Assc Protection Officer

This vacancy is opened in the context of the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) scheme sponsored by the Government of the USA and is addressed exclusively to candidates WITH THE US NATIONALITY ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT.

FO MHS currently consists of five units (Admin, Protection, Community-Based Protection, Field and Durable Solutions). The JPO (Assc. Protection Officer) will act as the head of Community-Based protection team with its strong emphasis on GBV prevention and response, and child protection. The JPO is to directly supervise two Community-Based Protection Assistants. It is imperative to note however, that in an office with limited workforce the JPO is expected to assume tasks, roles and responsibilities flexibly often beyond his/her core TORs; coordination and building good working relation with other staff members are of critical importance. The JPO will also act as Officer-In-Charge in the absence of Protection Officer/Head of the Field Office.

UNHCR works with the Royal Thai Government, NGOs and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) in a politically sensitive environment. The JPO, who often represents UNHCR in external meetings, will navigate through the complex operational context to uphold protection principles without disrupting favorable working relations with stakeholders where no perfect solutions may be found. UNHCR has four partners that are partly funded by UNHCR. The JPO will lead the programatic monitoring of UNHCR's child protection partner, COERR, as well as the discussion/coordination with non- UNHCR funded GBV and protection NGOs and CBOs including IRC, KWO and KnWO in the four camps. The work involves frequent overnight missions to the two camps in Mae Sariang.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT.

Accountability (key results that will be achieved)

- Protection of UNHCR PoCs is enhanced in accordance with the relevant national laws, international legal instruments, UNHCR protection principles and other international standards.

- Child protection, prevention and response to Gendre Based Violence (GBV) are strengthened through coordination with relevant stakeholders including the authorities, NGOs and CBOs. The UNHCR funded child protection partner is properly monitored.

- The participation of PoCs is ensured through continuous assessment and evaluation using participatory, rights, AGD, and community based approaches.

- In the absence of Portection Officer, the FO MHS is properly managed.

Responsibility (process and functions undertaken to achieve results)

1. Protection incidents are systematically identified, addressed, managed and documented in a timely manner. Monitor and regularly gather the situational information of new arrivals, asylum-seekers and refugees in the Area of Operation including in the camps, detention places, border areas and nearby villages.

2. Liaise and coordinate with the local authorities, NGOs, CBOs and refugee leadership on issues relating to protection and assistance of refugees and other persons of concern to UNHCR.

3. Ensure the local authorities adhere to internationally recognised principles concerning refugee, humanitarian and human rights law. Intervene promptly with the authorities in close coordination with the Protection Officer when necessary.

4. Oversee child protection activities in the office, including oversight of Best Interest Assessment and Determination and monitoring of the implementation of UNHCR-funded child protection activities. Represent UNHCR in local child protection meetings. Serve as the focal point of Children Affected by Armed Conflict/Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism. Conduct individual case management. Contribute to the enhancement of the Child Protection Referral System.

5. Oversee GBV related activities in the office. Build trust with partners and strengthen systematic data collection to enable analyses, response and policy formulation.

6.As needed and in cooperation with other staff, lead the Community-Based protection functions including specific initiatives for a range of persons with specific needs. Oversee coordination and case management concerning person with specific needs.

7. Attend protection/coordination platforms set up in camps (including the camp coordination meeting and the Protection Working Group meetings).

8. Deliver and/or (co-) facilitate internal and external briefings, training activities on UNHCR mandate, refugee protection, durable solutions and related topics.

9. Draft and prepare internal/external reports, briefing papers, policy documents, SOPs, notes and other documentation.

10. Perform other duties as required.

Authority (decisions made in executing responsibilities and to achieve results)

- Intervene with authorities on protection issues
- Negotiate locally on behalf of UNHCR
- Decide priorities for reception, interviewing and counseling for groups and individuals
- Enforce compliance of staff and partners with global protection policies and standards of professional integrity in the delivery of protection services
- Enforce compliance with, and integrity of, all protection standard operating procedures

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED. 

EDUCATION/QUALIFICATION: An Undergraduate, Graduate or Doctorate law degree with experience/expertise in international law, human rights law, and/or refugee law. A degree in International Relations or Poltical Sciences or similar degrees coupled with relevant experience could also be considered.

WORK EXPERIENCE: 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant
experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree, preferrably in the field of refugee protection, international human rights or humanmitarian law. Knowledge of and experience in child protection and gender-based violence would be an advantage.

SKILLS: Leadership, team-building and team management, positive inter-personal, communication, drafting, analytical training skills as well as flexibility and ability to work in a multi-cultural environment are essential. Ability to travel regularly to the field.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES. 

1.Protecting asylum-seekers, refugees, stateless and other persons of concern to UNHCR. 
2.Providing protection information, legal support and advice as well as training.
3.Promoting international refugee law/protection principles.
4.Cooperating, coordinating and as needed, intervening with  relevant national authorities, implementing and operational partners as well as other stakeholders. REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

Code Managerial Competencies               

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

Code Cross-Functional Competencies      
X001: Analytical Thinking
X005: Planning and Organizing
X007: Political Awareness
X008: Stakeholder Management
X009: Change Capability and Adaptability LANGUAGE KNOWLEDGE
- Essential: English,     
- Desirable: 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
-Participation in UNHCR Learning Programmes (e.g. Protection/
statelessness)
-Participation in national/regional protection officers meeting/training
Workshops/other meetings/forums attended by NGO, civil society, UN and other organisations.

LEARNING ELEMENTS

The incumbent will gain a comprehensive understanding and knowledge of international refugee law and related legal instruments, including a thorough understanding of UNHCR¿s protection mandate, standards and procedures.  S/he will strengthen her legal and analytical skills, as well as writing skills.

The incumbent will gain a solid understanding and experiences in child protection, SGBV, case management, database management, conflict negotiation, partner coordination, and will gain supervisory and management skills. LIVING CONDITIONS AT THE DUTY STATION

Housing/accommodation: Various types of accommodation are available. Rentals are generally cheaper than Bangkok though options are limited compared to Bangkok.

Health care: There is a government provincial hospital in Mae Hong Son and the closest UN-recommended private hospital Bangkok Hospital is in Chang Mai.

Educational facilities: There are local schools but no international schools in the area.

Security: Mae Hong Son is classified by the International Civil Service Commission as a category B family duty station.  According to the United Nations Department of Safety and Security, the security level for Mae Hong Son is Low-2.

Other: Telephone, internet, cable, fax, radio and postal services are available. The major banks in Thailand have branches in Mae Hong Son. Mae Hong Son Province receives a high number of international and local tourists/visitors, a number of tourist attractions and activities are available throughout the year. There are flights operating from Mae Hong Son on a daily basis connecting via Bangkok in a normal circumstance. Due to the Covid 19 situation, flights to and from MHS is currently suspended (as of September 2020). Please note that the closing date for this JPO advertisement is Wednesday 31 March 2021 (midnight Geneva time).