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).

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 solutions 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 Framework (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; 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.

• Integrity and professionalism, • Accountability, • Commitment to continuous learning, • Planning and organizing, • Teamwork and respect for diversity, • Multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender; • Communication? • 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.

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.

Computer literate; proficiency in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, Power Point, etc) and Internet browsing.

Muyinga is classified as Security level III. Caution is therefore advised at all times in the interior of the country as well as in the capital. There is a curfew for all UN staff members from 22h00 to 05h00. Muyinga is a non-family duty station; all UN personnel must carry VHF radios when traveling; and it is mandatory to attend the safety briefing on arrival in the country. No inter-regional/inter-city travel is permitted between 1700hrs and 0800hrs. Armed escorts are required for missions proximate to Kibira Forest, Ruvubu Forest areas. All new arriving UN personnel must attend mandatory security briefing. Staff members are advised to keep their radios with them at all times to receive security updates. Burundi is emerging from a long conflict and social indicators show that 70% of Burundi's population lives below the poverty line. The UN security service has certain security standards that all housing must meet and UN volunteers receive an allowance to ensure that these standards can be met. The electricity supply is erratic. Therefore, alternative source of electricity supply (e.g. use of generator) should be installed at residence. In terms of health, it is advised to drink bottled or boiled water; to be careful of what foods one eats; and to always take the necessary precautions against malaria which is a serious threat in the country. Vaccination against Yellow Fever is compulsory. R&R (Rest and Recuperation, a mandatory leave aiming to remove staff from a stressful location) is applicable for staff assigned to Muyinga every 8 weeks since 01 January 2012. Houses are available for rental, for an approximate rent of 300 US$ to 400 US$ per month. Though Muyinga is the fourth largest town in Burundi and is only 4 to 5 hours’ drive from the capital cities of Kigali and Bujumbura, basic amenities can be difficult to obtain, facilities are basic (such as periodic water shortages in parts of the duty station), and entertainment is limited.