Community-Based Protection Assistant

Hardship LevelA (least hardship)

Family TypeFamily

Family TypeFamily

Residential location (if applicable)

GradeGS4

Staff Member / Affiliate TypeGeneral Service

ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment

Remote work acceptedNo

Target Start Date2023-09-01

Job Posting End DateAugust 6, 2023

Standard Job DescriptionCommunity-Based Protection Assistant Organizational Setting and Work Relationships The Community-Based Protection Assistant is a member of the Protection Unit 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 incumbent works directly with communities of concern to identify the risks they face and to leverage their capacities to protect themselves, their families and communities. S/he 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 Community-Based Protection Assistant 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 - 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 the protection team. Understand the perspectives, capacities, needs and resources of the PoC and advise the protection team accordingly, highlighting the specific protection needs of women and men, children, youth and older persons, persons with disabilities, marginalized groups. - Support implementing and operational partners as well as displaced and local communities to develop community-owned activities to address, where applicable, the social, educational, psycho-social, cultural, health, organisational and livelihood concerns as well as child protection and prevention and response to GBV. - Assist in working with host communities to involve national civil society groups in improving the protection of PoC. - Assist in the analysis that identifies the capacities of communities of concern and risks they face. - Support participatory assessments and ongoing consultation with PoC. - Support communities in establishing representation and coordination structures. - Ensure community understanding of UNHCR's commitment to deliver on accountability and quality assurance in its response. - Collect data for monitoring of programmes and budgets from an AGD perspective. - Draft and type routine correspondence, documents and reports and maintain up-to-date filing systems. - Act as an interpreter in exchange of routine information, contribute to related liaison activities and respond directly to routine queries. - Assist in the enforcement of participatory AGD sensitive analysis as an essential basis for all of UNHCR's work. - Identify and recommend which individuals or groups to prioritize for counselling and field visits based on agreed criteria. - Enforce compliance of implementing partners with global protection policies and standards of professional integrity in the delivery of protection services. - Perform other related duties as required. Minimum Qualifications Years of Experience / Degree Level For G4 - 1 year relevant experience with High School Diploma; or Bachelor or equivalent or higher Field(s) of Education Not applicable. Certificates and/or Licenses Development, Human Rights, International Law Social Work, Social Science, Political Science, (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential) Relevant Job Experience Essential Not specified Desirable UNHCR learning programmes (PLP). Knowledge of MSRP. Functional Skills UN-UN/UNHCR Administrative Rules, Regulations and Procedures IT-Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) *IT-Computer Literacy PR-Community-based Protection - Principles and methodologies CL-Multi-stakeholder Communications with Partners, Government & Community (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 Title of Position: Community-Based Protection Assistant
Position Number: 10028751
Category & Level: General Services, G4
UNHCR Guayaquil, Ecuador
Effective date: 01 September 2023
Duration: Initially one year - Fixed Term Appointment
(upon medical clearance and references check)

OPERATIONAL CONTEXT

Since 2000, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has worked in Ecuador to protect and assist one of the largest populations of recognized refugees in Latin America and the Caribbean. Since 2016, more than six million Venezuelans have left their country.

Ecuador is a destination and transit country for persons in need of international protection, with more than 70,000 recognized refugees (mainly Colombians) and an ongoing influx of refugees. The South American country has also become a main destination for Venezuelan refugees and migrants, ranking third after Colombia and Peru. More than 500,000 Venezuelan refugees and migrants are estimated to be residing in Ecuador, with less than half of them holding a legal status.

Since 2022 the increasing security setting in Guayaquil had a significant impact on the economy, affecting refugees, migrants and locals alike and mining the socio-economic inclusion strategy. This downturn deepened human rights gaps which will adversely affect refugees and migrants, the vast majority of whom work in the informal sector, lack a social safety net and cannot cover their basic needs, such as rent and food and are prone to discriminatory attitudes.

UNHCR’s operation in Ecuador is fundamentally driven to deliver protection and solutions to a variety of people forced to flee and stateless people in partnership and close collaboration with national authorities as well as non-governmental organizations and communities. Particular attention and specific multi-faceted protection and assistance is often provided within short timeframes and at times little resources in demanding operational environment.

UNHCR seeks to recruit persons devoted to the purposes of the Sub-Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees in Guayaquil who is committed to humanitarian principles and holds functionally relevant work experience in the area of Protection.

SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS

A) English is mandatory (B2 level).
B) A technical test will be administered to shortlisted candidates.
C) Foreign candidates, to be considered eligible for this position, must have a temporary or permanent residence in Ecuador that allows them to carry out work activities in the country.
D) Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme or
as an intern is subject to proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, independently of contract type and duration. The recommended candidate(s) will be required to provide the proof of vaccination prior to recruitment.

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

,Spanish

,

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:

Therefore, UNHCR seeks to recruit persons devoted to the purposes of the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees who have commitment to humanitarian principles and functionally relevant work experience with different stakeholders. The candidates should have flexibility/adaptability i.e. analyzing, adapting to, and working effectively in a variety of situations, often under demanding conditions, and coping with the unforeseen or unexpected. Capacity to manage resources and carry out negotiations with stakeholders, as well as result orientated performance, is also required. The candidates should have strong communication skills (written and spoken) in Spanish and English. A high level of mobility and adaptability is required of the candidates as they may be requested to take up field mission in and out of the country at short notice.

Living and Working Conditions:

The UNHCR operation in Ecuador is fundamentally driven to deliver protection and material assistance (at times life-saving) to variety of persons of UNHCR 's concern such as asylum-seekers, refugees and stateless in partnership and close collaboration with national authorities as well as non-governmental organizations and communities. Particular attention and specific multi-faceted protection and assistance is often provided within short timeframes and at times little resources in demanding operational environment. The wide palette of activities is principally coordinated from Quito and few other duty stations (such as in Esmeraldas, Tulcán, Ibarra, Lago Agrio, Guayaquil, Cuenca and Huaquillas) where UNHCR maintains its presence. The field office in Guayaquil is responsible for the operations in the southern border of Ecuador. Activities carried out by direct implementation and through partners are focused on two groups of population: the refugees and migrant on transit through the country moving towards Peru and the population residing in Ecuador. There is also an increase in numbers of refugees and migrants returning from Peru, Chile and other countries in the south of Latin America towards Colombia and Venezuela. At present time UNHCR has presence in Guayaquil, Cuenca and Huaquillas. Our programmes aim to provide protection, humanitarian assistance and durable solutions in four provinces: Guayas, Manabí, Azuay and El Oro. It is estimated that a large proportion of refugees are in the coastal region of the country as it has climate similarities with Venezuela and in addition the wide range of job opportunities that people can find in the region. Fisheries, banana plantations, seafood farms, building construction and mining industries are a pull factor that attracts the refugee and migrant population seeking protection and job opportunities.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

CertificationsDevelopment Studies - Other, HCR Learning Program - UNHCR, Human Rights - Other, International Law - Other, Political Science - Other, Social Sciences - Other

Work Experience

CompetenciesAccountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Organizational awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

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Additional Information

Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance