Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)B
Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
Family
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeUNOPS LICA6
Target Start Date2025-07-01
Deadline for ApplicationsMay 27, 2025
Terms of ReferenceOperational Context
India currently hosts more than 261,000 refugees and asylum seekers. These include some 91,000 Sri Lankan refugees and 73,400 Tibetans directly assisted by the Government of India. There are 47,881 individuals registered under UNHCRโs mandate primarily from Afghanistan, Myanmar, and other countries. In addition, around 49,000 Myanmar nationals have sought refuge in the Northeast of India and live in a refugee-like situation. UNHCR works with the Government of India to offer protection and find solutions for refugees and asylum seekers.
As a result of reprioritization, UNHCR India is refocusing its efforts on three core objectives: mandate-critical protection and solutions work; lifesaving and emergency activities with a focus on the most vulnerable; and essential resource mobilization and advocacy for protection and inclusion.
With refugees and asylum seekers spread across 13 different locations across the country, UNHCR relies on its 8 NGO partners for support. It funds activities that complement or facilitate access to essential services and assist the most vulnerable people with humanitarian assistance. UNHCR also works with various partners and key stakeholders to advocate for greater inclusion of refugees and asylum seekers as part of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG). The office is engaged in advocacy with the government to support the development of a national framework for refugee protection, and advocates on issues related to the use of alternatives to detention, access to documentation amongst other key areas. UNHCRโs office is in New Delhi and has a field presence in Chennai, Tamil Nadu State.
Expected Outcomes
The role of Durable Solutions Associate is primarily to cover the Complementary Pathways portfolio. Under supervision of the Durable Solutions Officer, the incumbentโs primary role is to assist in providing continuous support to the operation by ensuring that complementary pathways policies are correctly implemented and supported in establishing comprehensive protection and solutions strategies. The incumbent will do so in close coordination with all concerned sections within UNHCR as well as external parties such as third country authorities, IOM, NGOs, academia, and host government entities responsible for migration and entry.
The incumbent will lead the advocacy on, and support the implementation of, durable solutions through the strengthening and establishment of complementary pathways, in particular with respect to labour mobility and educational scholarships. Further s/he will engage with the private sector in support of these objectives. In relation to different complementary pathways opportunities, the incumbent will liaise and communicate with the Asia Bureau and HQ on various complementary pathways opportunities that may be considered in India and provide such analysis to management and senior management. The incumbent will also be responsible for disseminating information on various opportunities available to refugees and asylum seekers in India. He/she would also be responsible for cross-sectoral coordination among Solutions, Protection, Livelihoods, Education, Registration and other sections of the operation, Asia Regional Bureau, HQ as well as external actors facilitating refugee and asylum seeker's access to complementary pathways, including education and livelihood partners. The incumbent will be responsible for internal data verification and management as well as communications with the communities as they relate to education, labour mobility and family reunification in particular, but not exclusive to these. The role of the Complementary Pathways Associate may involve managerial responsibilities in supervising, coaching, and training junior staff and partners, and assisting in implementing organisational objectives and priorities.
The incumbent will be responsible for providing general counselling and information sessions on various Complementary Pathways available for refugees and asylum seekers. The staff member will also be responsible for overseeing the departure process including regularly liaising with IOM, Toll and different embassies as needed. The incumbent is further expected to generate regular and tailor-made statistics on Complementary Pathways, research potential Complementary Pathways opportunities, identify partnerships, and assist the Durable Solutions Officer to produce quality research papers on various Complementary Pathways opportunities.
Duties and responsibilities will include:
- Knowledge of various immigration programs, including the economic, family and refugee/humanitarian streams; specialization in economic immigration pathways an asset.
- Understanding of human resources and talent acquisition.
- Experience in policy advocacy an asset.
- Experience working collaboratively with a diversity of private, public, and non-profit stakeholders.
- Excellent IT skills including database management skills.
- Completion of UNHCR learning programs a plus.
- Stay abreast of political, legal, social and economic developments that have an impact on the protection environment and opportunities for durable solutions.
- Analyse various country immigration programs, selection requirements and procedures to identify opportunities for refugees abroad.
- Assist in the development of strategies to increase refugeesโ access to immigration programs and develop proposals to establish new immigration routes for refugees.
- Engage various stakeholders and partners and provide advice relating to strengthening and expanding durable solutions and complementary pathways.
- Assist in the development and refinement of policies and guidelines consistent with UNHCRโs durable solutions policies in line with the Global Compact on Refugees.
- Provide updates and advice to the Asia Regional Bureau, HQ, and partners relating to programming requirements to support the identification of refuges who may access such pathways.
- Support strategic partnerships relating to strengthening employment and education pathways.
- Identify key findings relating to refugeesโ economic contributions, employment outcomes and role as economic agents and participate in strategizing and communicating such information to build public support.
- Represent UNHCRโs durable solutions positions with various stakeholders and partners.
- Engage with partners in developing and supporting joint advocacy campaigns.
- Advise UNHCR partners and other relevant stakeholders on program criteria, including as may relate to assessing individual cases and undertaking interventions with international government authorities as required.
- Systematically apply UNHCRโs Age, Gender and Diversity perspective in all aspects of work.
- Assist in promoting UNHCRโs durable solutions policies, procedures and guidelines.
- Assist in the submission of up-to-date and accurate statistics, briefing notes and reports as required.
- Perform other related duties as required.
Desired Candidate Profile
-UNHCR experience required.
-Complementary Pathways experience desirable.
-Excellent English oral and written communication skills required.
-Advocacy experience desirable.
-Management skills desirable.
-Experience working with external stakeholders desirable.
-Excellent interpersonal skills are required.
-Experience in counselling, managing refugee expectations, and strong cross-cultural communication skills.
-Experience interacting with vulnerable persons and working with an interpreter.
-Extensive knowledge of UNHCRโs proGres v4 database, Microsoft Office Productivity Software, and excellent computer skills are essential.
-Prior research experience is essential.
-Demonstrated experience meeting targets and tight deadlines.
-Demonstrated planning, organizational and time management skills.
-Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
-Oral communication skills in Hindi is an asset.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted, and they may be required to undergo a written test and/or an interview. The selected candidate will work either from the UNHCR Office or other UNHCR partner locations in New Delhi, India.
Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on the grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity. We work with skilled professionals who are committed to put people first and make a real difference to peopleโs lives.
Standard Job Description
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Desired Languages
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Additional Qualifications
Skills
Education
Certifications
Work Experience
Other informationThis position doesn't require a functional clearance
RemoteNo