BACKGROUND

The International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) is an international non-governmental organization serving and protecting uprooted people–refugees, internally displaced persons and migrants – regardless of faith, race, ethnicity or nationality. The Deployment Scheme is a specific program within ICMC, located in Geneva, Switzerland, that was established as a partnership between UNHCR and ICMC in 1998 to support resettlement-related activities worldwide.

Through the ICMC-UNHCR Resettlement Deployment Scheme, ICMC recruits and deploys skilled resettlement and resettlement experts (deployees) to UNHCR field operations throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East to support UNHCR in identifying and referring refugees for resettlement. The work of a resettlement expert/deployee involves a broad range of interviewing skills and case work activities including analysis of refugee claims; identification of protection needs; and working with survivors of violence and torture, women at risk, unaccompanied minors, and other highly vulnerable refugees.

KEY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Interview refugees and undertake individual assessments to determine whether refugees meet resettlement criteria, (such assessments include a refugee status determination component);

2. Submit Resettlement Registration Forms (RRFs) for refugees determined to be in need of resettlement in accordance with UNHCR policies and guidelines;

3. Liaise with other functional units within UNHCR and partner agencies to ensure that necessary action is taken to finalise documentation on case submissions to resettlement countries;

4. Prepare statistical and narrative reports for UNHCR as well as ICMC detailing resettlement activities;

5. Provide counselling to individual refugees, explaining the resettlement process;

6. Organize and coordinate aspects of resettlement country selection missions, upon supervisor’s request;

7. Implement UNHCR’s resettlement policies, strategies, and operating procedures (including mechanisms for preventing fraud in resettlement);

8. Manage electronic and physical resettlement documentation ensuring the confidentiality of individual case information;

9. Undertake other resettlement related duties as may be assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND KEY COMPETENCIES

• University degree in relevant area (e.g. international law , human rights, refugee law, international relations, political science);

• Two or more years professional experience in refugee protection case work (e.g. assessing individual refugee claims and/or identifying resettlement needs);

• Highly developed interviewing and counseling skills;

• Excellent drafting and analytical skills;

• Strong oral and written English language skills;

• Fluency in French, Arabic, Spanish, or Russian; highly desirable;

• Knowledge of the international legal framework governing refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons and statelessness;

• Knowledge of UNHCR guidelines on refugee status determination / resettlement /SGBV / refugee children;

• Ability to work in stressful situations and at times, in hardship field locations where UNHCR offices are located;

• Strong interpersonal and diplomatic skills as well as the ability to work effectively in teams.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates are requested to refer to ICMC’s website http://www.icmc.net/node/645< for the application instructions and forms.

Applicants must ensure their availability for a minimum deployment of three to six months. Candidates are deployed under an ICMC employment contract and are not considered to be UNHCR staff.

There is no closing date for receipt of applications as this is an open vacancy for a roster; however, only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview with ICMC.

Following the interview with ICMC, the dossiers of successful candidates will be submitted to UNHCR for final approval.

CONDITIONS OF CONTRACT

Compensation includes a competitive NGO salary and benefits package, including health insurance, annual leave, and travel to and from the field location.

ICMC is committed to equal opportunities for applicants and employees. All applications will be treated in strict confidence.