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.

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).

Under the direct supervision of Head of Field Office 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 im-pact 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 centered and Solu-tion oriented 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. 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. • Support the Operation's work to ensure the protection strategy is fully integrated into the Country Operations Plan, the UN Development and Assistance Frame-work (UNDAF), 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; re-searches, 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 ac-countability and quality assurance in its response; • Support persons of concern to develop structures that enhance their participation and protection. • Monitor and support cases residing in UNHCR shelter facilities in the south through community-based interventions, while enhancing communication and engagement with local communities (CWC). • To effectively manage and address complaints and ensure a robust feedback mechanism in the south. It is crucial to implement an efficient system for handling and following up on feedback. • To be the Focal Point for all counselling (Individuals and Group sessions) and technically supervising the CBP associate.

Results/Expected Outputs:

• Effective and timely support is provided to the formulation of a clear and coherent protection and solutions-oriented strategy, which incorporates a thorough age, gender and diversity analysis and reflects the Organization’s global, regional and country level priorities. • AGD sensitive analysis of community risks and capacities provides the essential basis for all of UNHCR’s work. • The participation of persons of concern is assured through continuous assessment and evaluation using participatory, rights and community-based approaches, which inform protection and assistance programming and ensure that UNHCR meets its commitments to accountability to persons of concern. • 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. • The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring 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

• 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; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presenta-tions, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommenda-tions; 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 ob-jective, 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, re-mote 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; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

the areas of community-based protection, community services, social work, and human rights.

Desirable Qualifications and Skills :

• Knowledge of UN policies and procedures; • Field experience; • Commitment to help refugees and willingness to cooperate with counterparts; • Good analytical skills; • Strong interpersonal and communication skills in a multi-cultural setting; • Experience of working with refugees; • Ability to live and work in the difficult and harsh conditions of developing countries is essential. • Microsoft Office Package (excellent knowledge of Word, good knowledge of Excel and Power Point) and Internet browsing.

This position is based in Zarzis, Southern Tunisia, where UNHCR Field presence along with a partner`s office is located.

It will be important for the UN Volunteer to understand and respect traditions and customs of the country. Geography and climate

Tunisia, the smallest country on the North African coast, has the most diversified economy in the region. With a population of slightly over 10 million and about 60% living in urban locations, it has one of the highest standards of living on the continent.

Tunis is the capital of the country and the largest city (population of approximately two mil-lion in and outside the city proper). It is located just six miles (ten kilometers) from the Gulf of Tunis, and sits on the shores of a lake that connects with the Mediterranean Sea. Being a small country, all destinations within Tunisia can be reached in a day's drive. Tunisia is bor-dered in the southeast by Libya and in the west by Algeria. The coastline between the city of Bizerte and the border of Algeria has secluded beaches, small bays, and steep cliffs. It is al-so marked by small villages. Southern Tunisia, where the Sahara begins, is semi-desert. In some parts, there are oases with giant palm trees and small market gardens.

Tunisia has a Mediterranean climate. Along the coast of northern Tunisia, summers are hot and dry, and winters are warm and rainy. Yearly rainfall in this coastal region is about 17 inches (43.18 cm). The mountain ranges typically experience more annual rainfall, about 34 inches (86.36 cm). In the northwest, there is occasional snowfall in the mountains. In south-ern Tunisia, it is hotter and drier. There is little rainfall, especially along the edge of the Saha-ra Desert, and some areas of the desert will not get rain for years. Central Tunisia is charac-terized by varying weather patterns.

Language

The official language of Tunisia is Arabic. French is also widely spoken. About one percent of the population speaks Berber. English is be-coming another language spoken by many Tunisians. Other European languages, such as Italian, are also spoken in commercial and tourist areas of the country.

Public transportation

In addition to the private taxi services, the state run public transport system reliable and cost effective.

Safety and security

All of the rules you would follow in any foreign country apply. The crime rate is low, but there have been cases of theft in resort hotels, mostly due to staff leaving attractive items in plain view. Walking alone during daylight hours is permitted, but the buddy system is required for walking at night and you must always carry communication (mobile phone).

Tunisia is still undergoing a critical period of democratic and social transition. Regular security advice is therefore sent systematically by UNDSS and UNHCR security staff.)