Prot Off (Cluster Support)

Before submitting an application, UNHCR staff members intending to apply to this Job Opening are requested to consult the IOM-FOM issued for this Compendium / Fast Track exercise, as well as the  Revised Policy and Procedures on Assignments (UNHCR/HCP/2015/2 refers). Protection Officer (Cluster Support)

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

In complex humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters where UNHCR is designated as the Protection Cluster Lead Agency under the Cluster Approach, UNHCR performs a dedicated coordination, strategy development and advocacy function through the positions of P5/P4 Cluster Coordinator (Protection) and the supporting positions of P3 Protection Officer (Cluster Support) and/or  P3 Cluster Coordinator (Protection).

These latter P3 level positions normally report directly to the P5/P4 Cluster Coordinator (Protection). The UNHCR Representative has final accountability for the performance of UNHCR as Cluster Lead Agency.

The Protection Officer (Cluster Support) supports UNHCR to work within the framework of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) and the Cluster Approach. The position reinforces UNHCR Protection Cluster Lead Agency functions by providing support to the role of Cluster Coordinator in ensuring UNHCR's leadership within a diverse protection community.

The Protection Officer (Cluster Support) is expected to facilitate the work of the Protection Cluster through the provision of analysis, organization and reporting; and to impartially represent the interests of the members of the Protection Cluster. This includes 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 incumbent supports an inter-agency team in an environment that requires high standards of accountability, facilitation, negotiation and conflict resolution skills, in which respect the principles of partnership and collaboration are essential.

The Protection Officer (Cluster Support) supports the Cluster Coordinator (Protection) in Inter-Cluster Coordination mechanisms, for  advocacy and facilitation of protection mainstreaming and cross-cutting issues  of age, gender and diversity in the humanitarian response and early recovery activities.

The Protection Officer (Cluster Support) works closely with and may, depending on the Office structure,  directly supervise multi-functional  Protection Cluster Support staff  in the areas of data and 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 promoted, facilitated and maintained with cluster members, government counterparts and donors, for timely and effective needs assessment, planning, prioritization, implementation, reporting and evaluation.
- The Protection Cluster is facilitated to develop and implement strategies and activities delivered which enjoy political and/or financial support by other clusters, government, donors and other partners through effective prioritization, advocacy and resource mobilization.

Responsibility

Strategic Direction
- Facilitate the development of a Protection Cluster strategy following a consultative process with partners and stakeholders. Support the Protection Cluster to ensure that protection informs and shapes the overall humanitarian response and that the protection response  is integrated into the Humanitarian Country Team's common humanitarian action plan.
- Organize and facilitate meetings in line with the Principles of Partnership, ensuring that cluster meetings are consultative and results-oriented.
- Facilitate coordination with government counterparts and other relevant authorities.
- Support 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
- Facilitate the coordination and conduct of Protection Cluster or Inter-Cluster level protection needs assessments, including participatory assessments of all affected populations.
- Provide strategic inputs  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
- Facilitate 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.
- Ensure 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
- Support reporting and information sharing within the Protection Cluster and at the inter-cluster level.
- Support and facilitate the Protection Cluster information management strategy and mechanisms.
- 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: Facilitate joint cluster/ inter-cluster initiatives to ensure regular and consistent advocacy.
- Help foster a consistent interpretation and application of international law and related UNHCR and IASC legal standards and protection policies.
- Promote 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 help strengthen national legislation relevant to internal displacement and durable solutions.

Authority

- Facilitate cluster meetings and represent the Protection Cluster in meetings with sectoral and external partners, authorities and other relevant interlocutors.
- Draft reports and prepare advocacy statements on behalf of the Protection Cluster - for clearance by Senior management.
- Organise and facilitate cluster meetings, work and cooperate with focal points sub-groups/working groups and ad hoc/task-related bodies for specific issues.
- Facilitate negotiation with the Humanitarian Coordinator/Resident Coordinator, the Humanitarian Country Team and cluster members on the prioritization and inclusion of project proposals and common funding criteria for inclusion in inter-agency funding appeals.
- Monitor the allocation of financial and other resources within the Protection Cluster, when required, such as with regard to Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) or Common Humanitarian Funds (CHF).

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED. 

- University degree in Law, International Law, political Sciences or related field with good knowledge of International Refugee and Human Rights Law.
- Minimum 8 years (6 years with Advanced University degree) relevant professional experience of which 2 years in the field and 3 years in an international capacity.
- Excellent knowledge of English and working knowledge of another UN language.

