Hardship LevelC
Family TypeFamily
Family TypeFamily
Residential location (if applicable)
GradeNOA
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeNational Professional Officer
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Remote work acceptedNo
Target Start Date2024-01-01
Job Posting End DateNovember 19, 2023
Standard Job Description
Assistant Community-Based Protection Officer
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Assistant Community-Based Protection Officer is a member of the Protection Unit in a Country Operation and may report to the Protection Officer, Community-Based Protection Officer, or another more senior staff member in the Protection Unit. Under the overall direction of the Protection Unit, and in coordination with other UNHCR staff, government, NGO partners and other stakeholders, the Assistant Community-Based Protection Officer works directly with communities of concern to identify the risks they face and to leverage their capacities to protect themselves, their families and communities. The incumbent may have direct supervisory responsibility for part of the protection and/or support staff and supports the application of community-based protection standards, operational procedures and practices in community-based protection delivery at the field level. To fulfil this role the Assistant Community-Based Protection Officer is required to spend a substantial percentage of the workday outside the office, building and maintaining networks within communities of persons of concern (PoC). The development and maintenance of constructive relationships with PoC that measurably impact and enhance protection planning, programming and results form the core of the work of the incumbent. S/he also supports the designing of a community-based protection strategy by ensuring that it is based on consultation with PoC.
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
- Be fully informed about community structures and the protection and security situation of the PoC and develop strong links with a cross-section of members of refugee/IDP/stateless communities, using an AGD approach.
- Through relationships with PoC and network of partners stay abreast of political, social, economic and cultural developments that have an impact on the protection environment and provide advice to senior management.
- Ensure that the perspectives, capacities, needs and resources of the PoC are reflected in the protection strategy, planning processes and operations plan addressing the specific protection needs of women and men, children, youth and older persons, persons with disabilities, and marginalized groups.
- Support a consultative process with government counterparts at local levels, partners and PoC to develop and implement integrated strategies that address the key protection priorities, including, for example, child protection, education and GBV, and solutions approaches.
- Provide technical guidance and support to UNHCR and partners and implement and oversee Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on all community-based protection related issues.
- Support the design, implementation and evaluation of protection centred and solutions oriented programming with implementing and operational partners guaranteeing that community-owned activities are integrated.
- Support communities in establishing representation and coordination structures
- Promote confidence building and conflict resolution among PoC, authorities and host communities.
- Maintain protection presence through regular field missions and reports, making direct contact with PoC, host communities, local authorities and partners. In operations applying the humanitarian cluster system, contribute the development of an AGD-compliant strategy on which the response of the Protection Cluster is grounded and covers all assessed and prioritized protection needs of the affected populations.
- Support the Operation's work to fully integrate the protection strategy into the Country Operations Plan, the UN Development and Assistance Framework (UNDAF), the Humanitarian Country Team¿s common humanitarian action plan where applicable.
- Contribute to the Protection team's information management component which: provides disaggregated data on PoC and their problems; researches, collects and disseminates relevant protection information and good practices to enhance protection delivery and provide technical advice if necessary.
- Support the inclusion of participatory, community-based protection and AGD approaches in strategies and plans in the Country Operation.
- Support community understanding of UNHCR's commitment to deliver on accountability and quality assurance in its response.
- Support PoC to develop structures that enhance their participation and protection.
- Contribute to the design of project submissions and the budget for endorsement by the supervisor.
- Intervene with authorities on community-based protection issues.
- Negotiate with local counterparts, partners and PoC.
- Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P1/NOA - 1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
International Development, Cultural Studies, Human Rights,
International Social Work, Social Science, Political Science,
Anthropology, International Law
or other relevant field.
Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Some professional working experience.in the areas of community services, social work (e.g., gender, GBV programs, women's empowerment and protection, work with refugees) or/and human rights or related tasks in government, NGO or international organisation.
Desirable
Proven communication skills, both oral and written.
Demonstrated knowledge of community communication and engagement approaches
Understanding of and demonstrated competencies in forced displacement and protection, particularly GBV prevention and response, child protection, education, gender equality, and the application of the Age, Gender and Diversity Policy.
Functional Skills
PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework
IT-Computer Literacy
DM-Database Management
PR-Coordination in Forced Displacement situations
PR-Child Protection Prevention and Response Programming
PR-Gender Equality
PR-Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD)
PR-Gender Based Violence (GBV) prevention programming
PR-Gender Based Violence (GBV) response programming
(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 The Assistant Community-Based Protection Officer (NA) plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and well-being of PWS through community-based protection programs. The candidate profile should reflect a strong commitment to protection, the ability to work closely with communities, and the skills required to implement and support protection activities effectively.
