Hardship LevelE (most hardship)
Family TypePending
Residential location (if applicable)
GradePR3
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeProfessional
* Staff members will not normally serve in International Professional positions in the country of their nationality. In addition, in case of a first appointment upon recruitment, the assignment must be outside the staff memberโs country of nationality.
ReasonFast Track > Fast Track
Remote work acceptedNo
Target Start Date2023-05-11
Job Posting End DateMay 18, 2023
Standard Job DescriptionProtection Officer Organizational Setting and Work Relationships In the Bureaux, the Protection Officer works under the direct supervision of the Senior Protection Coordinator or Senior Protection Officer. In the Field, the incumbent normally reports to the Representative, Deputy or Assistant Representative (Protection), Head of Sub Office or Senior Protection Officer as appropriate. The incumbent may have direct supervisory responsibility for protection staff whose work may include RSD, community-based protection, registration, resettlement, complementary pathways, internal displacement and education, among other areas. In HQ, the incumbent may report to a Senior Protection Officer, Chief of Section or Deputy Director and may supervise other protection staff. The incumbent acts as an advisor to senior management in, when not responsible for, designing a comprehensive protection strategy under the area of responsibility (AoR). S/he represents the Organization to authorities, UN sister agencies, partners and other stakeholders on protection policy and doctrine. The Protection Officer coordinates quality, timely and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern under the AoR. S/he ensures that persons of concern of all age, gender and diversity groups are involved with the Office in making decisions that affect them, whether in accessing their rights or in identifying and implementing appropriate solutions to their problems. To undertake this role effectively, the incumbent will need to build and maintain effective interfaces with other relevant teams within the operation or the Bureau (including programme; PI and external relations; IM) and with DIP, communities of concern, authorities, protection and assistance partners as well as a broader network of stakeholders who can contribute to enhancing protection and achieving solutions. 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 - Provide technical guidance and support to UNHCR and partners on all protection related issues. - Stay abreast of and report as relevant on legal political, social, economic and cultural developments that have an impact on the protection environment. - Engage relevant national authorities and structures in identifying and expanding opportunities in view of developing or strengthening national asylum/RSD systems. - Facilitate a consultative process with government counterparts, partners and persons of concern to develop and implement a comprehensive protection and solutions strategy addressing the specific protection needs of women and men, children, youth and older persons, persons with disabilities, persons of diverse sexual orientation and/or gender identities (LGBTI persons), persons living with HIV/AIDS; gender equality and Gender Based Violence (GBV) priorities with regard to these persons. - In operations applying the Cluster Approach, seek to ensure the response of the Protection Cluster is grounded in a strategy which covers all assessed and prioritized protection needs of the affected populations. - Support senior management to ensure the protection strategy is fully integrated into the Country Operations Plan, the UN Development and Assistance Framework (UNDAF), the Humanitarian Country Team's common humanitarian response plan where applicable, as well as with the implementation of the Global Compact on Refugees and the Three Year Strategy on Resettlement and Complementary Pathways. - Promote relevant International, Regional and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards and codes of conduct and ensure that all sectors and /or in clusters in applicable operations fulfil their responsibilities in mainstreaming protection. - Promote the implementation of the AGD policy, including UNHCR's updated commitments to women and girls, and, design, deliver I and monitor programmes on an AGD basis to address identified protection needs. - Develop, implement and monitor community-based protection strategies and ensure systematic application and integration of participatory and community-based approaches in protection and solutions planning, programming and strategies. - Support the establishment of feedback and response systems and the incorporation of feedback received from persons of concern into programme design and adaptation. - Support the operation to develop and implement robust prevention, identification, and responses to fraud within protection processes and procedures, including registration, RSD, resettlement and complementary pathways, ensuring the integrity of interventions across all protection activities. - Assist UNHCR management at country level to comply with polices and commitment on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse measures. - Oversee and manage individual protection cases including those on GBV and child protection. - Provide legal advice and guidance on protection issues to internal and external interlocutors; ensure legal assistance is accessible to persons of concern; liaise with competent authorities to ensure the issuance of personal and other relevant documents to persons of concern (including women and others in need of civil documentation, in particular birth certificates). - As designated Data Protection Focal Point, assist the data controller in carrying out his or her responsibilities regarding the Data Protection Policy (7.2 DPP). - Oversee and undertake eligibility and status determination within the AoR ensuring compliance with UNHCR procedural standards and international protection principles. - Promote and implement effective strategies and measures to identify, prevent and reduce statelessness within the AoR. - Contribute to the development and implementation of an education plan as part of protection strategy within the AoR as relevant. - Contribute to the development and implementation of a child protection plan as part of the protection strategy within the AoR ensuring programmes use a child protection systems approach. - Monitor, and intervene in cases of refoulement, expulsion and other protection incidents through working relations with governments and other partners. - Work to safeguard the rights of persons of concern in the context of mixed movements as relevant. - Coordinate the preparation of, implement and oversee Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all protection/solutions activities. - Ensure that durable solutions through voluntary repatriation, local integration and where appropriate, resettlement and complementary pathways are sought and provided to the largest possible number of persons of concern, including undertaking and/or overseeing resettlement and complementary pathways activities. - Contribute to the coordination of the design, implementation and evaluation of protection related programming with implementing and operational partners. - Contribute to and facilitate a programme of results-based advocacy through a consultative process with sectorial and/or cluster partners. - Ensure that the Protection Sector or Cluster has an effective information management component which: provides disaggregated data on populations of concern and their problems; researches, collects and disseminates relevant protection information and good practices to enhance protection delivery. - Build the protection capacity of national and local government, partners and civil society to assume their responsibilities vis-ร -vis all persons of concern through protection training, mainstreaming and related activities. - Coordinate capacity-building initiatives for communities and individuals to assert their rights. - Advise and capacitate national authorities, relevant institutions and civil society to strengthen legislation and status determination procedures and mechanisms. - Perform other related duties as required. For positions in Bureaux - Support the Regional Bureau and Country Operations to reflect the protection and solution angle in support of persons of concern within regional processes. - Support Country Operations in the development of strategies to build and further develop national asylum/RSD systems with a view to ensuring their fairness, efficiency, adaptability and integrity, favourable protection environment and solutions. - Assist UNHCR management at regional and country level to comply with polices and commitment on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse measures. - Support Country Operations and ensure they meet their complementary pathways objectives and resettlement quotas. - In close collaboration with DIP, (a) contribute to the development of background and general normative, policy, and legal positions, in compliance with UNHCR's global protection policies and standards; (b) contribute to the development of strategies at the regional and country level on the usage of law and policy approaches, including legislative and judicial engagement and UN human rights mechanisms - and/or regional ones - and other protection frameworks, and integrated human rights standards in protection strategies and advocacy; and (c) support coordination and review of UNHCR's country reports to the UN human rights mechanisms. - Engage in relevant international and regional fora and contribute to forging regional partnerships to advocate for key protection and mandate issues, and engage in cross-cutting protection-related matters, including mixed movement, internal displacement and climate change/disaster-related displacement responses, as well as Statelessness, in cooperation with DIP and where relevant RSD. Minimum Qualifications Years of Experience / Degree Level For P3/NOC - 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree Field(s) of Education Law; International Law; International Refugee Law; International Human Rights Law; International Humanitarian Law; Refugee and Forced Migration Studies; Political Sciences or other relevant field. (Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential) Certificates and/or Licenses Protection Learning Programme RSD- Resettlement Learning Programme (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential) Relevant Job Experience Essential Minimum 4 years of relevant professional experience in the area of refugee protection, internal displacement, human rights or international humanitarian law, including experience in working directly with Field Offices. Good knowledge of International Refugee and Human Rights Law and ability to apply the relevant legal principles. Excellent legal research, analytical skills and drafting. Desirable Diverse field experience. Good IT skills including database management skills. Functional Skills *PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators *PR-Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) PR-Human Rights Doctrine/Standards PR-International Humanitarian Law PR-Comprehensive Solutions Framework LE-Judicial Engagement PR-Assessment of IDPs Status, Rights, Obligation PR-Climate change and disaster related displacement PR-Accountability to Affected People - Principles and Framework PR-Gender Based Violence (GBV) Coordination (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 incumbent should have proven competencies and experience as follows:
- Good knowledge of International Refugee and Human Rights Law and ability to apply the relevant legal principles.
- Excellent legal research, analytical skills and drafting.
- Knowledge of the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework, and demonstrated experience working in a settlement approach context.
- Ability to work with a diverse range of partners, including host Governments, humanitarian organizations, and development partners, and a deep understanding of how to leverage opportunities in Ethiopia
- Demonstrated experience in coordination, particularly within the inter-agency context and contributing to inter-agency response strategies while ensuring that the interest of refugee and other populations that UNHCR serves well represented and articulated.
- Demonstrated experience in leading and managing large and diverse teams
- Well-developed reading, writing, critical thinking, decision-making, problem-solving and interpersonal skills.
- Completion of relevant UNHCR learning programs or specific training relevant to the functions of the position.
- Experience working with Somali refugee caseloads is desirable.
- Working knowledge of Somali and/or Amharic language may be an added advantage.
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:
Since hostilities erupted in February 2023 in Somalia, close to 100,000 are estimated to have crossed the border into Ethiopia to escape the violence. UNHCR Field Office in Bokh has been scaling up its activities and protection interventions for asylum seekers arriving into the three hosting districts in Doolo Zone, including border and protection monitoring, relocation, registration, as well as community-based protection interventions in collaboration with government counterpart Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS), local authorities and partners. UNHCR recognizes the global need for a broader, cultural shift from long-term care and maintenance to self-reliance and solutions-oriented planning and programming in its refugee operations within the context of the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF). To this end, the Federal and Regional Government supported by UNHCR and partners will be advancing a refugee settlement approach in Doolo from the onset of operations, which will look at integrating social services, and prioritizing interventions that will strengthen peaceful coexistence to ensure that displace population can enjoy their asylum in safety and dignity. UNHCR is also working to provide a range of integrated protection services to address the most pressing needs of the population including psychosocial support (PSS), education support, child protection services, GBV prevention and response and in-kind and other assistance and services for persons with specific needs.
The Protection Officer works under the direct supervision of the Head of Field Office. The incumbent may have direct supervisory responsibility for protection staff whose work may include protection, community-based protection, registration, durable solutions and education, among other areas. The Protection Officer will likely be the focal point for contingency/emergency planning and individual case management. With new partnerships and engagements with local authorities, capacity building on protection principles will be essential, including coordinating the preparation and oversight on the implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all protection/solutions activities.
The Protection Officer coordinates quality, timely and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern under the AoR. S/he ensures that persons of concern of all age, gender and diversity groups are involved with the Office in making decisions that affect them, whether in accessing their rights or in identifying and implementing appropriate solutions to their problems. To undertake this role effectively, the incumbent will need to build and maintain effective interfaces with other relevant teams within the operation (including Programme, Field, PI and external relations, Information Management) and with communities of concern, authorities, protection and assistance partners as well as a broader network of stakeholders who can contribute to enhancing protection and achieving solutions.
Living and Working Conditions:
Further to the conflict in and around the Laascanood area of Somaliland state of Somalia (Sool region) of early 2023, an estimated 100,000 refugees crossed into the Doolo zone of the Somali Regional State of Ethiopia. In order to respond effectively, UNHCR set up a base in Bokh, a small town located in Doolo zone of the Somali Regional State of Ethiopia and headquarters of the Bokh woreda (district), with an estimated population of 50,000 people. Bokh is situated 170 kms from Wardher, the zonal capital of Doolo zone and some 80-100 kms from the Ethiopia-Somalia border. Bokh is also located at almost 700 Kms from Jijiga, the headquarters of the Somali Regional State Government where UNHCR Sub-Office is based.
Bokh is a non-family duty station, yet to be categorized as per UN duty station levels. Given the remoteness of the area and its proximity to the border with Somalia, the security situation in Bokh is considered to be fluid and requires a sense of vigilance and alertness. UNHCRโs Field security Advisor on ground in collaboration with UNDSS provides security advisories regularly to all staff in Bokh and the surrounding field locations to which adherence is expected. All UNHCR international staff are accommodated in the UNHCR Staff Guest House in line with the policy on UNHCR-provided accommodation in the field. Security briefing is mandatory upon arrival at the Guest House. All travel itineraries should report to the radio room before departure and continue reporting their position every 60 minutes, until back to the Guest house. Official working hours are Monday through Thursday: 08:00 โ 12:00 and 13:00 โ 17:00 hours; while on Fridays 08:00 โ 13:30 hours.
Bokh is served by a Government Health Centre and a Level-1 Hospital in Wardher, both of which offering basic medical services. It should be emphasized that the medical facilities in the area are insufficient to treat complicated medical cases. The UN Team in Bokh is working on a plan to establish a UN Clinic with a full-time doctor and nurses to provide onsite medical assistance to staff and also process referrals as may be needed. A medevac plan is also under discussion in collaboration with the Medical Services Team at the Regional Bureau in Nairobi and the UN Health Care Centre in Addis Ababa; the latter provides 24/7 health care services for eligible UN staff and their dependents in different specialized Medical Units. Bokh also has small markets, restaurants and shops from where food and other household items can be purchased. Banking services are very limited in Bokh and it always advisable to carry cash. The only Ethiopian Commercial Bank branch is located 170 kms away in Wardher where financial services, including ATM machines, can easily be accessed. However, a microfinance agent exists in Bokh and facilitates some small financial transactions in the local currency.
Transportation in and out of Bokh is by road. However, the UN Team is mobilizing donors to facilitate the establishment of an airstrip in Bokh so that UNHAS can operate regular flights to Addis Ababa. Land for the airstrip has already been provided by the authorities and technical surveys undertaken by UNHAS. In the meantime, travel is either through Jijiga (served by Ethiopian Airlines daily) or through Kebridehar where Ethiopian Airline flies from Addis Ababa twice a week, and then onward on a road journey of some 7 hours on a dusty road.
Additional Qualifications
SkillsLE-Judicial Engagement, PR-Accountability to Affected People - Principles and Framework, PR-Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD), PR-Assessment of IDPs Status, Rights, Obligation, PR-Climate change and disaster related displacement, PR-Comprehensive Solutions Framework, PR-Gender Based Violence (GBV) Coordination, PR-Human Rights Doctrine/Standards, PR-International Humanitarian Law, PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators
EducationBA: International Humanitarian Law (Required), BA: International Human Rights Law (Required), BA: International Law (Required), BA: International Refugee Law (Required), BA: Law (Required), BA: Political Science (Required), BA: Refugee and Forced Migration Studies (Required)
CertificationsHCR Protection Learning Program - UNHCR, HCR Resettlement Learning Program - UNHCR
Work Experience
CompetenciesAccountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Managing performance, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaboration
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Compendium FT Ethiopia for Somali Situation
Additional Information
Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance