Protection Associate - UNOPS L-ICA 6 (Maternity replacement)

This Job Opening is available to eligible UNHCR staff members and external applicants. General Background

Since 2005, UNHCR has been directly involved in the refugee status determination (RSD) procedure in Italy by promoting the interpretation and application of determination criteria in line with international standards, on the basis of its own supervisory role, as per paragraph 8 of its Statute, in conjunction with Article 35 of the 1951 Geneva Convention relating to the status of refugees and Article II of the 1967 New York Protocol, as well as on the basis of the experience and capacity developed over the years regarding issues relating to eligibility and refugee status determination.

In this context, UNHCR contributes to the training activities run by the National Commission for the Right to Asylum, addressed to members of Territorial Eligibility Commissions, interpreters and support staff.

On the occasion of the reform of the refugee status determination procedure, started in 2018, UNHCR has intensified its capacity development activities, in order to support the National Commission in the training of new case owners, hired during 2018 and 2019. UNHCR thus contributes to assess learning needs, to design and deliver learning interventions at central and local level, as well as to conduct training-on-the-job activities, including coaching and shadowing, with the aim to reinforce the new system, with an improvement in the efficiency and the quality of the refugee status determination procedure.

The incumbent, working under the direct supervision of the Protection Associate (RSD) and in coordination with UNHCR RSD staff, will contribute to the Office's capacity development strategy and activities, by supporting the streamlining of the Office's efforts to strategize, design and deliver learning interventions for RSD government officials and Experts on human rights and international protection, designated by UNHCR, as well as for interpreters, support staff and other actors, as identified by the office.


Purpose and Scope of Assignment

The incumbent will:

- Contribute to develop UNHCR's strategy on capacity development activities at national and local level, aimed at improving the efficiency and the quality of the Italian RSD procedure;
- Assess and analyze learning needs in the context of the reformed RSD system, through a participatory approach and in cooperation with relevant stakeholders, including the National Commission for the Right to Asylum and Territorial Eligibility Commissions;
- Support the design and delivery of learning interventions for RSD government officials and for experts on human rights and international protection, designated by UNHCR, as well as other relevant actors, such as interpreters and support staff;
- Develop tools to assess the impact of learning interventions carried out;
- Contribute to the development of written materials to be used for learning/capacity development purposes;
- Contribute to the development and update an induction package for the experts on human rights and international protection, designated by UNHCR;
- Provide for the organization of the learning interventions also in terms of logistics and administrative submissions;
- Prepare reports, as required, on capacity development related activities;
- Participate to coordination and training events organised by the Office in Rome;
- Perform other related duties as required.


Qualifications and Experience

Education:
High School Diploma is required.
University Degree in law, political science, international relations or related area is an asset.
Education/training on international protection related issues is an asset.

Work Experience:
3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher. Relevant experience includes especially in the field of RSD or refugee protection.

Key Competencies:

Essential:

- Expertise on the international and national framework on refugee status determination.
- Expertise on the Italian asylum legislation and procedures.
- Expertise on international protection in the Italian context.
- Fluency in English and Italian, both speaking and writing.
- Excellent training and communication skills.
- Excellent capacity building skills.
- Excellent organizational skills.
- Excellent analytical skills.
- Documented experience in design, development, delivery and evaluation of learning activities focused on international protection related issues.
- Good networking approach.
- Flexibility and ability to work autonomously and in team.
- Respect for diversity and capacity to work in stressful contexts.
- Full time availability.
- Ability to use editing and graphic layout programs (i.e. Word, Power Point, etc.).

Desirable:

- Experience in the context of the Italian RSD procedure.
- Previous experience with UNHCR. .
- Knowledge of other language/s. Core Competencies:

Accountability
Communication
Organizational Awareness
Teamwork & Collaboration
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies:

Judgement and Decision Making

Cross-Functional Competencies:

Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
Political Awareness
Stakeholder Management Contract type: UNOPS Local Individual Contractor Agreement, level 6 (L-ICA 6)

Contract duration: 16 weeks (Maternity replacement)

Expected entry on duty: mid-July/August 2021.

Duty station: Rome, Italy.


Only short-listed candidates will be notified.

Assessment of short-listed candidates will consist of an oral interview.

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. UNHCR has a ZERO TOLERANCE policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, and sexual harassment. Successful candidates will be subject to mandatory UN Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment clearance check prior to receiving an offer. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees). All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

In case of any queries, please contact the UNHCR MCO Italy HR Team at itarovacancies@unhcr.org. Please note that the application closing date for this vacancy is Monday 21 June 2021 (23:59 Geneva time).