Application Deadline: May 16, 2022

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Senior Protection Assistant normally reports to a more senior Protection colleague. The incumbent monitors protection standards, operational procedures and practices in protection delivery in line with international standards and provides functional protection support to information management and programme staff.

The Senior Protection Assistant provides quality, timely and effective protection support to persons of concern (PoC) and identifies opportunities to mainstream protection methodologies and safeguards in operational responses. S/he contributes to designing a comprehensive protection strategy and may liaise externally with local authorities and partners on protection issues as guided by the supervisor.

The Senior Protection Assistant also ensures that PoC are involved in making decisions that affect them, whether in accessing their rights or in identifying appropriate solutions to their problems. To achieve this, the incumbent will need to build and maintain effective interfaces with communities of concern, local authorities and protection and assistance partners.

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

• Consistently apply International and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards and codes of conduct.
• Provide counselling on protection issues to PoC; liaise with competent authorities to ensure the issuance of personal and other relevant documentation.
• Support activities in protection related AGD based programming with implementing and operational partners.
• Conduct preliminary information gathering and interviews in support of eligibility, status determination, durable solutions and social needs assessment.
• Contribute to measures to identify, prevent and reduce statelessness.
• Contribute to a country-level child protection plan as part of the protection strategy.
• Contribute to a country-level education plan for PoC as part of the protection strategy.
• Monitor Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all protection/solutions activities.
• Participate in individual protection case management including cases of GBV and child protection. Monitor and report on cases of refoulement, expulsion and other protection incidents.
• Assist in identifying durable solutions for PoC in voluntary repatriation, local integration and where appropriate, resettlement.
• Contribute to the design, implementation and evaluation of protection related AGD based programming with implementing and operational partners.
• Draft reports, routine correspondence, update relevant databases and compiling statistics within the Area of Responsibility (AoR).
• Contribute to initiatives to enhance national and local protection capacities.
• Select PoC for preliminary interviews and decide which relevant information to share.
• Enforce integrity in the delivery of protection services by local implementing partners.
• Perform other related duties as required.

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.

Nature of the Position:

Under the overall direction of the Protection Unit, and in coordination with other UNHCR staff, the Senior Protection Assistant (Case Identification) will work directly with communities of concern to interview cases referred preliminary interviews and initial assessments for case identification through UNHCR database proGres using agreed modalities and established SOPs and guidelines on resettlement; conducting protection interviews and assessments; maintain accurate and up-to date records and data related to all work on individual cases; ensure effective in-country communication on the status and follow-up on PoC being considered for resettlement; organize logistical support for governments undertaking resettlement missions; and perform other related duties as required as well as any other activities requested deemed necessary to the execution of resettlement activities. The tasks under this position are expected to lead to the production of quality cases identified for resettlement which will inform the resettlement and protection programme and advocacy efforts.

The incumbent will generate RRFs to be reviewed by the Resettlement Expert until such a time the cases are of high calibre to be referred for review to RO Addis Ababa. The incumbent will be responsible for their own cases, providing timely feedback to RO Addis Ababa and RB Nairobi on case reviews. The incumbent will ensure that all relevant proGres database entries are made.

In addition, the incumbent will also assist in updating all proGres entries, especially for departures and resettlement counselling as necessary. The incumbent will be in charge of the Resettlement file tracking and file management system and ensure that strict adherence to the filing SOPs, in efforts to mitigate potential fraud.

Living and Working Conditions:

Gambella is a non-family duty station. Adequately furnished guesthouses for staff are provided. The incumbent can live in the provided guest house, but can also opt to live in commercially rented apartments within the town. There are limited banking facilities and limited medical facilities. There are daily commercial flights between Addis Ababa and Gambella.

The diversity of topography in Ethiopia has resulted in a wide variety of climate in the country. The climate in Gambella is classified as tropical. The hottest season of the region is March/April and temperatures may rise up to 45 °C, followed by a long rainy season. Road network within the region is often affected by the heavy rainfall during the rainy season. The average annual temperature in Gambella is 27.6 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1148 mm. Remoteness, isolation and limited entertainment in social life are the factors to be also considered prior to applying.

Job Requirements

Education & Professional Work Experience

• Years of Experience / Degree Level
• G5 - 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Certificates and/or Licenses

• International Law;
• Political Science;

Functional Skills

• IT-Computer Literacy
• PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators
• PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework

Core Competencies

• Accountability
• Communication
• Organizational Awareness
• Teamwork & Collaboration
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Client & Result Orientation

Cross-Functional Competencies

• Analytical Thinking
• Political Awareness
• Stakeholder Management

Language Requirements

• For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.
• Knowledge of Local Language in Nuer is desirable.

Position Competencies

• Competencies as defined in Job Profile.

The Senior Assistant (Case Identification) will not take part in conduct full BIDs/BIAs.

How to Apply

Interested and Qualified applicant can apply using THIS LINK

Note: UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing, training or any other fees). An eliminatory or complementary written test for shortlisted candidates may be concluded which will be followed by competency-based interview. Female candidates are encouraged to apply. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted

Only Shortlisted candidates will be contacted.