Hardship LevelH (no hardship)
Family TypeFamily
Family TypeFamily
Residential location (if applicable)
GradeGS7
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeGeneral Service
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Target Start Date2024-10-01
Deadline for ApplicationsMarch 4, 2025
Standard Job Description
Senior Community-Based Protection Associate
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Community-Based Protection Associate is a member of the Protection Unit and may report to the Protection Officer, Community-Based Protection Officer, or another more senior staff member in the Protection Unit. Under the overall direction of the Protection Unit, and in coordination with other UNHCR staff, government, NGO partners and other stakeholders, the Senior Community-Based Protection Associate works directly with communities of concern to identify the risks they face and to leverage their capacities to protect themselves, their families and communities. The incumbent may have direct supervisory responsibility for part of the protection and/or support staff and supports the application of community-based protection standards, operational procedures and practices in community-based protection delivery at the field level. To fulfil this role, the Senior Community-Based Protection Associate is required to spend a substantial percentage of the workday outside the office, building and maintaining networks within communities of persons of concern (PoC). The development and maintenance of constructive relationships with PoC that measurably impact and enhance protection planning, programming and results, form the core of the work of the incumbent. S/he also supports the designing of a community-based protection strategy by ensuring that it is based on consultation with PoC.
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
- Assist functional units, the Multi-Functional Team (MFT) and senior management to integrate participatory and community-based approaches in the overall protection strategy and operational procedures.
- Through relationships with PoC and network of partners, stay abreast of political, social, economic and cultural developments that have an impact on the protection environment and provide advice to the protection team. Understand the perspectives, capacities, needs and resources of the PoC and advise the protection team accordingly, highlighting the specific protection needs of women and men, children, youth and older persons, persons with disabilities, marginalized groups.
- Work with host communities to identify opportunities for national civil society involvement in improving the protection of PoC.
- Work with implementing and operational partners as well as with displaced and local communities to develop community-owned activities to address, where applicable, the social, educational, psycho-social, cultural, health, organisational and livelihood concerns as well as child protection and prevention and response to GBV.
- Perform analysis that identifies the capacities of communities of concern and risks they face.
- Contribute to participatory assessments and ongoing consultation with PoC using multifunctional teams.
- Plan and monitor programmes and budgets with an AGD perspective.
- Build capacity to maximize opportunities for participatory and community-based approaches and to make appropriate use of guidelines and tools in working with partners and other relevant entities.
- Support communities in establishing representation and coordination structures.
- Ensure community understanding of UNHCR's commitment to deliver on accountability and quality assurance in its response.
- Assist in developing UNHCR communication strategies by emphasizing the participatory, community-based and AGD approaches.
- Act as an interpreter in exchange of routine information, contribute to related liaison activities and respond directly to routine queries.
- Contribute to the enforcement of participatory AGD sensitive analysis as an essential basis for all of UNHCR's work.
- Initiate AGD sensitive interventions at the appropriate level on community-based protection issues and to respond to protection concerns and incidents within the office, with external interlocutors, groups and individuals based on agreed parameters.
- Identify and select which individuals or groups to prioritize for counselling and field visits based on agreed criteria.
- Intervene with authorities on protection.
- Enforce compliance of staff and implementing partners with global protection policies and standards of professional integrity in the delivery of protection services.
- As instructed by the supervisor, approve individual payment requests for PoC.
- 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 G7 - 4 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
Development, Human Rights, nternational Law
Social Work, Social Science, Political Science,
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Not specified.
Desirable
UNHCR learning programmes (PLP). Knowledge of MSRP.
Functional Skills
*IT-Computer Literacy
IT-Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
UN-UN/UNHCR Administrative Rules, Regulations and Procedures
PR-Community-based Protection - Principles and methodologies
CL-Multi-stakeholder Communications with Partners, Government & Community
PG-Stakeholder management and coordination with Implementing Partners (Gov/NGO/Corporate)
TR-Capacity Building
(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 MCO Italy is looking for a candidate with proven managerial skills, understanding of the Italian operational context as well as expertise in the areas of Community-Based protection. The candidate must have excellent Italian and English drafting as well as a creative, solution and result-oriented outlook to successfully manage the role and the CBP team under supervision. The candidate should have the ability to think and execute strategically and possess strong interpersonal and team building skills. Community-Based and other protection experience from abroad would be an asset. Experience working with refugee urban population is also desirable.
While the incumbent will be based in Rome, he/she will be expected to go on mission within the country due to the dispersion of the population of concern in Italy.
Additional Information:
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in Italy.
English is the official working language of UNHCR in Italy. Only applications fully completed in English will be considered.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Assessment of short-listed candidates might comprise of both an interview and a written test.
UNHCR is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, color or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. UNHCR has a ZERO TOLERANCE policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, and sexual harassment. Successful candidates will be subject to mandatory UN Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment clearance check prior to receiving an offer.
UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).
All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.
In case of any queries, please contact the Italy HR Team at itarohr@unhcr.org.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level): Italian
,English
,
Desired languages
,
,
Operational context
To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
UNHCR’s Office in Italy is a multi-Country office responsible for Italy, San Marino and the Holy See. Italy plays an important role in refugee protection in Europe, remaining one of the major points of arrival for persons seeking protection to Europe, mostly arriving by sea via the Mediterranean. In 2023, 157,651 migrants and refugees originating from 62 countries arrived in Italy by sea and Italy received 71% of all sea arrivals to Southern Europe. Whereas numbers have gone down in 2024, it is anticipated that Italy will continue to receive the largest number of asylum-seekers arriving in Europe by sea as well as an increasing number arriving by land and air. While there are fluctuations in levels of arrivals, the drivers of the movements from Africa and the Middle East moving along the Central Mediterranean and Balkan routes continue to remain or worsen because of the various political tensions in the Sub-Saharan region.
In Italy, UNHCR works to enhance Italy’s role as a global partner, expand solutions and achieve and safeguard best practices in protection. A key priority in this remains to contribute to build a system for identifying and responding to persons with specific needs (arrival, reception, RSD and solutions), and child protection, response to GBV and community engagement are cross-cutting priorities of the operation.
The Community-Based Protection (CBP) unit, responsible for persons with specific needs (PSN), GBV, child protection, MHPSS, communication with communities (CwC) and community participation, drives the realization of the CBP priorities. The unit also leads the effort of PSEA and mainstreaming accountability to affected people (AAP), age, gender and diversity (AGD) and community-based approaches across the operation.
The incumbent will, under the supervision of the Deputy Representative, be responsible for directly supervising and coordinating the UNHCR CBP team based in Rome and guiding the CBP team in the field, comprising GBV, child protection and CBP/CwC staff. This should be done with a view to maintain a qualified and consistent UNHCR approach, in line with international standards, team well-being, and a harmonious workplace. The incumbent will be responsible for devising effective CBP strategies, and in cooperation with Programme to manage a considerable number of partnerships in all areas of CBP. The work also involves close coordination with key UN partners, UNICEF and IOM, and numerous counterparts, including the ombudsman’s office and a series of line ministries. The incumbent will represent UNHCR in various fora and support the Italian Private Sector Partnerships service (PSP) in fundraising for CBP projects.
The Senior Community-Based Protection Associate will be part of the senior protection staff of the Italy operation, playing a crucial role in advising Senior Management on a range of protection issues, with particular focus on issues related to PSN, Child Protection and GBV.
Rome is a HQ Duty Station. Italy has a strong UN presence (more than 10 Agencies Programmes and Funds totaling more than 6'000 staff) and is offering high standard of living conditions and relatively high cost of living.
There is no RC System hence no formal inter-agency coordination system other than the DO for Security related matters. FAO leads the UN team and collaborates closely with Rome based WFP and IFAD HQ.
The Italian authorities will issue a visa and residence permit to UNHCR international staff members. Before arriving at a new duty station, finding an accommodation will be a priority. There are some limited facilities to access Duty Free privileges. Buying a new vehicle is a lengthy process while buying second hand is even more complex. The public transport system is relatively reliable, and most colleagues have elected to reside in the office neighborhood.
A valid driving license issued by a European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) member state is automatically accepted in all other member states. People with EU/EEA-issued driver's license who take up residence in Italy are not required to exchange it for an Italian license.
Holders of a standard driving license issued from a non-EU/EEA country may drive in Italy using the foreign license for up to one year after obtaining residency.
Medical care is up to international standards.
UN International expatriates are covered by the medical insurance provided from their workplace. No additional medical coverage is required. A list of English-speaking doctors can be provided, upon request, by the FAO Medical Services.
There are several international schools in Rome. The academic year for schools in Italy is from September to June. Generally, schools have long waiting lists and it is advisable to register your child at school as soon as possible. You should also find out about the specific admission requirements at the school. Transfer certificates from previous schools and academic records are usually required. Contracts are made between the school and private individuals regarding payments of school fees.
This means any deposits and commitments to pay fees are your responsibility and not the UN's.
Additional Qualifications
SkillsCL-Multi-stakeholder Communications with Partners, Government & Community, IT-Computer Literacy, IT-Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), PG-Stakeholder management and coordination with Implementing Partners (Gov/NGO/Corporate), PR-Community-based Protection - Principles and methodologies, TR-Capacity Buidling, UN-UN/UNHCR Administrative Rules, Regulations and Procedures
Education
CertificationsCommunity Development/Social Work - Other, Development Studies - Other, Human Rights - Other, International Law - Other, Political Science - Other, Social Sciences - Other
Work Experience
CompetenciesAccountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Managing performance, Organizational 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