Associate Protection 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 Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org).

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 Assistant Representative (Operation) or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Associate Protection Officer will:

• Through relationships with persons of concern, authorities 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. • Ensure that the perspectives, capacities, needs and resources of the persons of concerns are reflected in the protection strategy, planning processes and operations plan 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. • Utilize the IDPs footprint during the planning process. • Coordinate the promotion of international refugee law principles and standards and also IDP legislation or policies ensuring that all sectors and clusters fulfill their responsibilities mainstreaming protection. • Coordinate the implementation and monitoring of programmes ensuring that identified protection needs, including an Age, Gender, and Diversity (AGD) approach, are adequately addressed. • Provide policy guidance and operational support to UNHCR and partners on all protection related issues. • Provide legal 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 to persons of concern (civil documentation, in particular birth certificates). • Monitor, and assist with the intervention in cases of refoulement, expulsion and other protection incidents through working relations with governments and other partners. • Assist in the coordinated implementation and oversight of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all protection/solutions activities. • Ensure that durable solutions through voluntary repatriation, local integration and where appropriate, resettlement are sought and provided to the largest possible number of persons of concern. • Ensure through direct action and advocacy with more senior protection staff that the necessary resources are allocated to enable protection activities to identify and address protection and assistance gaps. • Support a consultative process with government counterparts at local levels, partners, and persons of concern to develop and implement integrated strategies that address the key protection priorities, including, for example, child protection, education and SGBV, and solutions approaches. • Promote confidence building and conflict resolution among populations of concern, authorities, and host communities. • Maintain protection presence through regular field missions and reports, making direct contact with persons of concern, host communities, local authorities, and partners. In operations applying the humanitarian cluster system, contribute to ensuring that the response of the Protection Cluster is grounded in an AGD-compliant strategy which covers all assessed and prioritized protection needs of the affected populations.
• Contribute to the Protection team's information management component which: provide disaggregated data on populations of concern and their problems; research, collects and disseminates relevant protection information and good practices to enhance protection delivery and provide technical advice if necessary. • Ensure participatory, community-based protection and AGD approaches are included in, strategies and plans in the country operation. • Support persons of concern to develop structures that enhance their participation and protection.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day). • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country. • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results, and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc. • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers. • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible. • The Volunteer will work closely with UNHCR's partners as well as other humanitarian actors within the inter-agency coordination framework. In addition, UNHCR has other operational United Nations partners in Bambari, Bria, Alindao and Bangassou such as UNICEF, WFP, FAO, OCHA, UNFPA and MINUSCA. • The Associate Protection Officer reports to the Assistant Representative (Operation). Depending on the size and structure of the Office, the incumbent may have supervisory responsibility for protection staff including community services, registration, resettlement, and education. He/she provides functional protection guidance to information management and programme staff; and supervises protection standards, operational procedures, and practices in protection delivery in line with international standards. • The Associate Protection Officer is expected to coordinate quality, timely and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern, ensuring that operational responses in all sectors mainstream protection methodologies and integrate protection safeguards. He/she contributes to designing a comprehensive protection strategy and in representing the organization externally on protection doctrine and policy as guided by the supervisor. He/she also ensures that persons of concern are involved with the Office 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, authorities, protection, and assistance partners as well as a broader network of stakeholders who can contribute to enhancing protection.

• 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’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

with refugees and/or other people of concern in a protection capacity required.

Field experience;

Commitment to help persons of concern and willingness to cooperate with counterparts.

Desirable Qualifications and Skills: • Knowledge of UN policies and procedures; • Good analytical skills; • Strong interpersonal and communication skills in a multi-cultural setting; • Ability to live and work in the difficult and harsh conditions of developing countries is essential.

Computer skills: Office Package (excellent knowledge of Word, good knowledge of Excel and Power Point) and Internet browsing.

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.