Prot Officer

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

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
The Protection Officer is a senior member of the protection team in a Country or Sub-Office and may, depending of the size and structure of the Office, be Head of the Protection Unit. He/she may report to the Senior Protection Officer, Head of Sub-Office or to the Assistant Representative for Protection. In smaller Offices, the post may report directly to the Representative.  The incumbent has direct supervisory responsibility for protection staff who may include community services, registration, resettlement and education. He/she provides functional protection oversight to information management and programme staff; and supervises protection standards, operational procedures and practices in protection delivery at local or country level. The incumbent also acts as an advisor to senior management in designing a comprehensive protection strategy and represents the organization to authorities, UN sister agencies, partners and other stakeholders on protection doctrine and policy.

The Protection Officer is relied upon by the Office to plan, lead and coordinate quality, timely and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern. This includes ensuring that operational responses in all sectors are shaped in a protection optic, mainstream protection methodologies and integrate protection safeguards. Another important function of the position is to ensure that persons of concern are involved with the Office in making decisions that affect them, whether in accessing their rights or in identifying appropriate solutions to their problems. To achieve this, the incumbent will need to build and maintain effective interfaces with communities of concern, authorities, protection and assistance partners as well as a broader network of stakeholders who can contribute to enhancing protection.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
Accountability
- The protection needs of populations of concern are met through the application of International and National Law, relevant UN/UNHCR protection standards and IASC principles governing humanitarian coordination.
- The operation has a clear and coherent comprehensive protection strategy which incorporates a thorough age, gender and diversity (AGD) analysis and reflects the Organization's global, regional and country level priorities.
- The Participation of persons of concern is assured through continuous assessment and evaluation using participatory, rights and community based approaches.
- National protection capacities are improved through direct engagement, research and advocacy with all relevant external interlocutors.
- Protection incidents are immediately identified and addressed through direct intervention, advocacy and public exposure.

Responsibility
- Stay abreast of political, social, economic and cultural developments that have an impact on the protection environment.
- Facilitate a consultative process with government counterparts, partners and persons of concern to develop and implement a comprehensive protection strategy 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; Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) priorities with regard to these persons.
- In operations applying the Cluster Approach, seek to ensure the response of the Protection Cluster is grounded in a strategy which covers all assessed and prioritized protection needs of the affected populations. 
- Support senior management 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.
- Promote International and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards and codes of conduct and ensure that all sectors and /or in clusters in applicable operations fulfil their responsibilities mainstreaming protection.
- Implement and monitor programmes on an AGD basis to address identified protection needs.
- Provide technical guidance and support to UNHCR and partners on all protection related issues.
- Oversee and manage individual protection cases including those on SGBV and child protection.
- Provide legal advice and guidance on protection issues to internal and external interlocutors; ensure legal assistance is accessible to persons of concern; liaise with competent authorities to ensure the issuance of personal and other relevant documents to persons of concern (civil documentation, in particular birth certificates).
- Oversee and undertake eligibility and status determination ensuring compliance with UNHCR procedural standards and international protection principles.
- Promote and implement effective measures to identify, prevent and reduce statelessness.
-  Develop and implement a country-level education plan and ensure partnerships are forged with the Ministry for Education, UNICEF and other partners as appropriate.
- Develop and implement a country-level child protection plan as part of the protection strategy ensuring programmes use a child protection systems approach.
- Monitor, and intervene in cases of refoulement, expulsion and other protection incidents through working relations with governments and other partners.  
- Implement and oversee Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all protection/solutions activities.
- Ensure that durable solutions through voluntary repatriation, local integration and where appropriate, resettlement are sought and provided to the largest possible number of persons of concern.
- Coordinate the design, implementation and evaluation of protection related programming with implementing and operational partners.
- Contribute to and facilitate a programme of results-based advocacy through a consultative process with sectorial and/or cluster partners.
- Ensure that the Protection Sector or Cluster has an effective information management component which: provides disaggregated data on populations of concern and their problems; researches, collects and disseminates relevant protection information and good practices to enhance protection delivery. 
- Build the protection capacity of national and local government, partners and civil society to assume their responsibilities vis-à-vis all persons of concern through protection training, mainstreaming and related activities.
- Coordinate capacity-building initiatives for communities and individuals to assert their rights.
- Advise and capacitate national authorities, relevant institutions and civil society to strengthen legislation and status determination procedures and mechanisms.

