Hardship LevelE (most hardship)
Family TypeNon FamilyDanger Pay
Residential location (if applicable)
GradePR3
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeProfessional
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Remote work acceptedNo
Target Start Date2023-10-13
Job Posting End DateNovember 9, 2023
Standard Job Description
Community-Based Protection Officer
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Community-Based Protection Officer is a member of the Protection Team in a Regional Bureau or a Country Office and normally reports to the Senior Community-Based Protection Officer, the Senior Protection Officer, Head of Sub-Office or the Assistant Representative for protection.
For a regional position, the incumbent may have direct supervisory responsibility for Protection and Community-Based Protection staff in the regional office, and a technical support role for Community-Based Protection staff in the region. For a country level position the incumbent may have direct supervisory responsibility for Community-based Protection staff and other protection staff in the operation.
H/he supports the implementation of protection standards and provides advice on community-based protection to senior management and Country Operation(s) in close collaboration with the Division of International Protection (DIP).
The incumbent is relied upon by senior management to support a coordinated approach in the implementation of UNHCR's rights-based and community-based engagement with all persons of concern and contributes to the achievement of UNHCR's commitments to accountability to affected people.
S/he maintains close working relationships and supports Protection and Community-Based Protection staff in the field, who act as the critical interface between UNHCR and communities of concern, enabling them to provide the AGD-sensitive analysis of community risks and capacities that form the essential foundations of national and regional programmes. The incumbent maintains close working relations with sister UN entities, governmental entities, non-governmental organisations and academic institutions that can contribute to enhancing protection and achieving solutions through people centred, community-based and gender responsive approaches.
The incumbent provides guidance to country operations to strengthen their coordination and advocacy on community-based approaches to protection with governments, partners and other key stakeholders.
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 in the development, implementation and monitoring of a community-based protection strategy reflecting the organization's global, regional and country level protection priorities, and ensuring systematic application of participatory, rights- , community-based, and gender responsive approaches in protection and solutions planning, programming and strategies.
- Support compliance with UNHCR Age, Gender and Diversity Policy, including ensuring AGD inclusive programming, advocating for gender equality and strengthening accountability to affected populations (AAP).
- Assist with the implementation and integration of community-based corporate policies in multi-year and multi-partner protection and solutions strategies and operations plans.
- Support the systematic application of participatory, community, rights based, and gender responsive protection approaches throughout the phases of the operations management cycle and across the work of the organisation and implement community-based GBV prevention and response as well as community-based child protection programmes.
- Contribute to the appropriate adaptations of programmes as a result of the analysis of feedback received from persons of concern, as well as other political, social, economic and cultural developments that impact the protection environment.
- Participate in country level planning exercises and advocates for the mobilization and (re)allocation of funds to the implementation of community-based and gender responsive approaches across programmes and sectors in line with regional and country community-based protection strategies.
- Support the establishment and management of a feedback and response system (including on PSEA) and participate in the analysis of feedback gathered through formal and informal feedback and response systems.
- Support capacity development through training and coaching of staff in the domain of AGD, Accountability to Affected People (AAP), CBP, Gender Equality, Youth, Disability and inclusion of other Diversity elements, and mainstreaming of the CBP approach in other sectors.
- Provide technical guidance and support to ensure data relevant to assess and monitor progress on the implementation and impact of community-based and age, gender and diversity approaches is collected and AGD-sensitive analysis of community risks and capacities is undertaken.
- Support the consolidation of reporting on community-based protection and contributes to reporting on the protection of different AGD groups, including identification of trends and collection and dissemination of good practices.
- Contribute to the development of partnerships with a variety of stakeholders including government institutions, UN, civil society actors, and the private sector inclusive of youth, disability, LGBTI, women rights stakeholders and other diverse groups; for the purpose of advocating for community-based approaches for the protection of displaced persons, including implementation of Outreach and communication with diverse groups.
- For functions at a regional level, support harmonization of CBP strategies in the region and their alignment with global policies, identifies and disseminates good practices, supports exchange of expertise in the region and provides a regional level analysis of trends as well as aggregated reporting on implementation of Community-based and AGD approaches.
- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
- Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P3/NOC - 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
Community Development;
Human Rights;
Cultural Studies;
Social Science;
Anthropology;
or other relevant field.
Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified.
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
2-3 years experience of working in the field with direct engagement with persons of concern. Demonstrated expertise in field protection, community development, social surveys/ assessment, counselling, or related areas
Desirable
Very good understanding of displacement and protection issues, particularly GBV prevention and response, child protection, education, gender equality, and the application of the age, gender and diversity approach. Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of position such as: PLP (Protection Learning Programme), OMLP (Operations Management Learning Programme), MMLP (Middle Management Learning Programme), CBPLP (Community-based Protection Learning Programme), CBP e-Learning, and Gender Equality e-learning. Experience in project management, and strategy development and implementation.
