ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The Junior Professional Officer will work as part of the Field Protection team and will have the opportunity to assist with the coordination of quality, timely and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern; and identification of opportunities to mainstream protection methodologies and integrate protection safeguards in operational responses in all sectors through rights/community-based approaches.

Tsore camp is located about 27 kms from Assosa. It was officially set up in November 2015. It hosts 15,991 refugees as of 31 May 2020. 

The presence of an international staff responsible for Tsore Refugee camp is of utmost importance in order to maintain UNHCR presence in Tsore refugee camp and ensures adequate protection of and assistance for refugees in line with UNHCR guiding principles through daily field visits, making direct contact with persons of concern, host communities, local authorities and partners.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT.

Accountability (key results that will be achieved)

• The protection needs of populations of concern are met through the application of International and National Law, relevant UN/UNHCR protection standards and IASC principles.
• Effective and timely support is provided to the formulation of a clear and coherent protection strategy, which incorporates a thorough age, gender and diversity (AGD) analysis and reflects the Organization¿s global, regional and country level priorities.
• The Participation of persons of concern is assured through continuous assessment and evaluation using participatory, rights and community based approaches.
• Protection incidents and gaps in assistance are immediately identified and addressed

Responsibility (process and functions undertaken to achieve results)

• Stay abreast of political, social, economic and cultural developments that have an impact on the protection environment and provide advice to senior management.
• Support UNHCR¿s consultative process with local government counterparts, partners and persons of concern for effective needs assessment and planning.
• Facilitate UNHCR¿s responses in addressing Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) priorities and other 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.
• Manage individual protection cases including those on SGBV and child protection.
• Monitor the integrity of UNHCR operations management standards and procedures in the AOR and facilitate the respect of deadlines.
• Maintain protection presence through regular field missions and reports, making direct contact with persons of concern, host communities, local authorities and partners.
• Monitor and report on the protection, security and safety situation of persons of concern.
• Facilitate and monitor programs on an AGD basis to address identified protection needs.
• Support communities in establishing representation and coordination structures. Promote confidence building and conflict resolution among populations of concern, authorities and host communities.
• Provide 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 and services to persons of concern.
• Contribute in developing and implementing an education plan for the AOR as part of the protection strategy.
• Intervene in cases of refoulment, expulsion, arbitrary deprivation of nationality, and other protection incidents through close working relations with governments and other partners.
• Assess resettlement needs and apply priorities for the resettlement of individuals and groups of refugees and other persons of concern.                                                                                                                                                               
• Support the effective systematization and management of data to enhance monitoring, response and evaluation mechanisms.
• Contribute to initiatives to build the capacity of local partners and civil society through training and other initiatives to protect persons of concern.

Authority (decisions made in executing responsibilities and to achieve results)

• Endorse field protection documents for submission to senior management.
• Chair protection meetings with partners.
• Intervene with authorities on protection issues.
• Enforce compliance with, and integrity of, standard operating procedures.
• Negotiate with local counterparts, partners and populations of concern.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED. 

EDUCATION/QUALIFICATION: -

• University degree in law, international law, international relations, political sciences, social sciences or related fields of discipline. The degree must have been obtained in an accredited institution listed under whed.net.  

WORK EXPERIENCE:

• 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree in child protection, gender, SGBV or human rights.
• Experience in the humanitarian field
• Experience in working with conflict affected populations
• Experience in programming, coordination, monitoring and evaluation.

SKILLS:

• Excellent drafting skills.
• Computer literacy including database management skills.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Flexibility and diplomacy

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES.

• Experience in advocacy, public relations or communication campaigns.
• Familiarity with the UN System
• Diverse field experience