UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency
Family Type
Non Family with Residential Location
Residential location (if applicable)
Accra, Ghana
Grade
PR2
Staff Member / Affiliate Type
Professional
- Staff members will not normally serve in International Professional positions in the country of their nationality. In addition, in case of a first appointment upon recruitment, the assignment must be outside the staff member’s country of nationality.
In practical terms this means that you are not eligible to apply for International Professional vacancies advertised in the country where you are national of.
Reason
Regular > Regular Assignment
Remote work accepted
No
Target Start Date
2024-01-01
Job Posting End Date
December 21, 2023
Standard Job Description
Associate Protection Officer
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Associate Protection Officer reports to the Protection Officer or the Senior Protection Officer. Depending on the size and structure of the Office, the incumbent may have supervisory responsibility for protection staff including community-based protection registration, resettlement and education. S/he provides functional protection guidance to information management and programme staff on all protection/legal matters and accountabilities. These include: statelessness (in line with the campaign to End Statelessness by 2024), Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) commitments, age, gender, diversity (AGD) and accountability to affected populations (AAP) through community-based protection, Child protection, Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention and response, gender equality, disability inclusion, youth empowerment, psycho-social support and PSEA, registration, asylum/refugee status determination, resettlement, local integration, voluntary repatriation, human rights standards integration, national legislation, judicial engagement, predictable and decisive engagement in situations of internal displacement and engagement in wider mixed movement and climate change/disaster-related displacement responses. S/he supervises protection standards, operational procedures and practices in protection delivery in line with international standards.
The Associate Protection Officer is expected to coordinate quality, timely and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern, ensuring that operational responses in all sectors mainstream protection methodologies and integrate protection safeguards. The incumbent contributes to the design of a comprehensive protection strategy and represents the organization externally on protection doctrine and policy as guided by the supervisor. S/he also ensures that persons of concern are meaningfully engaged in the decisions that affect them and support programme design and adaptations that are influenced by the concerns, priorities and capacities of persons of concern. To achieve this, the incumbent will need to build and maintain effective interfaces with communities of concern, authorities, protection and assistance partners as well as a broader network of stakeholders who can contribute to enhancing protection.
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
- Stay abreast of political, social, economic and cultural developments that have an impact on the protection environment.
- Promote International and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards and codes of conduct.
- Foster their consistent and coherent interpretation and application through mainstreaming in all sectors and /or in clusters in applicable operations.
- Assist in providing comments on existing and draft legislation related to persons of concern.
- Provide legal advice and guidance on protection issues to persons of concern; liaise with competent authorities to ensure the issuance of personal and other relevant documentation.
- Conduct eligibility and status determination for persons of concern in compliance with UNHCR procedural standards and international protection principles.
- Promote and contribute to measures to identify, prevent and reduce statelessness.
- Contribute to a country-level child protection plan as part of the protection strategy to ensure programmes use a child protection systems approach.
- Contribute to a country-level education plan.
- Implement and oversee Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all protection/solutions activities which integrate AGD sensitive procedures.
- Oversee and manage individual protection cases, including those on GBV and child protection. Monitor, and intervene in cases of refoulement, expulsion and other protection incidents through working relations with governments and other partners.
- Recommend durable solutions for the largest possible number of persons of concern through voluntary repatriation, local integration and where appropriate, resettlement.
- Assess resettlement needs and apply priorities for the resettlement of individuals and groups of refugees and other persons of concern.
- Participate in the organisation and implementation of participatory assessments and methodologies throughout the operations management cycle and promote AGD sensitive 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.
- Facilitate effective information management through the provision of disaggregated data on populations of concern and their problems.
- Promote and integrate community-based approaches to protection and contribute to capacity-building initiatives for communities and individuals to assert their rights.
- Support activities in the area of risk management related to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, fraud, case-processing, data protection, and human rights due diligence at country level.
- Participate in initiatives to capacitate national authorities, relevant institutions and NGOs to strengthen national protection related legislation and procedures.
- Intervene with authorities on protection issues.
- Negotiate locally on behalf of UNHCR.
- Decide priorities for reception, interviewing and counselling for groups or individuals.
- Enforce compliance of staff and implementing partners with global protection policies and standards of professional integrity in the delivery of protection services.
- Enforce compliance with, and integrity of, all protection standard operating procedures.
- 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 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
Certificates and/or Licenses
Protection Learning Programme
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Professional experience in the area of refugee protection, internal displacement, human rights or international humanitarian law. Good knowledge of International Refugee and Human Rights Law and ability to apply the relevant legal principles.
Desirable
Field experience, including in working directly with communities. Good IT skills including database management skills.
Functional Skills
- PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators
- PR-Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD)
PR-Gender Based Violence (GBV) Coordination
MG-Project Management
PR-Human Rights Doctrine/Standards
PR-International Humanitarian Law
PR-Assessment of IDPs Status, Rights, Obligation
PR-Climate change and disaster related displacement
CO-Drafting and Documentation
(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 Associate Protection Officer reports to the Head of Field Office – Takum.
A solid protection background on alternative to camp and out-of camp approach, including knowledge and a good background in engaging with local actors and government partners.
The individual must have excellent skills in community-based protection, accountability to affected populations, community mobilization, general protection, case management skills, education, child protection, gender equality and application of the Age, Gender and Diversity Policy.
The individual should demonstrate his/her ability to work with community-based organizations including refugee led organizations.
Operational experience and familiarity with inter-agency coordination mechanisms and working in multi-functional teams would be helpful. The applicant should be able to demonstrate leadership, good communication skills and enhance team cohesion.
Community engagement approaches with the different community members as well as networking skills with government counterparts within the area of operation, to ensure peaceful co-existence among refugees and nationals is crucial.
Excellent oral and written communication skills including good drafting and reporting skills.
Considering the highly sensitive environment in which UNHCR operates in Nigeria, the incumbent should possess strong political awareness, analytical and diplomatic skills, and exhibit good judgment and protection aptitude. S/he should have strong interpersonal and team skills to be able to work harmoniously in a difficult living and working environment.
The incumbent will have supervisory role for some of the national protection staff and should have management skills, to be able to provide guidance and coaching to staff as well as be able to provide guidance to partners.
The position has supervisory responsibility of protection staff including supervision in functional areas such as registration, resettlement, and community-based protection. The individual would also be responsible for providing oversight over the population in Sardauna LGA following the closure of the Gembu Field Unit, and would act as OIC in the absence of the Head of Field Office, and should therefore possess managerial competencies.
For the successful implementation of tasks, the incumbent should be equipped to exercise a high degree of flexibility, creativity, patience and adaptability.
The Associate Protection Officer is expected to coordinate quality, timely and effective protection responses to the needs of people that we serve, ensuring that operational responses in all sectors mainstream protection methodologies and integrate protection safeguards. The incumbent contributes to the design of a comprehensive protection strategy and represents the Organization externally (in Taraba State) on protection doctrine and policy as guided by the supervisor. S/he also ensures that people that we serve, are meaningfully engaged in the decisions that affect them and support programme design and adaptations that are influenced by the concerns, priorities and capacities of them. To achieve this, the incumbent will need to build and maintain effective interfaces with communities of concern, authorities, protection and assistance partners as well as a broader network of stakeholders who can contribute to enhancing protection.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
,
,
Desired languages
,
,
Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations
Takum is non- family duty station, the guest house has a gym for staff use.
Nature of Position
The Associate Protection Officer reports to the Head of Field Office – Takum.
The individual work will focus in community-based protection, accountability to affected populations, community mobilization, general protection, case management, education, child protection, gender equality and application of the Age, Gender and Diversity Policy.
A highly sensitive environment in which UNHCR operates in Nigeria.
The incumbent will have supervisory role for some of the national protection staff and should have management experience, to be able to provide guidance and coaching to staff as well as be able to provide guidance to partners.
The position has supervisory responsibility of protection staff including supervision in functional areas such as registration, resettlement, and community-based protection. The individual would also be responsible for providing oversight over the population in Sardauna LGA following the closure of the Gembu Field Unit, and would act as OIC in the absence of the Head of Field Office.
The Associate Protection Officer is expected to coordinate quality, timely and effective protection responses to the needs of people that we serve, ensuring that operational responses in all sectors mainstream protection methodologies and integrate protection safeguards. The incumbent contributes to the design of a comprehensive protection strategy and represents the Organization externally (in Taraba State) on protection doctrine and policy as guided by the supervisor. S/he also ensures that people that we serve, are meaningfully engaged in the decisions that affect them and support programme design and adaptations that are influenced by the concerns, priorities and capacities of them. To achieve this, the incumbent will need to build and maintain effective interfaces with communities of concern, authorities, protection and assistance partners as well as a broader network of stakeholders who can contribute to enhancing protection.
Living and Working Conditions
Takum is a Local Government Area in Taraba State, Nigeria. Its headquarters is in the town of Takum, Takum borders the Republic of Cameroon in the south, Ussa Local Government to the west, Donga Local government to the north.
The duty station Takum hardship classification is D . A to E duty stations are rated on a scale that assesses the difficulty of working and living conditions from A to E, with A being the least and E, being the most difficult. Categories are arrived at through an assessment of the following six discrete factors: health, security, local conditions, isolation, climate, and housing.
Basic medical facilities exist in Takum to manage/stabilize urgent cases (for 24h) before evacuation to Jalingo (4-5hrs drive)and then onwards to Abuja as needed.
Takum town is a home to different communities, there are imaginary boundaries within the town that a newcomer may not be conversant with. Incessant communal clashes usually occur without warning; on many occasions UNHCR staff have been caught up/affected, although not directly targeted. The violence may go on for days with either side killing each other and inflicting serious gunshot/machete injuries. Hence precautions should be taken on individual social life and cultural awareness and considerations. There are no safe public transport or taxis. Because of the fluid and unpredictable security situation and very limited safe housing options, international staff have been requested to live in a designated UN-shared guest house protected by armed personnel. Takum experiences erratic electricity and office/GH relies on generators as a backup.
The nearest airports is in Jalingo (4-5 hrs drive from Takum) provides domestic flights. Jalingo and Yola towns are the closest locations away from the duty station.
Takum is not connected to most internet service providers making it difficult to communicate domestically and internationally. There are days when there is no network. The UN office and UN guesthouse have a WIFI.
Skills
Additional Qualifications
Education
Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political Science
Certifications
HCR Protection Learning Program – UNHCR
Work Experience
Competencies
Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaboration
UNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Compendium
Add. 2 to Bi-annual Compendium 2023 – Part B
Additional Information
Functional clearance
This position doesn’t require a functional clearance
To apply for this job please visit unhcr.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com.