Snr 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.

Senior 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, the position of Senior Cluster Coordination Officer (Protection) performs a dedicated coordination, strategy development and advocacy function. The Senior Cluster Coordination Officer (Protection) reports directly to the UNHCR Representative who has final accountability for the performance of UNHCR as Cluster Lead Agency. At the same time, the incumbent effectuates  UNHCR's commitment to work within the framework of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) and the Cluster Approach. The UNHCR Protection Cluster Lead Agency functions, embodied in the role of Senior Cluster Coordination Officer (Protection), are critical in ensuring UNHCR¿s leadership within a diverse protection community. The Senior Cluster Coordination Officer (Protection) is expected to discharge UNHCR's lead role in the Protection Cluster and to impartially represent the interests of the members of the Protection Cluster, including 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 Senior Cluster Coordination Officer (Protection) leads an inter-agency team in an environment that requires high standards of accountability and demonstrable leadership, coordination, negotiation and conflict resolution skills, and in which the principles of partnership and collaboration are essential.

The Senior Cluster Coordination Officer (Protection) represents the Protection Cluster in Inter-Cluster Coordination mechanisms. The Senior Cluster Coordination Officer (Protection) advocates for protection mainstreaming in the humanitarian response, leads the mainstreaming of early recovery activities in the Protection Cluster, and spearheads the integration of cross-cutting issues into the work of the Protection Cluster, especially age, gender and diversity.

The Senior Cluster Coordination Officer (Protection) clusworks closely with and/or directly supervises a multi-functional UNHCR Protection Cluster Support team, including, but not limited to, the areas of 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 established and maintained with cluster members, government counterparts and donors, ensuring timely and effective needs assessment, planning, prioritization, implementation, reporting and evaluation.
- Strategies and activities delivered by the Protection Cluster enjoy political and/or financial support by other clusters, government, donors and other partners through effective prioritization, advocacy and resource mobilization.

Responsibility
Strategic Direction
- Ensure that the protection response is driven by a Protection Cluster strategy developed in a consultative process with external partners and is integrated into the Humanitarian Country Team¿s common humanitarian action plan.
- Convene and facilitate meetings in line with the Principles of Partnership, ensuring that cluster meetings are consultative and results-oriented.
- Ensure coordination with government counterparts and other relevant authorities.
- Lead 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.
Needs Assessment and Resources Mobilization
- Lead, coordinate and conduct within the Protection Cluster or at Inter-Cluster level protection needs assessments, including participatory assessments of all affected populations.
- Provide strategic direction 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.
Capacity Development
- Coordinate 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.
Standards Setting
- Ensure adherence to IASC standard operating procedures for  IDP profiling.
- Coordinate 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.
Information Management
- Facilitate reporting and information sharing within the Protection Cluster and at the inter-cluster level.
- Ensure that the Protection Cluster has a functional information management strategy and mechanism.
- Ensure that the Protection Cluster produces regular updates and briefing notes on the protection concerns in the affected population, response activities, challenges and recommendations.
Advocacy
- Identify core advocacy concerns for the Protection Cluster through a consultative process: develop joint cluster/ inter-cluster initiatives to ensure regular and consistent advocacy.
- Ensure a consistent interpretation and application of international law and related UNHCR and IASC legal standards and protection policies.
- Ensure 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 strengthen national legislation relevant to internal displacement and durable solutions.

Authority
- Chair cluster meetings and represent the Protection Cluster in meetings with sectoral and external partners, authorities and other relevant interlocutors.
- Issue reports and make advocacy statements on behalf of the Protection Cluster.
- Make decision over format and frequency of meetings, designation of focal points and the establishment of sub-groups/working groups and ad hoc/task-related bodies for specific issues.
- Negotiate with the Humanitarian Coordinator/Resident Coordinator, the Humanitarian Country Team and cluster members the prioritization and inclusion of project proposals and common funding criteria for inclusion in inter-agency funding appeals.
- Allocate 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
- Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master's) in Law or Human Rights, International Relations or related protection oriented discipline plus minimum 8 years of previous work experience preferably in working with Protection Cluster, IDP Operation or Country Operations applying the Cluster Approach. 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.
- Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- Coordination Learning Programme.
- Management Learning Programme .
- Tri-Cluster Knowledge and Coordination Skills Training.
- Protection Learning Programme .
- Training on Protection in Natural Disaster Situations.
- Workshop on Emergency Management.
- Knowledge of additional UN languages.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR Senior 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
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
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.

 

