Protection Assistant (PN10014343) - Istanbul

Externally Advertised

This position is open to applications from Group 1, Group 2 and all external candidates, provided that requirements regarding professional experience, academic qualifications, language, etc. are fulfilled.

TO THE ATTENTION OF EXTERNAL CANDIDATES:
External candidates must be legally present in Turkey at the time of application, recruitment and hire. Non-Turkish citizens are required to submit a valid Turkish residence permit to be considered.
Your application will NOT be considered if;
-      The application form is not duly filled.
-      The questionnaire at the end of the application form is not answered. (for external candidates)
-      A valid residence permit is not attached to the application. (for non-Turkish external candidates only) Protection Assistant

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Protection Assistant normally reports to a more senior Protection colleague.  The incumbent provides functional and administrative support to the protection unit on protection related liaison, correspondence, monitoring, case management and reporting activities.  

The Protection Assistant also supports the protection unit in designing a comprehensive protection strategy and in providing quality, timely and effective protection responses to persons of concern (PoC). S/he may liaise externally with local authorities and partners on correspondence and/or protection issues as guided by the supervisor.

The Protection Assistant also facilitates the involvement of PoC 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, local authorities and protection and assistance partners.  

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties
- Consistently apply International and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards and codes of conduct.
- Observe and respect protection related Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Provide functional and administrative support in all protection related AGD based programming with implementing and operational partners.
- Provide functional and administrative support in implementing participatory approaches, needs assessments, monitoring, reporting and case management. 
- Support assessments on durable solutions through voluntary repatriation, local integration and where appropriate, resettlement.
- Facilitate liaison with competent authorities for the issuance of personal and other relevant documents.
- Assist in drafting reports, routine correspondence, updating relevant databases and compiling statistics within the Area of Responsibility (AoR).
- Select PoC for preliminary interviews and decide which relevant information to share.
- Enforce integrity in the delivery of protection services by local implementing partners.
- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G4 - 1 year relevant experience with High School Diploma; or Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Certificates and/or Licenses
Protection

Functional Skills
IT-Computer Literacy
CL-Protection & Solutions Awareness
PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators
PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework

Language Requirements
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a test. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified. No late applications will be accepted.

UNHCR is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, color or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.
Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).

REMUNERATION

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. The monthly net salary is between TRY 6,232 and TRY 7,829 depending on relevant experience, dependency status and language proficiency. For more information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, please visit the portal of the Office of HR Management of United Nations.
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See below for this postion's Operational Context
======================================================================================================== Operational Context

I. Nature of the Position

UNHCR Istanbul Office is working closely with provincial directorates of line ministries, INGOs/NGOs, local governments and refugee populations in Marmara Region. The population of persons of concern in the area of responsibility is over 750,000 in 11 cities. In this complex environment in a metropolitan city with 39 districts, Istanbul Field Unit has expanded its network and capacity building activities with diverse actors such as municipalities, social service centres, mukhtars, imams and other significant local actors that contributes in expansion of protection space for refugees.
Moreover, the Field Unit is enhancing its outreach activities through partners, increasing interaction and community based protection activities while involving refugees to its programs, which would be an essential part of the position. The Field Unit also conducts field missions as including of Western Border cities frequently while also observing voluntary returns in its area of responsibility. 
Additionally, with the increase of partnerships and the involvement of field staff to multi-functional teams, protection monitoring and evaluation as well as thematic task forces have been established accordingly.The Field Unit has been strengthening coordination mechanism in the Marmara region, in line with UNHCR,¿s strategic priorities.
Given the large cosmopolite nature of Istanbul in terms of financial, cultural and political prospects, the office has been also hosting high level visits. In order to enhance protection monitoring, the Field Unit is frequently undertaking missions and delivering social cohesion and CBP activities in 11 cities under its area of responsibility. The Field Unit is also engaged in capacity development activities in addition to its supervisory role in terms of protection concerns both in detention and urban context. 

II. Interaction with Persons of Concern or External Stakeholders

The incumbent will need to build and maintain effective interfaces with communities of concern, local authorities and protection and assistance partners. The incumbent will also be in contact with governmental counterparts such as PDMM, PDFLSS and other relevant institutions. S/he will also be in communication with other functional units within country office in order to coordinate protection response.


III. Reporting and Managerial Expectations

The incumbent will be reporting Senior Protection Associate.


IV. Additional Languages, Skills and Qualifications

Very good drafting and communication skills in English, Turkish and Arabic are essential. The closing date of the Job opening is 15 January 2021