Community-Based Protection Associate

Grade

GS6

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

General Service

Reason

Temporary > Temporary Assignment/ Appointment

Hardship Level

H (no hardship)

Family Type

Family

Residential location (if applicable)

Remote work accepted

No

Target Start Date

2024-01-01

Target End Date

2024-06-30

Job Posting End Date

January 7, 2024

Standard Job Description

Community-Based Protection Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The 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 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 Community-Based Protection Associate is required to spend a substantial percentage of the workday outside the office, building and maintaining networks within communities of 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.
• Assist in the analysis that identifies the capacities of communities of concern and risks they face.
• Support participatory assessments by multifunctional teams and ongoing consultation with PoC.
• Assist in planning and monitoring of programmes and budgets, with an AGD perspective
• Build office capacity for community-based protection through training and establishing systems for community mobilization and participation of PoC.
• 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.
• 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 implementing partners with global protection policies and standards of professional integrity in the delivery of protection services.
• Recommend and prepare payments to individual cases.
• 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 G6 – 3 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, International Law

International 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-Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

• IT-Computer Literacy

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 Buidling

(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

Operational Context

The war in Ukraine triggered the displacement of more than 570,000 refugees to the Czech Republic who applied and received temporary protection in the country. Today, over 370,000 continue to seek refuge in Czechia. While the Czech Republic is not a frontline state, it is among the top three countries of asylum for Ukrainians fleeing the war due in part to a large pre-existing Ukrainian diaspora and a strong job market, among other factors.

While comprehensive government services as well as refugee- and other community-based organisations exist in Czechia to provide critical service delivery in protection, social assistance and integration, opportunities exist to better engage with refugees and the communities that host them to enhance the reach of protection, social cohesion and integration. This is particularly true for marginalized groups and for communities outside of the Prague area. Moreover, information on available services, benefits, rights and obligations targeting refugees in Czechia is abundant; however, with the proliferation of information, there is a need to address misinformation and to enhance the coordination and streamlining of both information provision and accessibility to complaints and feedback mechanisms.

Transitioning from an emergency strategy to interventions that support and promote sustainability and the meaningful engagement of refugees both directly and through UNHCR’s partners, in line with the 2024 Regional Refugee Plan strategic objectives, UNHCR Czechia is creating a Temporary Assignment for a G-6 Community-Based Protection Associate to support the implementation of the office’s strategy and contribute to the office’s objective to align with and support the response of the government of Czechia.

In coordination with other UNHCR staff, government, NGO partners and other stakeholders, the Community-Based Protection Associate will work directly with refugees to identify the risks they face and to leverage their capacities to protect themselves, their families and communities. S/he supports the application of community-based protection standards, operational procedures and practices in community-based protection delivery at the field level. To fulfill this role, the Community-Based Protection Associate is required to actively build and maintain networks within refugee communities, develop and maintain constructive relationships with refugees and partners that measurably impact and enhance protection planning, programming and results. Finally, given the incumbent’s fluent Czech language skills, s/he will be expected to represent UNHCR in seminars, workshops and other events organised by national and local government authorities, partners and other stakeholders in order to keep abreast of developments and to highlight the voices of refugees in discussions.

The position is based in Prague with regular travel in Czechia. The Community-Based Protection Associate is a member of the Protection Unit and will report to the Community-Based Protection Officer. The Community-Based Protection Associate will work closely with colleagues in other units to ensure a coordinated approach. S/he will also ensure strong coordination with partner organizations, refugee- and community-led organizations, local government authorities and other relevant stakeholders.

UNHCR’s workplace is international and multicultural and therefore inclusive and diverse. It offers opportunities that contribute to professional growth and development, and it requires cultural awareness, sensitivity and adaptation to different communication styles and behaviors. The ideal candidate should possess a strong knowledge of key elements pertinent to the position, including working with vulnerable persons, understanding accountability, inclusion and the meaningful participation of individuals in decisions that affect them, working with persons and groups across the age, gender and diversity spectrum, harnessing existing knowledge and capacities from communities and national systems, knowledge of existing social and public services and understanding existing and emerging areas of engagement. Prior experience in working with refugees or other foreigners is a strong added value. The candidate should demonstrate interest and the ability to balance office and field presence ensuring that dignified and meaningful direct engagement with refugees is conducted on a regular basis.

The UNHCR National Office in the Czech Republic operates under the Representation for Central Europe (Multi-Country Office Hungary), which covers four countries (Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia).

Language Requirements

Knowledge of English as the UN working language of the duty station and Czech language is required.

Desirable Candidate Profile

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience of the sector
• Strong planning and organizational skills
• Problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify and address challenges
• Ability to identify and develop partnership opportunities with different actors
• Sensitivity to refugee issues and ability to communicate and work in partnership with refugees, Czech communities and partners professionally and strategically
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work harmoniously and effectively in multicultural settings
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Ability to harness the core values of the UN and the humanitarian principles, including working in an impartial, neutral and non-discriminatory manner
• Proactive, positive, open-minded, and willing to learn
• Willingness to spend time in the field, including in areas outside of Prague
• Willingness to be flexible and to contribute to any of the team’s other objectives as well
• Good drafting skills

Additional information:

Candidates must be legally present in the Czech Republic at the time of application, recruitment and hire.

Remuneration:

In case of appointment, a competitive compensation and benefits package is offered.

G-6 monthly salary range: NET CZK 45,477 – CZK 55,994

Benefits:

Annual leave: UNHCR staff members holding a fixed-term appointment will accrue annual leave at the rate of 2.5 working days for each full calendar months of service (i.e. 30 working days per year).

Pension system: Staff members holding a fixed-term appointment will become participants in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF).

Health insurance plan: locally recruited staff members in the Czech Republic will be enrolled in the National Health System of Czech Republic.

Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a test. No late applications will be accepted. UNHCR is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).

Functional Clearance

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level)

English

,

Czech

,

Desired languages

,

,

Skills

Additional Qualifications

CL-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

Certifications

Community Development/Social Work – Other, Development Studies – Other, Human Rights – Other, International Law – Other, Political Science – Other, Social Sciences – Other

Work Experience

UNHCR Salary Calculator

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