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Cluster Coordinator (PRT)

Erbil

  • Organization: UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
  • Location: Erbil
  • Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Humanitarian Aid and Coordination
  • Closing Date: Closed

Cluster Coordinator (Protection)

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT:

In complex humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters where UNHCR is designated as the Protection Cluster Lead Agency under the Cluster Approach, the position of Cluster Coordinator performs a dedicated coordination, strategy development and advocacy function. The Protection Cluster Coordinator 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 Cluster Coordinator, are critical in ensuring UNHCR¿s leadership within a diverse protection community. The Cluster Coordinator 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 Cluster Coordinator 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 Cluster Coordinator (Protection) represents the Protection Cluster in Inter-Cluster Coordination mechanisms. The Cluster Coordinator 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 Cluster Coordinator (Protection) 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.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT:

Accountability

- The protection needs of populations of concern are met through timely and coordinated action by all cluster members;
- The protection of populations of concern is maximized through research, advocacy and effective consultative and feedback mechanisms;
- Effective coordination mechanisms and tools, including information management, are established and maintained with cluster members, government counterparts and donors, ensuring timely and effective needs assessment, planning, prioritization, implementation, reporting and evaluation;
- Strategies and activities delivered by the Protection Cluster enjoy political and/or financial support by other clusters, government, donors and other partners through effective prioritization, advocacy and resource mobilization;

Responsibility

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 AND ALLOCATION
- Lead, coordinate and conduct within the Protection Cluster or at Inter-Cluster level protection needs assessments, including participatory assessments;
- Ensure that the Protection Cluster covers all identified protection needs of the affected population;
- 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 AND IMPLEMENTATION
- 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 AND REPORTING
- 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 AND PROMOTION
- 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;

Authority

- 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 with regard to CERF or CHF.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIOANL EXPERIENCE:

University degree, preferably in Law or Human Rights, International Relations or related protection oriented discipline;
Minimum 10 years (with MA degree) or 12 years (BA degree) of relevant job experience preferably in working with  Protection Cluster, IDP Operation or Country Operations applying the Cluster Approach;
Excellent knowledge of English and another relevant UN language.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES:

Coordination Learning Programme
Management Learning Programme
Tri-Cluster Knowledge and Coordination Skills Training
Protection Learning Programme
Training on Protection in Natural Disaster Situations
Workshop on Emergency Management C004L3 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 3
C003L3 - Communication Level 3
C002L3 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 3
C001L3 - Accountability Level 3
C005L3 - Client & Result Orientation Level 3
C006L3 - Organizational Awareness Level 3
M004L3 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 3
M003L3 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 3
M002L3 - Managing Performance Level 3
M001L3 - Empowering and Building Trust Level 3
M005L3 - Leadership Level 3
M006L3 - Managing Resources Level 3
X001L3 - Analytical Thinking Level 3
X002L3 - Innovation and Creativity Level 3
X003L3 - Technological Awareness Level 3
X004L3 - Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Level 3
X009L3 - Change Capability and Adaptability Level 3
X006L3 - Policy Development & Research Level 3
X007L3 - Political Awareness Level 3
X008L3 - Stakeholder Management Level 3
X005L3 - Planning and Organizing Level 3 - Training on Cluster Coordination (Shelter Cluster Coordination training or Coordination and Leadership training).
- UNHCR Coordination Learning Programme.
- UNHCR Management Learning Programme.
- UNHCR Tri-Cluster Knowledge and Coordination Skills Training.
- UNHCR Protection Learning Programme
- UNHCR Workshop on Emergency Management.
- Applied knowledge in UNHCR mandate, its policies and priorities in relation to IDPs, shelter and NFI. -
- Demonstrated expertise in program management and reporting requirements. In Iraq, on-going conflict, generalized violence and insecurity, coupled with long-standing political, tribal and sectarian tensions have hampered progress on national reconciliation and political reform. Since 2014, the spread of armed groups and intensive conflict in various parts of the country has led to a further deepening of the humanitarian crisis and successive waves of mass displacement.

From January 2014 to December 2016 , IOM through the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) reported 2,996,004 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and 1,397,016 returnees across the country. In addition, nearly one million Iraqis remain displaced as a result of earlier bouts of conflict and violence between 2006 and 2007. The situation remains highly fluid and some families have experienced multiple displacements, compounding their economic and protection vulnerability.

In March 2016, the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) began a military campaign to retake territory from armed groups in Ninewa Governorate around Mosul in the north and Anbar Governorate in the central region, prompting new displacement into Mahkmur district in Erbil Governorate and safe areas in Anbar Governorate. The ISF retook Fallujah in June 2016 in an operation that displaced over 85,000 persons from the city and surrounding areas, and over 162,000 persons were displaced from Mosul and surrounding areas from April to September 2016 due to shelling and lack of food in their villages. In October 2016, ISF launched an offensive to retake Mosul city, and announced on 18 January 2017 they had gained control of eastern Mosul. The offensive to retake western Mosul city began on 19 February 2017. Since the beginning of the Mosul offensive, over 217,764  Iraqis have been displaced, of whom 57,462 have returned to their areas of origin. Of the remaining 160,302 IDPs from Mosul and surrounding areas, the majority (83%) are hosted in camps and emergency sites, with the remainder living in host communities and informal sites outside Mosul district.
The Government has also continued to clear explosive remnants and restore services in retaken areas like Heet, Ramadi, and Fallujah in Anbar Governorate. Sporadic attacks from armed groups, however, have continued to impede clearing efforts and inhibit safe returns. Overall, continued insecurity along with destruction of homes and infrastructure, the high risk of death or injuries from explosive remnants of war, and lack of basic services has meant safe and sustainable return for most will not be available in the near term.

As part of the cluster coordination mechanism for the IDP response, and in support of the Government, UNHCR leads three Clusters:   Protection; Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM); and Shelter/Non-Food Items. UNHCR undertakes direct interventions with local, regional and national authorities to ensure that those displaced can access safety in camps/urban areas.  UNHCR has deployed mobile and static protection monitoring teams to identify needs and guide effective responses including provision of legal assistance on issues such as missing civil and identity documentation and activities aimed at prevention and response to gender-based violence (GBV), child protection, reuniting separated families, facilitating sponsorships in urban areas and other critical protection support. UNHCR¿s initiatives include the interagency IDP call centre that promotes greater engagement with affected communities. As a result of protection monitoring, UNHCR as the lead humanitarian agency coordinating IDP protection in Iraq, amongst other responses, engages key stakeholders with evidence-based advocacy.

UNHCR monitors the return of displaced persons to their areas of origin and intervenes with authorities when there is a risk of forced or pressured returns of displaced communities to areas of origin which are still not safe due to contamination of explosive remnants of war and improvised explosive devices, presence of militias, proximity to conflict areas and/or lacking in critical infrastructure and basic services, in addition to widespread destruction of properties. Interventions also include monitoring of conditions in areas of return, and advocating for adherence to the right of return for IDPs wishing to go back home who are prevented from doing so for various reasons, including allegations of affiliations with armed groups or on the basis of their ethnicity.  UNHCR advocates for all returns to be voluntary in conditions of safety and dignity. - Erbil is Category D Duty Station with Security Level 3.
- All UNHCR international staff member in Erbil are accommodated in security cleared apartments or alternatively hotels.
- Basic food and other commodities are widely available in the local shops and markets. Banking facilities are rather underdeveloped; therefore cash is the main means of settlement of various bills.
- Both local currency (Iraqi Dinar) and USD are equally accepted for any payments.  No specific dress-code applies and casual European style clothes are worn.
- Eight weeks R&R cycle applies for staff assigned in Erbil.
- Several international airlines operate daily flights from Erbil and Suleimanyah International Airport to number of large international airports in Europe as well as Middle East.
- Holders of UNLP can enter Kurdistan Region of Iraq visa-free. Residence permit is not required for UN staff entering Kurdistan Region with UNLP. - Security Clearance for travel to Iraq is not covered under TRIP. Such is approved through MoP (Movement of Personnel) manually processed by the Office. No travel should be undertaken without a copy of a fully approved MoP.
- The SSAFE (Safety and Security Approaches in a Field Environment) course must be undertaken by all international staff members to allow them to travel outside of Erbil the country. If a staff has conducted a SSAFE (Safety and Security Approaches in a Field Environment) course within the last three years there is no need for attendance; he/she only require attending the FSCOs briefing on arrival. If he/she has not attended a SSAFE course in the last 3 years he/she will be required to attend the new mandatory SSAFE course conducted in Erbil.
- Subject to the advice received from the security unit, some movement of UN international staff within Kurdistan Region of Iraq may be undertaken in the convoy of two UN vehicles.
- Travel to border areas as well as disputed areas whereas newly displaced persons are concentrated is allowed in a convoy of two armored vehicles only. Arabic language is desirable .

Please note that the closing date for all vacancies in the Addendum 2 to the March 2017 Compendium is Wednesday 31 May 2017 (midnight Geneva time).

This vacancy is now closed.
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