Hardship LevelH (no hardship)
Family TypeFamily
Family TypeFamily
Residential location (if applicable)
GradeGS5
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeGeneral Service
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Remote work acceptedNo
Target Start Date2024-01-01
Job Posting End DateNovember 2, 2024
Standard Job DescriptionSenior Protection Assistant Organizational Setting and Work Relationships The Senior Protection Assistant normally reports to a more senior Protection colleague. 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 Senior Protection Assistant provides quality, timely and effective protection support to persons of concern (PoC) and identifies opportunities to mainstream protection methodologies and safeguards in operational responses. S/he contributes to designing a comprehensive protection strategy and may liaise externally with local authorities and partners on protection issues as guided by the supervisor. The Senior Protection Assistant 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 - Consistently apply International and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards and codes of conduct. - Provide counselling on protection issues to PoC; liaise with competent authorities to ensure the issuance of personal and other relevant documentation. - Support activities in protection related AGD based programming with implementing and operational partners. - Conduct preliminary information gathering and interviews in support of eligibility, status determination, durable solutions and social needs assessment. - 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 for PoC as part of the protection strategy. - Monitor Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all protection/solutions activities. - Participate in individual protection case management including cases of GBV and child protection. Monitor and report on cases of refoulement, expulsion and other protection incidents. - Assist in identifying durable solutions for PoC in 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. - Draft reports, routine correspondence, update relevant databases and compiling statistics within the Area of Responsibility (AoR). - Contribute to initiatives to enhance national and local protection capacities. - 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 Education & Professional Work Experience Years of Experience / Degree Level G5 - 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher Field(s) of Education Not applicable Certificates and/or Licenses International Law; Political Science; (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential) Relevant Job Experience Essential: Not specified. Desirable: Not specified. Functional Skills IT-Computer Literacy PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework (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 UNHCR looks for suitable candidates, with a sound knowledge of the Italian operational context as well as of issues pertaining to reception conditions and monitoring. Expertise on specific needs and International background would be an asset. Previous UNHCR experience is an asset. Fluency in both Italian and English is essential.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level): Italian
,English
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Desired languages
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,
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
Italy remains one of the major points of arrival for persons of concern seeking protection to Europe, with most of them arriving by sea via the Mediterranean. At the end of 2023 the number of sea arrivals is expected to be around 160.000 resulting in a strong pressure on the reception system which hosts, at the end of September 2023, more that 140.000 asylum seekers and refugees.
The Law Decree 20/2023 will have a negative impact on reception standards both in first-line facilities for asylum seekers, particularly on persons with specific needs and by introducing a new type of โemergency reception facilitiesโ, where only food, NFI, health assistance and cultural mediation are provided. Furthermore, the Government will strengthen the pre-removal network and create one pre-removal centre (CPR) per region with the aim to reinforce the State capacity to implement returns.
In 2023, UNHCR will monitor the implementation of the Law Decree 20/2023 and of all relevant legislative provisions and will continue to provide its technical support to MoI and to Prefectures. UNHCR will conduct monitoring missions in reception and detention facilities by piloting methodology/tools developed together with MoI and EUAA and will organize capacity development initiatives to Prefectures in line with the support provided to MoI throughout the years for increasing its capacity at central level and local level and ensuring accountability and harmonization of reception and detention standards.
The UNHCR Senior Protection Assistant based in Rome will directly report to the Protection Associate in Rome and s/he will perform the duties listed in the standard job description, with particular focus on:
conduct protection monitoring missions in reception and detention facilities nationwide both within traditional reception system than within alternative reception frameworks (i.e., Ukrainian response)
contribute to the collection and analysis of information on relevant developments on reception and detention, provide regular update and produce reports on specific issues and protection gaps aimed at shaping advocacy actions
maintain and/or establish regular contacts and interactions with relevant stakeholders such as Prefectures, EUAA, NGOs, civil society organizations etc
participate in training activities addressed to different stakeholders on reception and detention-related protection issues,
Living and Working Conditions
Rome is a HQ Duty Station. Italy has a strong UN presence (more than 10 Agencies Programmes and Funds totaling more than 6'000 staff) and is offering high standard of living conditions and relatively high cost of living.
There is no RC System hence no formal inter-agency coordination system other than the DO for Security related matters. FAO leads the UN team and collaborates closely with Rome based WFP and IFAD HQ.
The Italian authorities will issue a visa and residence permit to UNHCR international staff members. Before arriving at a new duty station, finding an accommodation will be a priority. There are some limited facilities to access Duty Free privileges. Buying a new vehicle is a lengthy process while buying second hand is even more complex. The public transport system is relatively reliable, and most colleagues have elected to reside in the office neighborhood.
A valid driving license issued by a European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) member state is automatically accepted in all other member states. People with EU/EEA-issued driver's license who take up residence in Italy are not required to exchange it for an Italian license.
Holders of a standard driving license issued from a non-EU/EEA country may drive in Italy using the foreign license for up to one year after obtaining residency.
Medical care is up to international standards.
UN International expatriates are covered by the medical insurance provided from their workplace. No additional medical coverage is required. A list of English-speaking doctors can be provided, upon request, by the FAO Medical Services.
There are several international schools in Rome. The academic year for schools in Italy is from September to June. Generally, schools have long waiting lists and it is advisable to register your child at school as soon as possible. You should also find out about the specific admission requirements at the school. Transfer certificates from previous schools and academic records are usually required. Contracts are made between the school and private individuals regarding payments of school fees.
This means any deposits and commitments to pay fees are your responsibility and not the UN's.
Spouse employment can be challenging, particularly in a post Covid-19 situation where the economy was affected.
Additional Qualifications
Skills
Education
CertificationsInternational Law - Other, Political Science - Other
Work Experience
CompetenciesAccountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration
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Additional Information
Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance