Mission and objectives

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people.

Context

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency is a global organization protecting people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. We work in over 130 countries, helping millions of people with life-saving support, safeguarding fundamental human rights, and helping them build a better future (see www.unhcr.org). Since the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, over 2.8 million refugees from Ukraine have entered Bulgaria and until the end of February 2024, the Government of Bulgaria has granted Temporary Protection to more than 197,000 refugees fleeing Ukraine, of whom the majority are women and children. Currently there are more than 70,000 valid temporary protection holders as of October 2024. The Council of Ministers has formed a Task Force for the Ukrainian Refugee Response, focusing on inter-ministerial coordination. UNHCR under its mandate leads and coordinates the Inter-Agency refugee response for the Ukraine Situation, in alignment with the Regional Refugee Response Plan for the Ukraine Situation (RRP) – co-leading with and in support of the Government. Under the Refugee Coordination Mechanism, UNHCR has established the national refugee coordination forum – along with an inter-agency Cash Working Group (led by UNHCR and the Agency for Social Assistance), an Education Working Group (led by UNICEF and UNHCR), a Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Technical Working Group (led by WHO), a Protection and Inclusion Working Group (led by UNHCR), a Protection against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) network (co-led by UNHCR, UNICEF and a local organization) which fall under the inter-agency refugee coordination mechanism. There are currently 19 partners involved in the Refugee Response Plan for 2024. Additionally, Bulgaria as an external EU border, plays a strategic role in refugee protection within Europe. In 2024, Bulgaria’s State Agency for Refugees (SAR) registered over 9,000 asylum seekers as of September, most from Syria and Afghanistan, which have exceeded the asylum application numbers from 2022. SAR operates six reception centers for the registration, Refugee Status Determination procedures and accommodation of asylum seekers. Amid an increase in arrivals of Afghan and Syrian asylum seekers since 2022, UNHCR supports Bulgaria’s Government to ensure policies and legislation are in line with international and EU standards, and promotes a comprehensive refugee response, grounded in a multi-stakeholder, whole-of-society approach. UNHCR supports government-led efforts to provide key protection – including legal assistance, information on services, education and psychosocial support – reception and accommodation, as well as the delivery of core relief items for winterization and cash assistance for the most vulnerable groups. UNHCR’s priority protection interventions include access to territory and asylum procedures, inclusion of refugees in state-led programs, Child Protection and Gender Based Violence prevention, risk mitigation and response, support to persons with specific needs, and mitigation of the risks relating to trafficking and other forms of abuse and exploitation.

Task Description

UNHCR has been working together with the private sector, authorities, and refugee communities to mitigate economic inclusion risks and barriers and facilitate access to jobs and economic inclusion. The current favorable economic context in Bulgaria provides a unique opportunity for the economic inclusion of refugees. While public opinion has been mixed around solidarity with refugees from Ukraine it is important to showcase objective impact of refugees in the host country. To support evidence-based advocacy, UNHCR together or in support of specialized actors will collect and analyze data relevant to planning of interventions and promoting a narrative on refugees’ economic inclusion and impact. UNHCR has built partnerships with the main private sector stakeholders in Bulgaria and is looking for a team member to manage its engagements with them with a view of facilitating the socioeconomic inclusion of refugees. UNHCR Bulgaria has initiated a Refugee Employment Platform that aims to support refugees in finding employment by connecting them with employers, providing necessary information about their rights and obligations, and supporting both parties throughout the hiring process. This project aligns with global efforts to ensure that refugees have access to dignified livelihoods and are empowered to contribute to the host country’s economy. The Refugee Employment Assistant will work closely with colleagues across all units in UNHCR of the operation as well as with external partners to manage and promote the Refugee Employment Platform. In working under the supervision of the Associate Livelihoods Officer, and the Refugee Employment Coordinator, and in close cooperation with the Integration Team, they will be key in operationalizing the strategic vision to align livelihoods and economic inclusion efforts with the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR), which underscores the need to adopt a whole-of-society approach to strengthen refugee self-reliance and help ease pressure on host countries. Promoting economic inclusion of refugees is a key development area that will enable the achievement of these objectives and contribute to the 2030 Agenda’s Sustainable Development Goals. The Refugee Employment Assistant will support the Office in working towards the following objectives: 1) improve the enabling environment for refugees to work through advocacy on the right to/at work, access to economic opportunities and service; 2) strengthen existing partnerships with the civil society, private sector and communities to advance the economic inclusion of refugees; and 3) contribute to ongoing livelihoods and economic inclusion programming through evidence-based and market-driven approaches to improve economic inclusion outcomes. The Refugee Employment Assistant will: – Register job seekers, support content creation (of materials providing necessary information to employers and job seekers) and entry, and support job matching on the digital Refugee Employment Platform. – Maintain close contact and cooperation with partners to facilitate the economic inclusion of refugees through the Platform. – Provide direct support to both refugees and employers, answering questions, guiding them through the platform, and resolving issues. – Work with NGOs and community organizations to inform refugees about the platform and encourage their participation. – Perform other related duties as required.

Competencies and values

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management Experience with human resources or online service platforms is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization; • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Sound security awareness; • Have affinity with or interest in refugee protection, humanitarian field or volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN system. 3 years of relevant working experience is desirable. Working knowledge of Russian, Ukrainian or Arabic is desirable.

Living conditions and remarks

This assignment requires full-time engagement (8 hours/5 days per week). The contract lasts for the period indicated above with the possibility of extensions subject to the availability of funding, operational necessity, and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment. The applicable Volunteer Living Allowance is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities, and normal cost of living expenses. The purpose of the allowances and entitlements paid to UN Volunteers is to enable UN Volunteers to sustain a secure standard of living at the duty stations in line with United Nations standards without incurring personal costs. The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward, or salary in exchange for the UN Volunteer’s service. Contingent on specific eligibility criteria, location of the volunteer assignment, and contractual type and category, the payment of allowances will begin from the date of Commencement of Service. Assignment in Sofia: Monthly Living Allowance (per month): BGN 2120.25 Entry lump sum (one-time payment): USD 50 Please note that the amounts can vary according to fluctuations in the exchange rate. Assignments in Varna and Burgas: Monthly Living Allowance (per month): BGN 1413.58 Entry lump sum (one-time payment): USD 50 Please note that the amounts can vary according to fluctuations in the exchange rate. Medical and life insurance: • Medical insurance: The UN Volunteer will receive UNV-provided medical insurance coverage. • Life Insurance: UN Volunteers are covered by life insurance for the duration of the UN Volunteer assignment. Leave entitlements: • Annual leave: UN Volunteers accrue an entitlement to 2.5 days of Annual Leave per completed month of the UN Volunteer assignment. Unused accrued Annual Leave up to a maximum of 30 days is carried over in case of a contract extension within the same UN Volunteer assignment. Unused accrued Annual Leave may not be carried over in case of reassignment or a new assignment. • Learning leave: Subject to supervisor approval and exigencies of service, UN Volunteers may request up to ten working days of Learning Leave per consecutive 12 months of the UN Volunteer assignment, starting with the Commencement of Service date, provided the Learning Leave is used within the contract period. • Certified Sick Leave: UN Volunteers are entitled to up to 30 days of certified sick leave based on a 12-month cycle. This amount is reset every 12-month cycle. • Uncertified Sick Leave: UN Volunteers receive seven days of uncertified sick leave working days in a calendar year. This amount will be reset at the established interval period. For more information on entitlements please read the Conditions of Service for UN Volunteers: https://explore.unv.org/sites/default/files/2022-12/UNVcos20221%20Complete%20hi-res-final_compressed_NOV22.pdf Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity’s policy.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements