Transport Assistant 241 views

Having entered the fifth decade of their displacement, Afghan refugees constitute one of the largest protracted displacement crises of our time. Over the years, the region has remained in flux and return movements have been interspersed with waves of emigration, sporadic flows of refugees, and exponential internal displacement. COVID-19 has pushed millions of vulnerable people further into poverty, with potential implications for population movements within the region and further afield. Hundreds of thousands remain further afield, notably in Germany, other European Union Member States and Turkey.

Between 2002 and 2020 an estimated 7 million Afghans have returned to Afghanistan, with more than 5.2 million being refugees who have voluntarily repatriated with UNHCR’s assistance. Refugee returns during the last three years have been far lower than in previous years, with 2,147 Afghan refugees returned from Pakistan (1,092), Iran (939), and other countries (116) in 2020, the lowest return figure that could be attributed to the deteriorating political, security and economic situation in Afghanistan and the impact of COVID-19. These returns have taken place against a backdrop of increased internal displacement due to conflict and natural disaster. OCHA, estimates that overall, nearly five million persons have been displaced since 2012 and have not returned to their place of origin.

Despite strong political will to achieve peace in Afghanistan, uncertainties result from the current political context, including the significant delays in the intra-Afghan peace negotiations and the withdrawal of US troops as part of the US/Taliban negotiations. There are currently two elements constituting the international military forces in Afghanistan: the US Operation Freedom with 2,500 troops, which were recently reduced from 4,500 troops on 15 January 2021 with a possible complete withdrawal by May 2021; and the NATO Resolute Support with fewer than 12,000 troops from dozens of nations involved in a non-combat mission of training and advising the Afghan security forces.

There are 72,445 refugees living in Afghanistan. Most of this group were displaced from Pakistan to Afghanistan in 2014 and settled in areas of Khost and Paktika provinces. A small number (approximately 380 people) reside in urban areas of Kabul and other cities. Refugees constitute one of the most vulnerable populations in the country. They face significant legal challenges due to the fact that that the National Law on Asylum still has not been enacted.

UNHCR provides international protection and finds solutions to the refugee situation in Afghanistan building upon the ongoing consultations within the context of the Support Platform for the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees (SSAR) and the Global Compact on Refugees. These include the Inaugural Meeting of the Core Group of the SSAR Support Platform (7 October 2020), the 7^th Meeting of the SSAR Quadripartite Steering Committee (1 October 2020), and the High-Level Meeting on the SSAR Support Platform (6 July 2020).

While ongoing security challenges remain significant, there is also an opportunity at present for Afghanistan’s gradual progression on the path towards peace and stability, which could pave the way for the long-awaited solution of voluntary repatriation. UNHCR will expand the Priority Area of Return and Reintegration (PARR) from 20 to 40 areas in 2021. Full, explicit and impactful inclusion of returning refugees into national development planning and programming is essential to enable their sustainable reintegration which will in turn solidify and fortify the broader peacebuilding, reconciliation and stabilization efforts, the integral linkages between timely, inclusive and forward-looking planning for return and reintegration and the three overarching pillars of Afghanistan’s National Peace and Development Framework (ANPDF II) for 2021-2025, as well as relevant implementation mechanisms, including the National Priority Programs (NPPs):

Peacebuilding: ensuring that the imperative of voluntary return and reintegration is firmly embedded in relevant peace processes and any subsequent agreement with a view to enabling returning refugees to become part of cohesive and harmonious communities and to

participate in peacebuilding and reconciliation efforts.

Market-building: capitalizing on the human capital, skills and assets acquired by refugees in host countries to support market-building efforts and address human resource gaps, including through return of qualified individuals, private sector investments or opportunities for regional connectivity; and

State-building: advancing inclusion of the displaced in development processes, planning and programmes; with particular focus on enhancing absorption capacity and delivery of quality services and ensuring rights through targeted humanitarian, development, and peace (triple nexus) investments in priority areas of return and reintegration, building resilience of communities as a whole; in full alignment with the strategic long-term approach to peacebuilding outlined by the President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

The Transport Assistant is part of the Administration Unit and is responsible for transport related activities. The incumbent will regularly interact with staff at different levels in the office or in other duty stations and will also keep frequent contacts with local suppliers or authorities, other external stakeholders such as vehicle maintenance service provider, UN Agency counterparts/peers. The incumbent may supervise Drivers and/or Senior Drivers.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR¿s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties:
– Oversee the fleet of UNHCR-owned vehicles as well as the pool of rented vehicles (if any) through commercial contractors and police escort vehicles (if any, in collaboration with the Security Section and UNDSS), provide administrative assistance related to acquisition, receipt, distribution, maintenance and utilisation.
– Record/register regularly fuel and gas consumption and monthly mileage for all vehicle fleet in the AoR (Area of Responsibility).
– Record/register all travel and driving assignments as per the established record (log) book.
– Update regularly the fleet management software (Fleet Wave) and report any irregularities to the supervisor.
– Report incidents to Global Fleet Management as per the procedures in place and ensure accidents and accidental violation of traffic rules are reported to UNHCR Administration and local police.
– Coordinate the schedules of the maintenance and repair with the maintenance garage and follow up on invoices to ensure they are correctly and timely presented to UNHCR.
– Maintain accurate records of serviced and repaired vehicles within the AoR.
– Provide Administration/Supply with all required documentation for disposal and auctioning process.
– Provide estimations for drivers¿ overtime and per diem and channel drivers’ optional needs to Administration.
– Remain up-to-date with all road networks in the area and their physical status at any given time, be fully conversant with local traffic rules and standards.
– Monitor that UNHCR vehicles are used in accordance with UN Rules and Regulations and usage data is correctly recorded.
– Assign duties to all drivers in the AoR and establish the weekly driver schedule.
– Arrange transportation movements for national and international staff for official visits, road missions, and for international staff during week-ends and after working hours.
– Regularly check if all drivers inspect vehicles and report defects timely in line with the procedures in place.
– Ensure that drivers only drive vehicles when their safety or security are not at risk.
– Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications:
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G4 – 1 year relevant experience with High School Diploma; or Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Certificates and/or Licenses
Driving License;
Auto Mechanics Certificate;
Transportation and Logistics;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential:
Knowledge of driving rules and regulations. Basic skills in office equipment and commonly used machines.

Desirable:
Sound knowledge in motor car maintenance and routine mechanical repairs. Exposure to routine administrative and maintenance functions of UNHCR country operation. Experience in fleet management. Knowledge and working experience of Fleet Wave.

Functional Skills:
DV-Vehicle Management
DV – Basic Vehicle Mechanical Skills
SC-HCR Global Fleet Management Vehicle Insurance scheme
DV-Driving Rules and Regulations
IT-Computer Literacy
IT-Microsoft Excel
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements:
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

The management of the advertised openings in this announcement is in line with UNHCR Recruitment and Assignment Policy (RAP).

The vacancies are open to eligible internal and external applicants.

• Internal applicants are requested to submit their applications through Workday – Menu – Career. It is important that applicants update their Profiles (languages, education and prior working experience) before submitting their applications.
• External applicants are requested to submit their applications through the UNHCR Careers –  Careers (myworkdayjobs.com). You will need to create an account as “New User” and then click on “My Account Information”. Complete the application and submit it.

https://unhcr.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/External/job/Kabul-CO-Afghanistan/Transport-Assistant_JR2326384