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 resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org).

In Angola, the Associate Protection Officer, IUNV will be a member of the protection unit at the CO in Luanda, working under the direct supervision of the Senior Protection Officer. • S(he) will be expected to provide legal and policy support as well as coordinate and act to implement the urban protection response in Angola operation, particularly on matters related to the implementation of the asylum law and the 1951 convention; case management; protection monitoring; protection assessments; identification of durable solutions; planning, delivery and monitoring assistance as well as development and implementation of the statelessness strategy. • The incumbent will be required to focus on the preparation of case management documentation, preparing analytical and monitoring reports, drafting advice on particular cases, support in the drafting of position papers and guidelines of pertinent protection and operational issues; actively contribute to the multi-functional team performance monitoring of partners, support review, and interpretation of domestic and international legal instruments and pertinent laws regarding the persons we serve and advise the office accordingly; contribute to advocacy for the proper interpretation of law and doctrine as well as the development of standards of protection; legal counselling to the persons we serve as necessary; liaison with local authorities on protection issues about the persons we serve; interpretation during meetings with authorities and translation of key documents, development of project proposals and monitor project implementation and conduct protection mainstreaming. • Ensure that the perspectives, capacities, needs and resources of the persons we serve are reflected in the protection strategy, planning processes, and operations plan addressing the specific protection needs of minority groups such as persons with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sexual characteristics, as well as persons with medical conditions such as HIV/AIDS. • Coordinate the implementation and monitoring of programmes ensuring that identified protection needs, including age, gender, and diversity (AGD), are adequately addressed. • Monitor, and assist with interventions in instances of refoulment, expulsion, detention and other protection incidents; • Ensure that durable solutions through voluntary repatriations, local integration and where appropriate, resettlement are sought and provided to the largest possible number of the persons we serve; • Ensure participatory, Community-Based protection and AGD approaches are included in strategies and plans in the Country's operation; • Contribute to the effective and timely development, implementation and monitoring of a clear and coherent multi-year and multi-sectoral GBV strategy. • Support the development and implementation of programming for specialized GBV prevention, mitigation and response based on needs, risks, and capacity assessments. • Provide technical guidance and support field colleagues to operationalize and comply with UNHCR’s GBV policy, priorities, and commitments (aligned with policies on AGD, AAP, child protection, disability, youth empowerment and gender equality). • Strengthen UNHCR’s collaboration with host governments to develop national services to expand safe access for the persons we serve to services that prevent, mitigate, and respond to GBV. • Work with the PSEA Network to implement a work plan for PSEA mainstream and programming. • Support the Country Office to establish and/or strengthen complaint handling protocols, including clear case-handling responsibilities. • Regularly train/support training for UN and related staff on PSEA, Code of Conduct and mechanisms for reporting SEA. • Awareness raising for community members with an emphasis on their rights, what SEA and staff reporting obligations are, and options for reporting sensitive complaints and victim assistance services.

Results/Expected outputs: • Protection strategies are developed covering the different persons we serve; • Specific protection needs are identified and addressed; • International refugee law standards and principles are enacted and respected; • Legal advice and guidance on protection issues is provided; • Durable solutions are provided to the largest number of refugees and IDPs • Regular contact is maintained with countries in the region; • The participation of the persons we serve is assured through continuous assessment and evaluation using participatory, rights and Community-based approaches, which inform protection and assistance programming; • National protection capacities are improved through direct engagement, research and advocacy with all relevant external interlocutors; • Protection incidents and needs are immediately identified and addressed through direct intervention, advocacy and public exposure when appropriate. • Coordination with partners and other humanitarian actors is effectively maintained. • The development of capacity through coaching, monitoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counterparts, including implementing partners (Ips); • 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 development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed is produced.

• Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in the area of speciality and ability to apply good judgment; a high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented. • Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to comply with organizational rules and regulations. • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in expertise; ability to adapt to changes in the 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. • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender. • 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; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary. • Genuine commitment towards voluntary engagement principles, which include solidarity, compassion

with refugees and or other people of concern in a protection capacity required. • Knowledge of UN policies and procedures; • Good analytical skills; • Ability to leave and work in difficult and harsh conditions of developing countries is essential; • Previous experience in working with displaced populations; • Previous experience in working in border and urban contexts; • Previous experience working in the UN or other international development organization is an asset; • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Sound security

The incumbent will be based in Luanda, the capital city of Angola. Luanda is the largest city in Angola, with approximately 2.5 million inhabitants. Luanda is a family duty station category B. The city is considered security-stable, where staff members can rent apartments and/or houses with access to running water, electricity, internet, and cable TV. Most of the banks, markets, and hotels are open from 8:00 to 15:00 6 days a week.

Some banks offer the possibility of opening accounts in foreign currencies. Within Luanda, health centers and hospitals are fully operational. Angola’s healthcare system is comprised of public and private services. In Luanda, most medical services are available. UNHCR currently has no payment guarantee with any provider; upfront payment may be required. The quality of services rendered at public hospitals is below international standards, and recurrent shortages of basic medicines and supplies occur.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the government of Angola launched a program to prevent and control the spread of COVID-19. By the end of September 2022, 24.12% of the target population had taken at least two vaccine doses. The use of a face mask (covering both nose and mouth) is required in health centers/hospitals, pharmacies, and some public areas. As in many other large cities, Luanda's crime threat level is moderate. Burglaries in residences and robberies can occur in some parts of the city, especially at night. A high level of vigilance and alertness is always required.