Assistant Protection Cluster Coordination Officer

Job Description

Assistant 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, P2 Associate Protection Cluster Coordination Officer and/or P1 Assistant Protection Cluster Coordination Officer.

The Assistant Protection Cluster Coordination Officer normally reports directly to a higher-grade Protection Cluster Coordination Officer. The UNHCR Representative has final accountability for the performance of UNHCR as Cluster Lead Agency.

The Assistant 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 Assistant Protection Cluster Coordination Officer is expected to support 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 Assistant 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 Assistant 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.
– Participate in meetings in line with the Principles of Partnership, ensuring that cluster meetings are consultative and results oriented.
– Support coordination with government counterparts and other relevant authorities
– Support 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.
– Contribute to initiatives building 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.
– Contribute to Protection Cluster’s 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.
– Draft reports and prepare advocacy statements on behalf of the Protection Cluster – for clearance by Senior management.
– 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

Years of Experience / Degree Level

For P1/NOA – 1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no 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;
HCR Protection Learning Prg; Prot in NaturalDisaster Situat;
(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.

-Previous experience in coordination is an asset, Good knowledge of cluster coordination system and IDP response including working directly with communities. Knowledge of human rights or international humanitarian law is highly recommended.

-Core Competencies, Leadership, Managing Resources, Accountability, Communication, Organizational Awareness, Teamwork & Collaboration, Commitment to Continuous Learning, Client & Result Orientation, Managerial Competencies, Empowering and Building Trust.

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Nature of Position:

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, P2 Associate Protection Cluster Coordination Officer and/or P1 Assistant Protection Cluster Coordination Officer.

The Assistant Protection Cluster Coordination Officer normally reports directly to a higher-grade Protection Cluster Coordination Officer. The UNHCR Representative has final accountability for the performance of UNHCR as Cluster Lead Agency.

The Assistant 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 Assistant Protection Cluster Coordination Officer is expected to support 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 Assistant 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 Assistant 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.

Living and Working Conditions:

• Dessie has been temporarily classified as D category duty station with 6 weeks R&R cycle a non-family D duty station with limited services. There is no available suitable accommodation for staff and the only available hotel which has some minimum standards of amenities where staff are currently sleeping is frequented by military personnel, hence posing a risk to staff. It is recommended to establish a guest house for staff with basic amenities optimum for staff use and which will be developed to be MORSS compliant.
• WFP has limited/temporal accommodation in its compound with a monthly rental charge of around USD 200 per month. WFP accommodations are partially furnished, with a single room and common living room with an open kitchen. WIFI is available across the compound including the rooms. There are local banking facilities and limited medical facilities.
• Ethiopia Airline operates flights every day of the week between Addis Ababa Dessie and 45minutes drive from Kombolcha to Dessie. Due to road insecurity, road travel to Addis is not advisable except under unavoidable circumstances. Under normal condition it takes one day (8hrs) to travel to Addis from Dessie. In Dessie, there are many items that can be purchased, particularly food items and other personal items that staff may need.
• The climate is classified as temperate highland tropical with dry winters. The district yearly temperature is 22.26degree Centigrade. The Warmest month in Dessie is April and the coldest is November.
• Dessie town is served by the government water supply system; however the supply is erratic and often the tapes are dry. Power in Dessie is connected from the main grid, but just like water the supply is not constant as there is frequent load shedding.
• There are practically no sporting and recreation facilities in Dessie.
• Insecurity and coldness of the weather (2470 mt or 8100 ft above sea level) most of the time are some of the factors to be considered prior to applying.

• Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Law,
• Bachelor of Arts (BA): Law,
• Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political Science

Certifications

• HCR Coordination Learning Program – UNHCR,
• HCR Protection Learning Program – UNHCR,
• Protection in Natural Disaster Situation – Other,
• Tri_Cluster Knowledge/Coord Skills – Other

Competencies

• Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaboration

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Additional Information

An eliminatory or complementary written test may be conducted which will be followed by a competency based oral interview.

Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

• This position doesn’t require a functional clearance