United Nations High Commissioner For Refugees
The UN refugee agency emerged in the wake of World War II to help Europeans displaced by that conflict. Optimistically, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees was established on December 14, 1950 by the United Nations General Assembly with a three-year mandate to complete its work and then disband. The following year, on July 28, the United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees - the legal foundation of helping refugees and the basic statute guiding UNHCR's work - was adopted.
By 1956 UNHCR was facing its first major emergency, the outpouring of refugees when Soviet forces crushed the Hungarian Revolution. Any expectation that UNHCR would become unnecessary has never resurfaced. In the 1960s, the decolonization of Africa produced the first of that continent's numerous refugee crises needing UNHCR intervention. Over the following two decades, UNHCR had to help with displacement crises in Asia and Latin America. By the end of the century there were fresh refugee problems in Africa and, turning full circle, new waves of refugees in Europe from the series of wars in the Balkans.
The start of the 21st Century has seen UNHCR helping with major refugee crises in Africa, such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Somalia, and Asia, especially the 30-year-old Afghan refugee problem. At the same time, UNHCR has been asked to use its expertise to also help many internally displaced by conflict. Less visibly, it has expanded its role in helping stateless people, a largely overlooked group numbering millions of people in danger of being denied basic rights because they do not have any citizenship. In some parts of the world, such as Africa and Latin America, the original 1951 mandate has been strengthened by agreement on regional legal instruments.
In 1954, the new organization won the Nobel Peace Prize for its ground-breaking work in helping the refugees of Europe. Its mandate had just been extended until the end of the decade. More than a quarter century later, UNHCR received the 1981 award for what had become worldwide assistance to refugees, with the citation noting the political obstacles facing the organization. From only 34 staff members when UNHCR was founded, it now has more than 7,190 national and international members of staff, including 702 in UNHCR's Geneva headquarters. The agency works in 123 countries, with staff based in 124 main locations such as regional and branch offices and 272 often remote sub-offices and field offices.
The budget has grown from US$300,000 in its first year to more than US$3.32 billion in 2011. There are more than 43 million uprooted people worldwide. UNHCR now deals with 36.4 million people of concern to UNHCR: 15.6 million internally displaced people, 10.4 million refugees, 2.5 million returnees, 6.5 million stateless people, more than 980,000 asylum seekers and more than 400,000 other persons of concern. An organization with a three-year mandate to solve the problem of refugees celebrated its 60th anniversary on 14 December 2010, aware that the humanitarian needs are unlikely to disappear.
The following positions are available as follows:
Title of Post: Driver/ Clerk
Post Number: 10010392
Location: UNHCR Office, Abuja.
Date of Entry on Duty: 1 May 2011 Category and Level GL3
Closing Date: 18 April 2011
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The driver/ clerk position in the office fall under direct supervision of the administrative officer/ assistant. He/she will be responsible for up keep and maintenance of the assigned UNHCR vehicle(s) as per technical guidance and specifications established by the organisation. He/She is required to follow strict instructions and security guidance provided by !he supervisor. In addition, the incumbent is also required to perform assigned clerical/ maintenance tasks. The specific functions include:
1. Drive UNHCR vehicles for various official mission, courier services and for other official assignments; as and when transport service is provided to officials passengers (almost always UNHCR/ UN officials or otherwise authorized persons by the Administrative Officer). it is the incumbents responsibility to ensure that the passengers follow the standard security measures during the journey;
2. Provide assistance to the UNHCRJUN staff at the immigration and entry/exit points to the country; it involves providing guidance in customs clearance and assisting in immigration formalities;
3. Be responsible for UNHCR courier/ pouch service and other errands that maybe required within the administration of the office;
4. Ensure that all UNHCR vehicles are road worthy and are maintained up to be established security standards; in case a vehicle(s) is not up to standard, he/she should bring it to the immediate attention of the Office administration;
5. Be responsible for the vehicle log book: it requires that the incumbent record/ register all travel and during assignments as per established record (log) book. Failure to have an up to date and accurate log book is considered as violation of driving code of the office;
QUALIFICATIONS
• Education and Skills: Completion of the Secondary Education With fluency in the reading, writing and comprehension of the local language(s).
• Valid national driving license with a minimum of 4 years accident free experience in motor car and 4 wheels drive vehicles for an International organisation or a reputed government/ private establishment
• Sound knowledge in motor car maintenance and routine mechanical repairs.
• Practical knowledge of UNHCR, its functions and responsibilities.
• Proven ability to deal with multiple tasks in a courteous and service oriented manner in demanding working conditions.
• Exposure to routine administrative and maintenance functions of UNHCR country
EXPERIENCE
Four years of progressively responsible Driver! Clerk in International Organisation. Formal training in motor mechanics and vehicle maintenance.
LANGUAGE
Good knowledge of the local language(s) and the working knowledge in English and/or French.
METHOD OF APPLICATION
If you wish to be considered for the post, please address your application to the
Administrative/Programme Associate,
UNHCR, Branch Office,
Abuja (UN House, Central Area District)
to reach not later than 18th April 2011.
