INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTOR
Caribbean Relations Associate - Caribbean Protection Unit
August – December 2016
UNHCR Regional Representation
Washington DC, USA
Terms of Reference
Operational Context
The Caribbean region is confronted with an increasingly complex phenomenon of mixed migration
that involves asylum-seekers, refugees, victims of human trafficking and stateless persons, along with
other categories of migrants. The States and territories in the Caribbean themselves are source,
destination and transit countries for thousands of individuals crossing an international border,
including persons in need of international protection, each year. The region is also a gateway for
refugees and asylum-seekers trying to reach North America within larger groups of migrants by land,
air and sea and has recently witnessed a sharp rise in the number of extra-continental arrivals, in
particular from Syria.
The Caribbean context, while extremely diverse, is characterized by the absence of systematic
protection-sensitive entry and referral mechanisms, ineffective protection screening mechanisms,
and nascent or non-existent government asylum procedures. As a result, only a relatively small
number of persons of concern are being identified and registered as asylum-seekers, out of a much
larger volume of vulnerable migrants moving through the Caribbean. There are also insufficient
practical and legal measures in place to safeguard the effective application of the principle of nonrefoulement. Meanwhile, the wide geographical dispersion of refugees, throughout small Caribbean
islands and coastal States, pose particular logistical challenges for UNHCR in identifying and addressing
their protection needs and achieving durable solutions.
With large numbers of movements of persons into and across the Caribbean being undertaken in
unseaworthy vessels, critical incidents and deaths at sea have been on the rise. 1 Incidents often go
unreported and, in the absence of a comprehensive data collection system, the actual extent of the
problem is likely even greater than suggested by the numbers.
Many governments in the Caribbean implement mandatory or blanket administrative detention, as a
first-response to all individuals with irregular migration status, regardless of vulnerability or protection
1 The number of irregular migrants in the Caribbean traveling by sea
has steadily increased over the years. Maritime incidents
have been reported on an almost daily basis. In 2015, the Caribbean Protection Unit recorded 202 maritime incidents (as
compared to 152 reported incidents in 2014), involving a total of 5041 persons. During this period of time, 26 deaths and 26
missing persons were reported. These incidents included 2603 Cuban nationals (51% of persons involved), 1776 Haitian
nationals (35% of persons involved), and 309 Dominican nationals (6%). During the US fiscal year 2015 the number of Cuban
individuals who attempted to migrate to United States by sea has increased by 111% from fiscal year 2014.
The sea routes are however only one dimension of the mixed migration phenomenon in the region. The majority of persons
in need of international protection are traveling by air or uses a combination of means of travel. This is increasingly the case
since early 2014, when as a result of the changes in the migration regime Cubans have been able to leave their country by
air without serious restrictions. The same is the case for the increasing arrivals of asylum-seekers from outside the Americas,
such as Syrians, and nationals from diverse African and Asian countries.
needs. Detention centres are often overcrowded and lack appropriate conditions of hygiene and
security. In some cases, irregular migrants are held together with criminals. This, together with a lack
of a sufficiently explicit and detailed legal framework and access to competent legal representation,
in addition to scarce information on detention practice, and few mechanisms to review the lawfulness
of detention, often results in arbitrary and or prolonged detention in conditions that fall far below
international minimum standards. Despite its magnitude, this problem has remained largely invisible
due to the absence of systematic detention monitoring. At the same time, during visits to several
detention facilities, UNHCR identified numerous cases in need of international protection. However,
some positive developments are emerging, with several Caribbean countries gradually introducing
alternatives to detention.
The adoption of the Brazil Plan of Action set in motion commitments to create a regional consultative
process in the Caribbean. In 2015, UNHCR and IOM held bilateral consultations with a number of
countries and identified champions that confirmed their interest and support for the creation of such
a mechanism for the Caribbean. In order to begin this process, UNHCR organized a preparatory
meeting for the Caribbean in Belize City in January 2016, with the participation of Aruba, The Bahamas,
Belize, the Cayman Islands, Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
This led to the creation of the Caribbean Migration Consultations (CMC). During the second half of
2016, 25 countries from across the Caribbean will be invited to the first substantive meeting of the
CMC to be held in Trinidad and Tobago. The overall intent of the meeting will be to create a regional
forum and develop a coordinated approach to mixed migration management. More specifically, this
meeting aims to establish a Caribbean Information Management Centre for regional data collection
and information sharing. Another goal will be to create systematic Migration Policy Consultations,
which can lead to periodic meetings of Chief Immigration Officers. Together with IOM, UNHCR will
provide technical support for the CMC.
The further development of this new forum for dialogue in the Caribbean will also provide the
opportunity to promote a stronger human rights based approach to mixed migration in the region and
to help enhance reception capacities, including through the application of alternatives to detention.
The CMC will also be a valuable platform to advance other key protection goals, such as the
establishment of functioning asylum systems and the promotion of comprehensive durable solutions
(local integration).
This will be pursued by developing effective solidarity-sharing mechanisms in the region with a view
to enhancing safeguards to prevent refoulement (including through bilateral and multilateral
agreements), ensuring proper screening and referral mechanisms, providing enhanced reception
conditions, as well as access to asylum procedures for all persons who may be in need of international
protection. This will involve targeted capacity-building, as well as the development of tools and
monitoring of practices of States in the management of mixed migratory flows. The inclusion of
refugee protection as one of the three main strands of the CMC will present new opportunities to
promote international refugee protection standards, for example through the presentation of a model
refugee law for the Caribbean, through the sharing of good eligibility practices and the introduction
of a new methodology of the Quality Assurance Initiative adjusted to emerging asylum systems in the
region.
Furthermore, the creation of a Caribbean Asylum Support Office will be considered to provide
additional capacity on a regional basis, not only to promote common approaches but also to respond
to the needs in countries that will not develop a full-fledged asylum system. In this sense, the
partnership that UNHCR is currently developing with the CARICOM Implementing Agency for Crime
and Security based in Port of Spain could help to support these efforts and contribute to the
consolidation of the CMC.
The successful organization of the Caribbean Partners Network conference in Aruba in May 2015 and
the more proactive engagement by the Red Cross partners on issues related to the protection of
persons of concern to UNHCR, has also generated the need for the Caribbean Protection Unit to
enhance its outreach and to share information (statistical data, policy developments, information on
main countries of origin, Caribbean newsletter etc.) in a more systematic and organized manner.
The incorporation of the Caribbean in the protection framework of the wider Americas is providing
new opportunities for capacity-building and exchanges across the region. Among the tangible results
is the organization of more regional events in the Caribbean or with the participation of Caribbean
representatives. The demands on the CPU to provide the necessary logistical support have therefore
also increased.
The CMC will demand government outreach, strategic engagement on great familiarity with the
region, substantive knowledge, and logistical organization. Additionally, the Annual UNHCR Regional
Course on Refugee Protection and Statelessness will be held for the second consecutive time in the
Caribbean in 2016. The event is scheduled to take place in June in Trinidad &Tobago. Other regional
conferences are also expected to be held this year, such as the Alternatives to Detention workshop,
which will not only require logistical, but substantial government outreach in order to have adequate
participation. Clearly, the demands on the CPU to provide the necessary support for such regional
conferences have increased.
Towards that effect, it would be important to contract the services of an UNOPS Caribbean Relations
Assistant with expertise in the field of asylum/migration and familiarity of the Caribbean region to
provide substantive support on mixed migration issues and the preparation of regional updates, as
well as logistical support for all major regional conferences and training events for the Caribbean.
UNHCR Washington intends to contract a UNOPS Caribbean Relations Assistant as of 1 August 2016.
The related costs will be covered by the CPU OPS budget.
Functional Description
As a part of the Caribbean Protection Unit, the Caribbean Relations Assistant will work under the
supervision of the Head of the Caribbean Protection Unit. S/he will be responsible for communicating
with and strategizing engagement with regional processes and mechanisms. S/he will be responsible
for the coordination of the Caribbean Migration Consultations and the preparation of other regional
meetings and capacity-building initiatives, as well as for the management of information and relations
with Caribbean counterparts. This involves both logistical as well as substantive support functions.
1) As a member of the Caribbean Protection Unit, the Assistant will:
1.1. Maintain regular and proactive communication with regional stakeholders (Governments,
Implementing Partners, Red Cross Partners, Regional Processes and Mechanisms);
1.2 Contribute to proactive information-sharing with the Caribbean Partners Network;
1.3 Develop and distribute a monthly Caribbean Newsletter;
1.4 Conduct regular press monitoring in the Caribbean Region;
1.5 Manage the logistical preparations for regional trainings or events, including the bidding and
selection process for venues and other service providers, budget management, correspondence,
travel arrangements, preparation of agenda and materials for distribution, and other related tasks;
1.6 Participate in regional trainings and events to provide technical, logistical and substantive support
as needed;
1.7 Assist with any other tasks within the Caribbean Protection Unit, as required.
2) As the focal point for the Caribbean Migration Consultations (CMC), the Assistant will:
2.1. Provide substantive contributions to the CMC, including the drafting of NFFs, background notes,
short research and reference documents prior to the event;
2.2. Take the lead, in close coordination with IOM, on all the logistical and practical arrangements for
the CMC, including the planning process, consultation meetings with Embassies in Washington,
information-sharing with other stakeholders and the organization of the first substantive Caribbean
CMC meeting;
2.3. Serve as the Event Coordinator at/during the first substantive CMC meeting;
2.5. Conduct regular press monitoring and serve as media contact for events related to the CMC;
2.6. Maintain regular and proactive communication with Governments regarding the CMC process;
2.7. Liaise directly with IOM counterparts in preparation for the CMC;
2.8. Systematize the legal information available on Caribbean countries.
Qualifications and Experience
• University degree in International Relations, Law, Political Sciences or related field;
• Familiarity with refugee and migration issues and good understanding of refugee protection
and human rights;
• Understanding of UNHCR’s mandate and structure and the key aspects of UNHCR’s operation
in the Caribbean;
• Demonstrated writing, reporting and presentation skills in English. Work Experience Minimum
2 years of relevant experience;
• Familiarity with the Caribbean regional processes in the field of refugee protection;
• Experience in the organization of regional conferences in the Caribbean;
• Experience in stakeholder management;
• Experience of working in a multicultural team/environment;
• Key Competencies Ability to conduct computer functions (including Microsoft/ Office,
Outlook, Excel and Power Point, Access); Ability to manage stress and work effectively under
pressure; Excellent organizational skills; Effective oral and written communication skills;
Speaking and written fluency in English is essential, and knowledge of Spanish would be
desirable; Flexibility and adaptability, ability to work fluidly in a dynamic and diverse team;
Cultural awareness.
Expected Work Products/Outputs
As a part of the Caribbean Protection Unit, the UNOPS Caribbean Relations Assistant will work under
the supervision of the Head of the Caribbean Protection Unit.
1) As the focal point for the CMC, the Assistant will:
1.1. Take the lead, in close coordination with IOM, on all the logistical and practical
arrangements for the CMC, including the planning process, consultation meetings with
Embassies in Washington, information-sharing with other stakeholders and the
organization of the first CMC meeting;
1.2. Contribute to the drafting of background notes and other reference documents prior
to the event;
1.3. Serve as the Event Coordinator at/during CMC meetings;
1.7. Liaise directly with IOM counterparts in preparation for the CMC meetings;
1.8. Systematize the legal information available on Caribbean countries.
2) As a member of the Caribbean Protection Unit, the Assistant will:
2.1. Maintain regular and proactive communication with regional stakeholders
(Governments, Implementing Partners, Red Cross Partners);
2.2 Contribute to proactive information-sharing with the Caribbean Partners Network;
2.3 Develop and distribute a monthly Caribbean Newsletter;
2.4 Conduct regular press monitoring in the Caribbean Region;
2.5 Manage the logistical preparations for regional trainings or events, including the
bidding and selection process for venues and other service providers, budget
management, correspondence, travel arrangements, preparation of agenda and materials
for distribution, and other related tasks;
2.6 Participate in regional trainings and events to provide technical, logistical and
substantive support as needed;
2.7 Assist with any other tasks within the Caribbean Protection Unit, as required.
If interested, please submit a cover letter, completed P11 Form or Fact Sheet to
[email protected]. In subject line, please write “CPU Caribbean Relations Associate
Vacancy”. Deadline for Applications: July 9, 2016