Associate Protection Officer -Melkadida, Ethiopia

Associate Protection Officer -MelkadidaLocation: Melkadida, Ethiopia

Deadline: February 16, 2023

Job Description

Hardship Level

E (most hardship)

Family Type

Non Family with Residential Location

Family Type

Non Family with Residential LocationDanger Pay

Residential location (if applicable)

Addis Ababa, Eth Fed Dem Rep

 

Grade

PR3

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Remote work accepted

No

Target Start Date

2023-01-27-08:00

Job Posting End Date

February 16, 2023

 

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.

– 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. (Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Certificates and/or Licenses

Protection Learning Programme

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

The desired candidate should be one with a good protection background and experience. As the position is covering general protection, s/he should have knowledge on overall protection principles including assessments, monitoring, reporting, devising and recommending required immediate and long-term responses and interventions. Since the operation responds to both IDP and refugee situations, a candidate who has worked on asylum as well as internal displacement would be ideal to support the whole operation.

The candidate should have demonstrated leadership and interpersonal skills because the position requires working with many partners, local communities, traditional leaders and a strong government counterpart. The candidate, therefore, will have to be flexible, a team player, cooperative and sensitive to the local context. Culture plays a critical part of the Somali community therefore the desired candidate should be sensitive to local cultures, religion and even local politics. Leadership is crucial since the candidate is expected to lead a diverse team of staff in the Unit as well as work with others in other units. Mobilisation, engagement of stakeholders and leadership are therefore crucial for the candidate.

The working environment in Melkadida is generally challenging and characterised by a hot weather, distant camps and displacement location where the people we serve are situated. This therefore calls for strong personal capabilities and survival skills in managing the situation.

Equally important is that the desired candidate should have good skills in advocacy as this is required for the position to allow for identifying the gaps in the response and advocate for them including on protecting and promoting the asylum space. The candidate’s work should also contribute in the operation’s efforts to mobilise resources hence good assessment, highlighting and reporting skills are desired with readiness to learn and work with other on the areas.

 

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

The Associate Protection Officer reports to the Senior Protection Officer and 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. The incumbent will be responsible for coordinating general protection at Camp level, working with camp protection focal points, partners and government counterparts. The incumbent will have direct supervisory responsibility for protection staff at camp level whose work may include community-based protection, registration, resettlement, complementary pathways, internal displacement and education, among other areas. While these sectors have own managers, at camp level the incumbent will coordinate and manage action working with other sectors head of the unit. S/he will ensure engagement with other actors, including host communities and local traditional authorities. The incumbent will also head the legal and access to Justice sector.

The incumbent 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 (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.

Current Situation:

As a result of insecurity, famine, and environmental problems in Somalia, over 205,000 refugees fled from Somalia to Ethiopia and are accommodated in five refugee camps in the Dollo Ado/Melkadida district of Ethiopia. UNHCR recognizes the global need for a broader, cultural shift from long-term care and maintenance to self-reliance and solutions-oriented planning and programming in its refugee operations within the context of the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF). The Melkadida UNHCR operation promotes community-based protection and offers livelihoods opportunities to both refugees and their host communities. UNHCR has prioritized interventions that will strengthen peaceful coexistence to ensure that the former can enjoy their asylum in safety and dignity. Melkadida ‘s refugee population is from Somalia and UNHCR works closely with its government counterpart, the Refugee and Returnee Services (RRS) and other stakeholders, including traditional leaders.

The operation is also responding an internal displacement situation whereby there are over 650,000 IDPs scattered throughout the operation. The operation’s interventions include on GBV, child protection and access to assistance. The incumbent is therefore expected to be involved in both refugee and IDP responses.

In terms of staffing, there are about 22 international staff and about 100 plus national staff with different contractual statuses in the operation. Experience with Somali Caseloads is desirable.

UNHCR Ethiopia recognizes the global need for a broader, cultural shift from long-term care and maintenance to self-reliance and solutions-oriented programming in its refugee operations, within the context of the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF). The UNHCR operation in Melkadida operation promotes a community-based protection approach and prioritizes the development of livelihoods opportunities for both refugees and their host communities. UNHCR has prioritized interventions that will strengthen peaceful coexistence between the refugee and host communities, in order to ensure that the former can enjoy their asylum in safety and dignity. Ethiopia is home to the second largest refugee population in Africa, currently hosting over 750,000 registered refugees and asylum seekers, mainly from South Sudan, Somalia, Sudan, Eritrea, and Yemen.

The Government of Ethiopia allows humanitarian access and protection to those seeking asylum in its territory. UNHCR works closely with its government counterpart, the Refugee & Returnee Services (RRS), to ensure access to asylum territory and the safe and dignified reception and processing/registration of asylum-seekers. Currently all determination and registration in the SOMEL AO is done on a prima facie basis, with RSD being conducted only in Addis. Although access to territory and registration have been suspended in the operation, all asylum cases are received, screened, and registered at the joint UNHCR/ARRA Reception Centre in Dollo Ado.

 

Living and Working Conditions:

Accommodation will be provided by the Sub-Office Melkadida with a monthly rental charge of about $582. All staff living in the UNHCR provided accommodation must pay their accommodation in accordance with the UNHCR Policy of UNHCR Provided Accommodation in the Field issued under the IOM/FOM 020/021/2012 dated 28 Feb 2012 as well as the Administrative Instruction on the Measures in Support of Personnel in High-Risk Duty Station (Non-Family Duty Stations Where Danger Pay Applied), UNHCR/AI/2018/11 dated 15 August 2018.

Most accommodations are fully furnished, with a single room and living room with an open kitchen. They include their own duvet bed and bed sheet, private bathrooms, desk, AC, lamp and closet. WIFI is available across the compound and in most of the apartments a private residential WIFI. Transportation in and out of Melkadida is usually by UNHAS flights directly to Addis. Due to road insecurity, road travel to Addis is not advised as it takes two days. Only under unavoidable circumstances is it authorised.

Given the remote nature of the duty station, there are very few items that can be purchased in Melkadida, particularly food items and other personal items that staff may need. It is therefore advised that you bring such items with you. Food provision in the area is limited, with very few vegetables, it is advisable to carry your own food/ food supplements. Cleaning services take place from Monday to Friday.

A laundry room in the compound is available from 7:30 am until 6pm with a laundry attendant who cleans only UNHCR beddings. All staff are advised to do their own laundry or pay a cleaner for the service. There are 2 canteens available within the compound, Canteen A and Canteen B and all personnel are required to pay for their meals in advance. There are a variety of recreational facilities within the compound, these include a fitness centre (gym) games ground (volleyball and basketball) and a relaxation centre. UNHCR is the only agency with presence in Melkadida and there is a UN-run clinic at the compound providing basic services.

According to the UN Security Level System, which ranks security levels from 1 (minimum risk) to 6 (very high risk), Melkadida is classified as Moderate Level 3. UN Somali Region Minimum Operating Security Standards require a curfew for UN staff from 5pm (for vehicles) and 7pm (on foot), except in the case of emergency. Security Briefing is mandatory upon arrival. The weather condition is hot throughout the year.

 

Additional Qualifications

Skills

PR-Application of various regional refugee instruments, PR-Asylum related law, policy and procedures, PR-Community-based Protection – Community engagement and capacity building, PR-Community Mobilisation, PR-Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Operations, PR-Legal, economic, social and protection support to integration, PR-Profiling of IDPs and host communities, PR-Protection mainstreaming

Education

BA: International Humanitarian Law (Required), BA: International Human Rights Law (Required), BA: International Law (Required), BA: International Refugee Law (Required), BA: Law (Required), BA: Political Science (Required), BA: Refugee and Forced Migration Studies (Required)

 

Certifications

Law – Other

 

Work Experience

Annual Budget OL in Operation/Office, Number of Persons of Concern Served, Number of Workforce in Operation/Work Setting, Workforce to Supervise, Working with Persons of Concern: Asylum Seekers, Working with Persons of Concern: Refugees

Competencies

Accountability, 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

UNHCR Salary Calculator

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

Compendium

Add.2 to Bi-annual Compendium 2022 – Part B

Functional clearance

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance

 

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