Senior Protection and National Security Coordinator

UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships Security considerations are an essential factor in shaping policy responses and developments relevant to international refugee protection, as increasingly manifest, at the global level, through ever more restrictive, control-oriented and indiscriminate policies in the areas of asylum/migration and counterterrorism and security-focused measures limiting access to and enjoyment of asylum. It remains critically important for UNHCR to engage with States and other stakeholders to promote respect for international protection principles and standards while addressing security concerns in the context of State asylum systems and procedures, law enforcement and counterterrorism, as well as through broader policies and measures with beneficial effects for security. UNHCR must also redouble efforts to preserve the integrity of its own procedures and operations. The Protection & National Security (PNS) Section within the Division of International protection (DIP) leads and coordinates UNHCR¿s efforts in this regard in the area of policy and law, individual case processing and other operational activities.

The Senior Protection and National Security Coordinator is responsible for developing and implementing UNHCR¿s strategies and activities on exclusion, security, and related matters at global, regional and country levels. This relates to the consistent and coherent application of UNHCR’s policies, standards, and doctrine in these areas, including in individual case processing and operational responses, as well as specialized training and other capacity development efforts for internal and external stakeholders. Monitoring, evaluation and progressive enhancement of fairness, quality, and efficiency of UNHCR and Government procedures and decision-making on exclusion, security and related matters is a key objective, as is strengthening the integrity of UNHCR’s individual case processing through the timely identification of persons not deserving of international refugee protection, and the prevention and appropriate addressing of misuse of UNHCR’s processes by such persons. The Senior Protection and National Security Coordinator is also responsible for the development, publication, and dissemination of high quality legal, policy and operational guidance materials on exclusion, security and related matters, to inform procedures and decision-making.

The Senior Protection and National Security Coordinator works within DIP’s Policy & Law Service, reports to the Deputy Director and is part of the DIP Senior Management Team. S/he has extensive work relationships and contacts with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, often at a senior level. The incumbent works closely with Country Operations, Regional Bureaux, relevant parts of DIP and other HQ Divisions. In the exercise of his/her responsibilities, the Senior Protection and National Security Coordinator provides authoritative and substantive direction, and engages directly in substantive work, on legal, policy and operational aspects, including in relation to individual cases and other complex and/or sensitive matters, as well as specialized training and capacity building initiatives, and represents UNHCR in external fora requiring subject-matter expertise. As Chief of the PNS Section, s/he also manages and supervises a team of (regular and affiliate) staff with expert knowledge of exclusion as well as legal standards and policy issues at the intersection of (national) security and international refugee protection, including (but not limited to) measures to counter and prevent terrorism and violent extremism.

