Registration Associate G6 [Temporary Appointment] – UNHCR

Duties and Qualifications

DUTIES

• Assist in the implementation of registration strategies and methodologies for populations of concern.
• Assist in the supervision and daily running of registration team activities, where required.
• Conduct registration interviews when required in accordance with registration standards and guidance.
• Provide counselling to, and responds to queries from, asylum seekers and refugees regarding UNHCR’s registration procedures and their rights and entitlements.
• Maintain accurate and up-to date records and data related to all registration cases
• Identify persons with specific needs and ensure timely referral to protection follow-up as required.
• Collaborate with protection staff and / or partners in the delivery of assistance and programming, including provision of identity and entitlement documentation.
• Draft correspondence and reports relating to registration activities in the operation, when required
• Provide statistics and draft reports related to registration data, as requested.
• In consultation with the supervisor, make decisions related to the day-to-day operations of the registration unit and devise registration procedures which are efficient and effective.
• Draft and submit reports and statistics related to registration.
• Perform other related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Professional Work Experience

Years of Experience / Degree Level

Minimum 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher.

Certificates and / or Licenses

• Social Science.
• Statistics.
• Mathematics.
• Information Technology.

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Good computer skills, particularly in data management.

Desirable

Training in basic principles of international protection. Experience in working with UNHCR proGres software.

Functional Skills

• DM-Data Management
• IT-Computer literacy
• MS-Data Collection and Analysis
• IT-IT Refugee Systems & Applications
• PG-Programme Management (project formulation, programme cycles and reporting standards)
• TR-Training / Coaching / Facilitation
• EX-Experience in international organization (United Nations or similar)
• PR-Experience in Registration

Competency Requirements

Core Competencies :

• Accountability
• Communication
• Organizational Awareness
• Teamwork & Collaboration
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Client & Result Orientation

Cross-Functional Competencies :

• Analytical Thinking
• Technological Awareness
• Planning and Organizing Language Requirements Language requirements
• Knowledge of English and / or UN working language of the duty station (Spanish).

See below for this postion’s Operational Context

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Colombia continues to be the country receiving the highest number of Venezuelans, with a total of over 1.74 million by early 2021 (representing approximately 37% of the 4.

6 million Venezuelans in the region). Additionally, an estimated 845,000 Colombians (including those with dual nationality) have returned to Colombia from Venezuela in recent years, which may include those who return on a temporary basis.

According to Migración Colombia, around 56% of Venezuelans in Colombia are estimated to be in an irregular situation and thus more exposed to protection risks.

From March 2020 until June 2021, the Colombia-Venezuela border was officially closed to contain the spread of the pandemic, but even after the 2 June 2021 border opening on the Colombian side, Venezuelans continue to enter the country primarily through informal crossing points controlled by armed groups.

Such irregular movements come with a heightened risk of violence (especially gender-based violence), sexual exploitation, trafficking and smuggling, child recruitment and family separation.

In February 2021, the Government of Colombia issued a Temporary Protection Status (TPS) that is likely to benefit the 1.

74 million Venezuelans already in Colombia as well as those who arrive through official border points over the next two years.

The TPS provides a 10-year protection status and access to a full range of rights including healthcare, education, formal employment, and financial inclusion.

However, xenophobia against Venezuelans has considerably increased in the last year, and it is projected to worsen with the introduction of the TPS.

Misinformation and the perceptions that Venezuelans will take away job opportunities from Colombians, fuel general discontent and makes it even more difficult for refugees and migrants to secure a job.

Nonetheless, UNHCR believes that TPS is a very promising pathway for addressing the vulnerable situation of Venezuelan refugees and migrants who are in an irregular situation.

This situation continues to be exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic which has had a devastating impact in Colombia, especially on refugees, migrants, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities, some who have lost livelihoods and have been evicted from their houses.

Economic and protection concerns, including illegal armed actors who have increased control over communities, taking advantage of COVID-19 and the limited State presence, led to over 136,000 Venezuelans to return to their country.

The UNHCR Sub Office Caribbean region covers the departments of La Guajira, Cesar, Magdalena, Atlántico and Bolivar. The region has approximately 8 million inhabitants (approx.

17% of the national population). According to Migracion Colombia approximately 430.000 Venezuelan refugees and migrants, or 25% of the Venezuelan refugees and migrants of Colombia reside in these 5 departments.

Furthermore, a growing number of returnees, with a high percentage of ethnic populations, especially Wayuu.

The Caribbean region has a multidimensional poverty average of just over 30 percent, whereas the national average is 18.

1 percent. However, the region is characterized by its diversity, where La Guajira has an average multidimensional poverty of 51,7 percent of its population, and the city of Barranquilla slightly below the national average with 17,4 percent.

There is 403 km of border between la Guajira and Cesar, and Venezuela, with only one formal border crossing (Paraguachon).

Due to the geographical conditions, crossing the border at other points is easy, and there is a lot of movement both ways through the over 200 informal crossing points.

According to Migracion Colombia, there are approximately 1500 Venezuelans entering Colombia through Paraguachon on a daily basis.

UNHCR sub office is based in Riohacha, with a field office in Barranquilla. Beginning of 2022 a field unit will be opened in Maicao, the border town with Venezuela.

The Registration Associate is a member of the Protection team and is supervised by the Protection Officer. The Registration Associate is responsible for supporting all activities related to registration, and with ensuring that registration is effectively used for the identification of specific protection needs, for the management of operations, and for the achievement of durable solutions.

In 2022, UNHCR will register Persons of Concern mostly through partnerships. In order to ensure data quality, the Registration associate will coordinate closely with the partners registering in ProGres.

He / she will coordinate closely as well with the field unit in Maicao and the Senior registration assistant in Barranquilla to ensure harmonization thought out the region and ensuring national and global policies are implemented.

This will include conducting regular database clean-up for consistency purposes in line with the Standard Operating Procedures.

Candidates who speak Wayuunaiki are highly encouraged to apply.

Depending on the size and structure of the Office, the Registration Associate may provide day-to-day supervision, direction, and support to UNHCR staff engaged in registration and related activities (including Reception, Filing and Data Management staff), and monitors the efficiency and quality of registration processes, identity and entitlement documentation activities and population data management.

The Registration Associate collaborates closely with Protection, Programme, Operational Data Management, and Information Management colleagues as well as with Government authorities and partners on the provision of quality population data for the delivery of registration activities.

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.

To find out more information about UNHCR, please visit our website.