The ideal candidate should have a minimum of 10 years (with MA degree) and 12 years (with BA degree) relevant professional experience preferably in working with Protection Cluster, IDP Operation or Country Operations applying the Cluster Approach alongside a solid protection background. Experience of implementing protection in countries with complex emergencies with simultaneously emergency response and durable solutions is key. Experience in the countries hosting UN peacekeeping missions would also be a plus. Prior experience working as Protection Cluster Coordinator or in a post with a strong coordination and advocacy agenda is required. The applicant should possess excellent interpersonal skills to interact with government authorities and international military forces at senior levels and to collaborate on projects with partners in non-governmental agencies. S/he should have sufficient experience to settle matters between the displaced population and the host communities on one hand and coordination with UN agencies, international and local NGOs on the other. The candidate should also have the capacity to implement an inclusive process of elaboration of a national legal instrument (such as domestication of Kampala Convention; elaboration of IDP Policy, etc.) and the capacity to provide training to judges, lawyers and other stakeholders. Experience supervising colleagues is essential as s/he will manage the day to day work of the Protection Cluster Coordination team and the Regional field based protection clusters in Bouar, Paoua, Bambari and Kaga Bandoro. S/he should also have the important work related to dealing/interacting with UN peacekeepers and several armed groups in order to secure staff movement/missions along the different axes, advocating for respect of human rights of civilian population, advocacy against restriction of movement of population, parallel justice exercised by the armed elements. The crisis in Central African Republic (CAR) remains fluid; as at 31 December 2018, the estimated number of internally displaced persons had increased to a total of 640,969 individuals. Since March 2017, new internal displacements occurred in various prefectures such as Ouham, Ouaka, Nana Gribizi, Basse-Kotto, Haute-Kotto and Mbomou while in the capital city Bangui and other main cities as Paoua, Bambari, Kaga-Bandoro return movements of internal displacement persons are observed. As of 31 December 2018, about 576,926 individuals fled the country to seek asylum in neighboring countries. Despite the security situation in CAR, the country hosts some 7,057 refugees mainly from Congo (DRC), South Sudan in Obo (Haut-Mbomou province) as well as in urban areas within Bangui. Moreover, UNHCR leads three mains clusters in CAR including Protection; Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) and Shelter/NFIs as well as co-leads the Durable Solutions working group with UNDP. In a country with a population of 4.6 million, forced displacement is a striking feature of the crisis in CAR. In 2018, an average of 1,000 protection incidents were recorded by the protection monitoring. The alleged presence of armed people on IDP sites is among main threats on protection of IDPs, which had led to many attacks on IDPs sites. The 2019 Humanitarian Overview (HNO) found that in total 2.9 million people in CAR are in need of humanitarian assistance.  As a long-standing capacity of the agency, UNHCR funds protection monitoring projects with its partners. Protection monitoring is currently approached from a community angle in view of the scale of human rights situation to better compile data collected, analyse and disseminate information from its protection monitoring projects as well as interventions in Shelter/NFIs, CCCM and Durable Solutions sectors UNHCR has 7 offices in CAR: 1 Representation (Bangui), 1 Sub-Office (Bouar) and 4 Field Offices (Bambari, Kaga-Bandoro, Paoua, Obo); in addition to a Field Unit in Berberati.
The country is landlocked with very limited travel possibilities and surrounded by countries with volatile and security problems (Chad, DRC, Sudan, and Cameroon). Volatile socio-political situation, social unrest and grievance in the capital city Bangui with frequent civil servants strikes causing interruption of health, education and civil service due to years of unpaid salaries. Power cuts are a norm causing insecurity in town. The population in Bangui including the expatriates is concerned about cases of criminalities as a direct result of the crisis. The country is totally dependent on Cameroon seaport situated 1,500 kms away causing regular shortage of basic domestic goods. Travel time from Douala (Cameroon) to Bangui for a truckload averages 4 days to a week because of very bad roads and several roadblocks. The country security level is between 4 and 5 restricting movement to official travel only. Currently the curfew applies from 10 pm to 5 am. This situation puts great stress on staff members. There are very limited medical infrastructures and services do not function properly. Nevertheless, a UN Dispensary provides basic medical care for the UN personnel. Staff upon arrival are accommodated in UNHCR guesthouse until they arrange their own private accommodation inside the approved security perimeter in Bangui. International UN staff member are not authorize to use public transportations. Despite the peace talk lead by African Union, the security situation across the country remains volatile. Crime and armed conflict are the main concerns. Armed clashes are still occurring between armed groups, national security forces and peacekeepers.  Bambari and Kaga-Bandoro are the hottest place during the last 3 months, the risk of crime and armed confit is very high. As risk management measure, restriction of movement are depending time to time based on security assessment. Armed criminal continuous to target UN personnel and NGO staffs in most of the cities controlled by armed groups as Bambari, Kaga Bamdoro, Bria, Ndelé, Birao, etc... Other crimes such as theft, abduction, and armed robbery, destruction of property, illegal detention of weapons, murder, torture and sexual violence continued throughout the country. The deployment of members of the Central African Armed Forces (FACA) in Bangui and other cities led to an improvement of the overall security situation somehow. 
Movements, activities of and clashes between opposing armed groups, particularly elements of former Séléka groups and the anti-balaka have increased in Basse-Kotto, Haute-Kotto, Ouaka and Nana Gribizi, Ouham, Ouham-Pendé prefecture. Specific Threats:
1. Armed conflict and criminality are the daily main threats in CAR
2. Clashes in urban areas between armed groups are frequent
3. Risk of armed conflict is very high and UNHCR staff is exposed to collateral damages
4. Humanitarian convoys escorted by MINUSCA are ambushed by armed groups on some axis,
5. Military escort is a MOSS requirement in some areas.
6. High risk of looting of humanitarian offices and guest houses
7. Presence of road blocks erected by armed groups on axis used by humanitarian
8. Evident intention of armed groups to hijack humanitarian for different reasons This situation evolves out of decades of frail state institutions and political processes.  The main drivers of the conflict over the years have been:
- Absence of state authority throughout the country;
- Strong centralized system of power that prior to the Libreville Agreement was concentrated in the Presidency and was combined with blatant nepotism;
- Weak political class and leaders;
- Poor economic development with a concentration of resources in the hands of foreign nationals;
- Concentration of security forces in the capital; and Lack of development,
- Poor control capacity along borderlines,
- Lack of justice,
- Weak operational capacities of FACA and ISF.

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