envisions that forcibly displaced populations and stateless persons in Iraq are better protected and have full inclusive access to quality basic and protection services as well as economic opportunities on par with nationals provided by the Government of Iraq.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Title: Senior Repartition Assistant
Project: 2025/01
Duty station: Derabon Return Center, Dohuk, Iraq
Section/Unit: Protection
ICA Level: LICA5
Corresponding level: GS5
Duration: 01/01/2025 to 31/12/2025 (Extendable)
Supervisor: Assistant Protection Officer

1. General Background

Iraq currently hosts nearly 300,000 refugees and asylum-seekers, the vast majority Syrians, living in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KR-I). Syrian refugees and asylum-seekers enjoy an overall favorable protection environment in KR-I, as humanitarian access continues to improve. While they are mostly living in urban settings in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah; in Dohuk, over half of the Syrian refugee population lives in one of the four camps and rest of them reside in urban localities. The operation continues to focus on access to protection and inclusion of refugees in national services.

Although the Office does not promote, nor facilitate the voluntary return of refugees back to Syria, spontaneous returns do take place on regular basis. Returns from all over KRI occur through Peshkhabur Border Crossing Point (PK-BCP). The Derabon Return Center is run by UNHCR in the vicinity of PK-BCP. The center processes those spontaneously returning to Syria and provides counseling and services, in accordance with the relevant UNCHR policies.

The Senior Repatriation Assistant is a member of the team in Derabon Return Center. S/he oversees the daily operation in Derabon Return Centre, which currently composes of three LICA 4 Repatriation Assistants and one LICA 3 Receptionist. S/he conducts interviews and counselling to refugees or asylum-seekers seeking to permanently return to Syria. S/he ensures the quality of the data collected in the Centre, and liaise with other protection staff and partners as appropriate. S/he compiles regular report on border movement, and conducts border monitoring in PK-BCP as required. S/he supports registration work as required.

2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment

- Oversee the operation of the Derabon Return Centre and ensure its smooth operation
- Provide return counselling to refugees or asylum-seekers who seek to permanently returning to Syria with relevant UNHCR positions and guidance to assist them in making an informed decision
- Identification and inactivation of registered refugees or asylum-seekers who have opted to return to their country of origin
- Provide protection counselling and refer refugees or asylum-seekers with protection concerns to relevant service providers when necessary.
- Ensure timely and quality data is collected in Derabon Return Centre
- Liaise with local authorities, partners and other organizations working at the Derabon Return Centre.
- Provide translation/interpretation from-to Kurdish/Arabic/English as required.
- Support registration when required, including managing outreach missions, conducting data quality check, interview or counsel refugees or asylum-seekers
- Maintain accurate and up-to date records to all individual registration cases.
- Identify persons with specific needs and ensure timely referral to protection follow-up.
- Prepare and submit inputs to weekly, monthly and other reports as required.
- Conduct border monitoring as required.

3. Monitoring and Progress Controls

- UNHCR’s policy position and guidance on voluntary repatriation is shared with refugees and asylum-seekers approaching the Derabon Center.
- Refugees and asylum-seekers make informed decision about their return to the country of origin.
- Credibility and integrity of cross-border movement data as well as confidentiality is maintained.
- Harmonious working relationship with partners and local authorities is maintained.
- Relevant reports are prepared and submitted as required in a timely manner.

4. Qualifications and Experience

a) Education
Required: High School Diploma

b) Work Experience

2 years of relevant work experience with a diploma in high school; or one year of relevant work experience with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent or higher.

c) Key Competencies

- Fluency in English, Kurdish and/or Arabic.
- Good computer skills, particularly in data management.
- Analytical skills
- Training in basic principles of international protection (desirable).
- Experience working with UNHCR proGres database (desirable)

Important notes:

- When completing the application, candidates are required to list all of their language skills – including their mother tongue. The three broad levels are A1/A2 ("Basic User"), B1/B2 ("Independent User"), and C1/C2 ("Proficient User")

- Shortlisted candidates are required to sit for a written test, and successful candidates will be invited for an oral interview.

- Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

 

Standard Job Description

Senior Repatriation Assistant

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Repatriation Assistant reports to the Repatriation Associate, Senior Repatriation Associate, Associate Repatriation Officer, Associate Protection Officer, Repatriation Officer or Protection Officer in a Field Office, Sub Office or Country Office.
The Senior Repatriation Assistant is relied upon to contribute to the advancement of repatriation activities. The incumbent should implement the voluntary repatriation programme, in compliance with requisite standard operating procedures. S/he should contribute to ensuring that all repatriation movements respect the principle of voluntariness and occur in safety and dignity, with the full participation and support of persons and communities of concern.
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
- Interview candidates for voluntary repatriation and ensure that they make informed decisions on returns, based on up to date information on the conditions in the country of origin.
- Assist in proposing documents (including Voluntary Repatriation Forms) and ensure that refugees are provided with the appropriate documentation.
- Facilitate UNHCR's access and communication to/with individual and communities of concern, including through translation and cultural mediation.
- Participate in mass information activities aimed at informing refugee communities and other relevant stakeholders about the voluntary repatriation programme.
- Provide logistics and administrative support to voluntary repatriation border-crossing/return movements.
- Assist in assessing the specific needs of vulnerable categories of returnees during return movements and advise on responses.
- Interview candidates for voluntary repatriation and advise senior colleagues on their decision to return is voluntary.
- In line with the existing SOPs, advise senior colleagues on which individuals to register for further return processing.
- Enter information on voluntary repatriation into available databases, in line with SOPs.

- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G5 - 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not applicable

Certificates and/or Licenses
International Law International relation Political science or other relevant field.

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Not specified

Desirable
Good knowledge of UNHCR's protection mandate and operations.

Functional Skills
IT-Computer Literacy
UN-UN/UNHCR Mandate and Global Strategic Priorities
PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators
(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.

Required Languages

English

,

Arabic

,

Kurdish

Desired Languages

,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

IT-Computer Literacy, PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators, UN-UN/UNHCR Mandate and Global Strategic Priorities

Education

Certifications

International Law - Other, International Relations - Other, Political Science - Other

Other information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

Home-Based

No