Authority
- Approve the protection strategy for endorsement by the Senior Protection Officer, Assistant Representative Protection or the Representative. 
- Chair protection coordination meetings, including Protection Cluster meetings in applicable operations.  
- Intervene with authorities on protection issues. Negotiate locally and as appropriate with resettlement countries and countries of return on behalf of UNHCR.
- Take review decisions on individual cases.
- Enforce compliance of staff and partners with global protection policies and standards of professional integrity in the delivery of protection services.
- Approve expenditures under the UNHCR protection budget.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) in Law, International Law, political Sciences or related field with good knowledge of International Refugee and Human Rights Law plus minimum 6 years relevant professional experience of which 2 years in the field. Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master¿s) plus 5 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 4 years of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted.
- Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- Diverse field experience desirable.
- Good IT skills including database management skills.
- Completion of the Protection Learning Programme, RSD- esettlement Learning Programme.
- Knowledge of additional UN languages.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR Protection Officer 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. 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
M002L3 - Managing Performance Level 3
M004L3 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 3
M006L3 - Managing Resources Level 3
X004L3 - Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Level 3
X005L3 - Planning and Organizing Level 3
X007L3 - Political Awareness Level 3 <p>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.</p>
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See below for this postion's Operational Context
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For those people applying for High Risk Duty Stations, we strongly encourage them – before deciding to apply- to read the country specific security and welfare country 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). Ensuring staff are better informed is part of the increased attention UNHCR is paying to Duty of Care.

 

Staff after having applied to High Risk Duty Stations will have access to country specific information webinars with Field Safety Section (FSS) and Staff Welfare Section (SWS) colleagues and provided with a tool to test their psychological preparedness for serving in High Risk Duty Stations. Applicants who applied for a position in a High Risk country will receive, after the deadline for applications has expired, a joint invitation from the Staff Welfare Section (SWS) and the Field Safety Section (FSS) to participate in these webinars. During the Webinars, latest updates on security and well-being will be provided, and FSS and SWS will address questions raised by participants. Applicants are highly encouraged to benefit, when applicable, from all measures as they provide most up-to-date security and well-being information helpful to assess staff’s readiness to serve in a High Risk Duty Station. A Staff Welfare Officer will also be available, if and when required, to discuss with interested applicants the results of the psychological preparedness tool as well as readiness for assignment in High Risk Duty Stations.

 

REFUGEE PROTECTION

The Protection Officer will assist in overseeing and implementing the multi-year, multi-partner Refugee Protection Strategy especially in the urban context.  S/he should carry out proactive coordination with the  Commission of Refugee Affairs and protection partners to ensure the enhancement of protection delivery and achievement of operational protection objectives.

S/he will provide timely substantive functional advice and guidance to the refugee team in Juba, and as Officer-in-Charge of the Refugee (and Statelessness) unit, in the absence of the Senior Protection Officer should provide protection guidance and advice to Sub/Field Office staff when needed/requested at any time. 

S/he should have proven protection and RSD training experience that are necessary for strengthening the capacity of Government counterparts and partners. S/he will deliver relevant training courses and facilitate protection training sessions as needed.

The incumbent should possess strong negotiation skills to support the close collaboration between UNHCR and the government (and other partners)  in RSD including registration, data protection and data sharing with a view to ensuring asylum-seekers/refugees are registered and assisted in a timely manner and that Government staff at the Commission of Refugee Affairs are systematically trained and are capacitated to assume registration and RSD functions in a phased manner.

S/he will facilitate durable solutions for refugees including resettlement, voluntary repatriation and naturalization where appropriate and in accordance with applicable UNHCR policies and guidelines.

S/he should have very good drafting and analytical skills that are  constantly needed for report preparation internally and externally. S/he will contribute to various regional refugee protection, statelessness and protection-related reports, amongst others.. S/he shall be a key part of an internal and informal mini-taskforce on spontaneous South Sudanese refugee returns. It  comprises the two Senior Protection Officers (refugees and IDPs), two Protection Officers from the IDP  and Refugee Units and the Operations Data Management Officer/Assistant, in close consultation with the Assistant Representative (Protection) and senior management .

The Protection Officer will lead, coordinate and supervise all activities pertaining to refugee protection in Juba. S/he will maintain a positive working relationship with government counterparts and other protection service providers in the country to facilitate the protection of asylum-seekers/refugees. In particular, s/he shall establish strong working relations and cooperation with the Commission for Refugee Affairs in Juba ¿ the main national asylum authority. As needed, s/he will have to coordinate with functional units/colleagues at Regional Service Centre in Nairobi and/or the Regional Bureau for Africa in headquarters. S/he will coordinate with other UNHCR Representations offices on individual case referrals , volrep requests by individual refugees and other protection issues. 
The incumbent reports directly to the Senior Protection Officer. S/he supervises one national officer and another national staff.
S/he will act as the Officer-in-Charge of the Refugee (and Statelessness) unit in the absence of the Senior Protection Officer (Refugees) STATELESSNESS
Apart from refugee protection,  the Protection Officer assists the Senior Protection Officer who is the head of the Refugee and Statelessness Unit in so far as prevention, reduction of statelessness and protection of stateless and/or persons at risk of  statelessness (budgetary Pillar 2)  are concerned. The main Government counterpart for this is the Directorate of Nationality, Passports and Immigration (DNPI).  S/he ensures strong partnerships with key stakeholders.
Following completion of a comprehensive Statelessness Study in early 2018, the Protection Officer is expected to support the Senior Protection Officer in leading, facilitating and advancing systematic and timely implementation of the recommendations deriving from this by the Government, UNHCR, partners and other stakeholders. 
S/he will lead systematic and strong UNHCR advocacy for the prevention and reduction of statelessness and the protection of persons at risk of statelessness. Inter alia, this will be done through expanded partnerships with key stakeholders including but not limited to the DNPI.
The incumbent will be based at the UNHCR Representation, in Juba. The candidate should have a very good understanding of UNHCR¿s refugee protection mandate as applied in UNHCR country and field operations. S/he should have proven experience in protecting refugees/asylum-seekers in accordance with relevant international norms, standards, UNHCR policies and guidelines. Specifically s/he should have hands on refugee status determination in order for her/him to support capacity building on RSD by State authorities.

Apart from excellent functional competencies, the incumbent is also expected to possess proven managerial and leadership skills as a regular staff, s/he will supervise the RSD team within the Refugee unit of the Protection section in Juba.

S/he should have a good understanding of sound protection programming within UNHCR. Resource allocation and direct implementation are required for managing Pillar 1 on refugees and Pillar 2 on Statelessness. However, conflict erupted in July 2016 in Juba resulting in expulsion of the then First Vice President Riak Machar and spread of conflict - especially in Greater Equatoria. Since then Greater Equatoria has been witnessing an insurgency against the government by different opposition and rebel groups, forcing thousands to flee across the border to Uganda.

Despite the creation of High Level Revitalization Forum (HLRF) in June 2017 under the auspices of IGAD and the official launch of the President Salva Kiir¿s initiative for a nation-wide dialogue in May 2017, the humanitarian situation in South Sudan remained highly volatile and conflict spread across areas that had previously been relatively stable. The Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) was unable to ensure security and the economy difficulties facing the country remained with the inflation rate tripled in 2017. In addition, On 21 December 2017, HLRF parties signed yet another Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access at the end of the first HLRF phase. It required parties to cease all hostile military actions by 24 December 2017 which has suffered immediate violations in a number of locations. Proliferation of arms across the country and maintenance of the civilian character of asylum in the camps remained a challenge. The third round of the HLRF talks are being held in Addis Ababa in May 2018 and have yet to conclude, and clashes between government and opposition and/or rebel forces continue to be reported (e.g. in Pagak in Upper Nile). UNHCR¿s engagement under the National Dialogue process is mainly via the Sub-Committee on Refugees and International Outreach (NDSCRIO). So far, consultations of the steering committee have been held with refugees in Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Sudan, to ensure their voices and inputs are added to the peace process. The latest meeting between UNHCR and NDSCRIO leadership was held on 27 April 2018, where it was agreed that planning and coordination need to be further improved.


