Organization: UNHCR
Location: Mekele
Closing Date: May 15, 2022
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 and/or P2 Associate Protection Cluster Coordination Officer.
These latter P2 level positions normally report directly to the P5/P4 Protection Cluster Coordination Officer. The UNHCR Representative has final accountability for the performance of UNHCR as Cluster Lead Agency.
The Associate 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 Associate Protection Cluster Coordination Officer is expected to facilitate 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 Associate 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 Associate 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.
– Organize and facilitate meetings in line with the Principles of Partnership, ensuring that cluster meetings are consultative and results-oriented.
– Facilitate coordination with government counterparts and other relevant authorities
– Facilitate 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.
– Coordinate initiatives to build 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.
– Ensure that the Protection Cluster produces 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.
– Promote the Protection Cluster¿s adherence to international human rights instruments, the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement as well as other relevant international and regional instruments; in cooperation with the Humanitarian Country Team support local interventions when violations of international protection standards and principles occur.
– Promote and help strengthen national legislation relevant to internal displacement and durable solutions.
– Draft reports and prepare advocacy statements on behalf of the Protection Cluster – for clearance by Senior management.
– Organise and 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.
– Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P2/NOB – 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
Law; International Law; Political Sciences;
or other relevant field.
(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)
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 National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
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. Competencies as defined in Job Profile Please note that UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing, training or any other fees).
An eliminatory or complementary written test for shortlisted candidates may be conducted which will be followed by competency-based interview.
Female Candidates are encouraged to apply.
Only Shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Applicants must be nationals of, and be locally recruited within the country of their employment.
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See below for this postion’s Operational Context
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Nature of the Position (up to 2,500 characters)
On 4 November 2020, military confrontations between federal and regional forces in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, which borders both Sudan and Eritrea, led the Government to declare a State of Emergency. Since then, and despite the announcement of an official end to the law enforcement operation in late November, large areas of Ethiopia’s Tigray regions are still affected by armed clashes and insecurity, leading to further forced displacement of the population particularly in Western Tigray, while over 50,000 refugees have fled to Sudan. Tigray, which had a pre-conflict population of some six million people, has experienced long term dire conditions since the onset of the crisis, including for some 80,000 Eritrean refugees, most of whom are now in two camps after two other camps, Hitsats and Shimelba were looted and destroyed during the conflict, scattering refugees across the Tigray region and beyond. The updated UN Humanitarian Response Plan for Northern Ethiopia estimates that 2.3 million people might be affected by the conflict within Tigray region and across regional borders into Amhara and Afar.
The Associate Protection Cluster Coordination Officer (NOB) will report to the Senior Protection Cluster Adviser. The position 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 Associate Protection Cluster Coordination Officer is expected to facilitate 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 Associate 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 Associate 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
Staff members should be prepared to operate under challenging conditions with extremely limited resources. The staff members will be working within a city that has been isolated for several months due to the crisis which began in November 2020. The office deals primarily with several local camp environments with inherent risks to staff health. Regardless of information campaigns, there are realistically few, or no COVID-19 protocols adhered to by the camp(s) population. Staff wear masks but will often work within large groups of refugees who do not. There is still no second round of cholera and COVID-19 vaccines for the populations of concern, nor sufficient drugs and medical supplies. While the primary hospital s functioning, it is currently running low on medical supplies. Most pharmacies in town are open, but they also struggle to get medical supplies, so staff with prescriptions should come with at least 3 months of prescription medication. Communications blackout persists in Tigray with no mobile network and Wi-Fi as all local internet companies are closed. The office relies on VSAT for internet connectivity. Although there are functioning banks , there is still a serious shortage of cash. So, staff are advised to bring along a cash reserve. It is recommended that first time travelers to the duty station dispense sufficient funds from the ATMs in Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia. The Closing Date for Submission of Application is Tuesday 17 May 2022 (Mid Night Ethiopia Time).