By continuing to browse this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Read our privacy policy

Associate Protection Officer (Community-Based)

Iraq

  • Organization: UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
  • Location: Iraq
  • Grade: Junior level - P-2, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Communication and Public Information
    • Civil Society and Local governance
    • Protection Officer (Refugee)
  • Closing Date: Closed

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.

Associate Protection Officer (Community-Based)

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
The Associate Protection Officer (Community-based) is a member of the protection team in a Country or Sub-Office and may report to the Protection Officer, Protection Officer (Community-based), or Head of Sub-Office or Field Office. In smaller Offices, the post may report directly to the Representative or Senior Protection Officer. Under the overall direction of the Protection Unit, and in coordination with other UNHCR staff, government, NGO partners and other stakeholders, the Associate Protection Officer (Community-based) works directly with communities of concern to identify the risks they face and to leverage their capacities to protect themselves, their families and communities. The incumbent may have direct supervisory responsibility for part of the protection staff and supports the application of community-based protection standards, operational procedures and practices in community-based protection delivery at the field level.

To fulfil this role the Associate Protection Officer (Community-based) is required to spend a substantial percentage of her/his time working outside the office, building and maintaining networks within communities of persons of concern. The development and maintenance of constructive relationships with persons of concern that measurably impact and enhance protection planning, programming and results forms the core of the work of the Associate Protection Officer (Community-based). The incumbent also supports the designing of a comprehensive community-based protection strategy by ensuring that it is based on consultation with persons of concern. S/he provides timely analysis on the protection situation in the field, highlighting important political, social, military and economic developments affecting the protection of persons of concern and the identification of solutions, based upon information obtained through direct communication with persons of concern and a network of local partners. The incumbent plans and undertakes quality, timely and effective responses to the needs of all segments of populations of concern, in an age, gender and diversity inclusive manner.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
Accountability
- Effective and timely support is provided to the formulation of a clear and coherent protection and solutions oriented strategy, which incorporates a thorough age, gender and diversity analysis and reflects the Organization¿s global, regional and country level priorities.
- AGD sensitive analysis of community risks and capacities provides the essential basis for all of UNHCR¿s work.
- The participation of persons of concern is assured through continuous assessment and evaluation using participatory, rights and community based approaches, which inform protection and assistance programming and ensure that UNHCR meets its commitments to accountability to persons of concern.
- National protection capacities are improved through direct engagement, research and advocacy with all relevant external interlocutors.
- Protection incidents and needs are immediately identified and addressed through direct intervention, advocacy and public exposure.

Responsibility
- Be fully informed about community structures and the protection and security situation of the population of concern and develop strong links with a cross-section of members of refugee/IDP/stateless communities, using an AGD approach.
- Through relationships with persons of concern and network of partners stay abreast of political, social, economic and cultural developments that have an impact on the protection environment and provide advice to senior management. Ensure that the perspectives, capacities, needs and resources of the persons of concerns are reflected in the protection strategy, planning processes and operations plan addressing the specific protection needs of women and men, children, youth and older persons, persons with disabilities, minority groups such as sexual minorities and persons living with HIV/AIDS.
- Ensure through direct action and advocacy with more senior protection staff that the necessary resources are allocated to enable community work to identify and address protection and assistance gaps.
- Support a consultative process with government counterparts at local levels, partners and persons of concern to develop and implement integrated strategies that address the key protection priorities, including, for example, child protection, education and SGBV, and solutions approaches.
- Provide technical guidance and support to UNHCR and partners and implement and oversee Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on all community-based protection related issues.
- Support the design, implementation and evaluation of protection centred and solutions oriented programming with implementing and operational partners guaranteeing that community-owned activities are integrated. 
- Support communities in establishing representation and coordination structures
- Promote confidence building and conflict resolution among populations of concern, authorities and host communities.
- Maintain protection presence through regular field missions and reports, making direct contact with persons of concern, host communities, local authorities and partners. In operations applying the humanitarian cluster system, contribute to ensuring that the response of the Protection Cluster is grounded in an AGD-compliant strategy which covers all assessed and prioritized protection needs of the affected populations. 
- Support the Operation's work to ensure the protection strategy is fully integrated into the Country Operations Plan, the UN Development and Assistance Framework (UNDAF), the Humanitarian Country Team¿s common humanitarian action plan where applicable.
- Contribute to the Protection team's information management component which: provide disaggregated data on populations of concern and their problems; researches, collects and disseminates relevant protection information and good practices to enhance protection delivery and provide technical advice if necessary. 
- Ensure participatory, community-based protection and AGD approaches are included in, strategies and plans in the country operation.
- Ensure community understanding of UNHCR's commitment to deliver on accountability and quality assurance in its response.
- Support persons of concern to develop structures that enhance their participation and protection.

Authority
- Contribute to the design of the community-based protection strategy, project submissions and budgets for endorsement by the Senior Protection Officer or the Representative.
- Chair protection meetings with partners.
- Intervene with authorities on community-based protection issues.
- Negotiate with local counterparts, partners and populations of concern.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

- Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) in International Development, Cultural Studies, Human Rights, International Social Work, Social Science, Political Science, Anthropology, International Law or other clearly related disciplines plus minimum 3 years of  relevant professional experience, including in the areas of community based protection, community services, social work, and human rights. Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master's) plus 2 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 1 year of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted.
- Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.

***For National Officer positions, very good knowledge of local language and local institutions is essential.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- Diverse field operational experience.
- Good IT skills including database management skills.
- Proven communication skills, both oral and written.
- Demonstrated knowledge of community communication and engagement approaches.
- Understanding of and demonstrated competencies in forced displacement and protection, particularly SGBV prevention and response, child protection, education, gender equality, and the application of the Age, Gender and Diversity Policy.
- Knowledge of additional UN languages.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR Associate Protection Officer (Community-Based) positions. 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. C001L2 - Accountability Level 2
C002L2 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 2
C003L2 - Communication Level 2
C004L2 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 2
C005L2 - Client & Result Orientation Level 2
C006L2 - Organizational Awareness Level 2
M001L2 - Empowering and Building Trust Level 2
M003L2 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 2
X001L2 - Analytical Thinking Level 2
X005L2 - Planning and Organizing Level 2
X007L2 - Political Awareness Level 2

The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.

For those people applying for High Risk Duty Stations, we strongly encourage colleagues to read the country specific security and welfare profiles which can be found on the Intranet under Support Services - Duty of Care (https://intranet.unhcr.org/en/support-services/duty-of-care.html). These profiles have been specifically designed to answer some of the key questions (on security conditions, medical provisions, staff welfare, living and working conditions) potential applicants might have before deciding to apply. Ensuring staff are better informed is part of the increased attention UNHCR is paying to Duty of Care. This project is still in the pilot phase, and as such some of the information leaflets are being produced as we speak and might not be available yet. They will be soon, so keep checking. 

Please note that the closing date for all vacancies in the Add.4 to March 2018 Compendium is Wednesday 5 Septembe 2018 (midnight Geneva time).

This vacancy is now closed.
However, we have found similar vacancies for you: