06 feb
United Nations High Commissioner For Refugees
Ciudad de México
Hardship Level
A (least hardship)
Family Type
Family
Family Type
Family
Residential location (if applicable)
Grade
PR5
Staff Member / Affiliate Type
Professional
Reason
Regular > Regular Assignment
Remote work accepted
No
Target Start Date
2025-01-23
Deadline for Applications
February 18, 2025
Standard Job Description
Deputy Representative
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
Direct supervision and guidance is received from the Representative. Advice and operational support may also be provided by the Director/Deputy Director of the Bureau and by other senior staff in the Bureau (Head of Desk, Legal Advice Unit, and Resource Management Unit) and in the support Divisions at Headquarters.
The incumbent will also refer to policies, standards, rules and regulations which are in force within UNHCR.
Regular contacts with Representative and staff at Headquarters and in the field, to consult, discuss operational issues, and to seek common grounds for solutions on activities and programmes of importance to UNHCR and with persons on matters of great importance to UNHCR¿s programmes. These contacts may include heads of national/ international organizations, embassies, UN agencies, and high officials/ ministers in the national government. UNHCR is well integrated into the UN Resident Coordinator System.
Decisions taken directly influence the design and operation of all of UNHCR¿s activities in the country of accreditation. Proposals will have a substantive effect on UNHCR¿s policy on a wide range of issues in the country programmes. Errors lead to significant damage to UNHCR¿s major objectives in terms of time, quality,
and money in the country and will have a major negative impact on the safety of refugees and other persons of concern. The Office¿s overall credibility and the safety of its staff may also suffer.
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
- Provide legal protection advice and guidance on matters of doctrine and policy to Representative, the Heads of Offices and protection staff in the country.
- Provide advice and support to offices in the country operation on specific issues/problems faced related to asylum, refugee protection and assistance, including access to territory, access to RSD and asylum procedures, non-refoulement adequate reception and the implementation of durable solutions, including developing a Protection Management Framework for each national office.
- Provide legal and programme related advice and guidance to offices in the country on developing and maintaining fair and effective asylum regimes in accordance with international standards and norms, especially with regard to national asylum/refugee legislation and the building of local protection capacity.
- Provide legal and programme related advice and guidance on matters relating to the issue of asylum and migration to the Representative and offices in the country with particular emphasis on the problems of trafficking and smuggling.
- Provide guidance and leadership related to the implementation of the Age, Gender Diversity Mainstreaming (AGDM) Participatory Assessments in sub-region and ensure the follow up on any identified gaps related to the reception and integration systems and structures in the region with relevant stakeholders.
- Keep abreast of and analyse trends and key issues related to legal protection and assistance in the country, including preparing strategy and position papers with policy recommendations on specific protection,
assistance and durable solutions related issues relevant to the country.
- Directly supervise Protection and Programme sections and develop operations plan in accordance with the organizational policies and operational strategies.
- Assist the Representative in the promotion of UNHCR strategic goals and objectives in the country, monitoring of the overall progress towards achieving them and in managing the Representation country office.
- Ensure that appropriate security measures are in place to protect staff, and that the country operation complies with UN MOSS/MORSS staff security rules, guidelines and procedures.
- Serve as OIC of the Country Office when the Representative is on mission or leave.
- Any other duties as may be required or assigned by the Representative.
- Represent UNHCR in the meetings and fora related to the functions.
- Enforce local compliance with UNHCR¿s global protection, programme, finance and human resources and security policies and standards.
- Authorize payments as per the organization¿s Delegation of Authority Plan (DOAP) and in accordance with UN/UNHCR rules and procedures.
- Modify operational projects and reallocate funds, within the approved budgets and in respect of donor earmarking.
- Lead risk assessments and discussions with team(s) to proactively manage risks and seize opportunities impacting objectives. Ensure that risk management principles are integrated in decision-making both at strategic and operational levels. Allocate resources for planned treatments with resource requirements in Strategic Plans.
Ensure that risks are managed to acceptable levels and escalate, as needed. If a Risk Owner, designate the Risk Focal Point and certify that the annual risk review is completed and ensure that the risk register is updated during the year, as needed.
- Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P5 - 12 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 11 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 10 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
Business Administration; International Relations; Law;
Political Science; Social Science; Human Resources Management;
or other relevant field.
Certificates and/or Licenses
HCR Learning Prog; HCR Managing Operatns Lrng Prg;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
- A high level of skill in management of broad programmes, political decision making and negotiating.
Desirable
- Completion of UNHCR training programmes, such us Protection Learning Programme, Operations Management Learning Programme.
- Knowledge of geo-political realities and their socio-cultural implications.
Functional Skills
*MG-Field Operations Management
*UN-UN/UNHCR Inter-agency Policies, Standards, Programmes, and Partnerships
*UN-UN/UNHCR Mandate and Global Strategic Priorities
*PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards)
UN-Analysis of geo-political realities and their socio-cultural implications
*MG-Political Decision Making
(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 ideal candidate should have demonstrated sound analytical skills and political judgement, excellent diplomatic ability as well as solid management experience in complex operational settings, including security and risk management. Experience in results based management would be an asset. While the position will mostly focus on operations management and field coordination, the Deputy Representative will also have to undertake diplomatic and negotiation functions in the absence or in support to the Representative and therefore, political skills and organizational awareness together with knowledge of protection principles of UNHCR mandate, is key. The Deputy Representative will closely coordinate with the Assistant Representative Protection in all policy and operational matters.
Previous exposure to managing extensive teams is also essential. Ability to represent and put forward UNHCR priorities in inter-agency context is required. In view of the delicate and complex regional context, it is essential that the success candidate has demonstrated political awareness, negotiation skills and team management and leadership skills. Good knowledge and experience on regional cooperation agreements, and UNHCR guidance and standards is essential. The desired candidate should be ready to travel frequently in the country and in the region.
At the moment, Mexico has workforce deployed in seventeen different locations and the coherence of the implementation of the multiyear strategy requires strong delegation capacity and, at the same time, close monitoring. Proficiency in Spanish and strong drafting skills both in Spanish and English are also required.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
Spanish
,
,
Desired languages
,
,
Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
Nature of Position:
Over recent years, Mexico has evolved from being a country predominantly of origin and transit for many refugees and asylum-seekers, to also being a country of destination for hundreds of thousands of individuals seeking international protection from within the region and beyond. The exponential growth in the number of asylum applications in Mexico, which reached a historical record of over 140,000 in 2023 and close to 80.000 in 2024 has posed multiple challenges to its asylum system. UNHCR seeks to protect the asylum space by strengthening COMAR and by promoting access to alternative legal pathways to other countries for refugees with specific needs, and regularization alternatives for those not in need of international protection. Access to durable solutions became an important component of UNHCR’s strategy in Mexico as well, with a focus on socioeconomic inclusion of asylum seekers and refugees, while alleviating pressure on host communities especially in Southern Mexico. Communication and awareness-raising campaigns become key to ensure that information on asylum procedures and durable solutions effectively reach target audiences.
UNHCR is also actively engaged with IDPs in Mexico both in terms of technical support for the development of legislation and public policies, as well as a more operational and community based response in certain prioritized locations of the country. UNHCR has an extensive field presence in Mexico and works in close coordination with federal, state and local authorities, civil society and church, international and national NGOs, academic institutions and private sector companies, among others.
Living and Working Conditions:
Mexico City (also known as CDMX) is the capital of the United States of Mexico. It is category A, family duty station and has a high-level infrastructure:
- Health: Mexico City has a highly ranked medical infrastructure with many internationally acclaimed hospitals.
- Education: There is plenty of Govt and private schools. Most of the private schools are bilingual (English-Spanish), and there are US, British, German, Japanese and French schools.
- Housing: Apartments can be rented both furnished and unfurnished, and services of real estate agents are widely available. All international staff members must present their residential places for UN security inspection BEFORE signing lease contract. There is a large seismic area in Mexico City which is restricted for selection of residences by UN staff.
- Weather and earthquakes: Mexico City has a pleasant climate, yet there are frequent weather changes. Heavy rains sometimes cause flooding in some colonies. Mexico City is situated in one of the most active seismic regions in the world, interlocked inside the area known as the Circum-Pacific Seismic Belt, the area with the highest seismic activity in the planet. Earthquakes are frequent and sometimes cause major damage to the urban infrastructure. The newcomers should study relevant SOPs upon arrival.
- Currency and exchange: Mexican Peso. Dollars, Euros and traveler's checks can be exchanged at a currency Exchange office.
- Communications: Internet is available everywhere, but in houses and offices, a contract has to be made in order to access to this service.
- Transportation: There are public buses, subway, and if taxis are to be taken, it is recommended to take "taxis de sitio". Uber is also available.
Mexico City is part of the SRM Central Security Risk Management area, with a current overall threat level of 02, LOW. There are no known direct threats to UNHCR, but UNHCR staff may be affected by crime or collateral damage from violent events. Mexico City has a high crime rate, including street robbery with or without violence, vehicle theft, burglary of homes and businesses, extortion and telephone intimidation, fraud, kidnapping and homicide. In addition, there are frequent demonstrations and periodic peaceful marches in the main avenues of Mexico City.
The crime rate in Mexico City is expected to decrease in the first half of 2025 due to the new security strategy implemented by the federal government.
Additional Qualifications
Skills
CO-Media relations, ER-Donor Relations - Humanitarian Financing, FO-Complex field emergency operations, MG-Diplomacy, MG-Field Operations Management, MG-Large-scale Operations Management, MG-Political Decision Making, MG-Security Management, MG-Team motivation, PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards), PG-Results-Based Management, PG-Stakeholder management and coordination with Implementing Partners (Gov/NGO/Corporate), PR-Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD), PR-Inter-agency coordination in mixed movements, PS-Fundraising (incl. operations, programmes), RM-Risk Management, SC-Quality Assurance/Control/Management
Education
Bachelor of Arts (BA): Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Human Resources Management, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Relations, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political Science, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Social Science
Certifications
HCR Learning Program - UNHCR, Programme Management (PM) 1 - UNHCR
Work Experience
Annual Budget OL in Operation/Office, Number of Persons of Concern Served, Number of Workforce in Operation/Work Setting, Workforce to Supervise, Working with Persons of Concern: Asylum Seekers, Working with Persons of Concern: Internally Displaced Persons, Working with Persons of Concern: Others of Concern, Working with Persons of Concern: Refugees
Competencies
Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Stakeholder management, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration
UNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Compendium
Add. 3 to the September 2024 Compendium - Part B
Additional Information
Functional clearance
This position doesn't require a functional clearance
Muestra tus habilidades a la empresa, rellenar el formulario y deja un toque personal en la carta, ayudará el reclutador en la elección del candidato.