Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)B
Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
Family
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeUNOPS LICA6
Target Start Date2024-03-01
Job Posting End DateJanuary 23, 2024
Terms of ReferenceThe main cause of forced displacement in Honduras is generalised violence, in addition to (i) social and territorial control by criminal gangs or armed groups, (ii) extortion, (iii) force recruitment, use and association; (iv) the dispossession, usurpation and destruction of housing, land, and property; (v) gender-based violence; (vi) political violence; (vii) human rights violations. Apart from these forced displacement triggers, the effects of climate change and related disasters are increasingly impacting Honduras.
In the present protection context of Honduras, the persistence of challenges faced by internally displaced people, those at risk of displacement, refugees, and asylum seekers is exacerbated by high violence levels, with enduring influence of independent criminal groups controlling territories and extortion threats. Human rights and land defenders also face significant risks, with 15 deaths already recorded in 2023. The risks posed by the multifaceted challenges faced by the Honduran population is evident in the significant number of Hondurans seeking asylum in Mexico in 2023. With over 40,000 requests, Honduras ranks second in the number of requests, reflecting the life-threatening situations that prompt people to flee Honduras.
The Government approved the Law for the Prevention, Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP Protection Law) in December 2022, and it came into effect on April 2023. However, the law has yet to be regulated, a crucial step that determines the commencement of its implementation. In the meantime, the limited Government capacity to provide responses and solutions to internally displaced populations and those at-risk of displacement has contributed to further aggravate a general distrust on public institutions, particularly among vulnerable groups in high-risk areas. The distrust on public institutions impact the capacity of the Government to address the needs of vulnerable groups, including IDPs, and the effectively promote social policies design to address gender inequality and promote human rights. Therefore, strengthening state capacity, reconnecting and rebuilding trust between communities and state institutions is key to not only address internal displacement, but to help the government of Honduras to achieve its sustainable development goals.
In such a context, UNHCR supports Government efforts to draft the regulation and fully implement the IDP Protection Law, which prescribes local municipal governments an important role in addressing the initial emergency needs of IDPs before the Human Rights Ministry can take over the response to displacement cases. In addition, due to limited Government capacity, the complementary response provided by UNHCR and other humanitarian organisations is essential in order to protect displaced populations and persons at-risk of displacement. In particular, key is the protection case management response offered by UNHCR.
In addition, it is key to promote solutions to internal displacement. Important in this endeavour are UNHCR efforts in working with the Justice System and the Judicial Power in order to ensure access to justice and effective remedies by displaced persons and those at-risk of displacement.
In light of the above, the desirable candidate profiles for this position has knowledge, skills and understanding of:
- Protection of Internal Displaced Persons;
- Protection Case Management;
- Law and public policy analysis and design;
- Understanding of social protection systems;
- Advocacy for inclusion;
- Engagement with legal practitioners and judicial actors;
- Working with Local Governments;
Important Information:
This contract is until 31st of December 2024.
This position is advertised to internal and external applicants. Candidates must be legally present in Honduras at the time of application, recruitment, and hire. Only Honduran citizens or candidates legally present in Honduras will be considered eligible.
Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme or as an intern, is subject to proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, independently of contract type and duration. The selected candidate(s) will be required to provide proof of vaccination prior to recruitment.
Only short-listed candidates will be notified. The recruitment process might include a written test and/or oral interview for this job opening. No late applications will be accepted.
UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).
Remuneration: A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered depending on relevant experience as per the requirements of the job advertisement.
Language Requirements:
- Spanish (Native)
- English (Desirable B2)
Protection Associate
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Protection Associate normally reports to the Protection Officer or the Senior Protection Officer. 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 Protection Associate is expected to coordinate quality, timely and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern (PoC) and identify opportunities to mainstream protection methodologies and integrate protection safeguards in operational responses in all sectors. S/he contributes to designing a comprehensive protection strategy and liaises externally with authorities and partners on protection doctrine and policy as guided by the supervisor.
The Protection Associate 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
- Stay abreast of political, social, economic and cultural developments that have an impact on the protection environment.
- Consistently apply International and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards and codes of conduct.
- Assist in providing comments on existing and draft legislation related to PoC.
- Provide advice on protection issues to PoC; liaise with competent authorities to ensure the issuance of personal and other relevant documentation.
- Assist in conducting eligibility and status determination for PoC.
- 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 as part of the protection strategy.
- Monitor Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all protection/solutions activities.
- Manage individual protection cases including those on GBV and child protection. Monitor, and intervene in cases of refoulement, expulsion and other protection incidents.
- Assist in identifying durable solutions for the largest possible number of PoC through 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.
- Facilitate effective information management through the provision of disaggregated data on PoC and their problems.
- Participate in initiatives to capacitate authorities, relevant institutions and NGOs to strengthen national protection related legislation and procedures.
- Assist the supervisor in prioritizing PoC for interview, counselling and propose protection support for individual cases.
- Assist the supervisor with enforcing compliance of local implementing partners with global protection policies and standards of professional integrity in the delivery of protection services.
- Assit the supervisor with enforcing compliance with, and integrity of, all protection standard operating procedures.
- Submit individual payments request for PoC for approval.
- 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 G6 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher
Field(s) of Education
Not applicable
Certificates and/or Licenses
International Law, Political Science
or other related field
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Not specified
Desirable
Protection Learning Programme
Functional Skills
IT-Computer Literacy
PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework
PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators
(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.
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SkillsIT-Computer Literacy, PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators, PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework
Education
CertificationsInternational Law - Other, Political Science - Other
Work Experience
Other informationThis position doesn't require a functional clearance