Senior Protection Cluster Coordination Officer

Only candidates who are not nationals of the country of assignment are eligible to apply to this position

E (most hardship)

Non Family with Residential LocationDanger Pay

Nairobi (CO), Kenya

PR4

Professional

* Staff members will not normally serve in International Professional positions in the country of their nationality. In addition, in case of a first appointment upon recruitment, the assignment must be outside the staff member’s country of nationality.

In practical terms this means that you are not eligible to apply for International Professional vacancies advertised in the country where you are national of.

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

No

2023-10-13

November 9, 2023

Senior Protection Cluster Coordination Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
In complex humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters where UNHCR is designated as the Protection Cluster Lead Agency under the Cluster Approach, the position of Senior Protection Cluster Coordination Officer performs a dedicated coordination, strategy development and advocacy function. The Senior Protection Cluster Coordination Officer reports directly to the UNHCR Representative who has final accountability for the performance of UNHCR as Cluster Lead Agency. At the same time, the incumbent effectuates UNHCR's commitment to work within the framework of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) and the Cluster Approach. The UNHCR Protection Cluster Lead Agency functions, embodied in the role of Senior Protection Cluster Coordination Officer, are critical in ensuring UNHCR¿s leadership within a diverse protection community. The Senior Protection Cluster Coordination Officer is expected to discharge UNHCR's lead role in the Protection Cluster and to impartially represent the interests of the members of the Protection Cluster, including the provision of active support, as applicable, to sub-clusters or working groups of the Cluster which may be coordinated by other Agencies. As a result, the Senior Protection Cluster Coordination Officer leads an inter-agency team in an environment that requires high standards of accountability and demonstrable leadership, coordination, negotiation and conflict resolution skills, and in which the principles of partnership and collaboration are essential.

The Senior Protection Cluster Coordination Officer represents the Protection Cluster in Inter-Cluster Coordination mechanisms. The Senior Protection Cluster Coordination Officer advocates for protection mainstreaming in the humanitarian response, leads the mainstreaming of early recovery activities in the Protection Cluster, and spearheads the integration of cross-cutting issues into the work of the Protection Cluster, especially age, gender and diversity.

The Senior Protection Cluster Coordination Officer works closely with and/or directly supervises a multi-functional UNHCR Protection Cluster Support team, including, but not limited to, the areas of information management, needs assessment, profiling, registration, reporting and advocacy.

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
- Chair cluster meetings and represent the Protection Cluster in meetings with sectoral and external partners, authorities and other relevant interlocutors.
- Issue reports and make advocacy statements on behalf of the Protection Cluster.
- Make decision over format and frequency of meetings, designation of focal points and the establishment of sub-groups/working groups and ad hoc/task-related bodies for specific issues.
- Negotiate with the Humanitarian Coordinator/Resident Coordinator, the Humanitarian Country Team and cluster members the prioritization and inclusion of project proposals and common funding criteria for inclusion in inter-agency funding appeals.
- Allocate financial and other resources within the Protection Cluster, when required, such as regarding Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) or Common Humanitarian Funds (CHF). Perform other related duties as required.

Strategic Direction
- Ensure that the protection response is driven by a Protection Cluster strategy developed in a consultative process with external partners and is integrated into the Humanitarian Country Team¿s common humanitarian action plan.
- Convene and facilitate meetings in line with the Principles of Partnership, ensuring that cluster meetings are consultative and results oriented.
- Ensure coordination with government counterparts and other relevant authorities.
- Lead the design of transition strategies for the Protection Cluster: facilitate the development of a strategy for the cluster ensuring proper linkages with disaster risk reduction, relief, and recovery and development efforts.

Needs Assessment and Resources Mobilization
- Lead, coordinate and conduct within the Protection Cluster or at Inter-Cluster level protection needs assessments, including participatory assessments of affected populations.
- Provide strategic direction to development of common funding criteria, resource mobilisation and prioritization within the Protection Cluster for inclusion in Consolidated Appeals and pooled funds processes; Establish mechanisms for accountable and transparent financial resource allocation within the cluster.

Capacity Development
- Coordinate the delivery of protection training activities for Protection Cluster members, other local partners, and relevant authorities.
- Coordinate initiatives to build the protection capacity of the national and local government, partners and civil society.

Standards Setting
- Ensure adherence to IASC standard operating procedures for IDP profiling.
- Coordinate the integration of cross-cutting issues in the work of the Protection Cluster, including any work developed by sub-clusters or working groups.
- Ensure adherence of Protection Cluster activities to Guidelines on Age, Gender and Diversity Mainstreaming.
- Through Cluster-wide consultative processes, provide input into the development of global protection policy and standards led by the Global Protection Cluster.

Information Management
- Facilitate reporting and information sharing within the Protection Cluster and at the inter-cluster level.
- Ensure that the Protection Cluster has a functional information management strategy and mechanism.
- Ensure that the Protection Cluster produces regular updates and briefing notes on the protection concerns in the affected population, response activities, challenges and recommendations.

Advocacy
- Identify core advocacy concerns for the Protection Cluster through a consultative process: develop joint cluster/ inter-cluster initiatives to ensure regular and consistent advocacy.
- Ensure a consistent interpretation and application of international law and related UNHCR and IASC legal standards and protection policies.
- Ensure the Protection Cluster¿s adherence to international human rights instruments, the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement as well as other relevant international and regional instruments; in cooperation with the Humanitarian Country Team support local interventions when violations of international protection standards and principles occur.
- Promote and strengthen national legislation relevant to internal displacement and durable solutions

- Lead risk assessments and discussions with team(s) to proactively manage risks and seize opportunities impacting objectives. Ensure that risk management principles are integrated in decision-making both at strategic and operational levels. Allocate resources for planned treatments with resource requirements in Strategic Plans. Ensure that risks are managed to acceptable levels and escalate, as needed. If a Risk Owner, designate the Risk Focal Point and certify that the annual risk review is completed and ensure that the risk register is updated during the year, as needed.

- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P4/NOD - 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Law; Human Rights; International Relations;
or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
CCCM Cluster Coordination;
HCR Coordination Lrng Prog;
HCR Management Lrng Prg;
HCR Protection Learning Prg;
Emergency Mgmt Workshop;
Tri-Cluster Knowl/Coord Skills;
Prot in NaturalDisaster Situat;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
9 years of previous work experience preferably in working with Protection Cluster, IDP Operation or Country Operations applying the Cluster Approach.
Desirable
Not specified.

Functional Skills
PR-Country Operations applying the Cluster Approach
CL-Protection Cluster Coordination
(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.

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

The candidate should have over 10 years of relevant experience in a leadership, advisory and cluster coordination role in UNHCR/UN Cluster. A strong understanding and experience of the functioning of the Protection Cluster Areas of Responsibility (AoRs) including, Child Protection AoR (UNICEF led), GBV AoR (UNFPA led), Housing, Land and Property (HLP) AoR (NRC led) and Mine Action AoR (UNMAS led) is essential.
Previous experience serving in a deep field and high-risk duty station is desirable. The position also demands a solid understanding of International Protection, working of the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) and Inter Cluster Coordination Group & ability to manage complex partnerships with different stakeholders, and advise on key strategic issues pertaining to the cooperation with development actors.
Possession of previous experience demonstrating excellent coordination, negotiation, and communication skills, a pro-active mature attitude with ability to address complex and dynamic situations as well as remain calm under stressful environments is desirable.

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

UNHCR is the Cluster Lead Agency (CLA) for the Protection Cluster. In Somalia, the Protection Cluster is comprised of four Areas of Responsibility (AoRs) including, Child Protection AoR (UNICEF led), GBV AoR (UNFPA led), Housing, Land and Property (HLP) AoR (NRC led) and Mine Action AoR (UNMAS led).
With continuing drought and multi-layered conflict, compounded by poor governance structures and increasing displacement, it is acknowledged that Somalia has a complex and protracted protection crisis, characterized by multiple abuses against civilians. Over 2 million IDPs and over 100,000 returneesare present across the country with a heavy concentration in south central Somalia with limited prospects for durable solutions. Two IASC missions, the Senior Transformative Agenda Implementation Team (STAIT) in 2016 and the Emergency Directors Group (EDG) in 2017, noted the need for a collective system-wide response to this complex and protracted protection crisis. As a result, a Centrality of Protection (COP) Strategy has been adopted by the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT). In implementation of this strategy, the Senior Protection Cluster Coordinator plays a pivotal role.
The Senior Protection Cluster Coordinator reports to the Representative and supervises two staff hired under UNOPs contracts (protection and information management).
 

Living and Working Conditions:

The security situation in Somalia is well-known for being volatile and unpredictable. The incumbent should therefore have experience in working in stressful conditions, have sound security awareness, and be sensitive to social, cultural and religious norms.

UNHCR has its own accommodation and Office compound within the AMISOM protected area. There are several restaurants and shops within the protected area that staff can find different food and non-food items. There is no banking service but there are several ATM machines within the protected area where staff can withdraw up to 500USD at a time with Visa cards. USD is also commonly used locally in cash during shopping. There is a PX shop within AAIA AMISOM protected area, where basic food, beverage and clothes stuff can be bought. UNSOS has level II hospital in the compound accessible to UN staff on a cost recovery basis through the Office. For recreational activities, the

accommodations as well as UNSOS compound have gym & sport facility that are accessible to UN staff and residents. Also, international staff can walk around certain unrestricted perimeter of the UN compound such the seaside etc. Mogadishu airport called Adan Abdullahi International Airport

located within the AMISOM protected area within few minutes' drive away from the accommodation. There is reliable telephone and internet service in the compound.

Staff members are provided radio equipment, mobile sim card, laptop and PPE on arrival. Mogadishu is a high-risk non-family E-duty station with 4 weeks R&R cycle. Field missions by international staff requires security escort within a very limited radius of the Town and must be planned in advance in close cooperation with Security Officer.

Staff are required to complete all mandatory trainings including BSAFE before travel, as well as SSAFE is feasible. There is daily UN Flight from Mogadishu to Nairobi. Additionally, there are few airlines with a daily flight from Mogadishu to Nairobi, Addis Ababa and Istanbul.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CL-Cluster Information Management Tools, Resources and Approaches, PR-CCCM Technical Guidelines and Standards, PR-Country Operations applying the Cluster Approach

Bachelor of Arts (BA): Human Rights, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Relations, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Law

Certifications

CCCM Cluster Coordination - UNHCR, Emergency Management Workshop - UNHCR, HCR Coordination Learning Program - UNHCR, HCR Management Learning Program - UNHCR, HCR Protection Learning Program - UNHCR, Protection in Natural Disaster Situation - Other, Tri_Cluster Knowledge/Coord Skills - Other

Annual Budget OL in Operation/Office, Number of Workforce in Operation/Work Setting, Workforce to Supervise, Working with Persons of Concern: Asylum Seekers, Working with Persons of Concern: Internally Displaced Persons, Working with Persons of Concern: Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: Returned IDPs, Working with Persons of Concern: Returned Refugees

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Bi-annual Compendium 2023 Part B - October 2023

Additional Information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance