Protection Officer (SGBV)

Before submitting an application, UNHCR staff members intending to apply to this Job Opening are requested to consult the Recruitment and Assignments Policy (RAP, UNHCR/HCP/2017/2 and the Recruitment and Assignments Administrative Instruction (RAAI), UNHCR/AI/2017/7 OF 15 August 2017.

Protection Officer (SGBV)

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
Sexual and Gender-based violence (SGBV) is a pervasive and life-threatening health, human rights and protection issue that affects women, men, boys and girls and their communities. The risks are exacerbated in conflict and displacement but stem from pre-existing gender inequalities. Addressing SGBV is therefore a global organizational priority for UNHCR. Establishing risk mitigation, prevention and response to SGBV in UNHCR's programmes must not be dependent on incident reports or data alone because of low reporting. It is essential that these programmes are initiated at the onset as core life-saving interventions, are strong through all phrases of displacement and cut across all sectors of programming. UNHCR¿s SGBV prevention and response work should be guided by the rights-based approach, the survivor-centred approach, community-based protection, and the Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) approach. These four approaches are founded on common principles of empowerment, participation, ownership and accountability. UNHCR aims to institutionalize and integrate initiatives that have shown to be most impactful in mitigating the risks and addressing SGBV.

Dedicated positions for Protection Officers addressing SGBV are needed to provide technical support to improve UNHCR¿s operational capacity to deliver effective prevention and response programs.

The Protection Officer (SGBV) is a member of the protection team in a Country or Sub-Office. He/she may report to the Senior Protection Officer, Senior Protection Officer (Community-based), and Head of Sub-Office or to the Assistant Representative for Protection. In smaller Offices, the post may report directly to the Representative. He/she provides functional SGBV guidance to other protection, information management and programme staff. The incumbent works directly with communities and persons of concern to identify the risks and ensure the implementation of a community and rights based approach. The incumbent also acts as an advisor to senior management in designing an SGBV strategy that fits within the broader Protection and Solutions Strategy by ensuring that it is based on consultation with persons of concern, partners and authorities. The incumbent plans and undertakes quality, timely and effective SGBV prevention and response in line with UNHCR¿s policy and guidance on SGBV, in an age, gender and diversity inclusive manner.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
Accountability
- SGBV strategy developed as part of a comprehensive protection strategy of the office.
- Multi-sectoral SGBV risk mitigation,  prevention and response programs based on needs and capacity assessment results are established and programmed at onset of emergency through all phases of displacement;
- SGBV coordination mechanisms functioning with all relevant stakeholders and partners.
- Multi-sectoral UNHCR staff and key partners are trained on SGBV prevention and response.
- SGBV referral mechanism is in place for essential response services including clinical management of rape and that there is access to equitable services for all survivors.
- SGBV data collection and reporting is functioning and regular reporting is done on SGBV.

Responsibility
- Support the office to conduct regular monitoring, needs/gaps and capacity assessments on SGBV in close coordination with any on-going joint/common assessments being conducted during all phases of displacement;
- Provide support to integrate SGBV prevention and response in humanitarian action plans and into national systems with a focus on ensuring continuity and sustainability.
- Contribute to development of an SGBV strategy and programs in partnership with protection and programme leads in the country operation as part of the overall protection strategy, with particular emphasis on linkages with child protection and education but ensuring the strategy and programs reflect engagement of all sectors in mitigation, prevention and response.
- Lead the planning and monitoring for multi-sectoral SGBV programming using the Results Framework and Focus in close collaboration with Programme and different sectors.
- Establish/strengthen and lead SGBV coordination mechanisms and represent in inter-agency for a.
- Establish and/or strengthen strategic and innovative partnerships for SGBV both with community-based, local, national, and international organizations, with a focus on ensuring continuity and sustainability.
- Provide support in mapping existing services to address SGBV in the various affected areas, including identifying community capacities and structures for potential partnership.
- Put in place or strengthen a core referral mechanism for response services through consultative development of basic Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and an SGBV strategy that is entrenched in the comprehensive emergency protection framework.
- Conduct training on elements of SGBV prevention and response, the design of SGBV programmes and coordination mechanisms.
- Advocate with senior management in UNHCR and other humanitarian actors across all sectors, to ensure prioritization of SGBV prevention and response as a life-saving response.
- Identify potential partners and coordinate with Programme and Protection sections to integrate SGBV risk mitigation, prevention and response programming in sub-agreements.
- Monitor SGBV programs implemented by UNHCR and partners (both implementing and operational) and adjust programming as required.
- Support the integration of SGBV risk mitigation, prevention and response into the role of UNHCR staff across all sectors
- Ensure that addressing SGBV includes measures for protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) in compliance with UNHCR¿s code of conduct.
- Implement UNHCR¿s rules on reporting report concerns, suspicions and complaints on sexual exploitation and abuse by humanitarian workers.

Authority
- Enforce local compliance with UNHCR¿s global protection policies and standards related to mitigation, prevention and response to SGBV.
- Prepare multi-sectoral action plans in consultation with partners that follow the overall strategy on SGBV prevention and response.
- Represent UNHCR in meetings and local protection related fora.
- Intervene with authorities on SGBV prevention and response issues.
- Lead and/or represent UNHCR in inter-agency fora related to the prevention of and response to SGBV.
- Support planning, programming and monitoring of budget and other resources dedicated to SGBV prevention and response programmes under the supervision of the Senior Protection Officer or Head of Office.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) in International Law, Human Rights, International Development, International Relations, Anthropology, Social Work, Gender studies, Political or Social Science or other clearly related disciplines.
- Minimum 6 years (5 years with graduate degree (equivalent of a Master¿s)) relevant professional experience of which 2 years in the field. At least two years of progressively responsible experience in the field of SGBV prevention and response, broader protection or social work involving empowerment of women and girls, gender, child protection, mental health, counselling and working with survivors,   humanitarian and development issues.
- Strong experience in interacting with and building partnerships and synergies with UN agencies, NGOs and civil society organizations.
- 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
- Thorough understanding of SGBV prevention and response in displacement including development of standard operating procedures, conducting assessments, establishing and managing protection programs.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Training design and facilitation skills of SGBV, gender and protection related learning.
- Demonstrated capacities in monitoring and reporting on SGBV and or protection.  
- Experience with Gender Based Violence Information Management System is an asset.
- Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to work independently with minimum supervision in a fast-paced environment.
- Demonstrated ability to successfully and effectively work and communicate with people in a multi-cultural environment.
- Demonstrated experience in inter-agency coordination and consensus building, in refugee and/or cluster contexts. 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
X001L3 - Analytical Thinking Level 3
X005L3 - Planning and Organizing Level 3
X008L3 - Stakeholder Management Level 3

Before applying to this position, we strongly encourage colleagues to read the country specific FAQs information leaflets which can be found  on the Intranet under Staff Resources > Duty of Care. The information leaflets are specifically designed to answer some of the key questions potential applicants might have before deciding to apply. 

Please note that the closing date for all vacancies in the September 2017 Compendium is Monday 6 November 2017 (midnight Geneva time).