UNV Associate Complementary Pathways Officer - Amman, Jordan

UN Entity: UNHCR - Amman, Jordan

Assignment Context:
The resettlement of refugees from Jordan is currently limited to refugees with compelling protection vulnerabilities in Jordan. In 2024 9,000 refugees will be submitted for resettlement. The current quota for resettlement in 2025 will largely depend on the resettlement countries pledges such as USA, Canada, Sweden, Germany; UNHCR Jordan aims at a figure of resettlement for roughly 7,500 refugees both Syrian and non-Syrian populations.

As the Syrian crisis continues into its twelfth year, Jordan has witnessed ongoing protection needs paired with limited available solutions. In addition, opportunities for local integration remain a legal impossibility and there are limited livelihoods and educations opportunities created by government restrictions and a difficult economic environment. Due to these factors, UNHCR has been working to better support refugees’ access to complementary pathways from Jordan.
Recognizing a multitude of existing pathways and the potential for refugees to secure access to solutions through immigration channels to third countries, UNHCR works with partners and refugee communities to increase knowledge of these avenues and expand access. Since 2019 when UNHCR Jordan started tracking complementary pathways departures, over 1,500 refugees are known to have departed Jordan.
There are opportunities for refugees to access an increasing number of employment and education visas from Jordan. The refugee population in Jordan includes those with in-demand skills and experience, gained both in the home country, as well as in Jordan. Refugees in Jordan are registered to have experience in occupations ranging from skilled trades (mechanics, electricians, carpenters, plumbers, butchers, chefs) to highly skilled professions including engineers, IT, and medical professionals. UNHCR works closely with key partners to facilitate access to third country employment pathways, yet the scale of departures remains low, and additional capacity is needed to support qualified refugees to successfully access available opportunities.
UNHCR Jordan will continue to strengthen and mainstream its engagement in complementary pathways in close coordination with the MENA Protection Service. Throughout 2024 and 2025, the operation plans to support complementary pathways initiatives and partners to better facilitate access to complementary pathways for refugees in Jordan. This will include activities aimed at providing targeted individual case support to refugees seeking to access pathways, strengthening outreach and awareness raising with refugee communities on pathways, improving coordination and partner engagement, and building evidence and best practices.

International UN Volunteers are entitled to:
• Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) at the amount of USD 2538.43 (subject to change in monthly Post Adjustment Modifier).
• Entry lumpsum, Exit lumpsum; and Travel Allowance
• Annual and learning leaves;
• Free Medical and life insurance; and
• Free access to different learning platforms.

For more information on UN Volunteer benefits, entitlements and support, please visit: https://www.unv.org/become-volunteer/volunteer-abroad

Task description:
Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Associate Resettlement and Complementary Pathways Officer or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Associate Complementary Pathways Officer will:

•Coordinate the work of BO Amman to facilitate and improve access to complementary pathways for refugees together with resettlement, livelihoods, education and external relations colleagues;
•Research and map various complementary pathways opportunities available to refugees in Jordan, including through focus group discussions with refugees on existing pathways, information needs, and the obstacles in accessing them;
•Mainstream complementary pathways activities within the operation including through the maintenance of standard operating procedures, ensuring data quality and review, and regular reporting on complementary pathways activities.
•Provide training to UNHCR relevant units/colleagues and key partners on complementary pathways and UNHCR’s role in facilitating complementary pathways;
•Ensure that persons of concern have access to information and accurate messages on complementary pathways and explore innovative ways to design information sharing tools together with refugees;
•Engage with partners who are or have the potential to facilitate the admission of refugees through complementary pathways and work to address barriers to access specific to refugees (e.g. related to documentation, access to embassies, etc.)
•Monitor and advise on integrity issues, and data protection safeguards related to complementary pathways as necessary.
•Work with relevant colleagues to strengthen data on refugee skills and develop advocacy materials highlighting the contributions that refugees in Jordan could make through complementary pathways.
•Support the management and monitoring of UNHCR implementing partnerships aimed at expanding refugee knowledge and awareness of complementary pathways through refugee-led outreach initiatives.
•Provide guidance and support for new pilot initiatives on complementary pathways in the Jordan operation, including around labor migration, educational scholarships, and family reunification.

Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required
Arabic, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable

Required Experience:
4 years of experience in relevant work area (e.g. assisting refugees in case advocacy, assisting with family reunification, community-based protection and outreach activities, coordination and partnership management, etc);
- Working experience in immigration or international refugee law, in counseling or supporting immigrants, refugees/asylum-seekers, and other groups in immigration or humanitarian pathways.
- Knowledge of and/or preparedness to become familiar with and abide by UNHCR’s principles, code of conduct and humanitarian goals;
- Knowledge of the international legal framework governing refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced and statelessness persons;
- Strong understanding of international refugee law, international human rights law, international humanitarian law, and international criminal law are a must;
- Technical knowledge of complementary pathways processes and experience engaging with partners to implement and facilitate such programs, including to test new and innovative models.
- Cross-cultural interviewing experience;
- Awareness of the importance of preventing fraud and ways to mitigate risks;
- Knowledge of or willingness to become familiar with methods for communication with communities, counselling, and information dissemination.
- The Associate Complementary Pathways Officer should be able to work well in a multicultural team.
- The Associate Complementary Pathways Officer should also be ready to provide training and capacity development on pathways to both UNHCR staff and external partners.
- Previous working experience with above-mentioned refugee caseloads, would be an asset;
- Working experience in the Middle East would be an asset;
- Ability to work with proGres (or rapidly learn it) and other computer and technological equipment
Particular other skills needed to fulfil the assignment (experience / demonstrable skills):
- Excellent interviewing and counselling skills;
- Excellent drafting and analytical skills including a background in academic research methods, data collection, and analysis;
- Knowledge of or willingness to become familiar with methods for supporting individual refugees or refugee populations to access Complementary Pathways;
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in teams;
- Ability to work in stressful situations and in hardship locations;
- Have affinity with or interest in refugee protection, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Inclusivity statement:
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Living conditions and remarks
Jordan is a unique country and UNHCR’s Jordan operation is a unique (humanitarian) operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as commitment to make life comfortable and affordable given the expensive living conditions.

Location: The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is located in the Middle East. Bound by Syria to the north, Iraq to the northeast, Saudi Arabia to the east and south, Red Sea to the south and the Palestinian National Authority to the west.

Weather: Jordan’s climate can be classified as semi-arid (Bsh) on the Koeppen-Geiger classification. It features a hot, dry climate characterized by long, hot, dry summers and short, cool winters. The climate is influenced by Jordan's location between the subtropical aridity of the Arabian desert areas and the subtropical humidity of the eastern Mediterranean area. January is the coldest month, with temperatures from 5°C to 10°C, and August is the hottest month at 20°C to 35°C. Daily temperatures can be quite hot, especially in the summer; on some days it can be 40°C or more, especially when a hot, dry southerly wind blows. Such winds can sometimes be very strong and can cause sandstorms.
About 70 percent of the average rainfall in the country falls between November and March; June through August are often rainless. Rainfall varies from season to season and from year to year. Precipitation is often concentrated in violent storms, causing erosion and local flooding, especially in the winter months.

Safety and Security: Jordan is a relatively stable country. The potentials for internal or external armed conflict are considered very unlikely in the current political environment. Peaceful demonstrations, and sometimes road blockages, do occur in Jordan, motivated by domestic factors such as unemployment, deprivation of resources and development or for regional issues such as solidarity with the Palestinian cause or with the Syrian crises. Most of these events are driven by civil society unions and Islamic parties. Domestic tribal civil unrest sometimes turns violent, especially outside main cities, due to tribal disputes or socio-economic reasons. In all occasions law enforcement agencies usually manage to contain the situation rapidly.
Road traffic accidents are the primary threat against UN personnel in Jordan. Poor road conditions and bad driving behaviours are the main reasons for the high rate of traffic accidents.
Amman is a category A duty station with security level 1.

Transportation and housing: Taxis as well as ride-hailing services (Uber and Careem) are abundant and affordable in Amman. Medical facilities are generally very good, particularly in Amman where there are several modern, well-equipped public and private hospitals. Public minibuses are the most common form of public transport. They normally only leave when full, so waiting times of an hour or more are inevitable, especially in rural areas. The larger air-con buses offer a speedy and reliable service, departing according to a fixed schedule. Housing is readily available with rents for one- to two-bedroom apartments ranging between 500 and 800 JD (1 JD = 0.708 USD) depending on the location.

Health Services: Medical facilities are generally very good, particularly in Amman where there are several modern, well-equipped public and private hospitals. Almost all doctors (and most pharmacists) speak English; many have studied abroad.

Language: The official language of Jordan is Arabic, but English is widely spoken – especially in the cities. Many Jordanians have travelled or have been educated abroad so French, German, Italian and Spanish are also spoken, but to a lesser extent.

Learn more about Jordan from the Ministry of Tourism’s website:
https://www.mota.gov.jo/Default/En