Statelessness Officer

Statelessness Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Statelessness Officer, under the direct supervision of a senior protection colleague, and in close collaboration with the Division of International Protection (DIP) Statelessness Section, provides legal and policy support to operations relating to statelessness, as well as guidance and advice on operational planning and practices to ensure that effective activities to address statelessness are undertaken in the area of responsibility (AoR).
The incumbent maintains close working relations with focal points on statelessness in the AoR and with UN sister agencies, other intergovernmental organizations including non-governmental organizations, embassies and academic institutions. S/he represents the Organization on statelessness law, doctrine and policy.

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.

Duties
- Assist in the mainstreaming of statelessness into all relevant regional and/or country plans and strategies.
- Advocate with Senior Management to help ensure that the necessary resources are allocated to address statelessness.
- Ensure a consistent application of international standards for the prevention and reduction of statelessness in line with the Organization's global, regional and country level priorities, including the #IBelong Campaign as well as UNHCR policy guideline.
- Assist with the development of a country/regional strategy for the prevention and reduction of statelessness and support Country Operation(s) in the development of national strategies and operational activities to address statelessness.
- Provide technical advice on nationality law and statelessness determination procedures, operational responses, including resolving protracted situations and civil status registration and documentation.
- Support mapping of statelessness situations; identify information gaps and provide technical guidance to help address them, including research and profiling activities.
- Engage with strategic partners, including in particular relevant regional bodies; development human rights actors, including children¿s rights and minorities¿ rights actors to strengthen their work on statelessness.
- Advise on individual cases and situations raising special questions of application or interpretation of International Law.
- Ensure that instances of arbitrary deprivation of nationality, expulsion of stateless persons and other serious protection incidents are immediately identified and reported to management and the Statelessness Section.
- Engage with legal aid partners at the regional and national levels to promote legal assistance to stateless persons.
- Enhance capacity building programmes for government counterparts, civil society partners and UNHCR Operations with the aim of enhancing protection and solutions for stateless persons.
- Promote and support the implementation of any regional framework to address statelessness.
- Where appropriate, promote cross-country cooperation to address and reduce statelessness.
- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P3/NOC - 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Law; or other relevant field.
(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Certificates and/or Licenses
*Statelessness UNHCR course;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
At least 6 years of progressively responsible, relevant professional experience (5 years with Advanced University degree), including 2 years of working experience at the international level and substantial experience working on nationality or statelessness issues. Strong knowledge of international legal standards related to statelessness and UNHCR's doctrine on statelessness is required.

Desirable
Experience working for UNHCR on statelessness and strong knowledge of UNHCR's policies and programs is desirable.

Functional Skills
PR-International Legal Standards on Statelessness
PR-Statelessness- Doctrinal issues on nationality and statelessness
PR-Statelessness- Principles and Procedures, operational arrangements/assistance
PR-Human Rights Doctrine/Standards
LE-Draft legal opinions
LE-International Law
LE-Legal Research
PR-Civil Registration
PR-Gender Equality
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.




All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates. C001L3 - Accountability Level 3
C002L3 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 3
C003L3 - Communication Level 3
C004L3 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 3
C005L3 - Client & Result Orientation Level 3
C006L3 - Organizational Awareness Level 3
M001L3 - Empowering and Building Trust Level 3
M002L3 - Managing Performance Level 3
M006L3 - Managing Resources Level 3
M005L3 - Leadership Level 3
M003L3 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 3
M004L3 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 3
X002L3 - Innovation and Creativity Level 3
X001L3 - Analytical Thinking Level 3
X003L3 - Technological Awareness Level 3

Please note that UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing, training or any other fees).

The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.

Please note that the closing date for positions advertised in the September 2021 Compendium is Wednesday 20 October 2021 (midnight Geneva time).