The Assistant Protection Officer (Community-based) is a member of the protection team in the field office of Jijiga and will report to the Protection Officer. Under the overall direction of the Protection Unit, and in coordination with other UNHCR staff, government, NGO partners and other stakeholders, the Assistant Protection Officer (Community-based) oversees Community-based Protection (CBP), in Jijiga field office. The incumbent will work 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 will have direct supervisory responsibility for part of the protection staff and supports the application of community-based protection standards, operational procedures and practices in community-based protection delivery at the national and field levels.   

To fulfil this role the Assistant Protection Officer (Community-based) is required to coordinate CBP related activities across different locations in Jijiga while liaising closely with the government counterparts, UN sister agencies, partners and POCs. The Assistant Protection Officer (CB) coordinates at Jijiga level all interventions, including devising guidelines and SOPs. The incumbent ensures that different interventions and programmes are guided by the 3-year National CBP Strategy. S/he provides timely analysis on the protection situation in the field, highlighting important political, social, military and economic developments affecting the protection of persons of concern and the identification of solutions, based upon information obtained through direct communication with persons of concern and a network of local partners. The incumbent plans and undertakes quality, timely and effective responses to the needs of all segments of populations of concern, in an age, gender and diversity inclusive manner. The incumbent plans all interventions to be in line with the Compressive Refugee Response Framework.

RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Be fully informed about community structures and the protection and security situation of the population of concern and develop strong links with a cross-section of members of refugee using an AGD approach.
• Through relationships with persons of concern 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 senior management. Support in ensuring that the perspectives, capacities, needs and resources of the persons of concerns are reflected in strategies, planning processes and plans addressing the specific protection needs of women and men, children, youth and older persons, persons with disabilities, minority groups such as sexual minorities and persons living with HIV/AIDS.
• Assist through direct action and advocacy with more senior protection staff that the necessary resources are allocated to enable community work to identify and address protection and assistance gaps.
• Provide technical guidance and support to UNHCR and partners and implement and oversee Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on all community-based protection related issues.
• Support establishing linkages between the refugee and host community CBP structures through working closely with the Bureau of Labour and Social Affairs (BoLSA), Refugee and Returnees Affairs Agency (ARRA) and other relevant stockholders.
• In liaison with the Protection team, assist in providing all needed technical support for ARRA to realise the DLIs of the Economic Opportunities Programme.
• Monitor the implementation of programs implemented by Community-based partners
• Support communities in establishing representation and coordination structures.
• Promote confidence building and conflict resolution among populations of concern, authorities and host communities.
• Maintain protection presence through regular visits to the camps and reports, making direct contact with persons of concern, host communities, local authorities and partners.
• Contribute to Jijiga Protection team's information management component which: provide disaggregated data on populations of concern and their problems; researches, collects and disseminates relevant protection information and good practices to enhance protection delivery and provide technical advice if necessary.
• Support in ensuring participatory, community-based protection and AGD approaches are included in, plans in Jijiga field office.
• Support in ensuring community understanding of UNHCR's commitment to deliver on accountability and quality assurance in its response.
• Assist in advocating for the inclusion of refugees in the national system through proactively participating in different national coordination structures, provide technical support, including coordinating capacity development activities for the government.
• Ensure Community-based complaints mechanism/PSEA are in place and enhanced in Jijiga field office.
• Ensure SGBV prevention, mitigation and response is mainstreamed in all sectors.
• Work closely with the CRRF unit in UNHCR Jijiga in the implementation of the CRRF initiative.
• Contribute narrative and indicator reports to the country refugee response plan. 

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE 

• Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) in International Development, Cultural Studies, Human Rights, Social Work, Social Science, Political Science, Anthropology, Law or other clearly related disciplines plus minimum of 3 years of relevant professional experience, including in the areas of community-based protection, community services, social work, and human rights.
• Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master’s) plus 2 years of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted.

Required Competencies

• Analytical thinking
• Innovation and creativity
• Planning and organizing
• Change capability and adaptability 
• Judgement and decision making
• Advocacy skills managing resources
• Project management skills
• Proven communication skills, both oral and written
• Demonstrated knowledge of community communication and engagement approaches
• Ability to work independently and deliver high quality products under pressure
• Strong liaison, coordination and stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills
• Excellent legal analytical skills (including analytical writing)
• Good IT skills including database management skills
• Fluency in English and working knowledge of another relevant UN language or local language

SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS

This vacancy is open for qualified Ethiopians only. 

Female candidates are encouraged to apply. 

UNHCR is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

IMPORTANT

Applicants who wish to be considered for this position should send a motivation letter the P11 Form and or the most recent fact sheet through the online application system.

Candidates will be required to sit for a test.

Due to the volume of applications only short listed candidates will be invited for interview. 

Former UNHCR General Service staff members, having held an Indefinite or FTA appointment for an uninterrupted period of at least one year may apply for internally advertised vacancies at their previous grade or equivalent or one grade above, if the seniority requirements are met, for a period of two years following separation.

REFUGEES – WHO CARES?   WE DO.