Associate Protection Officer

This vacancy is advertised in the frame of the US JPO Programme and is only open to candidates with US nationality. The situation in Rakhine State continues to be characterized by a combination of statelessness and protracted displacement, within a deteriorated protection environment following the October 2016 and August 2017 violent events.  On 25 August 2017, the day after the final report of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State was released, Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) militants launched a series of attacks on Myanmar security forces in the northern part of Rakhine State (Maungdaw area). The ensuing security operations forced over 700,000 persons¿ largely stateless Rohingya ¿ to seek safety in Bangladesh while thousands have been displaced within Rakhine State. Since the August 2017 events, humanitarian access to respond to the needs of affected communities has been significantly curtailed.

On 6 June 2018, the Government of Myanmar (GoM), UNDP and UNHCR signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing a framework aimed at creating conditions for voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return of refugees from Bangladesh as well as supporting recovery and resilience-based development for the benefit of all communities living in Rakhine State. Acknowledging the conditions in Myanmar are not yet conducive to refugees¿ safe and dignified return and root causes of displacement are yet to be addressed, the scope of UNHCR and UNDP¿s support to the GoM currently focus on assessing immediate community needs, identifying priorities and implementing community-based initiatives (quick-impact projects) to improve the lives of all remaining communities in three northern townships of Rakhine State, build trust and promote social cohesion among all communities.  

Overall, the situation in Rakhine requires a strong protection focus and holistic and multi-pronged humanitarian /development approaches that aim to address root causes and contribute to creating conditions towards sustainable solutions with the involvement of all affected communities. In this context, UNHCR continues to advocate for lasting solutions for the situation of the stateless population, promote social cohesion,  undertake robust field/protection activities, and promote the comprehensive implementation of all Rakhine Advisory Commission¿s Recommendations.

In this context and at this critical juncture of the implementation of the tripartite MOU, it is critical for UNHCR Maungdaw to beef up its field protection capacity to respond to growing needs of affected populations and strengthen its role as a reference organization on citizenship, statelessness, solutions to displacement and refugee return.

Under the supervisor of the Field Officer (Protection), a JPO will support the office to carry out a variety of field (protection) activities including assessment, monitoring, emergency response, community engagement, identification and assistance to persons with specific needs, as well as advocacy, reporting and coordination with other relevant actors. He/she will be working in the Field/Protection unit composed by some 13 staff members (3 international including the supervisor/head of unit and 10 national staff.).  Access permitting, he/she will carry out frequent field missions including to remote villages/communities for the purpose of assessment, assistance delivery and monitoring. The JPO is expected to interact with partners and assist in inter-agency coordination. When appropriate and required, he/she will also engage with local authorities. Given the nature of field protection activities in the office, the JPO will regularly participate in activities to be conducted by a multi-functional team and work closely with other units, especially the Program unit. Depending on the needs, the JPO may be asked to provide coaching / training to other staff members and may also perform an officer-in-charge of the unit in absence of his/her supervisors. The Head of Office will extends overall supervision and guidance to the JPO.

Characterized by physical and social isolation (4 hours boat/car travel to the state capital of Sittwe and one day travel to Yangon), Maungdaw is a category E, non-family duty station where there is little commercial entertainment available. Medical facilities are minimal. 8-week cycle of R&R is currently in place.  International staff members live in the office compound in Maungdaw where the minimum standards of UNHCR-provided accommodation are met (hot water, 24/7 electricity, wi-fi).  Crime rate is low in Maungdaw.  Incidents targeting foreigners are rare. In Rakhine State, inter-communal tensions and anti-UN/INGO sentiment among the Rakhine Buddhist community persist. Demonstrations against the UN, usually peaceful, occasionally take place. The travel authorizations are constrained to make field visits difficult. Daily curfew is in force by the government and Maungdaw district was declared as a military operation area in 2017.  According to the current UNDSS security assessment, Maungdaw is Level (3) Moderate.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT. 

Accountability

- The protection needs of populations of concern are met through the application of International and National Law, relevant UN/UNHCR protection standards and IASC principles.
- Effective and timely support is provided to the formulation of a clear and coherent protection strategy, which incorporates a thorough age, gender and diversity (AGD) analysis and reflects the Organization¿s global, regional and country level priorities.
- The Participation of persons of concern is assured through continuous assessment and evaluation using participatory, rights and community based approaches.
- Protection incidents and gaps in assistance are immediately identified and addressed.

Responsibility
- Stay abreast of political, social, economic and cultural developments that have an impact on the protection environment and provide advice to senior management.
- Support UNHCR¿s consultative process with local government counterparts, partners and persons of concern for effective needs assessment and planning.
- Facilitate UNHCR¿s responses in addressing Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) priorities and other 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.
- Manage individual protection cases including those on SGBV and child protection.
- Monitor the integrity of UNHCR operations management standards and procedures in the AOR and facilitate the respect of deadlines.
- Maintain protection presence through regular field missions and reports, making direct contact with persons of concern, host communities, local authorities and partners.
- Monitor and report on the protection, security and safety situation of persons of concern.
- Facilitate and monitor programmes on an AGD basis to address identified protection needs.
- Support communities in establishing representation and coordination structures. Promote confidence building and conflict resolution among populations of concern, authorities and host communities.
- Provide advice and guidance on protection issues to internal and external interlocutors; ensure legal assistance is accessible to persons of concern; liaise with competent authorities to ensure the issuance of personal and other relevant documents and services to persons of concern.
- Contribute in developing and implementing an education plan for the AOR as part of the protection strategy.
- Intervene in cases of refoulement, expulsion, arbitrary deprivation of nationality, and other protection incidents through close working relations with governments and other partners.
- Assess resettlement needs and apply priorities for the resettlement of individuals and groups of refugees and other persons of concern.
- Support the effective systematization and management of data to enhance monitoring, response and evaluation mechanisms.
- Contribute to initiatives to build the capacity of local partners and civil society through training and other initiatives to protect persons of concern.

Authority

- Endorse field protection documents for submission to senior management.
- Chair protection meetings with partners.
- Intervene with authorities on protection issues.
- Enforce compliance with, and integrity of, standard operating procedures.
- Negotiate with local counterparts, partners and populations of concern.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED. 

EDUCATION/QUALIFICATION:
Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master's) obtained in a recognised institution (listed under www.whed.net), plus minimum 2 years of relevant professional work experience. An undergradute degree (equivalent of a Bachelor's) plus 3 years or a Doctorate degree (equivalent to a PhD) plus 1 year may also be accepted.

Fields: International Law, Political Science, or other clearly related fields.

WORK EXPERIENCE: Experience in humanitarian operations in the field

SKILLS: Excellent computer skills, interpersonal skills, communication skills
- Ability to cope with hardships and pressures
- Demonstrated flexibility and adaptability


DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES. 

-UNHCR learning programs (protection, program, etc)
- Previous work experience in UNHCR (intern, UNV etc) is an asset
- Experience in emergency responses
- Knowledge of and experience in UNHCR's protection / field work (refugee, IDPs, stateless)
Knowledge and experience of the country/region is an asset  
-A team player capable of working also independently and proactively Managerial Competencies

M001: Empowering and Building Trust
M002: Managing Performance
M003: Judgement and Decision Making

Cross-Functional Competencies

X001: Analytical Thinking
X007: Political Awareness
X008: Stakeholder Management - Essential: English,     
- Desirable: Working knowledge of any other UN language ( French, Spanish, Chinese, Russian or Arabic) SUPERVISION: The JPO will be under the direct supervision of the manager indicated under `Supervisor title and position number¿.  The supervisor will be responsible for the performance evaluation of the JPO. The manager will also ensure that the JPO is provided a thorough induction and orientation briefing, followed by on-the-job training as well as continuous guidance for training/learning opportunities throughout the assignment. In support to the manager, the JPO Unit provides the Supervisory Guidelines upon recruitment/reassignment of the JPO. TRAINING COMPONENTS AND LEARNING ELEMENTS

TRAINING COMPONENTS:
- Mandatory training courses:
1. Basic Security in the Field (NB: needs to be retaken every 3 years)
2. Advanced Security in the Field  (NB: needs to be retaken every 3 years)
3. Protection Induction Programme (PIP)
4. UN Course on Harassment, Sexual Harassment and Abuse of Authority
5.    Orientation to IPSAS

Recommended training courses

-Protection Learning Program
-Statelessness
-Conducting Needs Assessment

LEARNING ELEMENTS

- Build experience in field missions and learn to be a team leader with necessary security awareness;
- Acquire relevant knowledge of and experience in needs assessment, community consultations, focus group discussion and/or individual interviews;
- Develop skills and experience to identify needs of affected communities and provide possible responses;
- Develop understanding of statelessness issues in the context of Myanmar and beyond;
- Build experience in protection monitoring and analysis and prepare relevant reports;
- Participate in multi-functional planning, monitoring, assessment activities and obtain experience/knowledge of broader UNHCR works;
- Develop knowledge and experience in inter-agency coordination as well as stakeholder management.
- May also obtain knowledge and experience in information management though supporting IM works;
- Build managerial experiences. LIVING CONDITIONS AT THE DUTY STATION


Housing/accommodation: UNHCR Compoud

Health care: Not adequate, travel to Sittwe/Yangon/Bangkok is often required. 

Educational facilities: None

Security: Level 3 - Moderage; security guards are provided by the Office at the compound

Other (transports, banks, etc): No adequate bank facilities (no effective ATM) available in Maungdaw; basic local products can be obtained in local markets/shops though foreign products are difficult to obtain. No recreational facilities in Maungdaw, while the UNHCR compound has a gym and other recreational facilities.  Auto rickshaws (Tuk tuk) are the main public transport available in Maungdaw. Please note that the closing date for applications for this position is Sunday 7 April (midnight Geneva time).