Associate Protection Officer (Community-Based)

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.

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 <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.

Functions of the post

The Associate Protection Officer (Community-based) is a member of the protection team in the Sub-Office and will report to the Protection Officer/ Senior Protection Officer. 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. The Associate Protection Officer (Community-based) is expected to support coordination and ensure timely and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern. The Associate Protection Officer also ensures 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. The incumbent is expected to support the activities of the office in community outreach and mobilization, SGBV prevention and response, child protection services, PSS, livelihoods activities in the community centers, catch-up and remedial classes for vulnerable students and to liaise with the Health Unit and Legal Unit to ensure that related services provided in the community centres are properly integrated. The incumbent may have direct supervisory responsibility in areas such as child protection, SGBV and PSS teams, as well as with the Community Mobilization Unit, and as such may be responsible for different aspects of community-based activities and interventions, with a particular focus on standard-setting, interlinking and adjusting services to evolving needs, and capacity-building of partners to ensure quality services.  Under the supervision of the Protection Officer, s/he will support the implementation of the protection strategy for IDPs, returnees and refugees as well as protection activities in the framework of the Protection and Community Services Sector led by UNHCR. S/he will ensure that protection is mainstreamed in all areas of support to IDPs, returnees and refugees, taking into consideration age, gender and diversity principles. Establishing and maintaining communication and cooperation with all partners and community representatives among the persons of concern in the complex environment of Syria is a key challenge and fundamental requirement in this operation. For the successful implementation of tasks, the incumbent should be equipped to exercise a high degree of flexibility, creativity, patience and adaptability. 

The incumbent will have regular contacts with other UN Agencies, UNHCR partners and government institutions and ministries.  The main external interaction is with the Syrian Government, national partners, including the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, suppliers and other UN Agencies. Experience and skills

The position requires the following knowledge, experience and skills:
- A field protection background would be important, including in the areas of community-based protection, community services, social work, general protection and human rights, SGBV prevention and response, child protection, education, gender equality and application of the Age, Gender and Diversity Policy. 
- Knowledge of the IDP operations, especially cluster lead at the regional level
- Operational experience in complex environments, including emergency operations (IDPs, returnees, refugees) and returnee operations, as well as familiarity with inter-agency contexts and coordination mechanisms would be helpful.   
- Community engagement approaches and networking skills
- Excellent oral and written communication skills


Considering the highly sensitive environment in which UNHCR operates in Syria, the incumbent should possess strong political awareness, analytical and diplomatic skills, knowledge of the context and exhibit good judgment and protection aptitude.  S/he should have strong interpersonal and team skills to be able to work harmoniously in a difficult living and working environment. With the Syrian conflict entering its seventh year, more than half of Syria's pre-war population has been internally displaced or forced to flee the country since the conflict erupted in March 2011. According to the Humanitarian Needs Overview for 2017, around 13.5 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. Around 6.3 million people remain internally displaced (many on multiple occasions) and there are 5.2 million Syria refugees hosted in Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt.  The situation remains particularly precarious for the 4.7 million people living in hard-to-reach and besieged locations. In addition, the country hosts some 50,000 mostly Iraqi refugees in two main locations (Damascus and northeastern Syria).  The sanctions, deepening economic recession, fluctuating national currency, soaring food and fuel prices, destroyed infrastructure and reduced availability of basic services have further aggravated the humanitarian situation.  Conflict and repeated displacement have resulted in the loss of livelihoods and strained the coping capacities of communities across the country, exposing them to a range of protection risks.

While displacement continues unabated, particularly in areas still affected by hostilities amongst multiple parties, other areas of the country have recently seen increasing stability, including due to the consolidation of areas of control (e.g. East Aleppo, areas recently regained from the ISIS control) or due to the conclusion of ¿local agreements¿ bringing about a cessation of hostilities, in addition to the newly established de-escalation zones.  Resumed peace talks have renewed hope for a political solution to the conflict and increased humanitarian access to people in need. In this context, self-organized return of internally displaced people is continuing, with the return of some 670,000 IDPs, and 50,000 refugees so far this year mainly to relatively stable areas, while in the same period some 1.3 million Syrians have been newly displaced.  This compares with 560,000 returnees in 2016.  It is anticipated that in 2018, a reduction in hostilities in some areas, the potential implementation of de-escalation areas, improved and sustained access to certain communities and consolidation of ¿local agreements¿ will lead to further IDP returns to their areas of origin, particularly those most recently displaced.  About one million people are expected to return during 2018, mostly in Aleppo, Damascus, Rural Damascus, Homs, Ar-Raqqa, and Deir-Ez-Zor governorates.  Increases in refugee returns are also anticipated, particularly from neighbouring countries.  Depending on conditions becoming conducive and protection thresholds being met, UNHCR will consider moving to the facilitation phase of voluntary repatriation. 

UNHCR¿s response for IDPs in Syria is structured around its lead agency responsibilities in the Protection/Community Services, Shelter and NFI sectors and is delivered within the overall framework of the inter-agency Humanitarian Response Plan.  As an operational agency, UNHCR is engaged in a variety of initiatives of community-based protection, largely conducted through a network of 74 Community Centres (increasing to 100 by the end of 2017), mobile teams and outreach volunteers, as well as in a series of interventions to support community resilience, via livelihood interventions, small-scale infrastructures and services rehabilitation, and community mobilization initiatives to foster social cohesion. UNHCR is reshaping its presence and programmes with greater attention to supporting return movements, initially with a focus towards area-based interventions in support to spontaneous IDP and refugee return and with a future plan to facilitate the voluntary repatriation of Syrian refugees.  It is envisaged that Syria will become the world¿s largest repatriation operation.  Accordingly, the Syria operation is expanding its presence, programmes and staffing in order to cater to the whole range of populations of concern. 

Sub-Office Aleppo:
Sub-Office Office Aleppo currently covers Aleppo Governorate. The area has experienced conflict-induced internal displacement which continues unabated, with multiple causes and patterns, and the overall situation has become increasingly protracted. There are spontaneous returns of groups of IDPs occurring in areas where hostilities have ceased and a certain level of stability has been reached, especially eastern/rural Aleppo. However, in general the area continues to experience military hostilities, particularly in certain regions such as the northern part of the Governorate towards Idlib. The security situation in Aleppo is permissive to conduct UNHCR activities in all the Government of Syria controlled areas. Sporadic clashes continue between Government of Syria and non-state armed groups in the western side of the city with no changes in the control of the frontlines and an occasional retaliation of shelling between both sides which has minor impact on UN operations. In general, the humanitarian situation inside Aleppo city remains relatively calm with isolated mortars landing in parts of the city on a daily basis.  The surroundings remain insecure with reports of deteriorating humanitarian, health, living and security conditions. UNHCR and other UN agencies and their local partners have continued to provide multi-sectoral humanitarian assistance. Protection context

The overall protection situation is expected to continue being characterized by chronic human rights violations and abuses in the context of armed conflict, violence and insecurity, and disregard for the minimum standards of international humanitarian and human rights law by all parties to the conflict, resulting in the absence of effective protection for large numbers of civilians in Syria. Forced displacement and family separation with the associated tearing of the social fabric have resulted in a high-risk environment for the population, with many particularly vulnerable categories of people. 

In light of the significant challenges to delivering protection in Syria, UNHCR¿s strategy is focused on community-based approaches and on ensuring maximum outreach to persons of concern, with the aim of reducing vulnerabilities, strengthening resilience and enhancing protection, with particular attention to the most vulnerable persons. Through community centres run by local NGO partners, UNHCR provides a range of integrated protection services to address the most pressing needs of the population, including legal aid, support for civil documentation and housing, land and property issues, psychosocial support, educational programmes, vocational training, small start-up business grants, child protection services, SGBV prevention and response, and primary health care and in-kind and other assistance and services for persons with specific needs. The present security situation in Syria creates pressures at work and in daily life, as priorities are frequently upended for other urgent ad hoc tasks. The incumbent should be prepared to work under such conditions and be able to manage stressful situations. This function requires a number of filed missions in Aleppo Governorates. The travel between Damascus and Aleppo currently takes about 8 hours only by road.
Due to the security situation in Aleppo all international staff members are living in Al Shahba Hotel.  UNHCR is the only UN agency having an office outside the hotel and all other UN agencies have set offices in the same hotel. Most of the convoys require security escorts, especially outside Aleppo city. Syria is a non-family duty station with a four-week R&R cycle and the security situation remains volatile. Special Considerations
Applicants with fluency in Arabic will be given priority over other equally qualified candidates.

Please note that the closing date for vancancies in the Addendum 2 is Sunday 16 December 2018 (midnight Geneva time)