Resettlement Case Reviewer (UNOPS)

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

BFamilyUNOPS IICA22025-01-01December 2, 20241. General Background

The UNHCR operation in Kenya manages a diverse refugee situation that includes a protraction caseload that have resided in the country for decades, alongside continued new arrivals. Concurrently, UNHCR actively pursues solutions for refugees through voluntary repatriation, resettlement, and socio-economic inclusion programs. In Nairobi alone, there are approximately 106,786 persons of concern, including 31,000 children, representing a variety of nationalities and backgrounds. UNHCR collaborates closely with the Government of Kenya on all activities, such as protection, registration, and Refugee Status Determination (RSD).

In 2025, the processing of resettlement cases will prioritize urgent and emergency cases that will be submitted towards unallocated quota, in addition normal priority cases will be submitted to resettlement countries like the USA, Australia, Canada, and the Netherlands, and as new quotas become available. Although there will be a reduced overall quota for 2025, a substantial volume of post-submission work for the US and other resettlement countries is anticipated throughout 2025 and beyond. This position is necessary to support the Kenya Branch Office in Nairobi in meeting these heightened resettlement targets.

2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment
     
Refugees in Kenya are primarily identified for resettlement due to protection needs in line with the resettlement criteria in the Resettlement Handbook. In Nairobi, refugees are identified for resettlement through internal – protection referrals and external referrals – refugees self referrals and partners.
Duties and responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Resettlement & CP Officer at the UNHCR Branch Office in Nairobi for Kenya, the UNOPS IICA L2 will:

•Review resettlement needs assessments and RRFs for onward submissions as per the set targets by the Office (minimum of 12 to 15 cases per week).

• Provide expert advice and guidance on complex refugee and resettlement related issues, including legal issues, to Resettlement Consultants/Case Workers.

• Interview refugees, undertake necessary action / assessments to finalize the resettlement assessment, and complete RRFs for cases deemed by the office to meet the resettlement criteria, if required.

• May be required to work on deferral cases and review as appropriate.

• Liaise with other functional units with UNHCR and partner agencies to ensure necessary action is taken / assessments made to finalize documentation on resettlement submissions.

• Act as country focal point (country missions) if required by the supervisor.

• Ensure to assess training needs and conduct training needs when required.

• Fulfil other resettlement related duties as directed by the supervisor.


3. Monitoring and Progress Controls
  
The consultant will be required to enter appropriate events in proGres for each case that will enable the manager to easily compute the number of reviews completed (or RRFs drafted).

Further, the consultant will be required to prepare reports following standard forms and deadlines:

• Weekly reports
• Statistical and narrative reports
• Provide statistics where needed to support program planning
• A Final Report (at the end of the assignment or end of the year)
• A Performance Appraisal Report (PAR) as per Annex N (UNOPS)
• The Performance Appraisal Report (PAR) must be signed by the direct UNHCR supervisor.

4. Qualifications and Experience

a. Education      

University degree in relevant area (e.g. international law / refugee law, political science, social sciences – preferably in social work etc.) thorough understanding of the principles of refugee law and UNHCR’s mandate.

b. Work Experience

Essential.

6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Desirable

• Minimum 4 years professional experience in relevant work area (e.g. Assisting refugees in a resettlement context, case advocacy, assisting with family reunification, identifying resettlement needs, preparing resettlement referrals/submissions etc.) - required.
• Minimum of one-year professional experience in case review work - desired
• Experience in editing resettlement submissions and/or other legal documents– desired.
• Professional experience in the area of refugee law or advocacy on behalf of refugees - required.
• Professional experience writing detailed submissions on complex issues related to refugee law or refugee matters – required.
• Experience conducting refugee status determination and resettlement interviews – required.
• Experience drafting RRFs – required
• Experience drafting BIAs – required

c. Key Competencies

• Experience in the area of refugee resettlement - conducting refugee resettlement assessments and submissions – required.
• Fluency in English language, strong drafting skills - required.
• Knowledge of and/or preparedness to become familiar with and abide by UNHCR’s principles, code of conduct and humanitarian goals - required.
• Experience giving advice on resettlement guidelines / policy – highly desirable.
• Knowledge of the international legal framework governing refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons and statelessness - required.
• Awareness of gender issues - required.
• Knowledge of rights and community-based approach to identify and respond to specific needs - desirable.
• Awareness of the importance of preventing fraud - required.
• Awareness of ways to mitigate risks - desirable.
• Respect for diversity. Ability to work in a multicultural environment. Adherence to the principles of transparency, confidentiality and fair treatment of refugees - required.
• Excellent interviewing and counselling skills - required.
• Ability to conduct assessments and identify protection risks of individuals and groups - desirable.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in teams - desirable.
• Ability to work in stressful situations and in hardship locations - desirable.
• International/field experience – particularly with NGOs or UN agencies working with refugees in countries of refuge – highly desirable.
• Working knowledge of ProGres - essential.

 

Standard Job Description

Required Languages

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Desired Languages

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Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

Certifications

Other information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

Home-Based

No