Associate Protection Officer (Community-Based) Esquipulas, Guatemala

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.

Eligibility criteria

Minimum age: 25 years old. Nationals of the country of assignment are not eligible, except the assignments in Headquarters duty stations.

Description of task

Under the direct supervision of the Head of the Unit in Esquipulas 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 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.

Qualifications/Requirements

Required degree level:

Bachelor degree or equivalent

Education - Additional Comments:

University degree in International Development, Cultural Studies, Human Rights, International Social Work, Social Science, Political Science, and Anthropology, International Law or other clearly related disciplines.

Required experience:

48 Months

Experience remark:

Minimum 4 years (2 years with Advanced University degree) relevant professional experience, including in the areas of community based protection, community services, social work, and human rights.

Language skills:

• English(Mandatory), Level - Fluent
• Spanish(Mandatory), Level - Fluent

Area of expertise:

Human rights, International law, Protection of refugees, asylum seekers and IDPs

Area of expertise details:

• 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 skills: Microsoft Office Package (excellent knowledge of Word, good knowledge of Excel and Power Point) and Internet browsing

Driving license:

No

Competencies values:

Accountability, Adaptability and Flexibility, Commitment and Motivation, Commitment to Continuous Learning, Communication, Integrity, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity, Working in Teams

Application procedure:

You can only apply if you have created your profile at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/signup

Watch this video for the specific steps you must follow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VT5uJ_FolWU

If you are already registered in UNV's Talent Pool, make sure your profile is up to date before applying.

Application deadline: 06-Jun-2021 at 23:59hrs, Germany time zone