Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)A (least hardship)
Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
Family
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeUNOPS LICA5
Target Start Date2023-06-01
Job Posting End DateMay 16, 2023
Terms of Reference1. General Background
UNHCR is committed to the effective protection of children of concern, with children representing more than half of the persons falling under its mandate. UNHCR adopts rights and community-based approach to addressing the protection needs of children, with a strong emphasis on inclusion within national child protection, child-friendly procedures, and working with other sectors to protect children. Child protection is recognized as a global organizational priority for UNHCR.
In recent years, the North of Central America ― El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala ― has seen a dramatic escalation in acute violence of street gangs and organized criminal groups that are driving increased forced displacement both within and from these countries. NCA countries are experiencing some of the highest homicide rates ever recorded, and sexual violence, forced disappearances, forced recruitment into gangs, forced prostitution, and trafficking of girls and women for sexual exploitation have also been reported as part of the violence pattern.
UNHCR has developed a comprehensive protection strategy for the NCA countries within the framework of the 2014 Brazil Declaration and Plan of Action and the 2016 San José Statement with the aim to provide protection and a durable solution to UNHCR Persons that UNHCR serves.
Resettlement is one of the durable solutions offered to persons that UNHCR serves in NCA countries. ‘Traditional’ Resettlement of persons outside of their country of origin, particularly those returned by the US government, and persons in transit is taking place from Guatemala. Moreover, in Guatemala UNHCR has in place a Resettlement program called the Protection Transfer Agreement (PTA) for persons that UNHCR serves who are still in their countries of origin.
Both the RST and PTA programs are elements of the regional protection and solutions strategy and represents an innovative life-saving mechanism that provides individuals facing severe protection risks within Guatemala with safe and legal access to another country where they can enjoy effective protection. The programs are coordinated by UNHCR, IOM, local NGOs, the Republic of Costa Rica which is used as a transit country for specific profiles and most vulnerable cases; and with the Governments of the countries of asylum/origin and participating Resettlement countries.
The ongoing scale-up of the Guatemala operation saw a sharp increase in terms of annual quotas for PTA and RST. Specifically, in 2022 PTA-Resettlement quota stands at 3,000 individuals between PTA (Guatemala nationals) and RST (refugees and asylum seekers). It is estimated that approximately 20% of PTA and Resettlement cases processed for submission to resettlement countries undergoes a best-interest process and requires the completion of a BIA or BID report to be submitted alongside the resettlement application.
The Senior Child Protection Assistant is needed in Guatemala to take the responsibility for specific actions as part of the overall Best Interests Procedure in case management, which includes carrying out timely best interest assessments and determinations, developing a case plan ensuring the child’s participation in the process and case management through appropriate documentation, including updating and maintaining the database for best interest procedure.
2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment:
• Through interviews, home visits, and interactions with children and other
stakeholders, identify children at risk and in need of protection
interventions.
• As part of the overall implementation of the best interest procedure, carry
out timely best interest procedures, and develop a case management plan
ensuring the child’s participation in the process; this also includes
managing the cases through appropriate documentation, including
updating and maintaining the database for best interest procedure.
• Ensure timely referrals, and appropriate follow-up on individual cases, and
continue monitoring and providing support in accordance with the case
plan. This may include providing guidance, advice, and emotional support,
community mediation, and further referrals.
• In consultation with the designated supervisor for the BID Process identify
cases requiring BIDs or BIAs.
• Collect all information relevant to the child’s case by interviewing the child,
his/her family or other caregivers, and others who may be relevant to the
child’s case.
• Analyze the information collected, formulate recommendations for
decisions, prepare the case report, and submit it to the Reviewing Officer
for further action, while continuing to monitor and follow up on the child’s
protection situation.
• Participate in BID Panel meetings when required, to clarify or respond to
questions, and act as an advocate for the child.
• Lead or support the implementation of the BID decision, and report to the
supervisor on progress and/or challenges. This includes advising the
supervisor on changes in the child’s protection situation.
• Travel to the territory if required to conduct Best Interest Procedures.
• Perform other related duties as required.
3. Monitoring and Progress Controls
The Senior Child Protection Assistant will be required to prepare reports following standard forms and deadlines:
• Monthly reports on the completion of BIAs and BIDs conducted, the CP
Assistant is expected to be able to prepare and complete a minimum of
10 monthly BID reports to be presented to the panel and additional BIAs if
required.
• Regular Reports on the progress of case management and other
statistical and narrative reports on the progress of best interest
procedures
• Case management information updated on progress v4 including
updating and maintaining the database for best interest procedures.
• A Final Report (at the end of the assignment or end of the year)
• Quarterly Performance Appraisal Reports (PAR)
4. Qualifications and Experience
a. Education
• Academic degree in relevant area (e.g., Social Work, Psychology, Political
Science, or other relevant social science)
b. Work Experience
Essential:
1 year of previous work experience relevant to the function of child protection in a local context and having experience in the field of child protection prevention and response, broader protection or psychosocial work involving empowerment of women and girls, gender, child protection, mental health, counselling and working with survivors, humanitarian, and development issues. Skills and experience in interviewing and working with children and families including supervision of child protection case management.
An asset:
Experience in case work, preferably in Child Protection and Resettlement or Refugee Status Determination- RSD context, and experience working with vulnerable groups and in emergency contexts.
c. Key Competencies
Essential Technical knowledge:
• Knowledge of UNHCR child protection policies and tools including the
UNHCR Best Interests Procedures Guidelines, interagency child protection
Minimum Standards, Guiding Principles, and GV case management
standards.
• A good knowledge and experience of protection, including prevention and
response to sexual and gender-based violence.
• Knowledge of the national child protection systems, including laws,
policies, and services.
• Good knowledge of the roles of different actors, and processes for the
protection of children.
• Excellent skills in communicating with children and advocating on behalf
of children.
• Interviewing and counseling skills and individual case management.
• Understanding of the community’s role, structure, and practices, including
the community’s social, cultural, and gender norms.
• Good analytical and report-writing skills.
Desirable Technical knowledge:
• Understanding of displacement and protection issues including GV,
education, and the application of Age, Gender, and Diversity.
• Knowledge of the international legal framework governing refugees,
asylum-seekers, internally displaced persons, and statelessness.
• Knowledge of UNHCR guidelines on RSD and Resettlement.
• Knowledge of and/or preparedness to become familiar with and abide by
UNHCR’s principles, Code of Conduct, and humanitarian goals.
• Completed Protection Learning Programme.
• Knowledge of protection information management tools, including but not
limited to proGres v4 and/or CPIMS.
Essential Competencies:
• Accountability
• Organizational Awareness
• Teamwork & Collaboration
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Client & Result Orientation
• Judgement and Decision Making
• Analytical Thinking
Desirable Competencies:
• Political Awareness
• Stakeholder Management
• Planning and Organizing
• Communication
,
,
Skills
Education
Certifications
Work Experience
Other informationThis position doesn't require a functional clearance
This vacancy is archived.