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Senior Global Protection Cluster Coordinator

Geneva

  • Organization: UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
  • Location: Geneva
  • Grade: Senior level - P-5, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Development Cooperation and Sustainable Development Goals
    • Humanitarian Aid and Coordination
    • 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.

Senior Global Protection Cluster Coordinator

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Today, displacement is currently of a magnitude not seen since the end of the Second World War. Over eight million people were displaced in 2014 alone, the highest annual increase in a single year. A total of 59.5 million people were displaced worldwide by the end of 2014, owing to persecution and conflict, generalized violence or human rights violations. Within this global forced displacement trend, the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre estimates there are 40.8 million IDPs, which is the highest number ever recorded. In addition, 19.2 million people were internally displaced in 2015 alone due to natural disasters. Against this background, the humanitarian response system has been challenged to act faster and more effectively, particularly in protecting the human rights of crisis-affected people.

The Global Protection Cluster, led by UNHCR, brings together UN agencies, NGOs and international organizations working on protection-related themes in humanitarian response, including those with mandates and/or expertise in human rights, child protection, gender-based violence, housing, land, and property issues and Mine Action. With its focus on protecting the human rights of crisis-affected populations, which is core to and yet transcends humanitarian action, the GPC also acts as a bridge between humanitarian, development, political, peacekeeping and security actors.

The work of the GPC covers three broad areas: i) operational support (including rapid response in emergencies; protection assessments, analysis and strategy development; programme design and delivery; protection information management; adherence to the Humanitarian Programme Cycle; innovation in humanitarian response; inter-agency collaboration); ii) providing a global platform for protection advocacy (including on promoting respect for the human rights of crisis-affected populations; linkages with Human Rights upFront; the protection of civilians and IDP law and policy); iii) developing global policy, practices, guidance and tools in relation to protection (IASC policy on protection; protection mainstreaming; HCT protection strategies; diagnostic tool for protection clusters in collaborating with integrated missions).

The Senior Coordinator (GPC) will report to the Deputy Director and work closely with the Internal Displacement Section - the latter having been recently upgraded to meet growing demands for increased technical advice and operational support to UNHCR's IDP operations at a time of significant large-scale and concurrent emergencies and complex humanitarian crises. The Senior Coordinator will be responsible for galvanizing support and input from partners inside and beyond the GPC in fulfilling the goals and objectives of the GPC's new Strategic Framework. He/she will accordingly conceptualize, promote and where necessary lead GPC initiatives, events (including thematic roundtables), research and studies that seek to strengthen protection response in humanitarian crises. Equally important is the Senior Coordinator's outreach with donors and key stakeholders aimed at mobilizing funding and support for the activities of the GPC and its partners. As a member of DIP's senior management, the Senior Coordinator will also generate more visibility for the GPC inside UNHCR (at headquarters and in the field) and, through timely advice and expertise, seek to contribute to agency-wide efforts to strengthen UNHCR's leadership of national protection clusters. He/she will additionally ensure sufficient awareness of and access to the GPC resources and services, including training and capacity building as well as deployments. Synergies and close collaboration with the Global Shelter Cluster and Global Camp Coordination Camp Management (CCCM) Cluster, both co-led by UNHCR, will be pursued to ensure a stronger and more strategic focus on protection. 

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

Accountability
- Decision-making and operational responses at country-level and throughout the life-cycle of a crisis are informed by high-quality advice, tailored to the country/regional context (guidelines, protection considerations, etc).
- Protection cluster coordinators and partners at country level are able to access guidance as well as the necessary tools, resources and support to recognize and respond effectively to the protection needs/risks of crisis-affected populations throughout the cycle of a crisis.
- National protection cluster coordinators are adequately capacitated and supported in order to fulfil their protection roles in complex humanitarian emergencies.
- Strategies for the centrality of protection in humanitarian action are clearly articulated, understood and acted upon in coordinated responses to humanitarian crises.
- National protection clusters are actively guided and supported in developing and implementing protection and solutions strategies that enable a more effective coordinated response, enhance protection for crisis-affected populations and inform an overall engagement by the Humanitarian Country Team on protection.
- Global protection policy debates and formulation are led by the GPC and receive quality input and direction from partners while also being informed and guided by operational experiences and realities.
- The protection capacity of GPC partners and other stakeholders is progressively improved through relevant training and other capacity-building initiatives.
- Activities of the GPC and its partners are supported and funded by a broad/diversified, donor base.

Responsibility
- Maintain close contact with national protection clusters for the purpose of ensuring (directly or through the GPC Operations Cell as well as with support from GPC partners) advice, including in relation to interpreting and applying global policies and standards; developing protection cluster strategies and contributing to HCT strategies for protection; undertaking protection assessments and analysis; putting in place effective information management; initiating and implementing a strategy for protection mainstreaming; collaborating with other clusters/sectors on protection; liaising with non-humanitarian actors).
- Maintain effective collaboration and communication with partners and key stakeholders, in line with the GPC strategic framework as well as on protection in complex humanitarian crises (including for IDPs), mobilizing support and buy-in where necessary and appropriate for specific country-level interventions and regional/global initiatives and activities.
- Develop and maintain a mechanism to monitor progress of the GPC in relation to its strategic framework.
- Develop networks, including with national and local protection actors through national protection clusters, to capture trends/developments in humanitarian action (including in relation to protection risks, displacement trends, recurring dilemmas, strengths/gaps in protection capacity at country-level).
- Ensure adequate understanding, visibility and access to GPC community of practice as well as guidance and tools.
- Through the GPC Operations Cell and partners, review and update guidance and tools, capturing and integrating country-level lessons learned and best practices.
- Develop and maintain a close dialogue with donors to mobilize funding and support for activities of the GPC and its partners (including for the capacity of the GPC Support Cell).
- Strengthen collaboration at global-, regional- and national-level with GPC partners as well as key stakeholders beyond the GPC (e.g. UNDP, DPKO, DPA) to stay abreast of trends and developments in relation to protection in humanitarian action and to inform work on policy development and advice.
- In collaboration with GPC partners and key stakeholders, contribute and where appropriate lead global policy research, debates and developments on protection.
- Strive for coherence of GPC policies, standards, tools, guidance and approaches with UNHCR's and other protection actors', and where needed, initiate measures to promote complementarity and understanding.
- Promote with partners and, where appropriate, lead GPC initiatives and events, including roundtables, and annual retreat.
- Mobilize interest, expertise and support, among GPC partners and key external stakeholders, to promote and support the development of national IDP laws and policy, including through national protection clusters.
- Lead GPC engagement in relevant fora (UN, academic, NGO) and initiatives like Human Rights up Front, representing and moving forward the views and positions of the GPC community on protection in complex humanitarian crises and IDP protection.
- Lead and coordinate the review, update and dissemination (including outreach and visibility) of relevant GPC guidance, standards and tools for protection.
- Lead the development of the GPC work plan, taking steps to ensure sufficient buy-in and engagement as well as to monitor progress in activities/deliverables.
- Ensure close collaboration with other UNHCR Global Coordinators (Shelter, CCCM), Divisions (DESS, DER, DPSM in particular) and regional Bureaux, by coordinating closely with the Section Chief (IDPs), Senior Protection Coordinator (Emergencies), and Deputy Direction in DIP.
- Supervise and coach staff, affiliate staff, interns and secondees in the GPC Support Cell, enabling access to learning and career development opportunities.

Authority
- Negotiate and take initiatives with GPC and external partners on issues related to the GPC.
- Lead GPC initiatives, events, discussions, inputs.
- Represent the Global Protection Cluster in internal (UNHCR) and external meetings on issues related to protection in situations of internal displacement, IDP protection and protection in complex humanitarian crises.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

- Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master¿s) in law, political science, international relations or another related field plus minimum 11 years  of relevant professional job experience, preferably in the area of refugee and IDP protection, human rights or international humanitarian law, including a minimum of 10 years relevant field experience. Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) plus 12 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 10 years of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted.
- Experience in managing and supervising teams responsible for developing and implementing protection strategies.
- Knowledge of international law and ability to apply the relevant principles, and of UNHCR and other protection strategies and policies.
- Knowledge of UNHCR's standards, policies and positions related to internal displacement.
- Experience working in diverse protection environments and organisations, including human rights and peacekeeping.
- Experience in protection coordination in the field and with the Humanitarian Programme Cycle.
- Experience of creating and implementing protection programmes and with programming in general.
- Experience of working in Non-Governmental Organisations.
- Experience of working in network organisations.
- Excellent drafting, report writing and editing skills, including drafting of legal and policy positions.
- Excellent knowledge of English and another UN language.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- Training and coaching experience.
- Working knowledge of French, Russian, Spanish or Arabic.
- Experience of coordination responsibilities at HQ. C001L4 - Accountability Level 4
C002L4 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 4
C003L4 - Communication Level 4
C004L4 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 4
C005L4 - Client & Result Orientation Level 4
C006L4 - Organizational Awareness Level 4
M001L4 - Empowering and Building Trust Level 4
M005L4 - Leadership Level 4
M004L4 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 4
M003L4 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 4
X001L4 - Analytical Thinking Level 4
X006L4 - Policy Development & Research Level 4
X007L4 - Political Awareness Level 4

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 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.

 

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

This vacancy is now closed.
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