Hardship LevelE (most hardship)
Family TypeNon Family with Residential Location
Family TypeNon Family with Residential LocationDanger Pay
Residential location (if applicable)
Nairobi (CO), Kenya
GradeNOB
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeNational Professional Officer
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Target Start Date2025-01-01
Deadline for ApplicationsJanuary 4, 2025
Standard Job Description
Associate 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 and/or P2 Associate Protection Cluster Coordination Officer.
These latter P2 level positions normally report directly to the P5/P4 Protection Cluster Coordination Officer. The UNHCR Representative has final accountability for the performance of UNHCR as Cluster Lead Agency.
The Associate 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 Associate Protection Cluster Coordination Officer is expected to facilitate 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 Associate 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 Associate 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.
- Organize and facilitate meetings in line with the Principles of Partnership, ensuring that cluster meetings are consultative and results-oriented.
- Facilitate coordination with government counterparts and other relevant authorities
- Facilitate 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.
- Coordinate initiatives to build 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.
- Ensure that the Protection Cluster produces 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.
- Promote the Protection Cluster's adherence to international human rights instruments, the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement as well as other relevant international and regional instruments; in cooperation with the Humanitarian Country Team support local interventions when violations of international protection standards and principles occur.
- Promote and help strengthen national legislation relevant to internal displacement and durable solutions.
- Draft reports and prepare advocacy statements on behalf of the Protection Cluster - for clearance by Senior management.
- Organise and 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
Education & Professional Work Experience
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
Law; International Law; Political Sciences;
or other relevant field.
Certificates and/or Licenses
HCR Coordination Lrng Prog;
Tri-Cluster Knowl/Coord Skills;
(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 The incumbent should have experience working in a conflict-affected or volatile security context and a proven track record implementing protection activities in emergencies serving IDPs and affected host communities. The incumbent should have capacity to apply key protection and protection mainstreaming principles including Do No Harm, AGDM, PSEA, AAP, conflict sensitivity and community-based approaches in the implementation of routine tasks, as well as to apply those principles in novel and emergency situations. S/he must have knowledge of key protection standards related to internal displacement and international humanitarian law, and IASC coordination architecture.
S/he will be expected to have demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills and the capacity to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders and to motivate the engagement of protection actors in cluster coordination processes, as well as to coordinate effectively with key coordination stakeholders, including OCHA and ICCG members, and to provide leadership to the Protection AoRs. The incumbent should have demonstrated ability to collaboratively identify, analyze and respond to capacity gaps among Protection Cluster partners.
The incumbent should have experience initiating and following through on advocacy interventions on protection issues towards local authorities, armed forces/groups and other actors. S/he should have the ability to represent UNHCR effectively at the national level, advocating for rights and needs of forcibly displaced persons and ensuring compliance with international protection standards. S/he must also have the flexibility to take on different tasks, and to multi-task, in response to contextual changes and shifting organizational priorities. Strong written and verbal communication skills in English and Arabic are required.
Additional Assets:
• Familiarity with UNHCR’s operations.
• Team working ability with a range of actors.
Nature of the Position:
The incumbent of this position reports to the Senior Protection Cluster Coordination Officer based in Port Sudan, and is expected to provide day-to-day leadership for matters related to the Protection Cluster covering all States in Sudan. This includes participating and organizing in various coordination meetings, remotely and in-person, and preparing meeting minutes that are timely and accurate. The incumbent is expected to maintain ongoing outreach efforts to ensure that all relevant humanitarian actors are encouraged to join Protection Cluster meetings and participate in cluster-related initiatives and processes, including regular reporting and contributing to advocacy messages. In particular, outreach to national and local organizations is expected to be prioritized.
Well-developed political sensitivity and maturity is required of the incumbent in order to navigate the complicated and volatile context and manage relationships with diverse stakeholders. The incumbent is expected to be able to recommend and implement advocacy and negotiation strategies that successfully advance the interests of people we serve while also being inclusive and conflict sensitive. The incumbent is expected to be based in Port Sudan and to undertake regular field missions to support Protection Cluster initiatives and partners in all States of Sudan.
Term of Reference:
Under the supervision of the Senior Protection Cluster Coordination Officer, the Associate Protection Cluster Coordination Officer will support coordination functions at national level to ensure UNHCR’s role as the Cluster Lead Agency is executing promptly. The incumbent will support UNHCR’s commitment to work within the framework of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) and the Cluster Approach. The Associate Protection Cluster Coordination Officer will also contribute during the Humanitarian Programme Cycle (HPC) implementation, including cross-sectoral coordination with key stakeholders and cross-cutting issues into the work of the Protection Cluster. Under the supervision of the Senior Protection Cluster Coordination Officer, the Associate Protection Cluster Coordination Officer will support:
a. Coordination and service mapping
- Support protection cluster coordination activities, including meetings, minutes, workshops, working groups, and sectoral and intersectoral technical working groups, in line with the Principles of Partnership, in an inclusive, effective, and results-oriented manner.
- Support effective communication and liaison with partner organizations, subnational clusters, other clusters, and key stakeholders.
- Contribute to the update of the cluster strategy and relevant technical guidance note s that are part of the overall cluster response.
- Assist Humanitarian Programme Cycle (HPC) related activities, input on protection trends, challenges, and priorities, including analysis and support IM activities.
- Assist the coordination of the Cluster’s service mapping, including ensuring update of services and support IM with follow-up of the service.
- When needed, support the effective functioning of the thematic working groups during monthly meetings, assisting the coordinator with information collection and management, creating high-quality information products using, and ensuring timely follow-ups on deadlines and contributions.
b. Protection monitoring and other protection cluster tools, analysis and reporting
- Support the Protection Cluster Coordination team with the follow up with the state-level focal points on the protection monitoring activities as well as other protection cluster tools coordinating with key partners and protection analysis initiatives, including joint assessments and in-person meetings.
- Assist in working on the Protection Analysis Update along with Cluster IM staff.
c. Resource mobilization and allocation
- Participate in the funding allocation of central-pooled fund and guide the state-level focal point. Provide inputs to development of common funding criteria, resource mobilization and prioritization within the Protection Cluster for inclusion in pooled funds processes including support with the drafting of strategies based on the cluster’s protection analysis.
d. Capacity building and Monitoring of Protection Cluster Activities
- Contribute to initiatives building the protection capacity of the cluster partners including local actors, civil society and assist capacity building efforts of subnational coordination structures.
- Undertake the missions for capacity building as well as to monitor the progress of the projects funded under protection cluster.
- Perform other related duties as required.
Qualifications and Experience
a. Education
A university degree in social sciences, law, international relations, or a related field.
b. Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 5-year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher.
Essential
Knowledge of the Humanitarian reform process and the role of the humanitarian community (UN System, Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, and NGO), preferably in protection coordination. Knowledge of current humanitarian issues. Good knowledge of protection-related technical guidelines and standards in the IDP settings.
Desirable
Applied knowledge in UNHCR mandate, its policies, and priorities in relation to IDPs, protection. Demonstrated expertise in program management and reporting requirements.
c. Key Competencies
Core Competencies
Accountability
Communication
Organizational Awareness
Teamwork & Collaboration
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Client & Result Orientation
Managerial Competencies
Empowering and Building Trust
Judgement and Decision Making
Managing Resources
Cross-Functional Competencies
Analytical Thinking
Planning and Organizing
d. Language requirements
Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.
e. Functional Skills
CL-Cluster Information Management Tools, Resources & Approaches
PR-Country Operations applying the Cluster Approach
ER-Inter-Agency External Relations
CO-Drafting and Documentation
PR-Protection in natural disaster situations
LE-Human Rights Law
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
,
,
Desired languages
,
,
Operational context
Additional Qualifications
Skills
EducationBachelor of Arts (BA): International Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political Science
CertificationsCoordination Skills Workshop - Other, Tri_Cluster Knowledge/Coord Skills - Other
Work Experience
CompetenciesAccountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration
UNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Additional InformationFemale candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance