Clust Coord Off (Prot)

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.

Cluster Coordination Officer (Protection)

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

In complex humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters where UNHCR is designated as the Protection Cluster Lead Agency under the Cluster Approach, UNHCR performs a dedicated coordination, strategy development and advocacy function through the position of Senior Cluster Coordination Officer (Protection) and the supporting positions of Cluster Coordination Officer (Protection).

These latter P3 level positions normally report directly to the Senior Cluster Coordination Officer (Protection). The UNHCR Representative has final accountability for the performance of UNHCR as Cluster Lead Agency.

The Cluster Coordination Officer (Protection) supports UNHCR to work within the framework of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) and the Cluster Approach. The position reinforces UNHCR Protection Cluster Lead Agency functions by providing support to the role of Cluster Coordination Officer (Protection) in ensuring UNHCR¿s leadership within a diverse protection community.

The Cluster Coordination Officer (Protection) is expected to facilitate the work of the Protection Cluster through the provision of analysis, organization and reporting; and to impartially represent the interests of the members of the Protection Cluster. This includes the provision of active support, as applicable, to sub-clusters or working groups of the Cluster which may be coordinated by other Agencies. As a result, the incumbent supports an inter-agency team in an environment that requires high standards of accountability, facilitation, negotiation and conflict resolution skills, in which respect the principles of partnership and collaboration are essential.

The incumbent supports the Cluster Coordination Officer (Protection) in Inter-Cluster Coordination mechanisms, for advocacy and facilitation of protection mainstreaming and cross-cutting issues of age, gender and diversity in the humanitarian response and early recovery activities.

S/he works closely with and may, depending on the Office structure, directly supervise multi-functional Protection Cluster Support staff in the areas of data and information management, needs assessment, profiling, registration, reporting and advocacy.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

Accountability
- The protection needs of populations of concern are met through timely and coordinated action by all cluster members.
- The protection of populations of concern is maximized through research, advocacy and effective consultative and feedback mechanisms.
- Effective coordination mechanisms and tools, including information management, are promoted, facilitated and maintained with cluster members, government counterparts and donors, for timely and effective needs assessment, planning, prioritization, implementation, reporting and evaluation.
- The Protection Cluster is facilitated to develop and implement strategies and activities delivered which enjoy political and/or financial support by other clusters, government, donors and other partners through effective prioritization, advocacy and resource mobilization.

Responsibility
- Facilitate the development of a Protection Cluster strategy following a consultative process with partners and stakeholders. Support the Protection Cluster to ensure that protection informs and shapes the overall humanitarian response and that the protection response is integrated into the Humanitarian Country Team¿s common humanitarian action plan.
- Organize and facilitate meetings in line with the Principles of Partnership, ensuring that cluster meetings are consultative and results-oriented.
- Facilitate coordination with government counterparts and other relevant authorities.
- Support the design of transition strategies for the Protection Cluster: facilitate the development of a strategy for the cluster ensuring proper linkages with disaster risk reduction, relief, and recovery and development efforts.
- Facilitate the coordination and conduct of Protection Cluster or Inter-Cluster level protection needs assessments, including participatory assessments of all affected populations.
- Provide strategic inputs  to development of common funding criteria, resource mobilisation and prioritization within the Protection Cluster for inclusion in Consolidated Appeals and pooled funds processes
- Establish mechanisms for accountable and transparent financial resource allocation within the cluster.
- Facilitate the delivery of protection training activities for Protection Cluster members, other local partners, and relevant authorities.
- Coordinate initiatives to build the protection capacity of the national and local government, partners and civil society.
- Ensure adherence to IASC standard operating procedures for  IDP profiling.
- Ensure the integration of cross-cutting issues in the work of the Protection Cluster, including any work developed by sub-clusters or working groups.
- Ensure adherence of Protection Cluster activities to Guidelines on Age, Gender and Diversity Mainstreaming;
- Through Cluster-wide consultative processes, provide input into the development of global protection policy and standards led by the Global Protection Cluster.
- Support reporting and information sharing within the Protection Cluster and at the inter-cluster level.
- Support and facilitate the Protection Cluster information management strategy and mechanisms.
- Ensure that the Protection Cluster produces regular updates and briefing notes on the protection concerns in the affected population, response activities, challenges and recommendations.
- Identify core advocacy concerns for the Protection Cluster through a consultative process: Facilitate joint cluster/ inter-cluster initiatives to ensure regular and consistent advocacy.
- Help foster a consistent interpretation and application of international law and related UNHCR and IASC legal standards and protection policies.
- Promote the Protection Cluster¿s adherence to international human rights instruments, the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement as well as other relevant international and regional instruments; in cooperation with the Humanitarian Country Team support local interventions when violations of international protection standards and principles occur.
- Promote and help strengthen national legislation relevant to internal displacement and durable solutions.

Authority
- Facilitate cluster meetings and represent the Protection Cluster in meetings with sectoral and external partners, authorities and other relevant interlocutors.
- Draft reports and prepare advocacy statements on behalf of the Protection Cluster - for clearance by Senior management.
- Organise and facilitate cluster meetings, work and cooperate with focal points sub-groups/working groups and ad hoc/task-related bodies for specific issues.
- Facilitate negotiation with the Humanitarian Coordinator/Resident Coordinator, the Humanitarian Country Team and cluster members on the prioritization and inclusion of project proposals and common funding criteria for inclusion in inter-agency funding appeals.
- Monitor the allocation of financial and other resources within the Protection Cluster, when required, such as with regard to Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) or Common Humanitarian Funds (CHF).

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
- Coordination Learning Programme.
- Tri-Cluster Knowledge and Coordination Skills Training.
- Protection Learning Programme.
- Training on Protection in Natural Disaster Situations.
-       Knowledge of additional UN languages.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR Cluster Coordination Officer (Protection) 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
M001L3 - Empowering and Building Trust Level 3
M006L3 - Managing Resources Level 3
M005L3 - Leadership Level 3
M002L3 - Managing Performance Level 3
M003L3 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 3
X007L3 - Political Awareness Level 3
X001L3 - Analytical Thinking Level 3
X008L3 - Stakeholder Management 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.

 

Experience in working with Protection Cluster, IDP Operation or Country Operations applying the Cluster Approach. Work experience in the Region would be an advantage. Extensive knowledge of current humanitarian issues particularly in the region.
Excellent managerial, communication and negotiation skills. Excellent leadership, coordination, planning, strategy development, advocacy and presentation skills. Strong negotiation and interpersonal skills. Excellent knowledge of the Humanitarian reform process and the role of the humanitarian community (UN System, Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, and NGO). Ability to coordinate initiatives and assist in building the capacity of national and local government, partners and civil society, in identified areas.
Thorough understanding of UNHCR with regard to global policies as well as operational and administrative issues.
Due to the complexity and fast-pace of the operation including daily challenges, the candidate must also be highly flexible and adaptable. Libya has, for generations been both a country of transit and destination. Yet, in the wake of more than seven years of conflict, political turmoil and widespread human rights violations and abuses, the magnitude of protection challenges and needs has exponentially increased. Overall in Libya, amidst a population of 6.5 million, the UN estimates that 1.1 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, of which 0.5 million are internally displaced or returnees. In addition, UNHCR Libya has registered more than 57,000 refugees and asylum-seekers, mostly Syrian, Iraqi and Palestinian nationals. Libya is hosting an estimated 700,000 migrants, predominantly from western Africa, contributing to one of the most complex mixed-migration situations in Northern Africa.
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 characterize the absence of effective protection for large numbers of civilians in Libya. Forced displacement and family separation with the associated tearing of the social fabric have resulted in a high-risk environment for persons living in Libya, with children being particularly vulnerable. In addition, increased economic hardship as a result of the protracted crisis, coupled with a liquidity crisis, contributing to a collapse of the national infrastructure, social cohesion and the country¿s economy, have impaired access to safety, basic services, humanitarian aid and livelihoods, and compounded the protection risks of the population, refugees and migrants, in particular vulnerable groups. Libya is not a State signatory to 1951 convention but Libya has ratified the 1969 OAU Convention however it has yet to implement the OAU Convention through the adoption of asylum legislation or establish asylum procedures. Endeavors are underway for UNHCR to sign MOU with the Libyan government.
UNHCR has a longstanding commitment to coordinate its IDP response through the cluster system, wherever activated. As cluster lead for Protection, Shelter and CCCM, UNHCR Libya has a responsibility to engage and include its partners in strategic planning. In support of the system-wide commitment to the centrality of protection, UNHCR Libya is expected as Cluster lead to achieve protection outcomes and, beyond the protection sector, ensure the mainstreaming of protection in all sectors throughout the Humanitarian Program Cycle. The Protection cluster supports the process providing the HC and HCT with a concise protection analysis that draws on a meaningful engagement with host communities. The present situation in Libya is unstable and the outlook uncertain. This creates ongoing 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 very challenging conditions and be able to manage stressful situations. In Tripoli, international staff are accommodated in designated compound sharing an apartment with one or two colleagues, and moving the personal items during the period of RnR due to staff rotation and limited space available. The incumbent is also expected to demonstrate flexibility with regard to the lengthy and unpredictable visa process for Libya which may require to ability to remotely manage the team in Libya from Tunis. The position is based at the Country Office Tripoli. In view of the volatile security situation, international staff are accommodated at a designated compound from which free movement in/around Tripoli is restricted.
Movement and travel of international staff in Libya is permitted only with armored vehicles. Although English is the essential language of the duty station, Arabic speaking skills would be a strong asset for this post.

Please note that the closing date for vacancies in the Addendum 4 is Thursday 28 February 2019 (midnight Geneva time)