Hardship LevelE (most hardship)
Family TypeNon Family with Residential Location
Family TypeNon Family with Residential Location
Residential location (if applicable)
Yaounde, Cameroon
GradeNOA
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeNational Professional Officer
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Target Start Date2024-06-01
Job Posting End DateDecember 28, 2023
Standard Job Description
Assistant Protection Cluster Coordination Officer
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
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 positions of P5/P4 Protection Cluster Coordination Officer and the supporting positions of P3 Protection Cluster Coordination Officer, P2 Associate Protection Cluster Coordination Officer and/or P1 Assistant Protection Cluster Coordination Officer.
The Assistant Protection Cluster Coordination Officer normally reports directly to a higher-grade Protection Cluster Coordination Officer. The UNHCR Representative has final accountability for the performance of UNHCR as Cluster Lead Agency.
The Assistant Protection Cluster Coordination Officer 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 Coordinator in ensuring UNHCR's leadership within a diverse protection community.
The Assistant Protection Cluster Coordination Officer is expected to support the work of the Protection Cluster through the provision of support in analysis, organization and reporting. 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 Assistant Protection Cluster Coordination Officer supports the Protection Cluster Coordinator 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.
The Assistant Protection Cluster Coordination Officer works closely with multi-functional Protection Cluster Support staff in the areas of data and information management, needs assessment, profiling, registration, reporting and advocacy.
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
- 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.
- Participate in meetings in line with the Principles of Partnership, ensuring that cluster meetings are consultative and results oriented.
- Support coordination with government counterparts and other relevant authorities
- Support the coordination and conduct of Protection Cluster or Inter-Cluster level protection needs assessments, including participatory assessments of affected populations.
- Provide inputs to development of common funding criteria, resource mobilisation and prioritization within the Protection Cluster for inclusion in Consolidated Appeals and pooled funds processes.
- Assist in the delivery of protection training activities for Protection Cluster members, other local partners, and relevant authorities.
- Contribute to initiatives building the protection capacity of the national and local government, partners and civil society.
- 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.
- Contribute to Protection Cluster's regular updates and briefing notes on the protection concerns in the affected population, response activities, challenges and recommendations.
- Help foster a consistent interpretation and application of international law and related UNHCR and IASC legal standards and protection policies.
- Draft reports and prepare advocacy statements on behalf of the Protection Cluster - for clearance by Senior management.
- 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.
- 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 P1/NOA - 1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
Law; International Law; Political Sciences;
or other relevant field.
Certificates and/or Licenses
HCR Coordination Lrng Prog; Tri-Cluster Knowl/Coord Skills;
HCR Protection Learning Prg; Prot in NaturalDisaster Situat;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Good knowledge of International Refugee and Human Rights Law.
Desirable
Not specified.
Functional Skills
LE-Human Rights Law
LE-International Refugee Law
(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 It is essential for the incumbent to have experience in inter-agency coordination, to have a strong background in IDP protection issues, to be familiar with the inter-agency programme cycle, to have excellent drafting skills in English and French, to be able provide training and capacity building on protection, IDPs principles. the IASC adopted approaches to protection mainstreaming, support other clusters/working group on the mainstreaming of protection activities, and provide rigorous analysis of the protection situation.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level): French
,English
,
Desired languages
,
,
Operational context
To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
The Far North Region of Cameroon hosts more than 500,000 people of concern to UNHCR, including 130,000 refugees from Nigeria and nearly 400,000 internally displaced persons. Most were displaced due to the Boko Haram crisis, which started in 2013 and affected all Lake Chad Basin countries, including Cameroon. This instability continues to provoke population movements within Cameroon, including the secondary displacement of IDPs and returnees in Cameroon and the outflows of Cameroonians to Nigeria.
The protection situation became more complex following two other significant events in the region. Firstly, clashes over water resources broke out between herders, farmers, and fishermen in the Logon Birni region in December 2021. This led to a wave of violence that displaced thousands, 36,000 IDPs and some 40,000 people to Chad. Secondly, more than 150,000 people were affected by flooding in October and November 2022, including an estimated 60,000 persons forced from their homes due to rising water. Seasonal flooding continues to provoke displacements each year, and not all of those displaced are able to return.
Nevertheless, the focus of the international community’s response in the Far North has shifted to durable solutions, including return, and the development and implementation of a solutions strategy for the displaced populations, in conjunction with the Government and local authorities.
The number of people in need of humanitarian assistance in the Far North continues to rise while funding for humanitarian assistance decreases. In partnership with other humanitarian actors, UNHCR works with the Government of Cameroon to safeguard rights and ensure durable solutions. In addition to ensuring the protection of refugees and IDPs, UNHCR promotes their independence through access to livelihood opportunities and their integration into national development and assistance programmes.
Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Head of Sub Office, the Assistant Protection Cluster Coordination Officer works within the framework developed by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) for the Cluster Approach. The position delivers on UNHCR’s Protection Cluster Lead Agency functions by providing leadership within a diverse protection community and in close collaboration with OCHA and the national authorities.
The Assistant Protection Cluster Coordination Officer supports the work of the national Protection Cluster through the provision of support in analysis, data, coordination and reporting on the situation and protection response for internally displaced persons in the Far North. This includes working with, coordinating and supporting AOR working groups of the Protection Cluster coordinated by other Agencies, such as GBV and Child Protection, and filling the gap for those that lack dedicated leadership.
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 Assistant Protection Cluster Coordination Officer supports the national Protection Cluster Coordinator 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. This includes the Humanitarian Needs Overview and Humanitarian Response Planning for the Far North.
The Assistant Protection Cluster Coordination Officer works closely staff in the Office in the areas of data and information management, needs assessment, profiling, registration, reporting and advocacy.
Based on the hardship living and Security conditions, Maroua were classified as Category E, No family duty station for international staff.
Medical facilities: very basic medical facilities exist in Maroua to manage/stabilize urgent cases (for 24h) before evacuation to Yaoundé and then to outside of country as needed. Capacity, infrastructure, and equipment to treat and take in-patient in appropriate medical and sanitation conditions is not sufficient.
Physical isolation and Change of Scene. Maroua is located about 1500 Kilometer from the capital city Yaoundé. Maroua has an airport for local flights. There are 3 humanitarian and 3 commercials flights per week departing and to Maroua. Maroua to Yaoundé is 1hours 30 by flight without stop over.
he local staff in Maroua benefit, the Special 10 in 9 arrangements of Compressed Work Schedule are special.
mitigation measures. The special 10 in 9 Compressed Work Schedule of 10 working weeks compressed into 9 weeks.
does not create additional entitlements, but rather provides offices with greater flexibility in
allowing locally recruited staff, time-off.
Additional Qualifications
Skills
EducationBachelor of Arts (BA): International Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political Science
CertificationsHCR Coordination Learning Program - UNHCR, HCR Protection Learning Program - UNHCR, Protection in Natural Disaster Situation - Other, Tri_Cluster Knowledge/Coord Skills - Other
Work Experience
CompetenciesAccountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaboration
UNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Additional Information
Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance