Senior Protection Associate, G7 [Fixed-Term Appointment] FO Arauca

DUTIES

- Stay abreast of political, social, economic and cultural developments that have an impact on the protection environment.
- Consistently apply International and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards and codes of conduct.
- Assist in providing comments on existing and draft legislation related to PoC.  
- Provide advice and guidance on protection issues to PoC; liaise with competent authorities to ensure the issuance of personal and other relevant documentation.
- Assist in conducting eligibility and status determination for PoC in compliance with UNHCR procedural standards and international protection principles. 
- Contribute to measures to identify, prevent and reduce statelessness.
- Contribute to a country-level child protection plan as part of the protection strategy.
- Contribute to a country-level education plan as part of the protection strategy.
- Assist the supervisor in implementing and monitoring Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all protection/solutions activities.
- Manage individual protection cases including those on GBV and child protection. Monitor, and assist the supervisor with intervening in cases of refoulement, expulsion and other protection incidents.
- Assist in identifying durable solutions for the largest possible number of PoC through voluntary repatriation, local integration and where appropriate, resettlement.
- Contribute to the design, implementation and evaluation of protection related AGD based programming with implementing and operational partners.
- Contribute to and facilitate a programme of results-based advocacy with sectorial and/or cluster partners.
- Facilitate effective information management through the provision of disaggregated data on PoC and their problems. 
- Participate in initiatives to capacitate authorities, relevant institutions and NGOs to strengthen national protection related legislation and procedures.
- Assist the supervisor with intervening with authorities on protection issues.
- Provide assistance to the supervisor in deciding priorities for reception, interviewing and counselling for groups or individuals.
- Assist the supervisor with enforcing compliance of staff and implementing partners with global protection policies and standards of professional integrity in the delivery of protection services.
- Assist the supervisor with enforcing compliance with, and integrity of, all protection standard operating procedures.
- Recommend and prepare payments to individual cases.
- Perform other related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Professional Work Experience

Years of Experience / Degree Level
- Minimum 4 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher.

Certificates and/or Licenses
- International Law.
- Political Science.
- Or other relevant field.

Relevant Job Experience

Desirable
- RSD-Resettlement LP and/or Protection Learning Programme.
- Protection Learning Programme.

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

Competency Requirements

Core Competencies:
- Accountability.
- Communication.
- Organizational Awareness.
- Teamwork & Collaboration.
- Commitment to Continuous Learning.
- Client & Result Orientation.

Managerial Competencies:
- Judgement and Decision Making.
- Empowering and Building Trust.

Cross-Functional Competencies:
- Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
- Political Awareness
- Stakeholder Management Language requirements
- Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station (Spanish).
========================================================================================================
See below for this postion's Operational Context
======================================================================================================== Colombia continues to be the country receiving the highest number of Venezuelans, with a total of over 1.74 million by early 2021 (representing approximately 37% of the 4.6 million Venezuelans in the region). Additionally, an estimated 845,000 Colombians (including those with dual nationality) have returned to Colombia from Venezuela in recent years, which may include those who return on a temporary basis. According to Migración Colombia, around 56% of Venezuelans in Colombia are estimated to be in an irregular situation and thus more exposed to protection risks. From March 2020 until June 2021, the Colombia-Venezuela border was officially closed to contain the spread of the pandemic, but even after the 2 June 2021 border opening on the Colombian side, Venezuelans continue to enter the country primarily through informal crossing points controlled by armed groups. Such irregular movements come with a heightened risk of violence (especially gender-based violence), sexual exploitation, trafficking and smuggling, child recruitment and family separation.

In February 2021, the Government of Colombia issued a Temporary Protection Status (TPS) that is likely to benefit the 1.74 million Venezuelans already in Colombia as well as those who arrive through official border points over the next two years. The TPS provides a 10-year protection status and access to a full range of rights including healthcare, education, formal employment, and financial inclusion. However, xenophobia against Venezuelans has considerably increased in the last year, and it is projected to worsen with the introduction of the TPS. Misinformation and the perceptions that Venezuelans will take away job opportunities from Colombians, fuel general discontent and makes it even more difficult for refugees and migrants to secure a job. Nonetheless, UNHCR believes that TPS is a very promising pathway for addressing the vulnerable situation of Venezuelan refugees and migrants who are in an irregular situation.

The Senior Protection Associate reports to the Associate Protection Officer or the Head of Office. The position may entail supervisory responsibilities for protection staff including community services, registration, resettlement and education depending on the structure of the Office.  The incumbent monitors protection standards, operational procedures and practices in protection delivery in line with international standards and provides functional protection support to information management and programme staff.

The Senior Protection Associate is expected to coordinate quality, timely and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern (PoC) and identify opportunities to mainstream protection methodologies and integrate protection safeguards in operational responses in all sectors.  The incumbent contributes to designing a comprehensive protection strategy and represents the Office externally on protection doctrine and policy as guided by the supervisor.

S/he also ensures that PoC are involved 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.

To find out more information about UNHCR, please visit our website. This position will close on 27th January 2022 at 23:59 (Geneva Time).