Snr Prot Officer (SGBV-SftS)

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.

Senior Protection Officer (SGBV-SftS)

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
The Senior Protection Officer (SGBV-SftS) will report directly to the most senior Protection staff member in the office and will be an integral part of the protection team, working closely with programme and other team members to create a multi-sectoral SGBV prevention and response mechanisms as a life-saving priority. This will require setting up and/or leading coordination with interagency partners, government authorities, and persons of concern, including development of strategies, action plans, SOPs. Capacity development may be required, including leading SGBV workshops for a range of audiences. Initially, as the new staff will be deployed to on-going emergencies in different parts of the world, they will also be tasked with reviewing the current SGBV prevention and response framework on the ground to identify critical gaps to be filled. Furthermore, the deployed staff will be tasked with ensuring that SGBV-related responsibilities are fully incorporated into the existing protection staffing structure. Under Safe from the Start (SftS) project, the staff member will be deployed to a location for an initial period of 6 months, with the intention of getting multi-sectoral SGBV prevention and response programs developed and implemented. At the end of the 6 months, the objective is to hand over the longer-term SGBV programming to regular staff in an operation. Some flexibility will be maintained, however, to renew placement in the same location depending on operational and broader organizational needs.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
Accountability
- SGBV strategy developed as part of the broader protection strategy of the operation.
- Multi-sectoral SGBV prevention and response programs based on needs and capacity assessment results are established and programmed at onset of emergency.
- SGBV coordination mechanisms function 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.
- Quarterly and end of deployment reports are finalized to facilitate hand-over to Protection staff at the end of their assignment.
- Baseline and endline assessments are completed in close collaboration with the Project Monitoring & RBM expert.

Responsibility
- Support the country office to conduct initial needs/gaps and capacity assessments on SGBV in close coordination with any on-going joint/common assessments being conducted in the early stages of emergency response.
- Provide support to integrate SGBV prevention and response in humanitarian action plans of all programme areas.
- Develop a SGBV strategy 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.
- 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, both in refugee contexts and with the GBV AoR members in non-refugee settings.
- Establish and/or strengthen new strategic and innovative partnerships for SGBV both with community-based, local, national, and international organizations, with a focus on ensuring continuity and sustainability.
- Propose measures to ensure appropriate SGBV accountability measures in the Job descriptions and Performance management systems of key staff members.
- 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 a core referral mechanism for response services through consultative development of basic Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and emergency SGBV strategy that is entrenched in the comprehensive emergency protection framework.
- Conduct training on basic elements of SGBV prevention and response, the design of SGBV programmes and coordination mechanisms.
- Advocate with senior management in UNHCR and other humanitarian actors, to ensure prioritization of SGBV prevention and response as a life-saving response.
- Identify potential partners and coordinate with Programme and Protection sections to incorporate SGBV 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 programming and monitoring to long-term protection staff.
- Consult with Snr. Advisor (SGBV), DIP on policy developments and strategic direction.

Authority
- Lead and/or represent UNHCR in high-level interagency fora related to SGBV.
- Lead planning, programming, and monitoring of budget and other resources dedicated to emergency SGBV programs under the supervision of the Representative or Emergency Team Leader and in consultation with DIP.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master's) in International Law, Human Rights, International Development, International Relations, Anthropology, Political or Social Science, with authoritative knowledge of issues relating to refugee women, gender, humanitarian and development issues, and SGBV prevention and response plus minimum 8 years of job experiences relevant to the function of which at least 5 in an international context. Experience working in emergency settings is an asset. Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) plus 9 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 7 years of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted.
- Minimum 5 years previous experience managing Protection related projects including managing SGBV projects with strong program/technical and budget management skills. Experience working on SGBV in emergencies is an asset.
- Thorough understanding of SGBV prevention and response in displacement.
- Training design and facilitation skills.
- Demonstrated capacities in Results Based Management, including monitoring and reporting, linking protection programs and budgets, as well as database management. Experience with GBVIMS is an asset.
- Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to work independently with minimum supervision and productively in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to work flexibly - this position requires missions up to 6 consecutive months. The ability to work productively independently and within a volatile and unstable security environment.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills. Demonstrated ability to successfully and effectively communicate with people in a multi-cultural environment characterized by emergency conditions.
- Excellent knowledge of English and working knowledge of another UN language.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- French or Arabic language skills.
- Solid knowledge of UNHCR's SGBV prevention and  response programming, including its current strategy.
- Demonstrated coordination and consensus building skills to manage multiple stakeholder consultation processes. 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
M002L3 - Managing Performance Level 3
M006L3 - Managing Resources Level 3
M005L3 - Leadership Level 3
M003L3 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 3
M004L3 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 3
X004L3 - Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Level 3
X001L3 - Analytical Thinking Level 3
X005L3 - Planning and Organizing 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.

 

- Solid knowledge of UNHCR's SGBV prevention, risk mitigation and response programming and key approaches, including its current global strategy.
-  Demonstrated organizational and management skills, including project management.
-  Excellent communication and drafting skills in English.
-  Demonstrated coordination and consensus building skills to manage multiple stakeholder consultation process.
-  Ability to work collaboratively with government counterparts.
-  Ability to work under significant time pressure and come up with innovative and creative solutions faced with fast-paced changing circumstances.
-  Experience in training and capacity building, including developing training materials.
-  Good understanding of RBM and planning processes.
-  Demonstrated experience in monitoring SGBV prevention, risk mitigation and response programmes.
-  Demonstrated skills in developing SGBV strategies that are entrenched in a comprehensive protection strategy, including developing SOPs and referral mechanisms. This is a roving position, with a specific focus on supporting emergency operations.
Temporary re-assignments will be to different emergency operations and specific contexts depend on each operation. While the administrative duty station of this position is in Budapest, Hungary, the incumbent will be temporarily reassigned/ deployed to emergency operations throughout the year as part of UNHCR¿s deployable capacity under Safe from the Start to help scale up SGBV capacity, programmes and systems in emergencies.

The Snr Protection Officer (SGBV-SftS) is part of the Safe from the Start roving officer scheme. The Snr Protection Officer (SGBV-SftS) will therefore spend up to 90% of reassignment time in different UNHCR country operations, primarily emergency situations. The time in Budapest is normally limited to an installation period of 1 week or 1 month, after which the Snr Protection Officer is expected to be based in field operations and rove every 6 months to support the next emergency - often hard ship - operation. Temporary reassignments will be for an average period of six months per operation / emergency. Hence, on average, it is expected that the incumbent may serve in 2 duty UNHCR operations over a period of one year. The deployments maybe shorter depending on the requirements of each situation.

The incumbent of this position must therefore be ready to travel to category e- and hard-ship duty stations for prolonged periods. As the positions respond to emergencies, it may not be possible to choose where to be deployed or to be given long period of prior notification of where you will be deployed.  The incumbent is therefore expected to exhibit flexibility and ability to travel at short notice.

Limited infrastructure and a stressful working environment can be expected in most of the operations.

During the deployment the incumbent usually reports directly to the most senior protection staff member in the office and will be an integral part of the protection team.  The Senior Protection Project Officer supported by Senior Advisor (SGBV) at Headquarters, DIP will provide functional supervision to the incumbent. As this is a roving position, with a specific focus on support emergency operations, sensitive political contexts can be expected. Previous experience in similar security risk operations and good security awareness are needed. Specific contexts depend on each operation. The "Safe from the Start" project forms an integral component of the Organization's efforts to enhance SGBV prevention, risk mitigation and response, and is closely monitored by the donor (PRM / USA). The incumbent is required to be a responsible, committed and effective professional who is able to deliver qualitative results in a timely manner.

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