Protection Assistant

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

With its former and ongoing projects, activities, and partnerships, UNHCR Turkey is aiming to strengthen access of persons of concern to justice as a core protection element and enhance the efficiency and fairness of the national procedures while strengthening the capacity of legal actors. UN Volunteers should be provided equal duty of care as extended to all host entity personnel. Host entity support to the UN Volunteer includes, but is not limited to:

• Introductory briefings about the organisation and office-related context including security, emergency procedures, good cultural practice and orientation to the local environment; • Support with arrival administration and official processes as required; • Structured guidance, mentoring and coaching by a supervisor including a clear workplan and performance appraisal; • Access to office space, equipment, IT support and any other systems and tools required to complete the objectives of the assignment including a host entity email address; • Access to shared host entity corporate knowledge, training and learning; • Ensure that UN Volunteers are provided all necessary security measures as per the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS); • Leave management; • DSA for official travel, when applicable; • All changes in the Description of Assignment occurring between recruitment and arrival or during the assignment need to be formalized with the United Nations Volunteer Programme.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Associate Legal Officer, within the Policy Development Unit headed by a Senior Protection Officer, the UNV Protection Assistant will:

• Consistently apply international and national law and applicable UN/UNHCR and the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) policy, standards and codes of conduct. • Support the Unit in its activities aiming to strengthen access to justice by conducting systematic compilation and categorization of national and international jurisprudence. • Keep the caselaw database updated, draft summaries and analysis of judgements and make relevant data available to support the Unit in its activities. • Support the Unit in preparation of trainings, meetings, providing relevant research and organizational arrangements.
• Assist the Unit in capacity-development initiatives organized internally and at those events targeting partners. • Conduct regular and systematic monitoring activities to keep the Unit informed on the national and international legal developments, as well as on the activities of legal actors. • Conduct relevant legislative and academic research. • Performing other duties, as required. • Observe and respect relevant Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). • To monitor the security and safety of persons of concern to UNHCR and to support the Office’s priorities and objectives in the protection and the legal field.
• Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• 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; • Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• 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.

•Professionalism •Integrity •Teamwork and respect for diversity •Commitment to continuous learning •Communication •Flexibility

a relevant area

• Professional work experience at the national and/or international level, working in the UN or other international organization is an asset • Demonstrated familiarity with and knowledge of the basics of refugee law and international human rights law is desirable. • Legal knowledge and the ability to apply legal principles is desirable. • Good analytical skills, good research and monitoring skills, • Cultural and gender awareness.

The UN Volunteer will live and work in Ankara, Turkey. The national UN Volunteer may also be required to go on missions. Ankara is the capital of Turkey and the country’s second largest city following Istanbul, with the population of 4.5 million people. Centrally located in Anatolia, Ankara is an important commercial and industrial city. It is the seat of the Turkish government and houses all foreign embassies. The city is strategically located at an important crossroads for trade in proximity of Turkey’s highway and railway networks. Visas are required for entry into Turkey. It is therefore strongly recommended to check with the local Turkish Embassy or Consulate before traveling (http://www.mfa.gov.tr/visa-informationforforeigners.en.mfa). Nationals of EU member states and a limited number of nations are eligible for visas-on-arrival at international air termini and certain border crossing points. • Security: The current security level in Ankara is minimal – 1. Ankara is considered a generally a safe city, where normal use of common sense and acting responsibly takes one a long way. • The public transport is safe to use. There are no direct threats towards United Nations and its staff in Turkey. • Medical Services: No special vaccinations are required for a travel to Ankara. Medical services available are of high quality, and health care services are available also in English. • Housing: Apartments and flats are easily available and generally of good condition, with well working services (gas, electricity, water). The cost of housing is reasonable, although smaller apartments and certain locations close to foreign embassies and the UN House tend to be more expensive. Some UN Volunteers opt for house sharing. Upon arrival, UN Volunteers will reside in a hotel until they find permanent housing. UNV Field Unit can provide assistance to UN Volunteers in identifying suitable housing. • Cost of living and services: Housing is the largest monthly expense, and the cost of living is otherwise very affordable. Daily food and products are inexpensive, as are many services. • Imported goods and many non-essential services and products tend to be more expensive. The provision of goods and services in general is very good. Local transportation ranges from buses, mini-busses called “dolmuş” to taxis, which are all affordable. The subway lines are very limited in the scope. • Weather: The city has a mean elevation of 938 metres. It has cold, often snowy winters due to its elevation and inland location, and hot, dry summers. Because of Ankara's high altitude and its dry summers, nightly temperatures in the summer months can be cool. • Language: Turkish is the only official language. English is widely spoken in touristic areas, but less commonly in Ankara. In supermarkets and shops, few Turkish words are useful. There are Turkish language schools and tutors available in Ankara As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.