Associate Protection Officer (SGBV)

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 assignment will take place in Ogoja and not Calabar as picked by the system. The steady influx of refugees into the country is putting more pressure on the refugee settlements that are now beyond capacity. As a result, L2 emergency declared in February 2018, was further extended on 11th December 2018 until March 2019. Initially, UNHCR and its partners established office in Calabar, Ikom and Adikpo in order to ensure timely delivery of service. Effective 1st November 2018, the Ikom Field Office was moved to Ogoja for proximity to the point of delivery. Similarly, the Ogoja office has become the epicenter of UNHCR operation for Cameroonian refugees and has been upgraded to Sub Office due to the high concentration of refugee population. UNHCR and the Government of Nigeria continue registration of Cameroonian refugees. As of 31 October 2021, there are 68,808 Cameroonian refugees registered across all refugee hosting states. Cameroonian refugees are primarily hosted in Cross River, Benue, Taraba and Akwa Ibom States. The refugees are distributed as follows; 38,563 are in Cross River, 10,963 in Benue and 17,656 are in Taraba while 1,570 are in Akwa Ibom, and 56 individuals in other states. UNHCR and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons continued registration and issuance of ID cards to Cameroonian refugees. Critical needs remain food, basic/domestic items, and shelter.

Under the direct supervision of the Associate Community Based Protection Officer, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:  Assist the operation in developing/ strengthening and implementing a country/ location specific Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) strategy is in line with UNHCR guidelines and updated global SGBV strategy. The SGBV strategy should be part of the operation’s Protection & Solutions Strategy;  Establish and/or strengthen strategic and innovative partnerships for SGBV with community-based, local, national, and international organizations  Promote mainstreaming of Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) across all sectors and activities such as health, safety and security, psychosocial and legal shelter, WASH, and Energy and coordinate with Programme and Protection sections to ensure that SGBV programming is incorporated in partner agreements in all sectors;  Support the operation in conducting assessments and safety audits on SGBV in coordination with other units and other agencies;  Conduct mapping and maintain a “who, what where” matrix of existing services to address SGBV, including community capacities and structures;  Strengthen and lead SGBV coordination mechanisms in refugee contexts or, in the context of IDPs, support the Sub-cluster SGBV coordination structure;  Support the development and strengthening of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) with comprehensive referral mechanism for response services through a consultative process with NGOs and community groups;  Support SGBV data management (collection, storage, analysis and sharing) in line with safety and ethical standards. Build capacity for the implementation of the Gender-Based Violence Information Management System (GBVIMS);  Support the planning and monitoring for multi-sectoral SGBV programming using UNHCR’s Results Framework, FOCUS;  Conduct training on basic elements of SGBV prevention and response, the design of SGBV programmes and coordination mechanisms;  Prepare regular consolidated reports on the progress, challenges, gaps and recommendations on SGBV prevention and response;  Consult with Senior Protection Officer and with the Regional Advisor (SGBV) of with DIP on policy developments and strategic direction.

 Integrity and professionalism  Accountability  Commitment to continuous learning  Planning and organizing  Teamwork and respect for diversity  Communication  Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods  Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values

 Gender equality and/or gender based violence programing.  Gender and programme management with excellent drafting/reporting skills are essential.  Working with refugees, internally displaced populations and other people of concern in a protection capacity is an asset.  GBV prevention, mitigation and response  Broader protection or social work involving empowerment of women and girls,  Child protection, mental health, counselling and working with survivors in humanitarian and development issues.  Survivor-centred approach, GBV guiding and Case management principles related to GBV programs.  Implementing multi-sectorial responses to GBV and support to other sectors to mainstream GBV prevention, risk mitigation and response.  The demonstration of knowledge and application of GBV prevention theory and appropriate GBV prevention and behaviour change strategies at different stages of the humanitarian response.  In the knowledge and demonstration on the use of GBV tools and Guidance

The UNHCR Sub-office is located in Ogoja, a small town in Cross-River state. The nearest airports are a 3.5-hour drive to Enugu (1 international flight only) or a 5-hour drive to Calabar (domestic flights). The capital Abuja is a 8 to 9-hour drive to Ogoja. Enugu and Calabar are the closet metropolitan/urban locations away from the duty station which provides a change of scene or to access essential services such as health care. There are no approved public transport options to these places. Staff members are sometimes provided with official transportation biweekly to visit these urban centres for grocery shopping and recuperation. The only way to move in and out Ogoja is with an official UN cars.
Because of the occurrence of security incidents and very limited safe housing options, international staff have been requested to live in UN apartments. All internationally recruited staff live in two UN guest house facilities with a number of apartments. Both residences are fully serviced with security, cleaning, running water and constant electricity.