Protection Assistant

Tags: Law English language Environment
  • Added Date: Friday, 17 November 2023
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Hardship LevelB

Family TypeFamily

Family TypeFamily

Residential location (if applicable)

GradeGS4

Staff Member / Affiliate TypeGeneral Service

ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment

Remote work acceptedNo

Target Start Date2024-01-01

Job Posting End DateNovember 30, 2023

Standard Job DescriptionProtection Assistant Organizational Setting and Work Relationships The Protection Assistant normally reports to a more senior Protection colleague. The incumbent provides functional and administrative support to the protection unit on protection related liaison, correspondence, monitoring, case management and reporting activities. The Protection Assistant also supports the protection unit in designing a comprehensive protection strategy and in providing quality, timely and effective protection responses to persons of concern (PoC). S/he may liaise externally with local authorities and partners on correspondence and/or protection issues as guided by the supervisor. The Protection Assistant also facilitates the involvement of PoC 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. - Observe and respect protection related Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). - Provide functional and administrative support in all protection related AGD based programming with implementing and operational partners. - Provide functional and administrative support in implementing participatory approaches, needs assessments, monitoring, reporting and case management. - Support assessments on durable solutions through voluntary repatriation, local integration and where appropriate, resettlement. - Facilitate liaison with competent authorities for the issuance of personal and other relevant documents. - Assist in drafting reports, routine correspondence, updating relevant databases and compiling statistics within the Area of Responsibility (AoR). - Select PoC for preliminary interviews and decide which relevant information to share. - Enforce integrity in the delivery of protection services by local implementing partners. - 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 Protection (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential) Relevant Job Experience Essential: Not specified. Desirable: Not specified. Functional Skills PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework 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.

Desired Candidate Profile The ideal candidate should have experience in refugee protection work, including the ability to interview and counsel refugees and assess their needs quickly and accurately. They should possess excellent writing skills and demonstrable analytical skills that enable them to evaluate cases and make well-supported recommendations for protection interventions.

The candidate should also have the ability to work effectively and efficiently in a high-paced environment, meeting established targets for case management. As they may be assigned additional responsibilities, the candidate should be flexible and capable of managing diverse tasks.
An understanding of data management and the ability to and update the proGres refugee database is an asset.

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

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Desired languages

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Nature of Position:

The Protection Assistant will work under the direct supervision of the Associate Protection Officer. S/he will collaborate closely with other UNHCR Protection units, UNHCR Protection Partners, the Department of Refugee Services, as well as the refugee community to enhance the protection and assistance of asylum seekers refugees in urban areas by supporting protection monitoring, individual case management and protection outreach functions.

The incumbent will support individual case management by conducting protection assessments and counselling of asylum seekers and refugees and drafting assessments. S/he will support in Identifying and ensuring referrals for asylum seekers and refugees with protection needs to relevant UNHCR units, government, and partners for interventions, including inter alia reception, registration and documentation, legal and physical protection, psychosocial support, livelihoods, medical assistance, refugee status determination, and solutions opportunities.

S/he will Support the management of asylum seekers and refugees camping outside UNHCR, DRS and Partner offices by conducting interviews and counselling to facilitate protection interventions and participate in internal and interagency case Panels relating to asylum seekers and refugees with complex protection issues.

The protection assistant will support the process of relocation of asylum seekers and refugees to the camps in collaboration with the Partner and the Department of Refugee Affairs and support other in general protection work including managing the weekend protection roster and participating in community outreach forums.

S/he Supports the Associate Protection Officer and the Senior Protection Officer in all other relevant aspects related to protection of refugees and asylum seekers.

Living and Working Conditions:

Nairobi is a good duty station for families with good medical facilities and it is the regional medical evacuation centre for countries in the East and Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes sub-regions. Recreational facilities, schools and hotels are of international standards. High standard accommodation is available, as well as good banking facilities, unlimited access to communication means, such as internet, telephone SIM cards etc. In addition, Nairobi is a malaria free environment. but cholera, malaria and yellow fever occur in other parts of Kenya. When entering the country, yellow fever card/vaccine is required. Nairobi is in UN security Level One, but politically instigated demonstrations and riots may occur from time to time. General crime in Nairobi is relatively high, especially in some low income areas, however a high sense of vigilance and alertness is required practically everywhere.

Security Considerations

Politically instigated demonstrations and riots may occur at any time. Hazards such as road traffic accidents, fire, diseases outbreak and flooding are frequent. The crime threat level in Nairobi like in many other large cities is high and physical violence is a common feature of burglaries in residences, carjacking and robberies. The terrorism threat level in Nairobi is moderate but is high in North Eastern. A high sense of vigilance and alertness is required at all times.

Additional Qualifications

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

Education

CertificationsHCR Learning Program - UNHCR, HCR Protection Induction Prog - UNHCR, HCR Protection Learning Program Statelessness - UNHCR, HCR Protection Learning Program - UNHCR, HCR Thematic Protection Learning Program - UNHCR

Work Experience

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

UNHCR Salary Calculator

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Compendium

Additional Information

Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance

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