Hardship LevelH (no hardship)
Family TypeFamily
Family TypeFamily
Residential location (if applicable)
GradeGS6
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeGeneral Service
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Target Start Date2024-01-08
Job Posting End DateJanuary 23, 2024
Standard Job Description
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.
Desired Candidate Profile The Protection Associate - Social Protection will play a key role in operationalizing the inclusion of forcibly displaced and stateless people in national social protection systems. The incumbent will assist in managing strategic partnerships and coordinating with both internal and external stakeholders including key development actors, national authorities and other relevant operational partners.
Within UNHCR, the Protection Associate - Social Protection will coordinate closely with the relevant staff across the Operation, including Protection, Programme, Livelihoods, Cash Based Interventions, External Relations and other technical sectors. S/he will play a key role in ensuring high-quality communication with stakeholders (in writing and orally) and support the organisation of joint activities.
The Protection Associate - Social Protection works under the supervision of the Senior Protection Officer as Social Protection Focal Point. The incumbent will also work with technical support and strategic guidance from Senior Social Protection Officers in the Regional Bureau and in Headquarters.
The incumbent needs to demonstrate a proven ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of actors - including government and be able to demonstrate experience in working in social protection. Previous experience working with the UN/UNHCR, civil society and/or the public and governmental entities is desirable, as is experience working on the humanitarian-development nexus. An education background in development studies, development economics, socio-economic development, social sciences or social work will be particularly relevant to this position. The incumbent also needs to show excellent interpersonal, team working and oral communication skills and solid English drafting and analytical skills.
Duties
- Support the supervisor and UNHCR senior managers to engage in relevant government-led processes and ensure UNHCR's participation in national social protection working groups and other coordination forums as relevant.
- Support the supervisor to contribute to the establishment and maintenance of effective working relations with relevant public and governmental entities and officials, with relevant local authorities and with strategic social protection partners through systematic communication and information sharing.
- Support UNHCR to analyse the access of forcibly displaced and stateless people to national social protection systems and programmes, as well as coverage gaps and access barriers.
- Facilitate adequate administrative and coordination to support the design and/or operationalization of UNHCR’s multi-year country social protection strategy/roadmap, and the implementation of relevant strategic programmes and partnerships for the benefit of refugee and host communities.
- In collaboration with Senior Social Protection Officers in the Regional Bureau and HQ, engage in capacity building activities on Social Protection for Country Office staff, including trainings on social protection engagement as well as knowledge management products documenting experiences and learning.
- Keep abreast of social protection discussions and events and assist in providing relevant information to external and internal stakeholders regularly, on time and as per necessary requirements.
- Facilitate and provide administrative and logistical arrangements to organise missions, workshops, coordination meetings and other events through managing contact lists, meeting calendars, organizing meetings, minute taking, and follow-up on agreed action to be taken.
- Prepare documents and reports as required.
- Perform other related duties as required.
Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme or as an intern is subject to successful reference checks, and integrity clearances.
Candidates must be legally present in Romania at the time of application, recruitment and hire.
For further information on how to apply, please visit the ‘UNHCR - Application and Selection’ page, at https://www.unhcr.org/how-to-apply.html.
The recruitment process might include a written test and/or oral interview for this job opening. No late applications will be accepted.
UNHCR is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).
NOTE: An individual whose mother, father, son, daughter, brother or sister is a staff member of UNHCR, including a Temporary Appointment holder or a member of Affiliate Workforce, is not eligible to apply.
Remuneration:
In case of appointment, a competitive compensation and benefits package is offered.
G6 - Salary range: NET 106665 RON - NET 135335 RON (per year) based on the candidate relevant experience.
Benefits:
Annual leave: UNHCR staff members holding a fixed-term appointment will accrue annual leave at the rate of 2.5 working days for each full calendar months of service (i.e. 30 working days per year).
Pension system: Staff members holding a fixed-term appointment will become participants in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF).
Health insurance plan: locally recruited staff members in Romania will be enrolled in the Medical Insurance Plan (MIP). The coverage is also optionally available for eligible family members.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level): English
,
,
Desired languagesRomanian
,
,
Operational context
Since the start of the international armed conflict in Ukraine which has forced some 5.8 million people to flee their homes seeking safety, protection, and assistance across Europe, more than 4.9 million border crossings into Romania have been recorded. The Government and various stakeholders including civil society, the private sector, volunteers, and international organizations have responded to the crisis with generosity and hospitality.
As of 29th October 2023, 84,307 Ukrainian refugees remain in Romania. Among them, at the time of writing 146,507 individuals have been registered for Temporary Protection (TP) status out of which 145,097 are Ukrainian and 1,410 are Third-Country Nationals (TCNs).
UNHCR supports the Government of Romania overall response in coordinating humanitarian actors under the framework of the Regional Refugee Response (RRP) and through the Refugee Coordination Forum (RCF) and sector working groups. The RRP response is aligned with and complementary to the National Plan (NP) of measures for the protection and inclusion of displaced persons from Ukraine, beneficiaries of TP in Romania, a vision for the medium and long-term refugee response in Romania.
The UNHCR’s Protection Associate (Social Protection) reports to the Senior Protection Officer in the UNHCR Representation in Romania. He/she will monitor legal and policy developments relating to access to social protection for forcibly displaced and stateless persons in Romania and support the review of relevant laws and policies. The incumbent will liaise with relevant government counterparts, UN agencies and civil society partners and work closely with other units in the UNHCR office.
Location: Bucharest is the capital city of Romania located in the southeastern part of the country, in the Balkans region, within the continent of Europe.
Population: Approximately 1.8 million people.
Nearest Border: Bucharest is close to the border with Bulgaria, located to the south of the city.
Family Duty Station: H classification, suitable for families.
Official Language: The official language in the country is Romanian, and English is the official UN working language.
Climate: Bucharest experiences a temperate-continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. Expect temperatures ranging from 30°C (86°F) in summer to -3°C (27°F) in winter.
Transportation: Bucharest has a well-developed public transportation network, including buses, trams, and a metro system, making it convenient for daily commuting.
Accommodation: There are various accommodation options in Bucharest, including apartments and houses, suited for different budgets.
Useful Information: Exploring the local cuisine, immersing in customs, mastering public transportation, and acquiring basic Romanian phrases can transform your experience, enhancing the day-to-day living.
Additional Qualifications
SkillsInternational Development, IT-Computer Literacy, PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators, PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework, Social Work Practice
Education
CertificationsInternational Law - Other, Political Science - Other
Work Experience
CompetenciesAccountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Judgement & decision making, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration
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Additional Information
Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance