Job Detail

Job Description

Job Overview:

Given the constraints in humanitarian access in the Western region and the current resource constraints, UNHCR needs to resort to forms of remote management to be able to operate and carry out assistance and protection interventions in the region. The liaison officer (LO) represents one of the key tools of remote management currently adopted by UNHCR in its operations in Afghanistan. There are three liaison officers, one in each of the three provinces of the Western Region—Farah, Ghor, & Badghis provinces.

The liaison officer is the direct link for UNHCR in the province of assignment and will be the information, communication, and liaison channel through which a number of protection and program interventions of UNHCR in support of both refugee returnees, IDPs and IDP returnees will be undertaken and monitored. The LO will assist in obtaining information on the overall security and humanitarian situation in the province, by proactively liaising with authorities, displaced and hosting communities, and national and international humanitarian actors. The LO will monitor displacement trends, collect information on population movements, participate in joint assessments, and, where feasible, also participate in the protection monitoring mission undertaken by UNHCR partners, both in emergency and post-emergency contexts. Depending on the circumstances, the LO will also be engaged in monitoring and supporting the return operation in the province through contacts with returnees, government officials, and partners at the border and in the encashment centers.

The liaison officer shall be under the supervision of the UNHCR Protection Section in Farah, Ghor, & Badghis, but will also maintain close consultation with the program section on operational issues, with the head of office on political and security issues, and on matters pertaining to relations with the authorities and other agencies.

Duties/Responsibilities:

The responsibilities of the LO in the respective provinces will include:

• Assist in establishing close working relations with DoRR, DoE & DoPH and other provincial and district authorities, humanitarian organizations, local displaced and hosting communities, and returning refugees;
• Establish a solid and trusted network of contacts with local organizations, communities, and authorities that may be considered reliable sources of information in order to inform protection and assistance response mechanisms at regional and provincial levels;
• Act on behalf of UNHCR to convey, clarify and explain UNHCR’s positions to local Government and local stakeholders;
• Provide UNHCR Office in Farah, Ghor & Badghis provinces (Protection Section as main entry point) on a continuous basis and at a minimum on a weekly basis, of relevant developments in the province and on the discussions with local authorities concerning UNHCR's activities for IDPs and returning IDPs and refugees;
• Monitor the situation in the area of his/her responsibility and collect information relevant to the situation and the humanitarian needs of persons of concern;
• Keep himself/herself abreast of UNHCR projects and activities in the province and monitor their implementation, including delivery of assistance items; follow up as required, in coordination with UNHC (HFO, Protection and Programme); make necessary recommendations for improvement;
• Support UNHCR protection monitoring partners in early warning and participate in protection monitoring activities and missions, both during the emergency phase and in the post-emergency protection monitoring missions; conduct protection monitoring activities with assigned teams, whenever required, to collect the protection concerns of PoCs to UNHCR;
• Participate in inter-agency needs assessment for conflict-induced IDPs; monitor displacement and return trends; and collect information on the situation/profile of IDPs and returning IDPs, including maintaining proper records and sharing it with UNHCR.
• In coordination with UNHCR protection section, refer Persons with Specific Needs (PSN) to specialised actors in the province for additional assistance;
• In monitoring project delivery, ensure compliance with and integrity of standard operating procedures with implementing partners;
• Provide daily, weekly, and monthly reports on all relevant activities relating to PoC to UNHCR. The reporting will include data (with sources including triangulation), qualitative information on causes of displacement, protection concerns, conditions in places of origin and in displacement, as well as specific vulnerabilities if already evident;
• Facilitate and act as interpreter during meetings and field visits held by visiting UNHCR international staff with senior officials;
• Draft correspondence and reports as required;
• Undertake other duties as required.

Accountabilities:

The LO represents UNHCR in the province of assignment. She/he must ensure the highest standard of conduct and the fullest respect for humanitarian principles (humanity, neutrality, and impartiality). Her/his conduct will have to attain the highest level of integrity and her/his action will be bound by UNHCR’s Code of Conduct.

Competencies:

1. Managerial competencies: empowering and building trust; judgment and decision-making; strategic planning and vision; managing resources.
2. Cross-functional competencies: analytical thinking; negotiation and conflict resolution; planning and organizing; political awareness.

Supervision and Management:

Administrative supervision and support will be provided by the selected UNHCR partner to which project/ PPA the LOs are associated; day-to-day operational supervision and guidance will be provided by the Protection Section and Head of Office of UNHCR, to whom the LOs will directly and periodically report.

Communication/ Coordination:

• Reports on a daily basis to the UNHCR Field and Protection focal points.
• Coordinate on a daily basis with UNHCR Provincial Focal Points on mission planning and monitoring schedules in the field.
• Report on a monthly basis on activities, achievements, and challenges to UNHCR.

Skills Required

• Communication Skills
• Fluency in English, Pashto/Dari

Submission Guideline:

Interested Afghan applicants should submit a cover letter along with their CVs in one PDF file explaining their interest in and suitability for the position. Please indicate the vacancy number (VA#1402 Liaison Officer/Farah, Ghowr & Badghis) clearly in the cover letter and in the subject line of your email and send it to: hr@womenforafghanwomen.org

Note: Kindly avoid sending your educational and work certificates at this stage of recruitment. Applications received after the closing date without mentioning the location in the subject line of the email will not be considered.

Submission Email:

hr@womenforafghanwomen.org