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 core mandate of UNHCR is the international protection of refugees. The provision of international protection by UNHCR implies ensuring the basic human rights of refugees in their countries of asylum and that refugees will not be returned involuntarily to a country where they could face persecution. Longer term, the organization helps refugees find appropriate durable solutions to their plight, by repatriating voluntarily to their homeland, integrating in countries of asylum or resettling in third countries.

UNHCR has presence in the Republic of Armenia since 1992, under a Co-operation Agreement signed with the Government. The overarching focus of UNHCR Armenia is the UNHCR global mandate to provide protection to displaced populations and assist the Government in finding durable solutions for them. UNHCR works to ensure that the rights of asylum-seekers, refugees, persons in refugee-like situation, and stateless persons are respected and protected and that they can access their rights in safety and with dignity.

UNHCR’s standard work in Armenia concentrates on capacity-building activities geared towards strengthening national authorities, laws and policies to ensure the proper handling of refugee and asylum issues, the reception and care of refugees, the promotion of self-reliance of refugees and the realization of durable solutions. These are carried out in combination with other activities such as advocacy, information dissemination and monitoring. As a result of the recent escalation of the conflict in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone, many people had to spontaneously arrive in Armenia to seek emergency support and humanitarian assistance. UNHCR has been engaged in interagency coordination and humanitarian response and leads the Protection and NFI/Shelter Working Groups.

UNHCR Armenia strategy supports the implementation of relevant elements of the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework in continuing dialogue and cooperation with the Government and other partners in Armenia notably regarding:

• Continuous efforts to strengthen the national protection systems in admission, registration, reception and processing of applications of asylum-seekers, as well as integrating recognized refugees and stateless persons;

• Sufficient capacities for preventative action and emergency preparedness through regular review of early warning, risk monitoring, disaster risk reduction, contingency planning and emergency preparedness, and humanitarian response;

• Support for sustainable development programmes in order to enhance resilience for host communities and refugees in the areas of education, jobs and livelihoods, health, gender equality, child protection, GBV prevention and response, accommodation, environment, food security and nutrition, civil registration, legal assistance, and social cohesion and reconciliation;

• Support for creating durable solutions in cooperation with countries of origin to ensure conditions are conducive for safe and dignified return, and in the long term through offering resettlement and other legal pathways for admission and integration in Armenia.

Within the delegated authority and under the direct supervision of Community-Based Protection Assistant or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Protection will:

• Ensure that UNHCR’s policies, standards and procedures are constantly and coherently applied in the Area of Responsibility (AoR). • Ensure that the needs of persons of concern in the AoR are assessed and analyzed in a participating manner and using an Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective to form a firm basis for planning. • Support the Protection Unit in organization, facilitation and logistic of workshops, seminars, needs assessment and other activities on displacement and protection issues. • Participate in needs assessment and monitoring activities including distribution of humanitarian assistance and post distribution monitoring, as a member of the Multi-Functional team. • Assess protection and assistance needs of forcibly displaced population approaching the UN house, identify vulnerable groups or individuals who may need special attention, provide counselling and make the recommendations/referrals for follow-up actions. • Record, file and prepare replies to letters, emails sent by forcibly displaced population to UNHCR. Support with maintaining filing of individual cases, including physical and electronic files. • Participate in protection/assessment mission to provinces as a member of the Multi-Functional team. • In close coordination with programme and project control, monitor project implementation, distribution of assistance and provide feedback on the progress to the relevant units/sections. • Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisors.

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: 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: 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 area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in 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 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.

refugee, international, or human rights law, or other relevant programmes; experience with refugees and asylum-seekers, or in the human rights field is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization; • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Sound security awareness; • Have affinity with or interest in refugee issues, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Yerevan is a very safe and quite city. The climate is continental, with hot and dry summers, cold and snowy winters. The city offers a huge variety of restaurants, cafes, clubs, and other possibilities of diversion. Culturally highly active, all over the year one can enjoy on-going programs of theatre (also international), classic and modern music, ballet, concerts, at everyone’s average. Art expositions are organized quite often, and spring and Autumn Programs of international cinema are shown at the National Gallery. Water and electricity are mostly available everywhere in the city, and shops offer all kind of goods (though mostly of local production). Health facilities are good. No need of complicated vaccinations. Diseases with most incidences are normal gastroenteritis, colds, and flues.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.