Hardship LevelD
Family TypeNon Family with Residential LocationDanger Pay
Residential location (if applicable)
Yaounde, Cameroon
GradePR2
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeProfessional
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Remote work acceptedNo
Target Start Date2024-01-01
Job Posting End DateDecember 21, 2023
Standard Job Description
Associate GBV Officer
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Associate GBV Officer supports the operations' efforts to fulfil UNHCR's mandate and associated obligations on GBV prevention, risk mitigation and response based on policy and guidance.
The Associate GBV Officer normally reports to a higher-grade GBV or protection staff or the Head of Office who defines overall work objectives and provides regular advice and guidance. S/he will coordinate quality, timely and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern and identify opportunities to mainstream GBV in all sectors. S/he contributes to designing a comprehensive GBV strategy and liaises externally with authorities and partners on GBV standards and policy as guided by the supervisor. S/he will focus on strengthening GBV case management supervision as well as safe and ethical data collection and further analysis of GBV trends. The incumbent will also ensure quality prevention and risk mitigation interventions.
S/he collaborates closely with the UNHCR management and the Protection team in the country and strengthens working relations with other agencies involved in GBV prevention, risk mitigation and response. S/he promotes alignment with GBV minimum standards and respect of GBV Guiding Principles.
The Associate GBV Officer also ensures that persons of concern, women and girls, are involved with the Office 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
Implementation of UNHCR's Global Policies and Standards
- Contribute to the effective and timely development, implementation and monitoring of a clear and coherent multi-year and multi-sectoral GBV strategy as part of the operation's broader Protection and Solutions Strategy, coordinate timely reporting on progress including the documentation of promising practices.
- Participate in the promotion of compliance with UNHCR's GBV policy, priorities and commitments (aligned with policies on age, gender, diversity (AGD) and accountability to affected populations (AAP), child protection, gender equality, disability and youth empowerment.
- Assist UNHCR management at country level to strengthen alignment with the survivor-centred approach and GBV guiding principles within the implementation of PSEA policies.
Planning / Programming
- Support the development and implementation of programming for specialized GBV prevention and response based on needs, risks and capacity assessments at the onset of an emergency and throughout all phases of displacement.
- Participate in conducting, consolidating and reporting on GBV assessments including gender equality components at least once per year, linked to annual planning processes and participatory assessments and sharing strategic trends analyses.
- Contribute to planning processes and advocate for adequate resource (re)allocation and mobilization.
- Support cross-cutting programs and technical sectors to mainstream gender and to program for mitigation of GBV risks in their specific technical areas, and report on progress.
Capacity Development, Technical Support and Coordination
- Provide technical guidance and support field colleagues to operationalise and comply with UNHCR's GBV policy, priorities and commitments (aligned with policies on AGD and AAP, child protection, disability, youth empowerment and gender equality).
- Provide coaching and trainings on GBV as well as technical support on gender and GBV mainstreaming
- Under the guidance of the Senior Protection Officer, support and facilitate the establishment of and ensure the functioning of GBV coordination mechanisms with all relevant stakeholders.
- Facilitate and strengthen the development and implementation of GBV Standard Operating Procedures for all sites that enable all survivors to access, at a minimum, appropriate health, psychosocial, security and safety, and legal support.
- Support and build capacity and systems for individual GBV case management for survivors and persons at-risk of GBV.
- Ensure safe and ethical GBV data collection and reporting is functioning and regular reporting is done on GBV, including through PRIMES and protection monitoring processes. Promote the use of the GBV module of PRIMES or another GBV information management system that provides for safe and ethical data collection and analysis. Where applicable, support reporting under the Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Arrangements on conflict-related sexual violence (MARA).
Partnerships
- Strengthen UNHCR's collaboration with host governments to develop national services in order to expand safe access for Persons of concern to services that prevent, mitigate, and respond to GBV.
- Support the capacity development of staff, partners and other stakeholders to address GBV and to promote gender equality and the empowerment of displaced women and girls.
