Associate Protection Monitoring Officer

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

The Central African Republic has experienced an acute crisis since 2013 that has caused over 1.5 million people into forced displacement including over 700,000 refugees who fled to neighboring countries and close to 750,000 internally displaced persons. Just during the most recent crisis in the context of the presidential and legislative elections, 133,000 newly displaced persons are still in forced displacement in very precarious situations with limited humanitarian access. While humanitarian needs across the country remain huge, the situation in CAR has, for years, been one of the most consistently overlooked and underfunded emergencies in the world, forcing UNHCR and its humanitarian partners to reduce critical activities. In this IDP context, UNHCR is the Lead of the Protection Cluster as well as co-leads the CCCM The national cluster is based in Bangui while regional clusters are established in prefectures where UNHCR has a presence. UNHCR’s protection activities in CAR also include the protection monitoring of IDPs and refugees returning to their areas of origin, as well as their host communities. The protection activities also include protection response to identified protection risks and a strong community-based approach in support among others of social cohesion. The UNHCR CAR operation seeks synergies between its protection interventions and interventions under the Camp Management/Camp Coordination (CCCM) as well as non-food item and shelter interventions. Regarding return and durable solutions, UNHCR CAR facilitates the return of refugees as well as their reintegration. UNHCR co-leads with UNDP the Working Group on Durable Solutions. Since April 2023, CAR has hosted some 20000 refugees from Sudan following the crisis in the country. They are mainly found in the Vakaga prefecture one of the poorest of the country. Some 37000 Chadians refugees also arrived in CAR as of June 2023 as a result of intercommunal clashes.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Senior Protection Officer or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Associate Protection Monitoring Officer will:

• Ensure the management of the project in Bangui and in the field is to the highest standards of quality and integrity.
• Working closely with the protection staff in Bangui and in the field, and with protection partner staff to ensure timely and quality data is collected and compiled.
• Liaise closely with the Information management Unit to ensure that IM tools, procedures and products support the smooth operationalization of the project.
• Liaise closely with the Programme Unit to address programmatic needs in a timely manner.
• Follow up on protection risks and incidents.  Keep abreast of all protection related developments to prepare appropriate briefings and reports.  Participate in all relevant coordination fora as required.

Results/Expected Outputs:

• Protection trends and risks identified in a timely manner and reported to management. • Internal and external analyses and high-quality ad-hoc and regular reports prepared in a timely manner. • All reports and IM products reviewed. • Accuracy of data ensured, and high-quality analysis produced. • Evidence made available, analysed, and supports the response in the field by UNHCR and partners, programming for protection as well as advocacy for protection. • Field operations and partners are adequately supported. • Stand in as Emergency focal point to deal with emergency alerts especially related to refugees’ influx. • As an active UNHCR team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly, and high-quality support rendered UNHCR and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: • Age, Gender, and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment. • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNHCR; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNHCR procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNHCR in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority. • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities. • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary. • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity, and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNHCR mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

data, data management and data reporting. (2 years with Advanced University degree) • Excellent analytical skills • Excellent writing skills in both French and English • Excellent communication skills with strong interpersonal and negotiation skills • Field experience desirable, experience in CAR or a similar operational context is a plus. • Work experience with Gender-Based Violence, child protection and disability inclusion are a plus. • Good IT skills using the Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) as well as database management skills.

• Highly organized and have good attention to detail. • Able to multi-task and to prioritize competing priorities. • A flexible team-player • Able to demonstrate a genuine desire to learn and develop.

The country is landlocked with very limited travel possibilities and surrounded by countries with volatile and security problems (Chad, DRC, Sudan, and Cameroon). Volatile socio-political situation and social unrest and grievance in the capital city Bangui with frequent civil servants strikes causing interruption of health, education, and civil service due to years of unpaid salaries. Power cuts are a norm causing insecurity in town. The population in Bangui including the expatriates is concerned about increasing cases of criminalities as a direct result of the March 2013 coup by SELEKA – a coalition of rebel groups and recent events in December 2013 that carried country into a chaos. The country is totally dependent on Cameroon seaport situated 1500 kms away causing regular shortage of basic domestic goods. Travel time from Douala (Cameroon) to Bangui for a truckload averages a week because of very bad roads and several roadblocks. The country security level is between 4 and 5 restricting movement to official travel only. The curfew applies from 10pm to 5am due to the current state of emergency, however, international staff is still advised to renter before 08pm to avoid any security incidents.

This situation puts tremendous stress on staff and their family members. There are very limited medical infrastructures and services do not function properly. Nevertheless, a UN Dispensary provides basic medical care for the UN personnel and the UN is building a hospital for its staff to be concluded in May. Four airlines officially recognized by UN System serve the country: Air France and Kenya Airways (twice a week), Royal Air Maroc and Asky (three times a week).

Flights are subject of cancellation when security situation volatility increases. UN flights are also available to move towards UN operation areas in the country. R&R cycle in the entire Central African Republic 6 weeks. The Living conditions are becoming more and more difficult due to the prices increase and scarcity of basic products and food. Fresh vegetables and fruits are available on the market. Private accommodation possibilities are limited. Nevertheless, currently all serving UN Volunteers have a decent accommodation ensuring minimum and above the minimum standard of comfort. The average cost for accommodation varies from around 500 USD, for a small apartment with no furniture and no power generator, to 1700 USD with all commodities.

For the sake of rewarding experience, UN volunteers in CAR carry out their duties with flexibility, commitment, and a willingness to live and work in challenging conditions including heat and limited water and electricity supply.

Important consideration during COVID-19 pandemic: As we continue to deliver services to the beneficiaries amidst COVID-19 pandemic, the later can present a heightened risk to people over the age of 65 and to those with pre-existing medical conditions, some of which are listed below, and candidates are strongly encouraged to consider them before applying to this IUNV Assignment in Central African Republic, where medical facilities are very poor in general, and the need for physical presence at the duty station for this assignment: • Poorly controlled diabetes (Hb1AC above 7%); A history of cardiac failure. • Unstable angina or a myocardial infarction in the past 6 months. • Chronic obstructive lung disorder or asthma requiring daily use of inhaler. • Ongoing chemotherapy, radiotherapy or immunotherapy for cancer treatment. • Long-term treatment with immunosuppressive drugs. Dialysis patients; any type of organ transplant; HIV with detectable viral load and CD4 count under 500; Pregnancies.