Senior Protection Assistant

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Senior Protection Assistant normally reports to a more senior Protection colleague. The incumbent monitors protection standards, operational procedures and practices in protection delivery in line with international standards and provides functional protection support to information management and programme staff.

The Senior Protection Assistant provides quality, timely and effective protection support to persons of concern (PoC) and identifies opportunities to mainstream protection methodologies and safeguards in operational responses. S/he contributes to designing a comprehensive protection strategy and may liaise externally with local authorities and partners on protection issues as guided by the supervisor.

The Senior Protection Assistant also ensures that PoC are involved in making decisions that affect them, whether in accessing their rights or in identifying appropriate solutions to their problems. To achieve this, the incumbent will need to build and maintain effective interfaces with communities of concern, local authorities and protection and assistance partners.

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

- Consistently apply International and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards and codes of conduct.

- Provide counselling on protection issues to PoC; liaise with competent authorities to ensure the issuance of personal and other relevant documentation.

- Support activities in protection related AGD based programming with implementing and operational partners.

- Conduct preliminary information gathering and interviews in support of eligibility, status determination, durable solutions and social needs assessment.

- Contribute to measures to identify, prevent and reduce statelessness.

- Contribute to a country-level child protection plan as part of the protection strategy.

- Contribute to a country-level education plan for PoC as part of the protection strategy.

- Monitor Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all protection/solutions activities.

- Participate in individual protection case management including cases of GBV and child protection. Monitor and report on cases of refoulement, expulsion and other protection incidents.

- Assist in identifying durable solutions for PoC in voluntary repatriation, local integration and where appropriate, resettlement.

- Contribute to the design, implementation and evaluation of protection related AGD based programming with implementing and operational partners.

- Draft reports, routine correspondence, update relevant databases and compiling statistics within the Area of Responsibility (AoR).

- Contribute to initiatives to enhance national and local protection capacities.

- Select PoC for preliminary interviews and decide which relevant information to share.

- Enforce integrity in the delivery of protection services by local implementing partners.

- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).

- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Professional Work Experience

Years of Experience / Degree Level

G5 - 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education

Not applicable

Certificates and/or Licenses

International Law;

Political Science;

(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience

Essential: Not specified.

Desirable: Not specified.

Functional Skills

IT-Computer Literacy

PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators

PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework

(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.

Desired Candidate Profile

• Proven communication skills both oral and written, and excellent drafting skills is preferable.

• Knowledge of the local context in Northeast Syria (Hassakeh, Raqqa and Deir Ezzor), including the political and socio-economic situation is a must.

• Experience in coordination/managing relations with multiple stakeholders is a must.

• Excellent liaison skills with partners to ensure standardization of provided protection services.

• Solid protection background, previous work experience with UN and partners in the humanitarian field focused on internal PSEA is preferred.

• Shortlisted candidates will be required to sit for an eliminatory written test, the passing threshold will be 50%, and only the passing candidates will be given a chance to sit for an oral interview.

• The scores of the written test and interview could later be combined to arrive at the final scores.

• The written test and oral interview weight will be (50/50) % of the overall process.

• When completing the application, candidates are required to list all their language skills – including their mother tongue. The three broad levels are A1/A2 ("Basic User"), B1/B2 ("Independent User"), and C1/C2 ("Proficient User").

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

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Senior Protection AssistantQamishliOrganization: UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for RefugeesLocation: QamishliGrade: Administrative support - GS-5/GS-6, General Service - No need for Higher Education - Locally recruited positionOccupational Groups:Administrative supportProtection Officer (Refugee)Closing Date:

SAVE JOB

Hardship Level

E (most hardship)

Family Type

Non Family

Family Type

Non FamilyDanger Pay

Residential location (if applicable)

Grade

GS5

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Remote work accepted

No

Target Start Date

2024-06-19

Job Posting End Date

July 17, 2024

Standard Job Description

Senior Protection Assistant

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Senior Protection Assistant normally reports to a more senior Protection colleague. The incumbent monitors protection standards, operational procedures and practices in protection delivery in line with international standards and provides functional protection support to information management and programme staff.

The Senior Protection Assistant provides quality, timely and effective protection support to persons of concern (PoC) and identifies opportunities to mainstream protection methodologies and safeguards in operational responses. S/he contributes to designing a comprehensive protection strategy and may liaise externally with local authorities and partners on protection issues as guided by the supervisor.

The Senior Protection Assistant also ensures that PoC are involved in making decisions that affect them, whether in accessing their rights or in identifying appropriate solutions to their problems. To achieve this, the incumbent will need to build and maintain effective interfaces with communities of concern, local authorities and protection and assistance partners.

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

- Consistently apply International and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards and codes of conduct.

- Provide counselling on protection issues to PoC; liaise with competent authorities to ensure the issuance of personal and other relevant documentation.

- Support activities in protection related AGD based programming with implementing and operational partners.

- Conduct preliminary information gathering and interviews in support of eligibility, status determination, durable solutions and social needs assessment.

- Contribute to measures to identify, prevent and reduce statelessness.

- Contribute to a country-level child protection plan as part of the protection strategy.

- Contribute to a country-level education plan for PoC as part of the protection strategy.

- Monitor Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all protection/solutions activities.