The main areas of concern in South Sudan are armed conflict and crime. The current levels of these risks are HIGH. However, with implementation of identified risk management measures the risks are projected to be reduced to MEDIUM. The current risk level for terrorism and civil unrest is LOW except in areas hosting protection of civilian sites such as Juba, Malakal, Bentiu, Wau and Bor. These projections are expected to remain so in the short and medium barring sudden changes induced by internal/external factors.

The operation in South Sudan is currently responding to an emergency that is high in magnitude. UNHCR has 10 offices (Representation Office Juba, SO Jamjang and Bunj, FO Bor, Malakal, Bentiu, Yambio, Yei, Wau, and field unit in Yida; The security situation in South Sudan as of September 2018, though generally stable remains fragile and fluid in a complex and unpredictable environment. The security situation is characterized by low intensity and localized armed conflict in some areas, high levels of crime across the country, Inter and Intra communal conflict over a diverse range of issues including cattle raids, competition for resources and revenge attacks and regular civil unrest in refugee and IDP operations and host community. These challenges continue directly and indirectly impacted on UNHCR operations.

South Sudan continues to face a humanitarian emergency, with ongoing localized conflict in some parts of the country, economic decline and hyper-inflation and weak rule of law and widespread human rights violations against civilians. The economic difficulties facing the country will most likely remain in the short and medium term with resulting in an increased number of people in need of assistance. Access limitations due to limited infrastructure but also the fluctuating security context will further complicate the delivery of humanitarian assistance in many parts of the country The UNHCR operation in South Sudan provides protection and support to refugees, IDPs, and also deals with issues of statelessness. The conflict that broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Sudan People¿s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) in Sudan¿s South Kordofan and Blue Nile States in June and September 2011 led to widespread displacement of civilians, most of whom fled to Upper Nile State (especially Maban County), and Unity State in South Sudan. As a result, UNHCR declared South Sudan a Level 2 Emergency in May 2012 and further scaled up its relief response for 200,000 refugees fleeing the conflict in Sudan.

Since 15 December 2013, more than 1.6 million people have been displaced in South Sudan as a result of the civil war between the government and the opposition forces. Civil war in the country has brought massive destruction and loss of life, as well as serious violations of other human rights of local population. While the Level 3 emergency has phased out, the requirements on the ground remain largely unchanged, requiring efforts to simultaneously work through coordination, provision of emergency support, as well as proactive role in search for durable solutions.

The Agreement on Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (ARCSS) between warring parties was signed in August 2015 and Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) was established in late April 2016. A political solution to the conflict in South Sudan remains elusive. However, the recent signing of the peace agreement in Addis on 12th September 2018 represents an important milestone for South Sudan after several months of negotiations. There appears to be renewed commitment by both Government and opposition groups to make this latest agreement work.

Crime is a significant threat factor and is a major destabilizing factor. The current high crime levels across South Sudan make UN, Agencies Funds and Programmes INGOs and their assets high value targets. Violence against humanitarian workers is a concerning development in South Sudan and reached a new high in 2017, with 28 killed. Nearly half of the 1,159 humanitarian access incidents reported in 2017 by aid agencies involved violence including killing, looting and threats. The trend is "indicative of increasingly difficult times for aid workers in the country.

South Sudan being an integrated mission UNHCR works in close collaboration with UNDSS, UNMISS, other AFPs, INGOs and others in fulfilment of its mandate. UNHCR is represented at the Security Management Team (SMT), Area SMTs, Security cell meetings other meetings in Juba and in Field locations with others participating via tele-conference. The security level in South Sudan is assessed as substantial (security level 4) in all areas.The general security outlook is that
. ¿ The security situation will likely remain fluid, complex and unpredictable in the short to medium term 
¿ Threats of armed conflict and communal conflict remain intact. The threat and threat actors more or less will remain the same
¿ The current high crime levels across South Sudan make UN/AFPs, INGOs and their assets high value targets and this is not expected to change in the short to medium terms. The deteriorating economic situation is a major driver of crime
¿ Inter and Intra communal conflict to continue over a diverse range of issues including cattle raids, competition for resources and revenge attacks
¿ Civil unrest by refugees, IDPs and Host community will most likely continue over a range of diverse issues Juba is classified as an E, non-family duty station with limited infrastructure and leisure facilities.   All international staff reside at UNHCR provided accommodation.  UN curfew is from 19:00 to 06:00. Mental robustness is needed in a highly stressful environment with tight deadlines and high workload. There are limited medical facilities in Juba. Therefore, staff assigned must be in good health. Candidates with conditions that would require regular treatment or medical supervision should be appropriately advised. Living arrangements
In South Sudan operation there are different accommodation arrangements based on the office location within South Sudan. In Juba, the capital city, staff reside within either of two separate compounds that are both relatively close in distance to the office. One of these accommodations is a small hotel leased by UNHCR, located in Tomping area, where staff members have their own separate rooms and bathrooms. Yet, staff share a common area for leisure activities as well as a kitchen. While in the other compound, located near the presidential palace, staff reside within home-type structures or pre-fabricated containers, each having its own bedroom, bathroom, and a small kitchen.
Field offices, on the other hand, have different arrangements for each location. For instance, in some locations, UNHCR compound is comprised of both accommodations and offices, while in other filed offices, UNHCR staff reside within UNMISS compounds.

In all UNHCR compounds, regardless of the location, accommodations are equipped with all the necessary furniture including: wardrobes, drawers, bed, bed sheets, flat screen TV, desk, desk chair, large fridge, utensils, pots, pans, and towels. 
All rooms are provided with in-house services including, regular cleaning, personal laundry picked up twice or three times a week, and the option of doing your own laundry is also available in some locations.
In addition, most locations are equipped with a gym, or some sports equipment.
Rent is deducted directly from staff entitlements. Food and Water
In Juba, all basic foods are available in the market place ranging from meat, dairy, fruits and vegetables, in addition to a few restaurants located in town. While in the field, food supply varies depending on the season. In addition, all UNHCR staff have the option of eating at a cafeteria, if they don¿t wish to cook their own food, which serves three meals a day. Water tanks in all UNHCR compounds are treated, yet most staff prefer to drink bottled water or boil their water before drinking.
As a general advice, applicants for the post should be psychologically prepared prior to deployment by staff welfare officer, and during this preparation session staff can learn more details with regards to living and working conditions. ¿ UN Curfew is in force across the country but timing differs from one SRM Area to another.
¿ International personnel must request and receive security clearance for all travel (official and non-official) within and outside South Sudan. National personnel must request and receive security clearance for all official travel within and outside of South Sudan.
¿ International staff on mission must stay in either a UN facility or UN approved commercial lodging for staff members.
¿ UN international personnel intending to stay in approved residences outside UN compounds , prior to signing lease agreement  must arrange a security inspection of the residence by UNDSS
¿ All UNSMS female staff must be accommodated in UNSMS  residential compounds
¿ Safe and Secure Approaches in Field Environment (SSAFE) must be conducted for UN personnel in areas with HIGH Risk level and above within one month of arriving in the mission
¿ All international staff should be issued with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). PPEs should always be on-hand for use when required ¿ All national staff are to be issued with radios and PPEs. PPE to be kept in the office and radios at staff residence to prevent staff being targeted by security agencies
¿ All international staff including UNVs and International Contractors working for UNSMS systems organization must be  issued with appropriate radio communication equipment ( VHF /  UHF Handsets)
¿ Some roads in South Sudan are designated as roads requiring Force Protection.  Such designation may change from time to time( A force protection road map is issued regularly)
¿ Majority of movements within South Sudan is by Air as roads are impassable for a number of reasons.

Please note that the closing date for all vacancies in the September 2018 Compendium is Thursday 18 October  2018 (midnight Geneva time).