The UNHRC Entry-Level Humanitarian Professional Programme

July 31, 2013

Application Deadline: August 31st 2013

Established in December 1950, UNHCR is mandated to lead and coordinate international action to protect and assist refugees, internally displaced people and others of concern. In more than six decades, UNHCR has helped tens of millions of people restart their lives. In 2012 alone, the agency had responsibility for 35.8 million people of concern and operated in more than 120 countries.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), also known as the UN Refugee Agency, is a United Nations agency mandated to protect and support refugees at the request of a government or the UN itself and assists in their voluntary repatriation, local integration or resettlement to a third country.

The UNHRC headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland and is a member of the United Nations Development Group.^[1] The UNHCR has won two Nobel Peace Prizes, once in 1954 and again in 1981

The Entry-Level Humanitarian Professional Programme, or EHP, is a competitive point of entry into UNHCR for talented professionals under 40 years of age who have a passion for humanitarian work. This recruitment initiative is designed to identify highly qualified and motivated individuals with the right profiles, willing to be deployed to locations where they are needed most.

Selected candidates will join the programme at the P2 level on a two-year cohort program and will be deployed to the field after having completed a comprehensive orientation program in early 2014. The EHP is open to both external and internal applicants.

Eligibility

Applicants will need to fulfill the following minimum requirements:

Advanced university degree, at least a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution;
Two years of relevant working experience in the respective functional area;
Excellent knowledge of English and at least one other UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish). Additional languages are an asset;
Ability to work in a multicultural team;
Willingness to serve in conflict zones, deep field locations;
Willingness to rotate every few years.

In addition, UNHCR staff members should have completed at least one year of their current assignment as of the cut-off date for applications. General Service and field staff at the GS-6/GS-7 and FS-5 levels who do not have a bachelor’s degree but who have a minimum of six years of experience in UNHCR, will also be eligible to apply.

Applicants are reminded that this is a competitive program and are requested to provide as much updated information as possible.

Selection Process

Career Opportunities

Candidates are invited to apply to the following job profiles (without any specific location):

EHP – Associate Protection Officer
EHP – Associate Programme Officer
EHP – Associate Supply Officer
EHP – Associate Administrative/Finance Officer
EHP – Associate Human Resources Officer

Additional information on the job profiles is provided below:

Protection: Coordinate, ensure quality, provide timely and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern, ensuring that operational responses in all sectors mainstream protection methodologies and integrate protection safeguards.
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Programme: Assist in the planning, programming, implementation and monitoring of assistance projects to persons of concern.
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Supply: Manage and support all activities pertaining to the supply chain function including planning, sourcing, transport, shipping, customs clearance and warehousing management in an operation.
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Administrative/Finance: Assist in the day-to-day personnel and administrative operations of the office. Control and check the monthly accounts and various administrative activities, in order to verify and certify disbursements are in accordance with the administrative budget and UNHCR’s Financial Rules.
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Human Resources: Assist in the process of staffing and budget reviews, recruitment and appointment of staff, and in the performance management and staff welfare issues.
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Offer of Employment

All selected candidates must accept the offer within two weeks of notification.
Appointment as an EHP cohort member will be subject to satisfactory medical examination; verification of references; and certification of valid diplomas.