Functional Skills
PR-Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD)
PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators
TR-Training - Virtual and face to face
MG-Team building (development/facilitation)
PR-Community-based Protection - Planning, implementing and analysing surveys/assessments
PR-Community-based Protection - Coordination and project management
PR-Community-based Protection - Principles and methodologies
PR-Community-based Protection - Community engagement and capacity building
PR-Accountability to Affected People - Principles and Framework
(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 1. Sold field experience (3 years and above) in the area of Community Based Protection.
2. Experience in training and coaching staff on Accountability to Affected Population (AAP), Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) and gender equality, including experience in conducting participatory assessments and ensuring its results are part of the programme planning, and in training, establishing and overseeing complaint and feedback mechanisms.
3. Experience working in community engagement including managing community-based structures such as community centres, outreach volunteers, mobile units, community led initiatives and community related committees.
4. Experience in working and leading education programmes for refugees and IDPs.
5. Experience in internal and external coordination including with UNHCR staff, partners, government departments, UN agencies and other stakeholders.
6. Experience working in high-risk duty stations and with mixed populations (IDPs, refugees and returnees).
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
,
,
Desired languages
,
,
Operational context
To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
Under the supervision of the Senior Protection Office (Community- based), the incumbent will head Community Mobilization Unit responsible for community-based protection activities and interventions in Syria, with a focus on standard-setting, protection risk assessment and analysis, community engagement and empowerment and adjusting services to evolving needs. S/he will monitor the implementation of the UNHCR Protection and Solutions Multiyear Strategy for Syria with a focus on Protection Community ' Based under the overall supervision of Snr. Protection Officer. S/he will ensure that protection is mainstreamed in all areas of support to IDPs and refugees taking into consideration age, gender and diversity principles. The Protection Officer (CB) will closely coordinate with the Programme Unit in the planning context and to translate protection objectives into concrete programmatic interventions as well as on partner monitoring and management. S/he is expected to work with the six field offices and with a range of national and international counterparts within the inter-agency response to IDPs as well as governmental entities. Establishing and maintaining communication and cooperation with all partners and community representatives among the persons of concern in the complex environment of Syria is a key challenge and fundamental requirement in this operation. For the successful implementation of tasks, the incumbent should be equipped to exercise a high degree of flexibility, creativity, patience and adaptability. Recalling the functions specified in the JD/description of responsibilities, the Protection Officer (Community-Based) expected to have an overall oversight responsibility of community centers and affiliated operations, management of community -based outreach and response programmes, guidance to office on CBP activities, and liaison with partners to ensure standardization of services and quality protection and assistance to communities. Furthermore, the incumbent will endeavor efforts to mobilize communities to identify their own needs, capacities and resources, and to contribute effectively to the response and make support more sustainable through meaningful community engagement and inline to principles of AGD and AAP.
Considering the highly sensitive environment in which UNHCR operates in Syria, the incumbent should possess strong analytical and diplomatic skills, knowledge of the context and exhibit good judgment and protection instincts. Moreover, the incumbent should have strong managerial and interpersonal skills to oversee a diverse team and allow her/him to efficiently interact field-based staff. Current Situation Over nine years of conflict have resulted in devastating consequences for civilians, with more than half of Syria's pre-war population being internally or externally displaced, and 11.6 million people being in need of life-saving assistance. The situation remains particularly precarious for people living in hard-to-reach and besieged locations. Despite the unstable security situation and socio-economic hardships, approximately 1.6 million IDPs and 95,000 refugees have returned to place of origin or to areas attained some stability since 2018- 2019. In addition, the country hosts some 24,000 mostly Iraqi refugees in two main locations (Damascus and northeastern Syria). UNHCR 's strategy is focused on a community-based approach and on ensuring maximum outreach to persons of concern through a network of community centres, mobile units and outreach volunteers in all accessible governorates of Syria, with the aim of reducing vulnerabilities, strengthening resilience and enhancing protection, with particular attention to the most vulnerable persons. Through these community centers, which are run by local NGO partners, UNHCR provides a range of integrated protection services to address the most pressing needs of the population including psychosocial support (PSS), education support, small start-up business grants, child protection services, SGBV prevention and response and in-kind and other assistance and services for persons with specific needs. Working & Living Conditions As of recent the security situation in some parts of Syria has improved, nonetheless the situation still continues to create pressures at work and in daily life, as priorities are frequently upended for other urgent ad hoc tasks. The incumbent should be prepared to work under such conditions and be able to manage stressful situations. Syria is a non-family duty station with a four-week R&R cycle and the security situation remains volatile.
Additional Qualifications
Skills
EducationBachelor of Arts (BA): Anthropology, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Cultural Studies, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Human Rights, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Development, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Social Work, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political Science, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Social Science
Certifications
Work ExperienceWorking with Persons of Concern: Asylum Seekers, Working with Persons of Concern: Internally Displaced Persons, Working with Persons of Concern: Others of Concern, Working with Persons of Concern: Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: Returned IDPs, Working with Persons of Concern: Returned Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: Stateless
CompetenciesAccountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration
UNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Additional Information
Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance