GradeGS6
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeGeneral Service
ReasonTemporary > Temporary Assignment/ Appointment
Hardship LevelC
Family TypeFamily<p></p><p></p>
Residential location (if applicable)
Remote work acceptedNo
Target Start Date2023-08-01
Target End Date2024-01-31
Job Posting End DateAugust 2, 2023
Standard Job DescriptionProtection Associate Organizational Setting and Work Relationships The Protection Associate normally reports to the Protection Officer or the Senior Protection Officer. 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 Protection Associate is expected to coordinate quality, timely and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern (PoC) and identify opportunities to mainstream protection methodologies and integrate protection safeguards in operational responses in all sectors. S/he contributes to designing a comprehensive protection strategy and liaises externally with authorities and partners on protection doctrine and policy as guided by the supervisor. The Protection Associate 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 - Stay abreast of political, social, economic and cultural developments that have an impact on the protection environment. - Consistently apply International and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards and codes of conduct. - Assist in providing comments on existing and draft legislation related to PoC. - Provide advice on protection issues to PoC; liaise with competent authorities to ensure the issuance of personal and other relevant documentation. - Assist in conducting eligibility and status determination for PoC. - 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 as part of the protection strategy. - Monitor Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all protection/solutions activities. - Manage individual protection cases including those on GBV and child protection. Monitor, and intervene in cases of refoulement, expulsion and other protection incidents. - Assist in identifying durable solutions for the largest possible number of PoC through 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. - Facilitate effective information management through the provision of disaggregated data on PoC and their problems. - Participate in initiatives to capacitate authorities, relevant institutions and NGOs to strengthen national protection related legislation and procedures. - Assist the supervisor in prioritizing PoC for interview, counselling and propose protection support for individual cases. - Assist the supervisor with enforcing compliance of local implementing partners with global protection policies and standards of professional integrity in the delivery of protection services. - Assit the supervisor with enforcing compliance with, and integrity of, all protection standard operating procedures. - Submit individual payments request for PoC for approval. - Perform other related duties as required. Minimum Qualifications Education & Professional Work Experience Years of Experience / Degree Level For G6 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher Field(s) of Education Not applicable Certificates and/or Licenses International Law, Political Science or other related field (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential) Relevant Job Experience Essential Not specified Desirable Protection Learning Programme Functional Skills IT-Computer Literacy PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators (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 ProfileDarien is Panamaโs largest province. Bordering Colombia, the province hosts a 60-mile-deep jungle, the only breaking point of the Pan-American highway, linking the continent from south to north. Despite being one of the most dangerous jungles in the world, Darien is a transit location for thousands of refugees and migrants, most of them coming from Haiti, Venezuela, Cuba, African and South Asian nations. According to official statistics of the National Migration Service (SNM), from 2010 to 2020, some 120,000 people crossed through this area. In the last two years, Panama has been facing an unprecedented mixed movement crisis, with nearly 400,000 people making this perilous journey through the jungle. In 2022, a total of 248,284 people entered the country irregularly through Darien.
UNHCR coordinates with MCO Panama Protection Unit to promote the establishment of a consolidated, coordinated an access to the asylum system pathway for people with international protection needs identified in the region. Currently UNHCR coordinates with local Government in Darien and provides technical support to the National Migration System in the Temporary Reception Centers and Coordinates missions of the assigned staff of National Office for the Attention of Refugees ONPAR to conducted RsD interviews in UNHCR safe spaces.
UNHCR is looking for qualified candidates to perform functions of Protection Associate on a TA for six months. Under the supervision of the Head of Field Unit, the Protection Associate will be tasked with conducting protection border monitoring in temporary reception centers, transit communities as well as protection interviews, and advice and accompanied the implementing partner Norwegian Council, in the identification of protection needs and people we protect in host communities. The Protection Associate will conduct registration in ProGres and Rapp -UNHCR registration systems- to all asylum seekers and refugees identified in the province, and coordinate actions with other key partners and organizations to refer people we serve to services and orientation available.
UNHCR looks for suitable candidates, with a sound knowledge of the Panama, Darien operational context as well as of issues pertaining to temporary reception centers as well as monitoring, protection interviews and knowledge of the National Asylum System in Panama and Migration National regulations.
โข Expertise on specific needs, International Protection background as well as International Organization experience is an asset.
โข Fluency in Spanish and Intermediate English is essential.
โข Persons interested in applying for this position must be legally present in Panama at the time of recruitment.
โข Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme or as an intern is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19.
โข The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities.
Levels of language knowledge:
A1-beginner
A2-elementary
B1- lower intermediate
B2-upper intermediate
C1-advanced/proficient
C2-fluent
Candidates will be required for an eliminatory written test.
Functional ClearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level)English
,Spanish
,
Desired languages
,
,
Additional Qualifications
SkillsIT-Computer Literacy, PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators, PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework
EducationGeneral Equivalency Diploma (GED): International Law
CertificationsInternational Law - Other, Political Science - Other
Work Experience
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