Title of Post Associate CRR (Comprehensive Refugee Response) Officer (Development Economist)
Grade NOB
Type of Appointment Temporary Appointment (TA)
Date of Issue 02/03/2018
Closing Date 16/03/2018
Location Addis Ababa
Duration of the Contract Six Months
No. of vacant post One
General Background
On 19 September 2016, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the New York Declaration on Refugees and Migrants, calling for greater burden sharing by the international community to support the world’s largest refugee hosting states. The New York Declaration called on UNHCR to develop and initiate the application of the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF) in close coordination with relevant states and in collaboration with relevant UN agencies, applying a multi-stakeholder approach. The objectives of implementing the CRRF are to: (i) ease pressure on host countries, (ii) enhance refugee self-reliance, (iii) expand access to third-country solutions and (iv) support conditions in countries of origin for return in safety and dignity.
The New York Declaration and the CRRF stress the need to engage development actors in a sustainable response for refugees and host communities. The CRRF promotes inclusion of refugees in the delivery of national services, such as education and health, as well as national development plans and programmes, supporting these priorities where possible. The CRRF aims to bring on board partners into the refugee response, including those who have been less involved in refugee response, by mobilising their respective areas of expertise and interest to contribute to a broad-based response.
UNHCR, together with partners and with the lead of host country governments, is rolling-out the CRRF in a number of pilot countries in 2017. The aim is to measure initial progress and extract lessons learnt to inform preparations for the Global Compact for Refugees in the first half of 2018. The government of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia has confirmed its willingness to pilot the CRRF. Preparations for detailed planning started jointly by the UNHCR and partners in January 2017.
The CRRF in Ethiopia aims to address the protracted refugee situation and provide support to local integration of refugees in the country. Special attention will be paid to the implementation of the pledges made by the Government of Ethiopia during the Leaders’ Summit that took place in September 2016. The CRRF will build on and complement existing strategies, coordination and funding mechanisms, incorporating both humanitarian and development actors. In particular, concerted efforts shall be made to consolidate the partnership with development actors with a view to bridging the gap between humanitarian and development interventions. The ongoing collaborations with the World Bank and the IKEA Foundation speak to UNHCR’s commitment to innovate in order to enhance the self-reliance of both refugees and host community members. The CRRF coordination mechanisms for Ethiopia are being developed in close coordination with the Government of Ethiopia and partners.
The roll-out of the CRRF in Ethiopia requires intensive efforts throughout pilot countries, including consultations with a broad range of internal and external interlocutors at national, regional and district levels – in particular, the various government offices which need to be involved as part of the CRRF roll-out. Against this background, UNHCR is hiring an Associate CRR Officer (Development Economist) as part of the temporary support staff with the dedicated role to support the roll-out of the CRRF in the Ethiopia Operation.
Organizational Context
The Associate CRR Officer (Development Economist) will work under the supervision and guidance of the Senior Solutions and Development Officer. The incumbent will assist his/her supervisor to maintain an overview of trends and policy debates on refugee and host community related economic development issues, develop a private sector engagement strategy for the CRRF in Ethiopia and contribute to planning, implementing, and reporting on CRRF initiatives in Ethiopia
Accountability
Comprehensive overview of trends and policies relevant to refugee and host community related economic development issues will be maintained.
UNHCR's CRRF policy related dialogue and operational engagement with Government and partners will be supported with information, advice, and strategies for economic development.
Responsibility
Monitors the emerging trends and policy debates on refugee and host community related economic development issues in Ethiopia;
Undertakes research and policy analysis, and advises various UNHCR teams at Addis Ababa and field levels on economic development-related issues and their linkages to the CRRF and UNHCR programmes;
Compile, research, analyse, and interpret refugee and host community related economic and statistical data and broader development issues to support the preparation of CRRF-related analyses, reports, and strategies;
Supports and complements the policy, analytical and operational activities of the Snr. Development Advisors and other members of the CRRF Team;
Contributes to UNHCR’s CRRF-related policy dialogue and operational engagement with the various Government of Ethiopia entities, UN agencies, development and humanitarian partners, multilateral banks, private sector, and donors;
Provides inputs to various CRRF-related reports and analytical activities related to economic development issues;
Contributes to national, regional and woreda-level CRRF-related inter-agency initiatives on economic/development issues;
Prepare speaking points, briefing materials and technical presentations on CRRF-related economic development topics.
Authority
Represent UNHCR in meetings with external stakeholders, as requested by supervisor.
Job Requirement
Essential Minimum Qualifications and Experience
University degree in economics, development economics, economic planning, quantitative economics, or equivalent qualifications.
Minimum 4 years (2 years with advanced University degree) relevant professional experience, both in the humanitarian and development context is essential.
Excellent computer skills, including Excel, Word and Power Point
Excellent knowledge of English and working knowledge of language of the region.
Desirable Qualifications & Competencies
Relevant experience at on national/local development planning, economic analysis or development projects.
Previous experience in the design and implementation of development projects, technical assistance or policy advisory experience.
Extensive experience in research and policy-level analysis, including in formulation, monitoring and evaluation of strategies and development programmes/projects.
Substantive knowledge of development economics issues with good synthesizing skills;
Excellent analytical skills as demonstrated, for example, by prior experience in policy-oriented studies.
Completion of UNHCR Learning Programmes or specific training relevant to functions of position.