Protection Clerk
Support the protection needs of refugees and enhance community advocacy.
Overview
Support the protection needs of refugees and enhance community advocacy.
You have:
- Completion of secondary school is required.
- Post-secondary training or certificate in Business Administration, Secretarial Work, or related field is an added value.
- Ability to communicate effectively in English and Karenni and/or Burmese languages.
- Fluency in written and spoken Thai or other local languages is an asset.
- Good communication skills with refugee leadership and communities in a camp setting.
- Demonstrated ability to work sensitively with refugee communities.
Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)
BFamily Type (not applicable for home-based)
FamilyStaff Member / Affiliate Type
UNOPS LICA3Target Start Date
2025-01-01Deadline for Applications
January 5, 2025Terms of Reference
Title: Protection Clerk Duty station: Mae Hong Son, Thailand Section/Unit: Protection ICA Level: LICA3 Corresponding level: G3 Duration: As soon as possible – 31 December 2025 Supervisor: Associate Protection Officer
- General Background Thailand hosts along the Thai-Myanmar border some 90,000 displaced persons (refugees) from Myanmar over the last three decades. Refugees residing in the nine temporary shelters are of mainly Karen, Karenni, and Burmese ethnicity, some of whom have lived in Thailand since the mid-1980s after fleeing conflict between ethnic armed groups and the Myanmar military. Under the national legal framework, they are not permitted to access national institutions (e.g., health and education) nor to move outside the camps, including for the purpose of accessing livelihood opportunities. UNHCR Offices are engaged in a range of activities to support the Royal Thai Government (RTG) in ensuring their international protection and seeking solutions to the protracted refugee situation.
The Protection Clerk serves as part of the Field Team, which is engaged in communication with the refugee leadership and community, and support and advocacy for the basic rights, safety, and protection of the refugee community. Protection also encompasses community-based outreach and information sharing on protection issues and durable solutions.
- Purpose and Scope of Assignment
- Provide guidance to refugee volunteers working to support protection activities of the office or the so-called Community Protection Team (CPT) and enhance their capacity to identify and respond to protection risks in the camps. - Regular communication with the camp leadership, CBOs, CPTs and the refugee communities. - Stay abreast of conflict/context analysis in Myanmar and provide regular inputs in media monitoring reports and participate in UNHCR emergency meetings. - Responding directly to emergency incidents, collecting weekly camp updates, following up on and assisting legal cases as necessary. - Creating Notes for File (NFFs) for protection cases/incidents as well as updating the UNHCR information database (ProGres) on individual cases as needed. - Share responsibility of the holding hotline phone in the Burmese language as well as Karen (if applicable) occasionally. - Facilitate verbal and written communication between English, Burmese, Karen and Thai languages as needed. - Perform other related functions as requested by the supervisor.
- Monitoring and Progress Controls
- Quality of interpretation/translation will be regularly assessed by the direct supervisor and other staff members;
- Quality and types of assistance provided in protection work, follow-up action on protection cases, and logistical arrangements undertaken will be regularly assessed by the direct supervisor and other staff members;
- Number of focus group discussions, household surveys, and other outreach activities organized will depend on the prevailing operating conditions, particularly considering COVID-19;
- Performance evaluation will be conducted by the direct supervisor at the end of the contract.
- Qualifications and Experience
Education - Completion of secondary school is required. - Post-secondary training /certificate in Business Administration, Secretarial Work, Social Work or related field is an added value (preferred) - Additional training courses in protection related issues is an added value (preferred)
Key Competencies
- Ability to effectively communicate in English and Karenni and/or Burmese languages. This includes listening, speaking, reading, and writing/reporting in both languages in an accurate and efficient manner.
- Good communication skills, particularly a keen ability to communicate with refugee leadership and communities in the camp setting required.
- Fluency in written and spoken Thai, Karen S’gaw, and/or other languages spoken in the refugee camps is an asset (desired).
- Familiarity with the refugee camps and the background and context of the Myanmar refugees in Thailand is an asset (desired).
- Demonstrated ability to work sensitively with refugee communities and knowledge of the basic principles of casework such as confidentiality and survivor choice is an asset.Standard Job Description
Clerk Organizational Setting and Work Relationships The Clerk provides clerical and administrative assistance to the immediate supervisor and/or the Office as a whole. The incumbent is normally supervised by an Officer or Associate. S/he receives regular guidance and instructions from the supervisor on procedural aspects of the work. As per specific instructions, the incumbent may require liaising with other internal or external entities, to ensure effective delivery of services and achievement of objectives. All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR¿s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity. Duties - Provide general clerical support to the work unit and, if required, visiting staff members. - Maintain the records in the work unit, create files for correspondence, reports, including confidential files. - Manage conference room booking and ensure that the facilities are well arranged and prepared with adequate supply to cover number of intended guests. - Maintain a proper record and inventory of stationary items in the work unit and ensure a well-stocked office. - Sort and prioritize incoming correspondence, reports, etc. and direct to other responsible staff members where necessary. - Arrange and forward records for archiving and maintain records of files sent for archiving. - Maintain calendar of appointments and schedules of meetings and travel for the supervisor, perform such clerical tasks as the completion of travel authorization requests, stationery request forms, etc. - May be required to prepare drivers¿ work schedule and maintain shift system. - May be required to organize and maintain mail delivery (Pouch) and tracking system between offices. - Perform other related duties as required. Minimum Qualifications Education & Professional Work Experience Years of Experience / Degree Level G3- 1 year relevant experience with High School Diploma; or Bachelor or equivalent or higher Field(s) of Education n/a Certificates and/or Licenses n/a Relevant Job Experience Essential Not specified Desirable Not specified Functional Skills IT-Computer Literacy (Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential) Language Requirements For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English. For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language. For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English. All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power. As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise. This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.
Required Languages
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Desired Languages
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Additional Qualifications
Skills
IT-Computer LiteracyEducation
Certifications
Work Experience
Other information
This position doesn't require a functional clearance Home-Based
No
Potential interview questions
| Can you describe a time when you had to communicate sensitive information? | This assesses your ability to handle sensitive issues with care and discretion. | Provide a clear example of a past experience where you communicated sensitive information, highlighting the steps you took to ensure clarity and sensitivity. |
| How do you prioritize tasks when facing multiple deadlines? | This question evaluates your time management and organizational skills. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What methods do you use to build trust with community members? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How would you handle a situation where a refugee is hesitant to seek help? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe your experience working in diverse cultural environments. | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |