Protection Assistant

Job Title: Protection Assistant

Organization: United Nations Volunteers (UNV)

Host entity: UNHCR

Assignment country: Mauritania

Expected start date: 01/08/2023

Sustainable Development Goal: 11. Sustainable cities and communities

Volunteer category: National UN Volunteer Specialist

DoA reserved for persons with disabilities: No

Accessibility measures in place: -

Type: Onsite

Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)

Number of assignments: 1

Duty stations: Bassikounou

Reasonable accommodation: No

Additional accessibility info: -

Details

Mission and objectives

Le Haut-Commissariat des Nations Unies pour les réfugiés (HCR) a pour mandat de diriger et de coordonner l’action internationale visant à protéger les réfugiés. Il a pour but premier de sauvegarder les droits et le bien être des réfugiés. Il met en œuvre ses programmes de protection dans le monde entier et sensibilise le grand public à la situation des personnes réfugiées dans le monde. Le HCR Mauritanie fournit protection et assistance à quelque 65 000 réfugiés maliens dans la région aride du sud-est où se trouve le camp de réfugiés de Mbera, et à quelque 9 000 réfugiés urbains et demandeurs d'asile dans les villes de Nouakchott et Nouadhibou. La situation sécuritaire au Mali est toujours instable et des retours à grande échelle ne sont pas attendus. Les Maliens continuent d'arriver en Mauritanie dans le cadre de flux de population mixtes.

Context

Mauritania hosts more than 14,000 refugees and asylum seekers in urban areas, mainly in Nouakchott and Nouadhibou. These refugees come mainly from Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East, Mali, Syria and the Central African Republic are among the most represented nationalities because of the internal conflicts raging in these countries. In order to protect urban refugees and provide them with support in Mauritania and mainly in urban areas for these refugees, UNHCR carries out protection activities including Refugee Status Determination. The RSD Assistant is supervised by the Associate Protection Officer and works closely with the rest of the Protection team. S/he is responsible for supporting all activities related to the processing of refugee claims in the Operation. The RSD Assistant provides counselling to, and responds to queries from, asylum seekers and refugees regarding UNHCR's RSD procedures, their rights and obligations, including towards the host authorities, and the status of the processing of their claims. In discharging these responsibilities, the RSD Assistant liaises closely with Registration, Community Services, Resettlement, and other Protection staff. The RSD Assistant is responsible for conducting COI and other research related to RSD and maintaining the Operation's local repository of relevant information, guidelines and standards. S/he may also assist in drafting RSD Assessments. The RSD Assistant assists in compiling and analysing information related to the RSD activities of the Operation, and in drafting related correspondence and reports. The RSD Assistant may provide interpretation and/or translation services in cases for which s/he has the required language competencies. 11. Sustainable Development Goals: 11. Sustainable Cities and Communities Supervision, induction and duty of care of UN Volunteers (Roles and Responsibilities of Host Entities) UN Volunteers should be provided equal duty of care as extended to all host entity personnel. Host entities support to the UN Volunteer includes, but is not limited to: • Introductory briefings about the organisation and office-related context including security, emergency procedures, good cultural practice, and orientation to the local environment ; • Support with arrival administration and official processes as required ; • Structured guidance, mentoring and coaching by a supervisor including a clear workplan and performance appraisal ; • Access to office space, equipment, IT support and any other systems and tools required to complete the objectives of the assignment including a host entity email address ; • Access to shared host entity corporate knowledge, training and learning ; • Ensure that UN Volunteers are provided all necessary security measures as per the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS) ; • Leave management; • DSA for official travel, when applicable; • All changes in the Description of Assignment occurring between recruitment and arrival or during the assignment need to be formalized with the United Nations Volunteer Programme; • Investigate misconduct: sharing reports with the UNV; • Provide emergency assistance, e.g. the death of volunteer or medical evacuation, in collaboration with UNV. Accept letters of guarantees or potential liabilities for covering medical costs not claimable under medical insurance in extraordinary situations (e.g. isolation facilities` services during pandemics).

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Protection Officer or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer will: • May be required to conduct preliminary interviews of individual cases and report to the Protection Officer. • Remains fully informed of various political, social, legislative and administrative developments that have a bearing on day to day life of refugees and other persons of concern. • Undertakes visits to the prisons and detention centres to monitor the status of refugees and other persons of concern who are imprisoned/detained. • Maintains liaison with site officials and other officials concerned with protection issues including those in the judicial system. • Assists the UNHCR Field staff and the Protection staff to organise trainings, workshops and information campaigns to enhance the awareness of refugee rights and obligations for local authorities and others who work with refugees. • Works jointly with the Field/Protection/Programme staff to assess the needs of refugees and other persons of concern and to ensure their needs are met and their livelihood is not threatened. • Assists the Protection/Resettlement/Repatriation staff to implement appropriate durable solutions (Repatriation, Local integration and Resettlement) for refugees; counsel the refugees on various issues and aspects of durable solution so that they can make informed decisions. • Monitors implementation of UNHCR programme including the delivery of assistance items. • Assists in monitoring the security and safety situation of the refugees and other persons of concern and alerts the Protection Officer and the senior management, in the event of violation of refugee rights. • Compiles monthly statistics and assists to maintain an up to date database on refugees and other persons of concern and prepares periodic reports on their protection/legal concerns. • Performs other duties as required. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities. • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Eligibility criteria

Age

27 - 80

Nationality

Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.

Requirements

Required experience

4 years of experience in • Completion of Secondary School with post secondary certificates/diploma/training in International Law, International Relation, Political Science or a related field. • Minimum 4 years of previous relevant job experience. • Knowledge of International legal affairs relating to asylum, migration or related issues. • Computer skills (MS Office, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access) • Fluency in French and knowledge of, Arabic, English or local language

Area(s) of expertise

Legal affairs

Driving license

-

Languages

French, Level: Fluent, Required Arabic, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable English, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable

Required education level

Secondary education

Competencies and values

-

Other information

Living conditions and remarks

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

This UNV assignment is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19 with WHO approved vaccine, unless the UNHCR Medical Service approves an exemption from this requirement on medical grounds

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