Hardship LevelH (no hardship)
Family TypeFamily
Family TypeFamily
Residential location (if applicable)
GradeGS6
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeGeneral Service
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Target Start Date2023-06-01
Job Posting End DateMay 6, 2023
Standard Job DescriptionCommunity-Based Protection Associate Organizational Setting and Work Relationships The Community-Based Protection Associate is a member of the Protection Unit and may report to the Protection Officer, Community-Based Protection Officer, or another more senior staff member in the Protection Unit. Under the overall direction of the Protection Unit, and in coordination with other UNHCR staff, government, NGO partners and other stakeholders, the Community-Based Protection Associate works directly with communities of concern to identify the risks they face and to leverage their capacities to protect themselves, their families and communities. The incumbent may have direct supervisory responsibility for part of the protection and/or support staff and supports the application of community-based protection standards, operational procedures and practices in community-based protection delivery at the field level. To fulfil this role, the Community-Based Protection Associate is required to spend a substantial percentage of the workday outside the office, building and maintaining networks within communities of PoC. The development and maintenance of constructive relationships with PoC that measurably impact and enhance protection planning, programming and results, form the core of the work of the incumbent. S/he also supports the designing of a community-based protection strategy by ensuring that it is based on consultation with PoC. 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 - Assist functional units, the Multi-Functional Team (MFT) and senior management to integrate participatory and community-based approaches in the overall protection strategy and operational procedures. - Through relationships with PoC and network of partners, stay abreast of political, social, economic and cultural developments that have an impact on the protection environment and provide advice to the protection team. Understand the perspectives, capacities, needs and resources of the PoC and advise the protection team accordingly, highlighting the specific protection needs of women and men, children, youth and older persons, persons with disabilities, marginalized groups. - Work with host communities to identify opportunities for national civil society involvement in improving the protection of PoC. - Work with implementing and operational partners as well as with displaced and local communities to develop community-owned activities to address, where applicable, the social, educational, psycho-social, cultural, health, organisational and livelihood concerns as well as child protection and prevention and response to GBV. - Assist in the analysis that identifies the capacities of communities of concern and risks they face. - Support participatory assessments by multifunctional teams and ongoing consultation with PoC. - Assist in planning and monitoring of programmes and budgets, with an AGD perspective - Build office capacity for community-based protection through training and establishing systems for community mobilization and participation of PoC. - Support communities in establishing representation and coordination structures. - Ensure community understanding of UNHCR's commitment to deliver on accountability and quality assurance in its response. - Act as an interpreter in exchange of routine information, contribute to related liaison activities and respond directly to routine queries. - Contribute to the enforcement of participatory AGD sensitive analysis as an essential basis for all of UNHCR's work. - Initiate AGD sensitive interventions at the appropriate level on community-based protection issues and to respond to protection concerns and incidents within the office, with external interlocutors, groups and individuals based on agreed parameters. - Identify and select which individuals or groups to prioritize for counselling and field visits based on agreed criteria. - Intervene with authorities on protection. - Enforce compliance of implementing partners with global protection policies and standards of professional integrity in the delivery of protection services. - Recommend and prepare payments to individual cases. - Perform other related duties as required. Minimum Qualifications Years of Experience / Degree Level For G6 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher Field(s) of Education Not applicable. Certificates and/or Licenses Development, Human Rights, International Law International Social Work, Social Science, Political Science, (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential) Relevant Job Experience Essential Not specified. Desirable UNHCR learning programmes (PLP). Knowledge of MSRP. Functional Skills IT-Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) *IT-Computer Literacy UN-UN/UNHCR Administrative Rules, Regulations and Procedures PR-Community-based Protection - Principles and methodologies CL-Multi-stakeholder Communications with Partners, Government & Community PG-Stakeholder management and coordination with Implementing Partners (Gov/NGO/Corporate) TR-Capacity Buidling (Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential) Language Requirements For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English. For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language. For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English. All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power. As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise. This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.
Desired Candidate Profile Candidates must be legally authorized to work in Italy.
English is the official working language of UNHCR in Italy. Only applications fully completed in English will be considered.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Assessment of short-listed candidates might comprise of both an interview and a written test.
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.
According to the UNHCR/AI/2022/01, recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19. For this reason, you will be requested to provide a proof of full vaccination scheme during the recruitment process.
In case of any queries, please contact the Italy HR Team at itarovacancies@unhcr.org.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level): English
,Italian
Desired languages
,
Operational context
To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
Italy remains one of the major points of arrival for persons of concern seeking protection to Europe, with most of them arriving by sea via the Mediterranean. In 2022, 105,129 migrants and refugees originating from 57 countries arrived in Italy by sea with Italy receiving 66% of all sea arrivals to Southern Europe and representing an increase of 56% compared to 2021. Sicily alone received 70% of all arrivals to Italy and only Governmental reception facilities in the Region hosts the 10% of migrants in reception in the country, representing the third region after Lombardy and Emilia Romagna. As of mid-March 2023, 20,000 sea arrivals were registered in Italy - an increase of 220% compared to the same period of 2022 and 231% compared to the same period of 2021. Based upon current arrival trends, it is foreseeable that in 2023 Italy will continue to receive a large number of people by sea, land and air. While there have been fluctuations in levels of arrivals, the drivers of the movements from the Sahel, Tigray and other countries, such as Afghanistan and Iran, moving along the Central Mediterranean and Balkan routes will remain or worsen because of the negative impacts of conflicts, the global pandemic and climate change.
In Italy, UNHCR works with the Italian government, other organizations and refugees themselves to uphold the basic human rights of stateless persons and people forced to flee, and to improve laws and national systems so refugees and stateless persons stay safe, get documents, can go to school, work and exercise other rights. Through its staff and partners, UNHCR is engaged in activities aimed at ensuring full and equal enjoyment of rights by all persons of concern, addressing protection risks in an Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) sensitive manner, with a particular focus on persons with specific needs, such as unaccompanied and separated children (UASC) and survivors of gender-based violence (GBV). UNHCR's protection delivery is based on a community-based protection approach, which aims at putting people of concern at the center of all decisions affecting their lives. Based on this approach, UNHCR promotes active refugee participation in all aspects of the UNHCR programme cycle, builds protection strategies and solutions in partnership with them and supports the community's own goals, also through better communication with communities.
UNHCR staff perform a variety of tasks country-wide, including: attending key phases of disembarkation procedures, providing new arrivals with information on international protection and other relevant procedures, through leaflets and group information sessions, and supporting the authorities in identifying persons with specific needs; monitoring land border procedures and their potential impact on access to international protection, focusing in particular on people with specific needs; conducting visits to reception facilities across the country, liaising with relevant authorities to ensure that safe, dignified accommodation conditions are provided; working with authorities and partners to identify persons with additional protection needs, such as UASC, survivors of GBV and other persons at risk, so that they can be promptly referred for follow-up and appropriate services; and providing support to the National Commission for the Right to Asylum, including on the reform of the RSD procedure. UNHCR also seeks to help refugees thrive in Italy and fully contribute to the economic, cultural and social life of the country, through support to the implementation of the Government's national integration plan, provision of information and counselling on rights, entitlements and obligations, engagement with the private sector to promote refugees' employment, and by working with Italian universities to promote access to higher education to refugees through scholarships and tutoring programmes.
The UNHCR Community Based Protection Associate based in Rome will directly report to the Community Based Protection Officer in Rome while closely cooperating with other more colleagues within the unit as well as regularly liasing, providing guidance and coordinate with other CBP colleagues in the field on the areas of responsibility of cocnern. The Community Based Protection Associate will perform the duties listed in the standard job description, and s/he will be the focal point for Communication with Communities, and Community Outreach, contributing to: the designing of tailored material useful to be disseminated among communities - both upon arrivals and all along the integration journey - but also will be in charge to the official UNHCR Help Page as well as of managing flagship CWC and information provision-related projects in digital and web platform channels. She/he will be also in charge of managing the individual case management responsibility that includes the partner who currently manage the UNHCR Frontdesk besides the incoming cases of concern of UNHCR. Furthermore, she/he will have the shared responsibility on Health/Mental Health managing several ad-hoc projects with both adults and children people forced to flee across the Country as well as many other CBP related tasks that go from coordination to capacity building to community participation, indeed also being the focal point for the yearly participatory assessment exercise, and also sharing the focal point responsibility on Accountability to Affected Population including the set-up and oversee of feedback and complaint mechanisms.
Rome is a HQ Duty Station. Italy has a strong UN presence (more than 10 Agencies Programmes and Funds totaling more than 6'000 staff) and is offering high standard of living conditions and relatively high cost of living.
There is no RC System hence no formal inter-agency coordination system other than the DO for Security related matters. FAO leads the UN team and collaborates closely with Rome based WFP and IFAD HQ.
The Italian authorities will issue a visa and residence permit to UNHCR international staff members. Before arriving at a new duty station, finding an accommodation will be a priority. There are some limited facilities to access Duty Free privileges. Buying a new vehicle is a lengthy process while buying second hand is even more complex. The public transport system is relatively reliable, and most colleagues have elected to reside in the office neighborhood.
A valid driving license issued by a European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) member state is automatically accepted in all other member states. People with EU/EEA-issued driver's license who take up residence in Italy are not required to exchange it for an Italian license.
Holders of a standard driving license issued from a non-EU/EEA country may drive in Italy using the foreign license for up to one year after obtaining residency.
Medical care is up to international standards.
UN International expatriates are covered by the medical insurance provided from their workplace. No additional medical coverage is required. A list of English-speaking doctors can be provided, upon request, by the FAO Medical Services.
There are several international schools in Rome. The academic year for schools in Italy is from September to June. Generally, schools have long waiting lists and it is advisable to register your child at school as soon as possible. You should also find out about the specific admission requirements at the school. Transfer certificates from previous schools and academic records are usually required. Contracts are made between the school and private individuals regarding payments of school fees.
This means any deposits and commitments to pay fees are your responsibility and not the UN's.
Spouse employment can be challenging, particularly in a post Covid-19 situation where the economy was affected.
Additional Qualifications
SkillsCL-Multi-stakeholder Communications with Partners, Government & Community, IT-Computer Literacy, IT-Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), PG-Stakeholder management and coordination with Implementing Partners (Gov/NGO/Corporate), PR-Community-based Protection - Principles and methodologies, TR-Capacity Buidling, UN-UN/UNHCR Administrative Rules, Regulations and Procedures
Education
CertificationsCommunity Development/Social Work - Other, Development Studies - Other, Human Rights - Other, International Law - Other, Political Science - Other, Social Sciences - Other
Work Experience
CompetenciesAccountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Managing performance, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration
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Additional Information
Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance
This vacancy is archived.