Hardship LevelH (no hardship)
Family TypeFamily
Family TypeFamily
Residential location (if applicable)
GradeGS5
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeGeneral Service
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Target Start Date2023-07-10
Job Posting End DateJuly 10, 2023
Standard Job DescriptionSenior Protection Assistant Organizational Setting and Work Relationships The Senior Protection Assistant normally reports to a more senior Protection colleague. 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 Assistant provides quality, timely and effective protection support to persons of concern (PoC) and identifies opportunities to mainstream protection methodologies and safeguards in operational responses. S/he contributes to designing a comprehensive protection strategy and may liaise externally with local authorities and partners on protection issues as guided by the supervisor. The Senior Protection Assistant 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. Duties - Consistently apply International and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards and codes of conduct. - Provide counselling on protection issues to PoC; liaise with competent authorities to ensure the issuance of personal and other relevant documentation. - Support activities in protection related AGD based programming with implementing and operational partners. - Conduct preliminary information gathering and interviews in support of eligibility, status determination, durable solutions and social needs assessment. - 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 for PoC as part of the protection strategy. - Monitor Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all protection/solutions activities. - Participate in individual protection case management including cases of GBV and child protection. Monitor and report on cases of refoulement, expulsion and other protection incidents. - Assist in identifying durable solutions for PoC in 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. - Draft reports, routine correspondence, update relevant databases and compiling statistics within the Area of Responsibility (AoR). - Contribute to initiatives to enhance national and local protection capacities. - Select PoC for preliminary interviews and decide which relevant information to share. - Enforce integrity in the delivery of protection services by local implementing partners. - Perform other related duties as required. Minimum Qualifications Education & Professional Work Experience Years of Experience / Degree Level G5 - 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher Field(s) of Education Not applicable Certificates and/or Licenses International Law; Political Science; (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential) Relevant Job Experience Essential: Not specified. Desirable: Not specified. Functional Skills IT-Computer Literacy PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators PR-Refugee Protection 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 The incumbent will need to hold academic and professional skills in protection issues; experience from working in the field and from protection work at border locations will be considered an asset. Demonstrated awareness of the political and security challenges which may impact protection activities at borders is necessary. Fluency in Greek and English, as well as legal background are necessary requirements for interested candidates given the demands of the work of the said position. Experience in liaising with law enforcement and reception authorities and experience in protection monitoring, including border monitoring activities are highly desirable. Previous working experience with UN(HCR) or humanitarian organisation will be considered an asset.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level): English
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Desired languages
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Operational context
To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/travel
Greece has been one of the main entry points of refugees wishing to reach the EU. UNHCR has supported - and will continue doing so - the Government, which leads the refugee response working closely with the EU, state and municipal actors, UN agencies, international and local NGOs, refugees, local communities. While Greece is still considered a transit country, it has also become a country of asylum. UNHCR estimates that some 70,000-80,000 refugees, including those with subsidiary and temporary protection status, are currently living in Greece, in addition to some 30,000 asylum-seekers. While most refugees and asylum-seekers are in the mainland, living in and outside camps, there are currently over 4,500 in the islands. The large majority of the latter live in camps. UNHCR Greece is focused on a protection-driven approach around two pillars: 1. access to international protection and 2. durable solutions with a focus on integration. UNHCR uses a mix of operational engagement, CB protection efforts, expert advice provision to the Government, monitoring and improved data collection, targeted interventions and advocacy, aiming to support Greece in fulfilling its obligations to provide protection and solutions to persons in need of international protection. Child protection, prevention of sexual and gender-based violence and sexual exploitation and abuse, and institutional capacity strengthening in these areas will continue to be priority, in line with the Office’s age, gender and diversity mainstreaming approach. In doing so, UNHCR seeks to build on the strengths and capacities of refugees, working together and in consultation with them.
The Senior Protection Assistant will work as core staff member of the team of the Protection Unit which oversees conditions of access to territory and to first reception procedures and conditions for persons of concern at the border areas of Greece (Borders Team). She/he reports to the Senior Protection Associate. The Senior Protection Assistant provides quality, timely and effective protection support to persons of concern (PoC) and identifies opportunities to mainstream protection methodologies and safeguards in operational responses. S/he contributes to designing a comprehensive protection strategy and may liaise externally with authorities and partners on protection issues as guided by the supervisor. The incumbent will monitor protection standards, operational procedures, and practices in line with international standards and the strategic priorities of the operation. S/he will be asked to provide quality protection services, in monitoring and recording of protection incidents taking place at the borders. S/he will be asked to contribute to qualitative and quantitative analyses of such incidents, and to compile protection reports or compile information to be used in legal proceedings or investigations (casefiles) related mainly to the situation at the sea borders and the situation in first reception facilities at the borders and the observance of refugees and asylum seekers’ rights in related contexts. S/he will also handle real-time incidents at the sea borders and respond to queries from persons of concern reaching out to UNHCR. S/he will contribute to capacity building efforts for authorities engaged in the management of new arrivals.
Athens is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens is a family duty station, classified as H by ICSC. Public Transportation and medical facilities are well-developed and easily accessible. The educational institutions at all levels as well as international schools are available. The climate can be described as Mediterranean, with hot and dry summers and cool and mild winters. In accordance with UNDSS security risk assessment, the whole Greek operation is classified as Security Level 2 (low). Security Clearance is required for travelling in the country. For more detailed information please consult the continuously updated living conditions booklet on Intranet.
Additional Qualifications
Skills
EducationBachelor of Arts (BA): Law (Required), Masters of Arts (MA): International Human Rights Law
CertificationsInternational Law - Other, Political Science - Other
Work ExperienceProtection, Work Context: Mixed Migration, Working with Persons of Concern: Asylum Seekers
CompetenciesAccountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration
UNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Additional Information- Shortlisted candidates might be required to sit for a written test and will have to undergo an oral interview.
- Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19.
Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance