Sudan has been hosting large numbers of refugees from neighbouring countries. In February 1974, Sudan acceded to the 1951 Convention and its 1967 Protocol and in November 1978 to the 1969 OAU Convention. In April 1974, it adopted the Asylum Act which allocated main responsibilities in the reception of asylum seekers to the Commissioner for Refugees (COR) under the Minister of Interior and contained basic provisions on the registration, recognition and documentation of refugees. The status and treatment of refugees in Sudan is governed by the Asylum (Organization) Act 2014 under the supervision of COR. .

As of 30th April 2021, there were a total of 1,085,845 Persons of Concern (POCs) in Sudan; mainly from South Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Syria, Yemen, DRC and various other countries. A majority of refugees in East Sudan are from Eritrea and Ethiopia, comprising both a protracted population and newly arriving refugees. Most of them reside in refugee camps and rural settlements, the rest stay in urban locations, primarily Gedaref, Kassala and Port Sudan. The urban caseload in Khartoum is made up of Ethiopians, Eritreans, Somalis, South Sudanese, Congolese, and other nationalities. The Office will continue its strategy of identifying the most vulnerable refugees for resettlement consideration based on their presenting protection needs, prioritizing the most vulnerable. These include women and girls at risk, minorities including sexual and gender minorities, survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), victims of trafficking, and children at risk.

The Associate Resettlement Officer ( Case Identification) position will be located at the UNHCR Sub-Office Kassala, with roving functions mainly to Khartoum, Sudan. Under the supervision of the Resettlement & Complementary Pathways Officer, the incumbent’s primary role is to assist in the effective resettlement delivery in accordance with the UNHCR Resettlement Handbook and relevant policy papers and publications. The Associate Resettlement Officer provides important support in his/her Area of Responsibility (AOR) through resettlement casework. The incumbent maintains frequent contacts with his/her supervisor, relevant colleagues within the same office and the Regional Bureau to exchange information and discuss issues on resettlement cases. Some limited contacts and communication at a working level are required with embassy/immigration officials of resettlement countries, IOM as well as with other partners regarding resettlement as well as needs of people of concern to UNHCR.

Duties and responsibilities

• Assist the Resettlement and Complementary Pathways Officer in all aspects of case identification including screening, profiling, referral review and liaison with other units to ensure a steady flow of cases identified for resettlement processing.
• Assist the Resettlement and Complementary Pathways Officer in capacity building activities on resettlement and in particular assist in developing relevant material to build the capacity of resettlement, protection and other relevant staff and entities on resettlement including ongoing coaching and support to protection staff involved in case identification. Assist in strengthening internal referral pathways
• Assist the Resettlement and Complementary Pathways Officer in the management of deferrals in resettlement casework, including internal and resettlement country deferrals
• Assist in other casework including case reviews and referrals as assigned
• Regularly update the ProGres database with resettlement events and maintain case identification and own statistical data for reporting purposes;
• Assist the office in managing refugees’ expectations through information sharing, outreach and counselling of refugees on resettlement;
• Support and contribute to measures that enhance the prevention, detection and response to fraud committed by persons of concern generally and in resettlement and complementary pathways.
• Regularly liaise with colleagues in the Protection and Community Services Units in SO Kassala;
• Participate in Resettlement Unit, Protection Section and Office meetings;
• Undertake missions to the field/ camps on regular basis with periodic planned roving to Khartoum;
• Assist in the production of up-to-date and accurate statistics, analytical reports on resettlement and complementary pathways, updates and briefing notes, including the trends, the country/ region’s performance in meeting resettlement targets, challenges and responses.
• Contribute to comprehensive protection and solutions strategies in the country operation or region.
• Perform any other resettlement related activities as required.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

• Identification of 10 to 15 cases per week, depending on travel time, identification methodology. Provide ongoing capacity building to inform resettlement case identification.**
• Preparation of interim reports for assignments of 6 months or more or as necessary. A final report covering the entire period of his/her assignment is compulsory. The report shall contain a description of activities and the data collected regarding number of cases identified, number of persons whose capacity built etc.

Essential minimum qualifications and professional experience required

• A university degree in international law / refugee law, political science, social sciences – preferably in social work etc;
• Fluency and very good working knowledge of English.
• Knowledge in other relevant languages (e.g. Arabic or refugee languages, Tigre, Tigrinya, Amharic) an added advantage

Essential

• At least 5 years of professional work experience relevant to refugee protection work, preferably within the international capacity. Demonstrated experience in casework or case management, preferably in a refugee or immigration context.
• At least 5 years resettlement casework experience, with at least 2 years review or other relevant experience is required.
• Demonstrable capacity building experience.
• Awareness of the importance of ensuring confidentiality and preventing fraud and ways to mitigate risks.
• Excellent interviewing and counselling skills following an AGDM approach.
• Excellent drafting and analytical skills.
• English is the working language for resettlement, hence fluency in English is required.

Desirable

• Sound understanding and ability to implement UNHCR’s policy and global strategic priorities, such as AGDM, IDP, Statelessness, and HIV/AIDS, in the area of responsibility at appropriate level.**
• Experience working in a multi-cultural environment.**
• Knowledge of the international legal framework governing refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons and statelessness.
• Knowledge of UNHCR guidelines on BIDs and BIAs and resettlement.
• Training in Protection, Resettlement and Facilitation Learning Programmes is an added advantage.
• Diverse field experience.**

Functional Skills

• Good knowledge of resettlement issues and UNHCR resettlement policies and operational applications.
• Completion of UNHCR specific learning/training activities, including Resettlement Learning Program

Language Requirements

Knowledge of English.

Location

The successful candidate will be based with the team in the UN City in Kassala, Sudan. With travel to other states within Sudan.

Remuneration

Monthly fees range between USD $ 6000 to $12000, depending on the level of expertise of the candidate. Daily subsistence allowance for travel with Sudan will be payable as applicable.