Job Title: Associate Protection Officer (GBV)
Organization: United Nations Volunteers (UNV)
Host entity: UNHCR
Assignment country: Niger
Expected start date: 04/09/2023
Sustainable Development Goal: 16. Peace, justice and strong
institutions
Volunteer category: International UN Volunteer Specialist
Type: Onsite
Duration: 5 months (with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments: 1
Duty stations: Diffa
Details
Mission and objectives
The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950
by the UN General Assem-bly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate
international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems
worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of
refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek
asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home
voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country. The UN Refugee
Agency in Niger acting within its mandate of protecting persons in need of
international protection, and in partnership with the Government of Niger has
established the Evacuation Transit Mechanism (ETM). The mechanism aims at
evacuating persons of con-cern with acute protection needs from Libya to Niger,
where they undergo RSD and are di-rected to appropriate durable solutions. Most
of these evacuees come from Eritrea, Sudan and Somalia and are victims of
severe human rights violations during their journey.
Context
Since May 2013, Diffa region has been experiencing numerous
conflicts due to activism of none state armed groups and Boko Haram in the Lake
Tchad Basin countries, including Niger. Throughout the year 2015 rebels’
attacks created insecurity which has considerably affected protection
situation. The undergoing military operations in the Lake Tchad zone and Diffa
region have negatively affected the security situation and created a protracted
dis-placement crisis. Since then, the security situation in the area of
operation has been precarious and unpredictable. The region has been declared
military since 2015 with curfew depending on the evolution of the situation.
The terrorist threat remains the major concern. Terrorists are very likely to
carry out attacks, criminal threat seems to be increasing due to persistent
social and humanitarian crisis. Thousands of people have been forced to flee
from Nigeria to Niger; others to move within the country's borders. According
to statistics updated in July 2023, 329641 persons (-137672 refugees, 154963
IDPs, 35491returnees, , and 2515asylum seeker) are in situation of forced
displacement. Insecurity in Diffa has also caused lasting damage to the
region’s economy, further reducing the absorptive capacity of host communities.
Many challenges therefore emerged, such as recurrent attacks on civilians,
abduction with demand of ransom and targeted killing, and use of Improvised
Explosive Devices. Specifically in the area of GBV main challenges are an
insufficient specialized personnel working in GBV case management, low
opportunities for vulnerable women and girls to access to income generating
activities, ignorance of the protocol for clinical management of rape cases by
some health care personnel, social and cultural barriers that prevent survivors
from bringing cases to justice and persistence of the phenomenon of child
marriage. Several reports from GBV actors have highlighted numerous protection
risks relating to Gender Based Violence and affecting refugees, asylum seeker ,
IDPs and returnees communities. The most crucial are exposure to rape, domestic
violence, early marriage and suspected practices of survival sex. For example,
in 2022, 397 incidents related to gender-based violence were recorded. These
figures are believed to be underestimated, as cultural attitudes do not
encourage the reporting of cases. Coordination mechanisms have been established
at the beginning of the emergency with the GBV Working Group, as part of the
regional Protection Cluster. The GBV Working Group is co-chaired by UNFPA and
DRPF/PE. The IUNV, Associate Protection Officer/VBG will be expected to better
equip UNHCR to effectively prevent and respond to VBG in Diffa, to promote a
protective environment and to implement activities that can improve the
community approach.
Task description
Under the direct supervision of the Senior Protection
Officer in Diffa, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: •
Support the Sub Office to conduct continuous needs/gaps and capacity assessments
on SGBV in close coordination with other actors; • Provide support to integrate
GBV prevention and response in humanitarian action plans of all programme
areas; • Develop/update a GBV strategy in partnership with protection and
programme leads in the Sub Office as part of the overall protection strategy,
with particular emphasis on linkages with child protection and education; •
Strengthen GBV coordination mechanisms with the GBV AoR members in Diffa; •
Establish new strategic and innovative partnerships for GBV both with community
based, local, national, and international organizations; • Provide support in
mapping existing services to address GBV in the various affected areas in
Diffa, including identifying community capacities and structures for potential
partnership; • Put in place a core referral mechanism for response services
through consultative development of basic Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
and emergency GBV strategy; • Conduct training on basic elements of GBV
prevention and response, the design of GBV programmes and coordination
mechanisms; • Advocate with senior management in UNHCR and other humanitarian
actors, to ensure prioritization of GBV prevention and response as a
life-saving response; • Identify potential partners and coordinate with
Programme and Protection sections to incorporate GBV programming in
sub-agreements; • Monitor GBV programs implemented by UNHCR and partners (both
implementing and operational) and adjust programming as required. • Awareness
on prevention, mitigation and response of GBV cases, gender issues and how to
apply rights and community-based approach to identify and respond to specific
needs; • Awareness of the importance of preventing fraud and ways to mitigate
risks; • Capacity to adapt to changing work requirements and work in a team; •
Excellent interviewing skills including interviewing refugee children, GBV
survivors, individuals affected by trauma or having mental health issues; •
International / field experience – particularly with NGOs or UN agencies
working with refugees in countries of refuge – highly desirable; ability to
work in a multi-cultural team. Specify other skills needed to fulfil the
assignment (experience / demonstrable skills): • Strong interpersonal skills
and ability to work effectively in a team; • Excellent drafting and analytical
skills; • Ability to work in stressful situations and in hardship locations.
Knowledge of and/or preparedness to become familiar with and abide by UNHCR’s
principles, code of con-duct and humanitarian goals; • Thorough knowledge of
the international legal framework governing refugees, asylum seekers,
internally displaced persons and stateless; • Thorough knowledge of the
international/ regional legal framework governing GBV; • Experience in drafting
of Gender Based Violence (GBV) strategy and Standard Operating Procedures
(SOPs) is an asset. In the fulfilment of his/her duties the Associate
Protection Officer (GBV) must abide by relevant standards. In particular: • The
Associate Protection Officer (GBV) is required to read, understand and comply
with UNHCR’s Code of Conduct and realizes that he/she shall be expected to work
in the spirit of the principles set forth therein. • The Associate Protection
Officer (GBV) is required to read and understand the Under-taking of
Confidentiality and Impartiality and understands that he shall be expected to
respect the principle of confidentiality and remain impartial in his/her work.
• The Associate Protection Officer (GBV) is required to read and understand,
and agree to abide by the standards of conduct set forth in the
Secretary-General’s Bulletin, ST/SGB/2003/13 of 9 October 2003, concerning
“Special measures for protection from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse”. •
Performing other duties as required. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required
to: • 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; • Reflect on the type and quality of
voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing
reflection activities; • 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. - Results/Expected Outputs: • GBV strategy
developed/updated in collaboration with the GBV WG; • Multi-sectoral GBV
prevention and response programs based on needs and capacity assessment results
are established; • GBV coordination mechanisms functioning with all relevant
stakeholders and partners; • Multi-sectoral UNHCR staff and key partners are
trained on GBV prevention and response; • GBV referral mechanism is in place
for essential response services including clinical management of rape; • GBV
data collection and reporting functioning; • The development of capacity
through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with
(including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counterparts,
including Implementing Partners (IPs); • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD)
perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities
throughout the assignment; • A final statement of achievements towards
volunteerism for development during the assignment, such as reporting on the
number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities
developed; • The participation of persons of concern is assured through
continuous assessment and evaluation using participatory, rights and community
based approaches, which inform protection and assistance programming and ensure
that UNHCR meets its commitments to accountability to persons of concern.
Eligibility criteria
Age
27 - 80
Nationality
Candidate must be a national of a country other than the
country of assignment.
Requirements
Required experience
3 years of experience in • Minimum 2-3 years previous
experience managing Protection related projects including managing GBV projects
with program/technical and budget management skills. Experience working on GBV
in emergencies is an asset. • Training design and facilitation skills; •
Ability to work under significant time pressure and come up with innovative and
creative solutions faced with fast-paced changing circumstances; • Experience
with GBVIMS is an asset; • Ability to work independently with minimum
supervision and productively in a fast-paced environment; • Good written and
oral communication skills. Demonstrated ability to successfully and effectively
communicate with people in a multi-cultural environment characterized by
emergency condition; • Strong organizational skills, including attention to
detail. • Strong coordination and administrative skills. • Strong observation
and feedback skills. • Flexible and willing to learn and take on new tasks. •
Able to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously. • Mature, positive attitude and
able to work under pressure. • Ability to work in multicultural environments
and respect for diversity • High level of integrity and professionalism.
Thorough knowledge of computer software (e.g., Word, Excel, Email, Internet).
Area(s) of expertise
Legal affairs, Development programmes, Social work
Driving license
-
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Desirable French, Level: Fluent,
Required
Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in International Law, Human
Rights, International Development, International Relations, Anthropology,
Political or Social Science, with authoritative knowledge of issues relating to
refugee women, gender, humanitarian and development issues, and GBV prevention
and response.
Competencies and values
• Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in
area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy,
personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide
responsibilities and ability to work inde-pendently under established
procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion,
impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information ob-jectively,
accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented. • Acccountability:
mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with or-ganizational
rules and regulations. • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and
willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of
expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and
organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to
manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to
establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to
work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple
concurrent pro-jects/activities. • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability
to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish
and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a
multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for
diversity and gender; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken
and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and
concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and
positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to
communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military
personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very
diverse backgrounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards
the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest; capacity to transfer
information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; •
Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently
in austere, remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted
periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible
extensive travel within the area of operations; willingness to transfer to
other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary; • Genuine
commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes
solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards
the UN core values.
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
Based on the hardship living conditions, Diffa is classified
as Category E; Non family duty station with 6 weeks rest and recuperation (RR)
cycle. RR place is Accra. Medical facilities: basic medical facilities exist in
Diffa to manage/stabilize urgent cases (for 24h) before evacuation to Niamey
and then outside of country as needed. Capacity, in-frastructure, and equipment
to treat and take in-patient in appropriate medical and sanitation conditions
is not sufficient Food and environmental sanitation: with the extremely limited
options for vegetables and fruits, the local culinary habits is not adapted to
the culinary habits of the expatriate staff, associated with the total absence
of dairy and imported products leaves no choice but to eat what is available.
Personal arrangements need to considered. Restricted movements: The movement of
the international staff is restricted to avoid the risk of being victim of any
critical incident (kidnapping and ransom); and avoid collateral damage
resulting from terrorist attacks. Housing: Because of occurrence of security
incidents and terrorism attack, international staff have been requested to live
in a designated place. International recruited staff live in the UNHCR
guesthouse. The Guesthouse meets the minimum conditions required for a de-cent
life.
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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