- Participate in individual protection case management including cases of GBV and child protection. Monitor and report on cases of refoulement, expulsion and other protection incidents.

- Assist in identifying durable solutions for PoC in voluntary repatriation, local integration and where appropriate, resettlement.

- Contribute to the design, implementation and evaluation of protection related AGD based programming with implementing and operational partners.

- Draft reports, routine correspondence, update relevant databases and compiling statistics within the Area of Responsibility (AoR).

- Contribute to initiatives to enhance national and local protection capacities.

- Select PoC for preliminary interviews and decide which relevant information to share.

- Enforce integrity in the delivery of protection services by local implementing partners.

- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).

- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Professional Work Experience

Years of Experience / Degree Level

G5 - 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education

Not applicable

Certificates and/or Licenses

International Law;

Political Science;

(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience

Essential: Not specified.

Desirable: Not specified.

Functional Skills

IT-Computer Literacy

PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators

PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework

(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.

Desired Candidate Profile

• Proven communication skills both oral and written, and excellent drafting skills is preferable.

• Knowledge of the local context in Northeast Syria (Hassakeh, Raqqa and Deir Ezzor), including the political and socio-economic situation is a must.

• Experience in coordination/managing relations with multiple stakeholders is a must.

• Excellent liaison skills with partners to ensure standardization of provided protection services.

• Solid protection background, previous work experience with UN and partners in the humanitarian field focused on internal PSEA is preferred.

• Shortlisted candidates will be required to sit for an eliminatory written test, the passing threshold will be 50%, and only the passing candidates will be given a chance to sit for an oral interview.

• The scores of the written test and interview could later be combined to arrive at the final scores.

• The written test and oral interview weight will be (50/50) % of the overall process.

• When completing the application, candidates are required to list all their language skills – including their mother tongue. The three broad levels are A1/A2 ("Basic User"), B1/B2 ("Independent User"), and C1/C2 ("Proficient User").

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

,

,

Desired languages

,

,

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

Sub-Office Qamishli (SOQ) in the North-East of Syria (NES) is operating in a highly complex context in three governorates namely Hassakeh, Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor. Large part of them is currently under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). UNHCR is coordinating the response in 6 camps hosting Syrians, Iraqis and third country nationals. The largest of the camps, Al Hol expanded significantly in the first months of 2019 to accommodate civilians transported from the last ISIS-held territory in Syria as it came under the control of SDF supported by international coalition forces (ICF). The camp presents complex protection and assistance-delivery challenge due to the complex profile of its population. UNHCR is directly responsible to provide NFIs and shelter assistance, ensure that new arrivals in camps are identified and assisted, as wells as departures registered. UNHCR also supports camp coordination and the delivery of humanitarian assistance in close coordination with other UN agencies and NGOs operating in NES. Outside the camps UNHCR is providing assistance to IDPs and Iraqi asylum-seekers living among the local communities and in informal settlements.

The present situation in the Northeast Syria is unstable. This creates ongoing pressures at work and in daily life as priorities are frequently upended for other urgent ad hoc tasks. The incumbent should be prepared to work under very challenging conditions and be able to manage stressful situations. Travel by air to and from Qamishli is complicated, particularly at the time of COVID-19 pandemic.

Given the nature of the operation in the Northeast of Syria, the incumbent may face multiple challenges, including sensitive relationship with the authorities and partners; a challenging security situation; few independent or objective sources of information; and an overriding need to be perceived as impartial in all matters.

The Senior Protection Assistant is part of the protection team in Sub Office Qamishli. The position demands protection related knowledge/skills and work experience, in diverse and complex operational context, as well as considerable insight of the UNHCR internal and international policies and standards on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA).

The protracted conflict in Northeast Syria has exposed large portions of the population to devastating humanitarian conditions increased poverty levels and limited livelihood options. The most affected communities are highly dependent on humanitarian aid, exposing them to the risk of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, requiring UNHCR together with other humanitarian agencies to reinforce implementation of the PSEA activities to mitigate the risk of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) by humanitarian workers. The incumbent of the position would take charge of the UNHCR PSEA work. Under the direct supervision of the Senior Protection Officer, the incumbent would carry out PSEA related tasks, including providing technical support/guidance to UNHCR partners, managing/overseeing PSEA complaint mechanisms, producing periodic PSEA reports, contributing/executing capacity building activities, coordinating with PSEA partners in camps and with UNHCR and ICN PSEA focal person at country level. In addition is a dedicated focus on assisting the office in performing the PSEA coordination role among UN agencies though the representative steering body at Sub-National level consisting of PSEA focal persons to provide technical and operational support to humanitarian actors to prevent and respond to SEA cases.

Living and Working Conditions:

The candidates from other governorates would face challenges with the relocation to Qamishli due to inadequate opportunities obtaining living quarters, and frequent family visits might be complicated.

Qamishli enjoys relative security, and staff is able to move around town (some area restrictions are in place for walking); the situation remains unstable, however, and may be subject to sudden change. Travel from Qamishli to Damascus is by UNHAS and commercial airlines (Syrian Air and Cham Wings). There is fair internet connectivity in Qamishli.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

IT-Computer Literacy, PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators, PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework

Education

Certifications

International Law - Other, Political Science - Other

Work Experience

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration