Associate Protection Officer (Community-Based)

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.

There are over 15,000 refugees and asylum seekers in urban areas in Mauritania, in addition to another 85,000 refugees in the border region with Mali. The Government of Mauritania has for years maintained a generous open-door policy towards refugees, even during the COVID-19 epidemic. It furthermore pursues a policy of inclusion, allowing refugees to receive government-issued identity documents, and to access their rights -- such as education, health care and employment -- on par with nationals. UNHCR, which has had a presence in Mauritania for several decades, has oriented its programme towards this policy of inclusion and, pending the creation of a national asylum law, conducts mandate refugee status determination in urban areas. Malian refugees in the border region with Mali enjoy prima facie status. As the number of refugees and asylum seekers in urban areas grows, including as a result of increased mixed movements in the Sahel and along the coast of West Africa, UNHCR is also strengthening its partnership with national NGOs and with the refugees themselves in order to monitor the overall protection environment, to identify refugees with specific needs and to reinforce the capacity of national systems to absorb refugees in urban areas

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

• Be fully informed about community structures and the protection and security situation of the population of concern and develop strong links with a cross-section of members of refugee/Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)/stateless communities, using an Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) approach; • Through relationships with persons of concern 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; • Ensure through direct action and advocacy with more senior protection staff that the necessary resources are allocated to enable community work to identify and address protection and assistance gaps; • Assist in supporting 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; • Provide technical guidance and support to UNHCR and partners and implement and oversee Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on all community-based protection related issues; • Support the design, implementation and evaluation of protection centred and solutionsoriented programming with implementing and operational partners guaranteeing that community-owned activities are integrated; • Support communities in establishing representation and coordination structures • 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. • Support the Operation's work to ensure the protection strategy is fully integrated into the Country Operations Plan, the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), the Humanitarian Country Team’s common humanitarian action plan where applicable; • Contribute to the Protection team's information management component which: provide disaggregated data on populations of concern and their problems; researches, 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; • Ensure community understanding of UNHCR's commitment to deliver on accountability and quality assurance in its response; • Support persons of concern to develop structures that enhance their participation and protection. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to: • 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; • Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities; • 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.

• 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 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 operate in compliance with organizational 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 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 the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

relevant professional experience, including in the areas of community-based protection, community services, social work, and human rights.

Mauritania is a stable country security-wise but is impacted by the overall unstable
regionalsecurity environment, Living conditions for international staff are generally acc eptable, with a reasonable number of houses and apartments available, often with nice gardens and pools. Educational facilities exist but are limited, and staff with school-age children are advised to enguire first on the available schooling, The main nuisances in Nouakchott are the warm weather year-round, the dust (Nouakchott being a city built in the desert), Medical facilities are limited and staff requiring mediation should bring such medication with them. Recrea-lional facilities are very limited and the consumption of alcohol in restaurants and other public places is prohibited and not available, Bank facilities and cash points (ATM) are available, Nouakchott is currently security level 2, Guards are provided to all international staff, and UNDSS carries out an assessment of security features of the residences of international.