(In offices where the working language is not English, excellent knowledge of working language of duty station and working knowledge of English.)
***For National Officer positions, very good knowledge of local language and local institutions is essential.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

- Coordination Learning Programme.
- Tri-Cluster Knowledge and Coordination Skills Training.
- Protection Learning Programme.
- Training on Protection in Natural Disaster Situations. C001L3 - Accountability Level 3
C002L3 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 3
C003L3 - Communication Level 3
C004L3 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 3
C005L3 - Client & Result Orientation Level 3
C006L3 - Organizational Awareness Level 3
M001L3 - Empowering and Building Trust Level 3
M006L3 - Managing Resources Level 3
M005L3 - Leadership Level 3
M002L3 - Managing Performance Level 3
M003L3 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 3
X007L3 - Political Awareness Level 3
X001L3 - Analytical Thinking Level 3
X008L3 - Stakeholder Management Level 3 The candidate must possess experience working in the field of humanitarian protection, coordination, advocacy, policy planning with strong demonstration of coordination, facilitation, leadership, training, negotiation and eventually conflict resolution skills in order to be able to effectively lead and coordinate between the protection cluster members, and therefore sense of partnership and collaboration are essential.

Since the protection cluster coordinator will chair Protection Cluster meetings and represent the Protection Cluster and the interest of Protection Cluster members in external meetings, he/she needs to possess authority and the sense of diplomacy. 

Strong networks to keep abreast with changing dynamics within government and development partners strategic interventions in both humanitarian and development areas. Experience of working in inter-agency humanitarian coordination system or cluster system especially in the areas of protection, with refugees, returnees and IDPs, is an asset.

The Protection cluster coordinator needs to remain impartial and objectively be able to represent the interests of the members of the Protection Cluster, and, as applicable, working groups of the Protection Cluster which may be led by other Agencies.

Fluency in French is essential. Good working knowledge in English is also required as more and more reports, internal as well as external, are requested in English. In 2016-2017, conflicts between the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) and armed groups led to the constant displacement of populations in the North Kivu, including Rwandan refugees who were displaced several times.  Clashes resulting from the above dominate the humanitarian working environment in East DRC. The general context of ethnic conflicts linked with attempts to control access to mineral resources and land, the presence of various national and international armed groups, the uncontrolled circulation of arms and widespread impunity due to the weakness and/ or absence of state and judicial systems contribute to the serious security and political challenges as well as human rights violations due to the country¿s fragile administration.
IDPs are caught in a cycle of violence caused by recurrent sporadic clashes between various local and foreign armed groups operating in the East. They total more than half a million who are internally displaced in North Kivu, of whom the majority stay with host families. Their living conditions remain precarious despite the humanitarian response to provide protection and assistance.
In order to better coordinate the response efforts in protection, UNHCR, the lead agency in protection cluster coordination in Congo DRC requires a dedicated Protection Cluster Coordinator with strong experience and background in humanitarian reform and cluster approach of the IASC, who will fulfil UNHCR engagement in Eastern DRC as cluster lead in the framework of interagency coordination.
Under the direct supervision of the Head of Sub-Office, the Protection Officer (Cluster support) in Goma will supports Kinshasa Cluster Coordinator (Protection) in Inter-Cluster Coordination mechanisms, for advocacy and facilitation of protection mainstreaming and cross-cutting issues of age, gender and diversity in the humanitarian response and early recovery activities. Goma is the capital of North Kivu province, bordering Rwanda.  It has an estimated population of some 1 million.  Despite the fact that Goma is an important gateway to eastern DR Congo, it remains isolated from other DRC cities due to bad road infrastructure.  Boat transport is used extensively to commute with other towns bordering the Kivu lake (e.g. Bukavu)

Staff reside in commercial accommodation available in town. 

There are limited medical facilities in Goma that are equipped to deal with moderate medical cases.  Evacuation opportunities are limited.  However, air ambulance evacuation can be organized for life threatening emergencies during day time.  Candidates with conditions requiring regular treatment or medical supervision should be appropriately advised. 

The climate is classified as tropical wet and dry. 

There are banking facilities at Goma. There is an acceptable access to communication means, such as internet, telephone sim cards etc. Goma is a security level 3 duty station.

Despite all the security measures, UN staff remains at risk due to rampant and persistent criminality fuelled by economic hardship, ill-paid police and military personnel and presence of armed groups. Staff members are exposed to house break-ins, ambushed, car-jacking, and violent criminals. Strict adherence to security measures will be advised to all staffs in order to preserve them from being victims of serious security incident and enable a smooth and secure conduct of UN operations. The presence of a live volcano (Nyiragongo) is another factor that impact the life in Goma due to the emanation of gaz (CO and sulfur).
Goma is affected by earthquake. Last earthquake was in August 2015 with a level of 5.7 on Richter scale.
Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Please note that the closing date for all vacancies in the Add. 3 to March 2017 Compendium is Thursday, 3 August 2017 (midnight Geneva time).