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 – Develop, contribute to and enhance global, regional and country level standards, policies, tools and practices in the area of exclusion and security-related provisions in international refugee law and other relevant matters, in close coordination with Country Operations, Regional Bureaux, relevant sections within DIP and other Divisions in Headquarters. – Stay abreast of and analyse legal, political, security and other developments which impact on the protection environment, and, on the interpretation and application of exclusion and security-related provisions in international refugee law and other relevant areas of law. – Advise and assist senior management in developing and operationalizing UNHCR’s exclusion, security and related strategies, initiatives and objectives. – Shape, and ensure global consistency in, UNHCR’s legal, policy and doctrinal positions concerning exclusion, (national) security and international protection as well as related matters, to reflect the state of international law. – Ensure the provision of prompt, principled and accurate legal and procedural advice, guidance, and operational support to UNHCR personnel and external stakeholders, as appropriate, on issues concerning exclusion and security-related provisions in international refugee law and other relevant matters, including through monitoring/support missions and other capacity-building initiatives. – Ensure the provision of timely advice on complex and sensitive cases raising exclusion and/or security questions, referred to DIP in accordance with relevant standards and in consultation, as appropriate, with other relevant sections within DIP and Divisions in Headquarters and/or Regional Bureaux. – Design, supervise, and advise on the implementation of exclusion and security-related responses, including in the context of RSD, resettlement, and other forms of individual case processing, as appropriate, in regular as well as in emergency and other special operations. – Ensure compliance by UNHCR personnel with UNHCR standards, policies and guidance concerning exclusion, security, and related matters. – Design, supervise and direct the implementation of mechanisms to safeguard the integrity and credibility of UNHCR individual case processing procedures and decision-making, through the prevention, identification and appropriate addressing of misuse by persons not deserving of international protection. – Ensure that UNHCR’s exclusion, security and related strategies and tools address the specific protection needs of women and men, youth and older persons, persons with disabilities, and groups such as persons with a minority sexual orientation or gender identity, and persons living with HIV/AIDS. – In coordination and cooperation with relevant sections within DIP and the Global Learning and Development Center (GLDC), oversee the development of regular and customized training on exclusion, security and related matters, to UNHCR personnel and external stakeholders, and engage in the facilitation and delivery of training initiatives as required. – Engage and represent UNHCR in meetings with external partners and stakeholders, including governments, international organizations such as EUAA, UN agencies and other entities forming part of the UN inter-agency counter-terrorism framework, IGC, INTERPOL, OSCE, etc., on issues related to legal protection principles and related international law and policy in areas of exclusion, (national) security and international refugee protection, and other relevant matters, and assist senior management in ensuring that UNHCR¿s international protection perspectives are fully represented in these and other relevant external fora. – Take decisions relating to doctrinal and legal questions and represent, defend, or clarify UNHCR’s positions on exclusion, (national) security and international protection as well as related matters, in public fora, as appropriate. – Ensure the production of relevant contributions to UNHCR and external standard reports and publications (Global Report, Global Appeal, Global Trends, Statistical Yearbook, etc.). – Clear documents (including court interventions and comments on national legislation), policies and reports concerning questions of exclusion, (national) security and international protection, and related matters. – Decide/endorse decisions involving complex cases raising exclusion and/or security issues. – Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications Education & Professional Work Experience Years of Experience / Degree Level For P5 – 12 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 11 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 10 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education International Refugee Law; International Human Rights Law; International Humanitarian Law; Law; Political Science; International Relations; Social and behavioural sciences; Humanities; Law Enforcement; Security; or other relevant field. (Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Certificates and/or Licenses Not specified

Relevant Job Experience Essential 12 years of experience working in an organization/institution in areas directly relevant to the position. 5 years of experience working in or with Governments in functions dealing with contemporary security-related challenges. In-depth knowledge of international refugee law and other fields of international law relevant to exclusion from refugee status and (national) security and international refugee protection; thorough knowledge of relevant actors and processes, including UN and regional counterterrorism entities and initiatives; in-depth knowledge of UN¿s standards and policies on exclusion and related to (national) security and international refugee protection; ability to think strategically and creatively; strong interpersonal and communication skills; excellent analytical and drafting skills; discretion and judgement; strong political acumen; ability to represent UN and its policies in a diplomatic and strategic way; ability to handle a number of competing priorities at the same time and produce work of a high quality; willingness to go on mission at short notice.

Desirable Experience working directly with principles and procedures related to international refugee/human rights protection within the UN or in a Government capacity. Exposure to provision of policy, legal and operational support services in an international organization. Operational experience in the field with UNHCR, other UN or international/regional organizations or in a government capacity. Exposure to UNHCR-specific training/learning activities. Knowledge of French.

Functional Skills PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework PR-International protection concepts and principles PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators PR-Legal evaluation of non-standard or complex asylum and appeal cases PR-Analysis of laws and practice relevant to human rights PR-Human Rights Doctrine/Standards PR-Human Rights based approach PR-International Humanitarian Law PR-Asylum/Migration LE-Legal Research SO-Research ER-Stakeholder engagement CO-Drafting and Documentation MG-Coordination TR – Training and capacity building of personnel TR-Facilitation – Virtual and face to face (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.

Position Competencies

C001L4 – Accountability Level 4 C002L4 – Teamwork & Collaboration Level 4 C003L4 – Communication Level 4 C004L4 – Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 4 C005L4 – Client & Result Orientation Level 4 C006L4 – Organizational Awareness Level 4 M006L4 – Managing Resources Level 4 X005L4 – Planning and Organizing Level 4 X007L4 – Political Awareness Level 4 X008L4 – Stakeholder Management Level 4

How to apply

For a full job description and to apply, interested candidates are requested to visit the UNHCR career page at www.unhcr.org/careers – click on the Vacancies tab and enter job ID 37372.

The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.

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).

Please note that the closing date for positions advertised in the Addendum 2 to March 2022 Compendium is Tuesday 14 June 2022 (midnight Geneva time).


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