Hardship LevelB
Family TypeFamily
Family TypeFamily
Residential location (if applicable)
GradeNOC
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeNational Professional Officer
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Target Start Date2024-12-01
Deadline for ApplicationsSeptember 22, 2024
Standard Job Description
Protection Officer
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
In the Bureaux, the Protection Officer works under the direct supervision of the Senior Protection Coordinator or Senior Protection Officer. In the Field, the incumbent normally reports to the Representative, Deputy or Assistant Representative (Protection), Head of Sub Office or Senior Protection Officer as appropriate. The incumbent may have direct supervisory responsibility for protection staff whose work may include RSD, community-based protection, registration, resettlement, complementary pathways, internal displacement and education, among other areas. In HQ, the incumbent may report to a Senior Protection Officer, Chief of Section or Deputy Director and may supervise other protection staff.
The incumbent acts as an advisor to senior management in, when not responsible for, designing a comprehensive protection strategy under the area of responsibility (AoR). S/he represents the Organization to authorities, UN sister agencies, partners and other stakeholders on protection policy and doctrine.
The Protection Officer coordinates quality, timely and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern under the AoR. S/he ensures that persons of concern of all age, gender and diversity groups are involved with the Office in making decisions that affect them, whether in accessing their rights or in identifying and implementing appropriate solutions to their problems. To undertake this role effectively, the incumbent will need to build and maintain effective interfaces with other relevant teams within the operation or the Bureau (including programme; PI and external relations; IM) and with DIP, communities of concern, authorities, protection and assistance partners as well as a broader network of stakeholders who can contribute to enhancing protection and achieving solutions.
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
- Provide technical guidance and support to UNHCR and partners on all protection related issues.
- Stay abreast of and report as relevant on legal political, social, economic and cultural developments that have an impact on the protection environment.
- Engage relevant national authorities and structures in identifying and expanding opportunities in view of developing or strengthening national asylum/RSD systems.
- Facilitate a consultative process with government counterparts, partners and persons of concern to develop and implement a comprehensive protection and solutions strategy addressing the specific protection needs of women and men, children, youth and older persons, persons with disabilities, persons of diverse sexual orientation and/or gender identities (LGBTI persons), persons living with HIV/AIDS; gender equality and Gender Based Violence (GBV) priorities with regard to these persons.
- In operations applying the Cluster Approach, seek to ensure the response of the Protection Cluster is grounded in a strategy which covers all assessed and prioritized protection needs of the affected populations.
- Support senior management to ensure the protection strategy is fully integrated into the Country Operations Plan, the UN Development and Assistance Framework (UNDAF), the Humanitarian Country Team's common humanitarian response plan where applicable, as well as with the implementation of the Global Compact on Refugees and the Three Year Strategy on Resettlement and Complementary Pathways.
- Promote relevant International, Regional and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards and codes of conduct and ensure that all sectors and /or in clusters in applicable operations fulfil their responsibilities in mainstreaming protection.
- Promote the implementation of the AGD policy, including UNHCR's updated commitments to women and girls, and, design, deliver I and monitor programmes on an AGD basis to address identified protection needs.
- Develop, implement and monitor community-based protection strategies and ensure systematic application and integration of participatory and community-based approaches in protection and solutions planning, programming and strategies.
- Support the establishment of feedback and response systems and the incorporation of feedback received from persons of concern into programme design and adaptation.
- Support the operation to develop and implement robust prevention, identification, and responses to fraud within protection processes and procedures, including registration, RSD, resettlement and complementary pathways, ensuring the integrity of interventions across all protection activities.
- Assist UNHCR management at country level to comply with polices and commitment on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse measures.
- Oversee and manage individual protection cases including those on GBV and child protection.
- Provide legal advice and guidance on protection issues to internal and external interlocutors; ensure legal assistance is accessible to persons of concern; liaise with competent authorities to ensure the issuance of personal and other relevant documents to persons of concern (including women and others in need of civil documentation, in particular birth certificates).
- As designated Data Protection Focal Point, assist the data controller in carrying out his or her responsibilities regarding the Data Protection Policy (7.2 DPP).
- Oversee and undertake eligibility and status determination within the AoR ensuring compliance with UNHCR procedural standards and international protection principles.
- Promote and implement effective strategies and measures to identify, prevent and reduce statelessness within the AoR.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of an education plan as part of protection strategy within the AoR as relevant.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of a child protection plan as part of the protection strategy within the AoR ensuring programmes use a child protection systems approach.
- Monitor, and intervene in cases of refoulement, expulsion and other protection incidents through working relations with governments and other partners.
- Work to safeguard the rights of persons of concern in the context of mixed movements as relevant.
- Coordinate the preparation of, implement and oversee Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all protection/solutions activities.
- Ensure that durable solutions through voluntary repatriation, local integration and where appropriate, resettlement and complementary pathways are sought and provided to the largest possible number of persons of concern, including undertaking and/or overseeing resettlement and complementary pathways activities.
- Contribute to the coordination of the design, implementation and evaluation of protection related programming with implementing and operational partners.
- Contribute to and facilitate a programme of results-based advocacy through a consultative process with sectorial and/or cluster partners.
- Ensure that the Protection Sector or Cluster has an effective information management component which: provides disaggregated data on populations of concern and their problems; researches, collects and disseminates relevant protection information and good practices to enhance protection delivery.
- Build the protection capacity of national and local government, partners and civil society to assume their responsibilities vis-à-vis all persons of concern through protection training, mainstreaming and related activities.
- Coordinate capacity-building initiatives for communities and individuals to assert their rights.
- Advise and capacitate national authorities, relevant institutions and civil society to strengthen legislation and status determination procedures and mechanisms.
- 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.
For positions in Bureaux
- Support the Regional Bureau and Country Operations to reflect the protection and solution angle in support of persons of concern within regional processes.
- Support Country Operations in the development of strategies to build and further develop national asylum/RSD systems with a view to ensuring their fairness, efficiency, adaptability and integrity, favourable protection environment and solutions.
- Assist UNHCR management at regional and country level to comply with polices and commitment on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse measures.
- Support Country Operations and ensure they meet their complementary pathways objectives and resettlement quotas.
- In close collaboration with DIP, (a) contribute to the development of background and general normative, policy, and legal positions, in compliance with UNHCR's global protection policies and standards; (b) contribute to the development of strategies at the regional and country level on the usage of law and policy approaches, including legislative and judicial engagement and UN human rights mechanisms - and/or regional ones - and other protection frameworks, and integrated human rights standards in protection strategies and advocacy; and (c) support coordination and review of UNHCR's country reports to the UN human rights mechanisms.
- Engage in relevant international and regional fora and contribute to forging regional partnerships to advocate for key protection and mandate issues, and engage in cross-cutting protection-related matters, including mixed movement, internal displacement and climate change/disaster-related displacement responses, as well as Statelessness, in cooperation with DIP and where relevant RSD.
Minimum Qualifications
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P3/NOC - 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
Law; International Law; International Refugee Law;
International Human Rights Law; International Humanitarian Law;
Refugee and Forced Migration Studies; Political Sciences
or other relevant field.
Certificates and/or Licenses
RSD- Resettlement Learning Programme
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Minimum 4 years of relevant professional experience in the area of refugee protection, internal displacement, human rights or international humanitarian law, including experience in working directly with Field Offices. Good knowledge of International Refugee and Human Rights Law and ability to apply the relevant legal principles. Excellent legal research, analytical skills and drafting.
Desirable
Diverse field experience. Good IT skills including database management skills.
Functional Skills
*PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators
*PR-Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD)
PR-Human Rights Doctrine/Standards
PR-International Humanitarian Law
PR-Comprehensive Solutions Framework
LE-Judicial Engagement
PR-Assessment of IDPs Status, Rights, Obligation
PR-Climate change and disaster related displacement
PR-Accountability to Affected People - Principles and Framework
PR-Gender Based Violence (GBV) Coordination
(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 Operational Context
As of 30 July 2024, Tanzania hosts 230.000 refugees, with 60,265 living in Nduta camp (60,217 Burundians and 48 from elsewhere), 135,382 in Nyarugusu camp (87,000 from DRC and 47000 from Burundi), and approximately 40,000 refugees whose presence out of refugee camps is tolerated by the officials. With approximately 22 sqkm, the population density in Nyarugusu stands at 6,000 ind/sqkm. Refugee operation in Tanzania is dynamic and complex with encampment policies and a mixed situation of protracted caseload living in same refugee camp with newly arrived refugees from Congo DRC, ongoing voluntary repatriation process since 2017, a strong and large resettlement programme with over 30,000 + refugees resettled since 2021. In addition to refugees living in villages around old settlements (closed camps), a small urban caseload is registered in Dar es Salaam. In this extremely diversified refugee population, there are about 40,000 refugees pending adjudication of asylum status or for whom UNHCR and the government are still discussing on how to best address their legal status. This included over 7,000 identifiable in proGres under NoC and OoC concept (not of concern and Others of Concern).
The United Republic of Tanzania ratified and acceded to both the 1951 Convention and 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees and is Party to the regional 1969 OAU Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa. Refugees in Tanzania are administered under the Refugees Act, 1998 and the 2003 Refugee Policy. The country implements an encampment policy, which critically impacts on the camp-based refugees’ ability to get away from humanitarian assistance. A few urban refugees are granted permission to reside outside the designated camps. Currently, all asylum seekers arriving in Tanzania are required to undergo individualized refugee status determination (RSD) procedures by the National Eligibility Committee (NEC). For logistic reasons, NEC sessions have not been held regularly, resulting in a backlog of nearly 40,000 pending asylum cases, of which about 19,000 are from the DRC. It should also be noted that early NEC sessions held in 2023 revealed a disturbing trend, with over 90% of cases been denied refugee status.
The government of Tanzania generously received and supported asylum seekers and maintained an open-door policy towards asylum seekers fleeing violence and volatile conditions. However, for the year 2024, instances of refoulement of asylum seekers from RDC and confirmed deportation of few Burundian asylum seekers were brought to the attention of the government officials. Following significant improvement in security situation in Burundi and the Joint Communique of the 24th Meeting of the Tripartite Commission for voluntary repatriation of Burundian refugee living in Tanzania, held in Dar es Salaam on 30 November 2023, a joint roadmap was developed for the move from facilitation to promotion of the voluntary repatriation of Burundian refugees in Tanzania with return being supported by government, UNHCR and partners. It is however generally agreed, including by donors that abrupt and massive return of refugees to Burundi without proper preparedness at the receiving end in Burundi could trigger additional humanitarian problems/crisis, hence the need for both Tanzania and Burundi operations to work together to ensure a harm-free repatriation process, sensitive to the reconstruction and rehabilitation challenges faced by Burundi government.
The protection environment remains complex with clues of refoulement of asylum seekers from DRC, documented deportation of Burundian asylum seekers, ban on or limited opportunities for CBI, and income generating projects within the camps, restricted resettlement opportunities for Burundian refugees, closure of some facilities including schools and hospitals, and restrictions on movements out of the camp, including a ban on motorcycles in Nyarugusu camp which is 20 square km.
Funding situation in the operation is a concern, with continuous budget reduction over the past three years (and in 2025 as well) which negatively impacts on the provision of basic and lifesaving services. This has exacerbated the protection risks faced by refugees and asylum seekers with deteriorating nutrition conditions, reduced WFP food ration, refugee engagement in negative coping mechanisms leading to early marriages/pregnancies, various forms of abuses, arrests, and detention. Attributable to this insufficient support and reduced avenues for Solution are repeated skirmishes between the Police and the refugees, reflecting increased desperation and intense frustration within the refugee population.
UNHCR Kasulu comprises 112 staff members, with over half under Protection units. UNHCR and the Refugee Service Department (RSD, under the Ministry of Home Affairs) coordinate the refugee response and works with more than 11 implementing partners (of which 9 international NGOs) and approximately 20 operational partners. The operation will reduce the number of partners in addition to implementing localization in a stronger manner. UNHCR engages with the UN system in the Delivering as One approach at the country level to ensure that there is inclusion of refugees in the larger humanitarian and development forums. UNHCR, plays an active role in the UN Country Team (UNCT).
Desired Candidate Profile:
Protection Officer must have good knowledge of international, and regional refugee law and principles/standards of protection. S/he must possess solid leadership skills, with aptitude for people management and capacity for team building. She/ he must have experience in working with multiple external stakeholders in dialogue on protection needs and responses, including government counterparts, implementing and operational partners, civil society, and refugee leaders. The selected candidate must have strong analytical and writing skills as well as demonstrated ability to support local resources mobilization initiatives. Strong negotiation skills and aptitude to advocate with Government and mostly with donors (Embassies notably) are essential to pursue advocacy for protection and solutions. The position also requires from the candidate sound knowledge and experience in overseeing the implementation of voluntary repatriation and resettlement. Solid experience in overseeing resettlement programme, coordination with IOM, RSC and with receiving countries is essential.
Mastery of spoken and written Swahili would be desirable.
The Protection Officer will be based in Dar es salaam supporting the Snr. Protection Officer in Kasulu on technical related aspects. The incumbent is expected to report to the Representative in Dar es salaam with direct supervisory responsibility for protection staff in Dar es Salaam.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
,
,
Desired languages
,
,
Operational context
Additional Qualifications
SkillsLE-Judicial Engagement, PR-Accountability to Affected People - Principles and Framework, PR-Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD), PR-Assessment of IDPs Status, Rights, Obligation, PR-Climate change and disaster related displacement, PR-Comprehensive Solutions Framework, PR-Gender Based Violence (GBV) Coordination, PR-Human Rights Doctrine/Standards, PR-International Humanitarian Law, PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators
EducationBachelor of Arts (BA): International Humanitarian Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Human Rights Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Refugee Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political Science, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Refugee and Forced Migration Studies
CertificationsHCR Resettlement Learning Program - UNHCR
Work Experience
CompetenciesAccountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Managing performance, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaboration
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Additional Information
Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance