Mission and objectivesThe Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees was established on December 14, 1950, by the United Nations General Assembly. The agency is mandated to provide protection (including assistance) and seek durable solutions for millions of refugees around the world. The UNHCR Office in China was established in 1979. China has been party to the 1951 Convention and 1967 Protocol since 1982, but has yet to establish a national asylum system. In the current context, UNHCR registers asylum seekers, conducts individual refugee status determination under its mandate, seeks durable solutions for refugees, and provides assistance to the refugee population in China’s mainland. UNHCR works with the Government authorities to build domestic capacity and will continue working with all stakeholders in China to ensure refugees and asylum-seekers receive adequate protection and assistance. UNHCR China also undertakes awareness raising (public information) and resource mobilization for its global operations.
ContextThe UNV’s Assignment contributes to UNHCR’s support towards strengthening the asylum environment on China’s mainland while delivering high-quality protection and assistance programs for refugees and asylum seekers. To safeguard the integrity of its work, and ensure timely and adequate responses, UNHCR maintains close engagement with refugees (by remote and field visits) while recording and maintaining their information. UNHCR produces statistical reports and undertakes analysis on various issues related to the situation of refugees and asylum seekers. Workshops and knowledge sharing are conducted to promote government capacities on asylum and refugee protection. Thus, the UNV’s Assignment will support the following three aspects of work: (i) data management, analysis and reporting; (ii) timely communication with communities (CwC); and (iii) organizing protection events and activities. He or she will be part of UNHCR’s Protection Unit, engage with refugees and asylum seekers and interact with certain government counterparts and local partners.
Task DescriptionUnder the direct supervision of the Assistant Protection Officer, the National UN Youth Volunteer will: 1. Support to UNHCR Protection Data Management and Reporting · Assist in the digitalising of data and information · Support the management of digital files to ensure compliance with Standard Operating Procedures · Contribute to the preparation of routine or thematic reports such as infographics or statistics. 2. Contribute to Engagement with Refugees and Asylum Seekers · Participate in conducting surveys or questionnaires aimed at understanding the situation, needs and possible solutions to refugee concerns. · Monitor refugee communication through all channels, and support in the identification of urgent needs. · Assist in the systematic channelling of queries to the relevant staff in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures. · Monitor and ensure that refugee inquiries and communication are constantly recorded for ease of follow-up, while contributing to analysis as necessary. · Support in providing basic written responses or phone counselling for general/routine queries. Participate in face-to-face interactions with refugees where possible/necessary. 3. Assist in planning and organization of UNHCR field visits and events · Support the organization of UNHCR field activities through the preparation of schedules, contacting refugees and preparing the necessary background information. · Contribute to planning and implementing events such as workshops or meetings with external and internal counterparts. 4. Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: · Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); · Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; · Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities. · In line with UNHCR policies/consultation with the host agency, contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; · Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; · Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.
Competencies and values· Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNHCR; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable UNHCR procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity as well as empathy to work with refugees and asylum seekers; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; · Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNHCR in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; · Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; · Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. · Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; · Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, ability to communicate empathetically to people who have faced previous trauma and/or undergoing difficulties; including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations while keeping an open mind; ability to work with staff (including international staff), counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; · Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNHCR’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.
Living conditions and remarksThe UNV Assignment’s duty station is in Beijing. UNHCR provides for an interesting, dynamic and enriching environment. It also requires a level of political and cultural awareness as the Office has different functional units and engages a wide range of local and international partners. UNHCR conducts counselling of asylum seekers and refugees on its premises. Beijing city is divided into six districts: Dongcheng, Xicheng, Chaoyang, Haidian, Fengtai and Shijingshan. The city is a transportation hub, traversed by six ‘ring roads’ that simplify navigation. The subway system is the second most extensive in the world, after Shanghai There are two airports namely Beijing Capital International Airport and Beijing Daxing International Airport, 75 kilometres between the two airports, transportation is connected by metro (2.5 hours, with transfers), taxi (1.5 hrs). As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. The candidate can refer to https://app.unv.org/calculator on full entitlements, while the complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.