Associate Protection Officer

Job Title: Associate Protection Officer (Cluster)

Organization: United Nations Volunteers (UNV)

Host entity: UNHCR

Assignment country: South Sudan

Expected start date: 01/12/2023

Sustainable Development Goal: 16. Peace, justice and strong institutions

Volunteer category: International UN Volunteer Specialist

Type: Onsite

Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)

Number of assignments: 1

Duty stations Juba

Details

Mission and objectives

The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. 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. During times of displacement, we provide critical emergency assistance in the form of clean water, sanitation and healthcare, as well as shelter, blankets, household goods and sometimes food. We also arrange transport and assistance packages for people who return home, and income-generating projects for those who resettle.

Context

The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to pro-tect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safe-guard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exer-cise 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 (www.unhcr.org). UNHCR 's operation in South Sudan provides protection and support to refugees, internally displaced, refugee returnees and those at risk of statelessness. South Sudan hosts over 300,000 refugees mainly from Sudan (93%) and from CAR, DRC, and Ethiopia. South Sudan continues to receive new arrivals and maintains an open-door policy to asylum-seekers and refugees. Refugees reside in 21 locations, 8 are refugee camps. In 2020, some 1.6 million peo-ple are internally displaced throughout the country. The majority of IDPs (87%) are scattered in host communities and settlements while 13% reside in UNMISS Protection of Civilian sites. In addition, since the conflict in Sudan erupted in April 2023, some 249,792 South Su-danese have spontaneously returned to their home country. The Associate Protection Officer is expected to support the Proteciton Cluster Coordination team in the coordination, plan, and delivery of activities for the protection cluster. The ideal candidate would be someone who has experience in coordinating with multiple field teams (remotely) with frequent travels to field locations to better streamline the national-subnational coordination.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of Protection Cluster Coordinator, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Assist the Protection Cluster Coordinator (PC) with a particular emphasis on information management and communication among Cluster members and other relevant partners, as well as training and capacity –building for members and partners; • Interact with PC members and maintain close contact with OCHA for the collection and transmission of periodic reports and documents required; elaborate routines for the time-ly production of these reports; • Ensure liaison with thematic working groups (Area of Responsibility - AoRs) under the PC (SGBV, Child Protection, House Land and Property Issues), as well as Protection working groups /focal points at the territorial Level and national protection cluster to en-sure follow-up of recommendations and alerts, input into joint analysis and advocacy ini-tiatives, and into protection strategies; • Compile and review thematic information/data from PC members with a view to drafting a consolidate Protection Cluster periodic newsletters on a monthly basis; • Assist in the collection of information and analysis of protection data, in the form of re-ports and/or maps, in particular in view of advocacy with the UN Peace-Keeping Mission on priority protection areas; • Alert and consult with nuclear PC members in case of emergency and assist in organis-ing joint evaluation protection missions; • Assist in the research of data and analysis in support to the Protection Cluster advocacy initiatives, organize advocacy for a with relevant target groups as deemed appropriate; • Coordinate the promotion of international refugee law principles and standards and also IDP legislation or policies ensuring that all sectors and clusters fulfill their responsibilities mainstreaming protection; • Refer PC recommendations to members and UN Agencies/NGOs concerned and en-sure/follow-up their implementation; • Coordinate the development of Protection strategies in context of Pooled Fund process, ensure timely information of PC members of applicable rules and procedures, ensure that submissions are timely received and ensure review of submission as per Pooled Fund procedure; • Ensure that the perspectives, capacities, needs and resources of the persons of con-cerns are reflected in the protection strategy, planning processes and operations plan addressing the specific protection needs of women and men, children, youth and older persons, persons with disabilities, minority groups such as sexual minorities and persons living with HIV/AIDS; • Ensure legal assistance is accessible to persons of concern; liaise with competent au-thorities to ensure the issuance of personal and other relevant documents to persons of concern (civil documentation, in particular birth certificates); • Maintain protection presence through regular field missions and reports, making direct contact with persons of concern, host communities, local authorities and partners. Con-tribute to ensuring that the response of the Protection Cluster is grounded in an AGD-compliant strategy which covers all assessed and prioritized protection needs of the af-fected populations; • Support the follow-up of all matters linked to resource mobilisation, including the Human-itarian Action Plan; • Design, plan and deliver training in coordination with order actors for target audience as per PC recommendations, in particular with regard to protection mainstreaming, age & gender issues, Protection Monitoring and advocacy, follow-up the impact of training in accordance with indicators; • Elaborate essential documents for the Cluster, as well as preparatory documents, draft agenda and convene Protection Cluster meetings, and draft meeting minutes. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by read-ing relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for in-stance 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 publica-tions/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 of a country other than the country of assignment.

Requirements

Required experience

3 years of experience in a protection capacity with refugees and/or other people of concern required. Experience in information management and communication in Humanitarian and Protection affairs, in particular in the framework of Protection Clusters. Experience with relevant information management tools and software is desirable; • Field experience in particular of working with persons of concern desirable; • Commitment to help persons of concern and willingness to cooperate with counterparts and partners; • Good analytical skills; • Strong interpersonal and communication skills in a multi-cultural setting; • Ability to design, organize, deliver and evaluate training/capacity building activities; • Ability to live and work in the difficult and harsh conditions of developing countries is essential.

Area(s) of expertise

Legal affairs

Driving license

-

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level

Bachelor degree or equivalent in University degree in Law, International Law, Political Science, or related field.

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 objec-tively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented. • Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organi-zational 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 abil-ity to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to es-tablish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work un-der 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 work-ing 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 presenta-tions, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommenda-tions; 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 ob-jective, 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, re-mote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of oper-ations; 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

Living Conditions Juba is classified as an E, non-family duty station. R&R cycle for all duty stations in South Sudan is 6 weeks and all international staff resides at UNHCR provided accommodation. UN curfew is from 19:00 to 06:00. There are limited medical facilities in Juba. In all UNHCR compounds, regardless of the location, accommodations are equipped with all the necessary furniture. All rooms are provided with in-house services. In addition, most locations are equipped with a gym or some sports equipment. In Juba, all basic foods are available in the marketplace ranging from meat, dairy, fruits, and vegetables, in addition to a few restaurants located in town

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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