Associate Protection Officer (Cluster)

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.

As per the IASC guidelines, UNHCR is leading the humanitarian coordination for the protection sec-tor at national and regional level in Cameroon. The protection cluster has been activated in the North West and South West regions while in the Far North and at the national level, UNHCR leads coordination through a sectorial approach. In 2021, Cameroon remained the most affected country by the conflict in the Lake Chad Basin, after Nigeria. The Far North region has seen a sharp upsurge in violence. Ongoing hostilities have forcibly displaced a total of 357,631 individuals and continue to push more people to flee their villages (see OIM/DTM July 2021); 135,257 are considered as returnees. The affected population is regularly subjected to armed attacks, kidnappings, including kidnapping of children, looting and destruction of property and infrastructure. Protection risks are often different, depending on gender, age and diversity. Security threats also include arbitrary arrests, forced recruitment and physical violence, primarily affecting men and boys. Girls and women remain particularly vulnerable to violence including sexual and gender-based violence due to the combined effect of pre-existing cultural and traditional discriminatory norms and practices, gender discrimination and socio-economic vulnerability caused by the crisis. Men and boys are at risk of arbitrary arrests and of forced recruitment. The instability in the region continues to exacerbate the already limited access to basic social services. Access has been further constrained due to widespread insecurity leading to the flight of essential public services personnel, the destruction of basic infrastructure, and the lack of health and protection services present to deal with injuries and psychosocial trauma related to violence.

Description of tasks:

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Protection Cluster Coordination Officer, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Assist the Protection Cluster Coordinator (PC) with a particular emphasis on information management and communication among Cluster members and other relevant partners, as well as training and capacity –building for members and partners; • Interact with PC members and maintain close contact with OCHA for the collection and transmission of periodic reports and documents required; elaborate routines for the time-ly production of these reports; • Ensure liaison with thematic working groups (Area of Responsibility - AoRs) under the PC (SGBV, Child Protection, House Land and Property Issues), as well as Protection working groups /focal points at the territorial Level and national protection cluster to en-sure follow-up of recommendations and alerts, input into joint analysis and advocacy ini-tiatives, and into protection strategies; • Compile and review thematic information/data from PC members with a view to drafting a consolidate Protection Cluster periodic newsletters on a monthly basis; • Assist in the collection of information and analysis of protection data, in the form of re-ports and/or maps, in particular in view of advocacy with the UN Peace-Keeping Mission on priority protection areas; • Alert and consult with nuclear PC members in case of emergency and assist in organis-ing joint evaluation protection missions; • Assist in the research of data and analysis in support to the Protection Cluster advocacy initiatives, organize advocacy for a with relevant target groups as deemed appropriate; • 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; • Refer PC recommendations to members and UN Agencies/NGOs concerned and en-sure/follow-up their implementation; • Coordinate the development of Protection strategies in context of Pooled Fund process, ensure timely information of PC members of applicable rules and procedures, ensure that submissions are timely received and ensure review of submission as per Pooled Fund procedure; • Ensure that the perspectives, capacities, needs and resources of the persons of con-cerns 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; • Ensure legal assistance is accessible to persons of concern; liaise with competent au-thorities to ensure the issuance of personal and other relevant documents to persons of concern (civil documentation, in particular birth certificates); • Maintain protection presence through regular field missions and reports, making direct contact with persons of concern, host communities, local authorities and partners. Con-tribute 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 af-fected populations; • Support the follow-up of all matters linked to resource mobilisation, including the Human-itarian Action Plan; • Design, plan and deliver training in coordination with order actors for target audience as per PC recommendations, in particular with regard to protection mainstreaming, age & gender issues, Protection Monitoring and advocacy, follow-up the impact of training in accordance with indicators; • Elaborate essential documents for the Cluster, as well as preparatory documents, draft agenda and convene Protection Cluster meetings, and draft meeting minutes.

Results/Expected Outputs:

• The Cluster’s analysis of trends, gaps an response in enhanced based on inputs from all cluster members, including national NGOs, and is reflected in user-friendly documents (including maps); • Routines are in place to ensure the timely and sustainable production of periodic docu-ments of the Protection Cluster; • Training and capacity building activities targeting Protection Cluster members and other relevant partners are implemented; • Data relevant to strategic advocacy initiatives of the Protection Cluster are collected and analyzed; • Essential documents of the Protection Cluster are periodically updated and disseminated (list of members, minutes of meetings, “Who Does What Where” report); • Periodic reports are produced in a timely manner with the input of the Cluster members, including monthly reports to OCHA, and HAP activity reports; • The Protection alerts are recorded, and followed through referral to relevant institutions, including other clusters; • Protection Cluster members are well informed on the Pool Fund mechanism and partici-pate in the development of a joint strategy; • The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counter-parts, including Implementing Partners (IPs).

• Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work inde-pendently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objec-tively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented. • Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organi-zational rules and regulations. • 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 abil-ity to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to es-tablish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work un-der pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent pro-jects/activities. • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious work-ing relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender; • 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 oper-ations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary;

working with refugees and/or other people of concern in a protection capacity required. • Experience in information management and communication in Humanitarian and Protection affairs, in particular in the framework of Protection Clusters. Experience with relevant information management tools and software is desirable; • Field experience in particular of working with persons of concern desirable; • Commitment to help persons of concern and willingness to cooperate with counterparts and partners; • Good analytical skills; • Strong interpersonal and communication skills in a multi-cultural setting; • Ability to design, organize, deliver and evaluate training/capacity building activities; • Ability to live and work in the difficult and harsh conditions of developing countries is es-sential. • Knowledge of UN policies and procedures; • Knowledge of the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, as well as of relevant UNHCR and inter-agency policies and guidelines on Protection

Yaounde is the political capital of Cameroon and the second most populated city in the country after Douala. It is the headquarters of the UN, several international organizations and embassies. Yaounde features a tropical wet and dry climate with constant temperatures throughout the year and high temperatures ranging from 27 to 29 degrees C. Yaounde also features a lengthy wet season covering a ten-month span between February and November. However, there is a noticeable decrease in precipitation within the wet season, seen during the months of July and August. The official languages of Cameroon are English and French. Visa, passport and yellow fever vaccination card are required for entry. Other vaccinations are strongly recommended.