Key attributes for this role include strong analytical and problem-solving skills, effective communication, cultural sensitivity, flexibility, and the ability to work collaboratively in a multicultural team. The candidate should also have the capacity to collect and analyse data, provide training and capacity-building, and advocate for the rights and needs of PWS while building networks with relevant stakeholders. As UNHCR Uganda is moving towards transition and localization, working with local community led organization (including refugee led organizations) will be added advantage.
Under the direct supervision of the Senior Protection Officer, the Assistant Community-Based Protection Officer should be dedicated to community protection, rights-based approaches, and ensuring the well-being of those under their care in an inclusive and sensitive manner.
The incumbent will liaise with other actors and lead technical meetings as well as work closely with other sections response programs as well as coordinate and monitor CBP programmes in AoR, provide technical support and guidance to partners ensuring good quality implementation of projects. The incumbent will be expected to be the focal point for CRRF and lead in monitoring of the Government and Partner pledges.
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
SO Arua cover multiple refugee settlements, including Bidibidi, Rhino Camp, Imvepi, and Lobule Refugee Settlements. These settlements have been established to provide shelter and essential services to refugees fleeing conflict and persecution in neighboring countries, such as South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The West Nile region has been experiencing both new arrivals of refugees and protracted cases. Efforts are made to integrate refugees within the host communities, fostering peaceful coexistence and reducing potential tensions. The context in Arua is complex and multifaceted, involving a range of activities and services aimed at ensuring the protection and well-being of refugees while pursuing durable solutions to their displacement.
The active population of PWS registered as of end October 2023 is 197,296 individuals for Bidibidi, 150,365 for Rhino Camp, 66,654 for Imvepi and 6,025 individuals for Lobule. Refugees have settled within the Ugandan communities and sharing scarce resources, make peaceful coexistence as an important element of coordination. With the lack of resources within UNHCR and in general within humanitarian organizations, there should be a great emphasis on the refugee resilience as well as the need for innovative and creative ideas to manage the great need vis-à-vis the limited resources. A community-based approach becomes imperative. This approach prioritizes resource efficiency by leveraging local expertise and ownership, tailoring solutions to diverse needs, and promoting resilience. It fosters conflict resolution, social cohesion, cultural sensitivity, and accountability, upholding the dignity of displaced populations and empowering them as active agents of change.
Living and Working Conditions
Arua is a family duty station where accommodations are available although finding reasonable quality accommodation is a challenge and price arising due to number of NGOs presence for South Sudanese refugee response. There are several local supermarkets where local and foreign goods are available, and expatriates frequent several restaurants offering western or Indian foods. Very limited educational services are available as international schools do not exist in Arua. International schools are available in Kampala or Entebbe. In term of medical services, only basic medical services are available in Arua town, and if necessary, further medical referral to Kampala. There are several banks and ATM available in Arua for Ugandan shillings account. Utilities (water and electricity) are available, though for electricity, like many places in the country, faces regular power cut especially during dry season. Safe public transports in Arua is rare, though nationals tend to ride with local motorbike taxis. There are few vehicle taxis available (price tends to be at high end despite short distance). Professional staff either find accommodation nearby the office and walk, or they either rent or buy private second-hand vehicle for their daily movement.
Most travels between Kampala and Arua are undertaken by road (470 Kms). There are commercial flights between Arua and Kampala/Entebbe but the airlines/routes are not UNDSS cleared. There is no accommodation with minimum standards available at the settlements so staff commute daily by official vehicle to the settlements for field activities.
Additional Qualifications
SkillsDM-Database Management, IT-Computer Literacy, PR-Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD), PR-Child Protection Prevention and Response Programming, PR-Coordination in Forced Displacement situations, PR-Gender Based Violence (GBV) prevention programming, PR-Gender Based Violence (GBV) response programming, PR-Gender Equality, PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework
EducationBachelor of Arts (BA): Anthropology, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Cultural Studies, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Human Rights, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Development, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Social Work, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political Science, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Social Science
Certifications
Work Experience
CompetenciesAccountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Judgement & decision making, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration
UNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Compendium
Additional InformationShortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a written test and/or oral interview. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member is subject to proof of vaccination against COVID-19.
Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance