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.

The Protection Assistant working within the RSD Unit reports to the Assistant RSD Officer. The incumbent provides functional and administrative support to the RSD unit on RSD-related liaison, correspondence, monitoring, case management and reporting activities.

The Protection Assistant also supports the RSD unit in providing quality, timely and effective protection responses to persons of concern. He/she may liaise externally with local authorities and partners on correspondence and/or RSD issues as guided by the supervisor.

The incumbent maintains frequent contacts with his/her supervisor and relevant colleagues within the same Office to exchange information and discuss issues on RSD cases. The Protection Assistant also facilitates the involvement of persons of concern with the Office in making decisions that affect them, whether in accessing their rights or in identifying appropriate solutions to their problems.

Under the direct supervision of the Assistant RSD Officer, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: - Observe and respect RSD transition-related Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). - Draft Resettlement referral as per required by the RSD reviewers. - Keep track of vulnerable cases in need of inter-unit follow for monthly dispatch to relevant units. - Maintain physical files to be presented to the Refugee Status Eligibility Panel in good order until the Commissioner of Refugee Affairs endorsement and the subsequent decision issuance.
- Ensure accurate and regular filing of RSEP profiles and of the copy of the Notification of Recognition Letters issued to persons of concern. - Support the registry unit in retrieving files called for RSD interview or requiring urgent RSD review. - Assist in mitigating fraud by reporting suspected fraud. - Act as a backup to prepare the RSD schedule and ascertain relevant interpreters and rooms are available to conduct scheduled RSD interviews.
- Act as a backup to facilitate liaison with Refugee Services competent authorities for the joint issuance of RSD decisions personal and other relevant documents, when appropriate.
- Act as a backup to provide counselling to persons of concern who inquire about their cases through email or telephone call. Alert and follow-up on cases with supervisor regarding any relevant protection concerns and RSD fast-tracking. Act as a backup to handle the RSD desk. - 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 an 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: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNHCR; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNHCR procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNHCR in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: the ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in the area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in the work environment. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNHCR’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

human rights advocacy, refugee matters, humanitarian work - Additional Training courses in refugee-related issues are required - Completion of UNHCR-specific learning/training activities is an asset - Computer software literacy is essential (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); advanced ability to type - Ability to work independently while also able to work well with others - Ability to work under pressure and with frequent deadlines - Ability to handle emotionally stressful issues (e.g. issues relating to torture, rape, executions etc.) - Ability to effectively and compassionately work with traumatized individuals
- Good knowledge of RSD issues and UNHCR RSD policies and operational applications is an asset

The Republic of Kenya is an equatorial nation on the coast of East Africa, neighboring Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, and the Indian Ocean. Kenya has two levels of Government; National Government and 47 sub-national Governments called Counties. Counties are further divided into sub-counties. Kenya is a multi-party state with Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches. Kenya’s population of more than 40 million is growing at an annual rate of 2.2%. The country’s GNP per capita estimated at purchasing power parity (PPP) is $975, and the GNP is growing at an average rate of 0.1% annually. More than 26% of Kenya’s people live below the international poverty line of $1 per day. Kenya’s main food crops are “maize, wheat, pulses, roots and tubers.” (FAO).

Nairobi is a modern metropolitan city where most basic goods and services, health facilities, public transport, telecommunication and banking services and educational facilities are readily available. The city is widely connected through its main airport, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and the smaller Wilson Airport. Air transport is also available to many up country destinations. The city is home to some 3,000 UN personnel mainly attributed to the fact that it serves as the headquarters for both the UN HABITAT and UNEP.

The socio-economic and cultural background of the immediate society the UNV would be living and working in is diverse and prevailing security conditions at the place of assignment is modest. The topographic and climatic features of the assignment location is highland cool and warm tropical climate.