- Strengthen partnerships including with UN agencies, governments, civil society and with displaced and host communities, to prevent, mitigate, and respond to GBV, to promote gender equality and to ensure age and gender-informed protection and solution programs.
- Support the application of community-based approaches in GBV programming and communities considered as key stakeholders.
- 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 P2/NOB - 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
Human Rights, Social Anthropology, Social Work,
Law; International Development, Social Sciences,
or other relevant field.
Certificates and/or Licenses
HCR Protection Learning Prg
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
3 years of previous work experience relevant to the function of GBV in an international context, of which two years in the field and having experience in the field of GBV prevention, mitigation and response, broader protection or social work involving empowerment of women and girls, gender, child protection, mental health, counselling and working with survivors, humanitarian and development issues. Applied experience in survivor-centred approach, GBV guiding and case management principles related to GBV programs. Demonstrated knowledge in gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls and apply, promote and integrate gender analysis into humanitarian programming. Demonstrated knowledge of and implementation of multi-sectorial responses to GBV and support to other sectors to mainstream GBV prevention, risk mitigation and response. Demonstrated knowledge and application of GBV prevention theory and appropriate GBV prevention and behaviour change strategies at different stages of the humanitarian response. Knowledge and demonstrated use of UNHCR and Interagency GBV tools and Guidance.
Desirable
Demonstrated understanding of critical issues around GBV data and knowledge of safe and ethical data collection and analysis and conducting assessments. Demonstrated knowledge of engagement with GBV Interagency humanitarian architecture. Knowledge and experience of participatory approaches to engaging with and mobilizing communities Good understanding of displacement and protection issues including, child protection, education and the application of the Age, Gender and Diversity Policy.
Functional Skills
IT-Computer Literacy
PR-Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD)
PR-Gender Based Violence (GBV) Capacity development and training
PR-Gender Based Violence (GBV) Coordination
PR-Gender Based Violence (GBV) prevention programming
PR-Gender Based Violence (GBV) response programming
PR-Gender Based Violence (GBV) risk mitigation
TR-Training - Virtual and face to face
(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. Experience in the role of monitoring the partner's activities within the Protection Monitoring framework for the collection of incidents relating to gender-based violence as well as response and prevention activities for these incidents.
2. Have a good knowledge of the operational context of the CAR or one similar to the CAR.
3. Experience in coordinating GBV activities within the Protection Cluster and the network of focal points for the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse.
4. Have also demonstrated a culture of results and accountability with a spirit of analysis and synthesis.
5. Experience of working in a high-risk security operation and the ability to work under pressure.
6. Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder team.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level): French
,
,
Desired languages
,
,
Operational context
To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel.
The Central African crisis has persisted for 10 years with humanitarian and socio-economic impacts. Added to this political and security crisis is the impact of Covid, the war in Ukraine and the fuel crisis which have favored price inflation and exacerbated the vulnerability of populations. According to the HRP 2023, more than 2.4 million (or more than 50% of the population) are in need of assistance in 2023. Basic social infrastructure is not only insufficient but also precarious. Also, the effects of global climate change explain the recurrence of floods and fires in the CAR. During the 2024-2027 planning period, the CAR will face political dynamics (local elections in 2024, possible modification of the constitution, presidential elections in 2026). These dynamics could have political, security, social and humanitarian impacts. For 2024 specifically, while efforts will be made for the repatriation and reintegration of returnees, internal and external population movements could be increase due to possible security tensions in places.
In terms of demography, CAR operation is grappling with two emergencies: Firstly, the ongoing conflict in Soudan, as of August 22, 2023, generated influxes into 4 very remote locations within the CAR totaling 17,227 persons (including 12,574 Soudanese asylum seekers and 4,701 forced CAR returnees). Secondly, following a new crisis in Chad, 37,273 persons crossed the border into the CAR, in some 66 villages located along the border, of which 31,656 Asylum Seekers, and 5,617 CAR Returnees. This situation has impacted the CAR operation in two ways. First, as of August 2023, it has increased the refugee and asylum seekers population in the country by more than 380% (from 11,800 REF & ASY as at May 31, 2023 to 56,800 by August 20, 2023) – which further compounded an already underfunded and challenging humanitarian response in the Country, with UNHCR playing its central protection mandate. In addition to the above, with the consideration of the political, socio-economic and security context prevailing in the Central African Republic which continues to be marked by complex and recurrent population movements. In 2023, Non-state Armed Groups (NSAG) have continued to be the cause of massive internal displacements with no sign of improvement. The number of internally displaced persons will continue to increase, and the trend may not improve in 2024. For example, at the end of January 2023, the Commission Mouvement de Populations (CMP) reported that from January to June 2023, the number IDPs had increased from 482,816 to 485,825 persons. Despite the steep increase of refugees and asylum seekers in the CAR, IDPs continue to be the largest and most challenging population to protect and assist.
Additionally, the prioritization of durable solutions in the 2024 to support the dynamics created by the “Yaounde Declaration on Solutions in the context of Forced Displacement related to the Central African Republic crisis”. Reaffirming UNHCR commitment within this framework (IDP returns and reintegration and UNHCR involvement within the Durable Solutions Working Group). In the same vein, UNHCR will facilitate the voluntary return of Central African refugees, in particular from neighbouring countries (Total Refugees in neighbouring countries: 751,979 including CAR refugees in Chad (128,312), in Cameroon (353,701), In RD Congo (211,882), in Republic of Congo (31,324), In Sudan (24,370) and in South-Sudan (2,390) .
Under the direct supervision of the (Snr) Protection Officer, the Associate GBV Officer supports GBV activities in the country operation.
The Associate GBV Officer is part of a team of Protection staff and support coordination among staff working on GBV activities and liaison with Regional Bureau and other country operations on data related issues.
The country is landlocked and surrounded by countries with security problems (Chad, DRC, Sudan, and Cameroon). Volatile socio-political situation, social unrest, and grievance in Bangui with frequent civil servants strikes causing interruption of public services due to years of unpaid salaries. Power cuts are causing insecurity in town. The security situation across the country is still a concern as crimes (theft, abduction, armed robbery, carjacking, murder, illegal detention of weapons and illegal checkpoints/taxation, torture and sexual violence) continue throughout the country because of endemic poverty, easy access to weapons and the weak capacity or absence of judicial authorities in many areas. However, the deployment of the FACA (Forces Armee nationals) in Bangui led to an improvement of the overall security situation. A curfew is established by the UN system from 10pm-5am. The country is totally dependent on Cameroon seaport for supplies. There are 4 airlines that operate to/from Bangui. As an example, travel time from Douala to Bangui for a truckload averages 4 days to a week due to bad roads and roadblocks.
There are very limited medical infrastructures and services do not function properly. A UN clinic provides basic medical care for UN personnel. The entire country is a High-Risk non-family duty station-D with 6 weeks R&R cycle. The entire International Professional staff and IUNVs are eligible for R&R.
A few hotels cleared by DESS are available. Private accommodations are available for expats. A few supermarkets are also available selling all sorts of goods. Vegetables and fruits are also available on the local market.
Although ATM are available ( 5 ATM in town) and VISA is accepted in Bangui, most of the payments for example in hotels or markets are done in cash.
Additional Qualifications
SkillsPR-Gender Based Violence (GBV) Case management, PR-Gender Based Violence (GBV) Coordination, PR-Gender Based Violence (GBV) prevention programming, PR-Gender Based Violence (GBV) response programming, PR-Gender Based Violence (GBV) risk mitigation
EducationBachelor of Arts (BA): Anthropology, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Human Rights, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Development, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Social Science, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Social Work
CertificationsHCR Protection Learning Program - UNHCR
Work Experience
CompetenciesAccountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Managing performance, 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