ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
In complex humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters where UNHCR is designated as the Protection Cluster Lead Agency under the Cluster Approach, UNHCR performs a dedicated coordination, strategy development and advocacy function through the position of Senior Cluster Coordination Officer (Protection) and the supporting positions of Cluster Coordination Officer (Protection).
These latter P3 level positions normally report directly to the Senior Cluster Coordination Officer (Protection). The UNHCR Representative has final accountability for the performance of UNHCR as Cluster Lead Agency.
The Cluster Coordination Officer (Protection) supports UNHCR to work within the framework of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) and the Cluster Approach. The position reinforces UNHCR Protection Cluster Lead Agency functions by providing support to the role of Cluster Coordination Officer (Protection) in ensuring UNHCR¿s leadership within a diverse protection community.
The Cluster Coordination Officer (Protection) is expected to facilitate the work of the Protection Cluster through the provision of analysis, organization and reporting; and to impartially represent the interests of the members of the Protection Cluster. This includes the provision of active support, as applicable, to sub-clusters or working groups of the Cluster which may be coordinated by other Agencies. As a result, the incumbent supports an inter-agency team in an environment that requires high standards of accountability, facilitation, negotiation and conflict resolution skills, in which respect the principles of partnership and collaboration are essential.
The incumbent supports the Cluster Coordination Officer (Protection) in Inter-Cluster Coordination mechanisms, for advocacy and facilitation of protection mainstreaming and cross-cutting issues of age, gender and diversity in the humanitarian response and early recovery activities.
S/he works closely with and may, depending on the Office structure, directly supervise multi-functional Protection Cluster Support staff in the areas of data and information management, needs assessment, profiling, registration, reporting and advocacy.
FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
Accountability
- The protection needs of populations of concern are met through timely and coordinated action by all cluster members.
- The protection of populations of concern is maximized through research, advocacy and effective consultative and feedback mechanisms.
- Effective coordination mechanisms and tools, including information management, are promoted, facilitated and maintained with cluster members, government counterparts and donors, for timely and effective needs assessment, planning, prioritization, implementation, reporting and evaluation.
- The Protection Cluster is facilitated to develop and implement strategies and activities delivered which enjoy political and/or financial support by other clusters, government, donors and other partners through effective prioritization, advocacy and resource mobilization.
Responsibility
- Facilitate the development of a Protection Cluster strategy following a consultative process with partners and stakeholders. Support the Protection Cluster to ensure that protection informs and shapes the overall humanitarian response and that the protection response is integrated into the Humanitarian Country Team¿s common humanitarian action plan.
- Organize and facilitate meetings in line with the Principles of Partnership, ensuring that cluster meetings are consultative and results-oriented.
- Facilitate coordination with government counterparts and other relevant authorities.
- Support the design of transition strategies for the Protection Cluster: facilitate the development of a strategy for the cluster ensuring proper linkages with disaster risk reduction, relief, and recovery and development efforts.
- Facilitate the coordination and conduct of Protection Cluster or Inter-Cluster level protection needs assessments, including participatory assessments of all affected populations.
- Provide strategic inputs to development of common funding criteria, resource mobilisation and prioritization within the Protection Cluster for inclusion in Consolidated Appeals and pooled funds processes
- Establish mechanisms for accountable and transparent financial resource allocation within the cluster.
- Facilitate the delivery of protection training activities for Protection Cluster members, other local partners, and relevant authorities.
- Coordinate initiatives to build the protection capacity of the national and local government, partners and civil society.
- Ensure adherence to IASC standard operating procedures for IDP profiling.
- Ensure the integration of cross-cutting issues in the work of the Protection Cluster, including any work developed by sub-clusters or working groups.
- Ensure adherence of Protection Cluster activities to Guidelines on Age, Gender and Diversity Mainstreaming;
- Through Cluster-wide consultative processes, provide input into the development of global protection policy and standards led by the Global Protection Cluster.
- Support reporting and information sharing within the Protection Cluster and at the inter-cluster level.
- Support and facilitate the Protection Cluster information management strategy and mechanisms.
- Ensure that the Protection Cluster produces regular updates and briefing notes on the protection concerns in the affected population, response activities, challenges and recommendations.
- Identify core advocacy concerns for the Protection Cluster through a consultative process: Facilitate joint cluster/ inter-cluster initiatives to ensure regular and consistent advocacy.
- Help foster a consistent interpretation and application of international law and related UNHCR and IASC legal standards and protection policies.
- Promote the Protection Cluster¿s adherence to international human rights instruments, the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement as well as other relevant international and regional instruments; in cooperation with the Humanitarian Country Team support local interventions when violations of international protection standards and principles occur.
- Promote and help strengthen national legislation relevant to internal displacement and durable solutions.
Authority
- Facilitate cluster meetings and represent the Protection Cluster in meetings with sectoral and external partners, authorities and other relevant interlocutors.
- Draft reports and prepare advocacy statements on behalf of the Protection Cluster - for clearance by Senior management.
- Organise and facilitate cluster meetings, work and cooperate with focal points sub-groups/working groups and ad hoc/task-related bodies for specific issues.
- Facilitate negotiation with the Humanitarian Coordinator/Resident Coordinator, the Humanitarian Country Team and cluster members on the prioritization and inclusion of project proposals and common funding criteria for inclusion in inter-agency funding appeals.
- Monitor the allocation of financial and other resources within the Protection Cluster, when required, such as with regard to Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) or Common Humanitarian Funds (CHF).
ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) in Law, International Law, Political Sciences or related field with good knowledge of International Refugee and Human Rights Law plus minimum 6 years relevant professional experience of which 2 years in the field. Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master's) plus 5 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 4 years of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted.
- Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- Coordination Learning Programme.
- Tri-Cluster Knowledge and Coordination Skills Training.
- Protection Learning Programme.
- Training on Protection in Natural Disaster Situations.
- Knowledge of additional UN languages.