Protection Assistant

The international obligations of Turkey and its national legislative framework on asylum have shaped the form of the current collaboration with UNHCR. During the last 54 years, UNHCR and Turkey have been working together in close partnership. Turkey has provided the asylum space for persons seeking refuge, and UNHCR has assisted Turkey to determine who is in need of international protection and to enable access to rights by these persons. As the main partner of the Turkish State in the field of international protection, UNHCR Turkey continues to provide legislative and technical support as well as institutional capacity building support to the Directorate General of Migration Management (DGMM) and other national institutions.

As regarding Syrian nationals who are hosted in Turkey under a Temporary Protection (TP) framework for Syrian nationals, refugees and stateless, UNHCR’s work is to support the authorities through the provision of technical assistance and strong public advocacy for enhanced responsibility sharing.

UNHCR in Turkey also registers asylum-seekers, conducts RSD under the Mandate of the High Commissioner for all non- Europeans (with the exception of Syrians), intervenes to strengthen the protection environment and access to social support mechanisms, and endeavors to find durable solutions for the most vulnerable amongst those who are recognized as refugees provided they meet the criteria of the resettlement countries.  

With the project, UNHCR is aiming to strengthen the case identification process which is crucial to ensure that persons with special needs are identified at the earliest stage. This will ensure that proper protection interventions are taken as soon as special needs are identified and referred to available services. 

The Protection Assistant will work under the supervision of the Assistant Protection Officer and the overall guidance of the Protection Officer in the Protection Unit. Revision of reporting lines might be conducted based on host agency’s operational requirements and in mutual agreement with the UN Volunteer and UNV. The UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

·         Consistently apply International and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR and the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) policy, standards and codes of conduct.

·         Conduct protection interviews and Heightened Risk identification to identify persons of concern (POCs) in need of assistance and urgent protection interventions including at the reception stage at Implementing Partner’s premises.

·         Provide gate and telephone counselling to POCs.

·         Refer special cases for protection follow up including through NGOs, Implementing Partners and Government structures.

·         Observe and respect protection related Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

·         Provide functional and administrative support in all protection related AGD based programming with implementing and operational partners.

·         Participate in protection monitoring missions to satellite cities.

·         Provide functional and administrative support in implementing participatory approaches, needs assessments, monitoring, reporting and case management. 

·         Facilitate liaison with competent authorities for the issuance of personal and other relevant documents.

·         Assist in drafting reports, routine correspondence, updating relevant databases and    compiling statistics for the protection unit/section.

·         Filing in-coming/out-going correspondence.

·         To monitor the security and safety of persons of concern to UNHCR and to ensure admission, prevention of refoulement, arbitrary arrest and detention.

·         Monitor cases under administrative detention to prevent risk of refoulement.

·         Any other tasks assigned by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:

·         Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance 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 publications/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.

Results/Expected Output:

• The Volunteer is expected to conduct 10 protection interviews and write protection assessments on a daily basis.  
• The Volunteer is expected to provide phone and gate counselling.
• The Volunteer is expected to increase her/his knowledge on UNHCR mandate and international protection.
• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during your assignment such as specific quantification of mobilized volunteers, activities, capacities.

·         Cultural and gender awareness

·         Integrity, Professionalism and  Respect for diversity

·         Ability to work effectively under stress and in crisis situations.

·         University degree in social sciences, women’s studies, development, law or other relevant fields is desirable

·         Demonstrated familiarity with and knowledge of the basics of refugee law and international human rights law is desirable

·         Demonstrated knowledge and experience in working with vulnerable groups and gender issues: women, children, and marginalized groups is desirable

·         Demonstrated experience in working with trauma victims would be an asset

·         Strong interpersonal skills

·         Good analytical skills, good drafting skills and good oral and written communication skills

·         Knowledge of another official UN language(s) an asset, in particular Arabic and/or Farsi.

·         Computer skills: Good knowledge of MS Office programmes and Internet Applications

·         At least 22 years of age

Nationality: Turkish

Living Conditions:

The UN Volunteer will live and work in Ankara, Turkey. The national UN Volunteer may also be required to go on missions.

Ankara is the capital of Turkey and the country’s second largest city following Istanbul, with the population of 4.5 million people. Centrally located in Anatolia, Ankara is an important commercial and industrial city. It is the seat of the Turkish government and houses all foreign embassies. The city is strategically located at an important crossroads for trade in proximity of Turkey’s highway and railway networks. Visas are required for entry into Turkey. It is therefore strongly recommended to check with the local Turkish Embassy or Consulate before traveling (http://www.mfa.gov.tr/visa-informationforforeigners.en.mfa). Nationals of EU member states and a limited number of nations are eligible for visas-on-arrival at international air termini and certain border crossing points.

· Security: The current security level in Ankara is minimal – 1. Ankara is considered a generally a safe city, where normal use of common sense and acting responsibly takes one a long way. · The public transport is safe to use. There are no direct threats towards United Nations and its staff in Turkey. · Medical Services: No special vaccinations are required for a travel to Ankara. Medical services available are of high quality, and health care services are available also in English.

· Housing: Apartments and flats are easily available and generally of good condition, with well working services (gas, electricity, water). The cost of housing is reasonable, although smaller apartments and certain locations close to foreign embassies and the UN House tend to be more expensive. Some UN Volunteers opt for house sharing. Upon arrival, UN Volunteers will reside in a hotel until they find permanent housing. UNV Field Unit can provide assistance to UN Volunteers in identifying suitable housing. · Cost of living and services: Housing is the largest monthly expense, and the cost of living is otherwise very affordable. Daily food and products are inexpensive, as are many services.

· Imported goods and many non-essential services and products tend to be more expensive. The provision of goods and services in general is very good. Local transportation ranges from buses, mini-busses called “dolmuş” to taxis, which are all affordable. The subway lines are very limited in the scope. · Weather: The city has a mean elevation of 938 metres. It has cold, often snowy winters due to its elevation and inland location, and hot, dry summers. Because of Ankara's high altitude and its dry summers, nightly temperatures in the summer months can be cool.

· Language: Turkish is the only official language. English is widely spoken in touristic areas, but less commonly in Ankara. In supermarkets and shops, few Turkish words are useful. There are Turkish language schools and tutors available in Ankara

Conditions of Service for national UN Volunteers

A contract till December 31, 2018; with subsequent contract extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment.

Travel to duty station (if applicable) and a Settling-In-Grant will be provided in the event duty station is not within commuting distance from the place of recruitment. A Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) of 2,653 TRY is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents), as well as final repatriation (if applicable) and resettlement allowance for satisfactory service.

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme which welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture.

United Nations Volunteers reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this opening for other openings with United Nations Volunteers with similar assignment description, experience and educational requirements.