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 17, 2023
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 The incumbent should have demonstrated skills and experience in protection delivery. S/He should have experience in liaising with counterparts within the organization and outside the duty station, as well as with UNHCR partners and other stakeholders to collect information and monitor protection standards in reception conditions. Demonstrated awareness of the local political and security challenges which may impact the relevant activities is an asset. The incumbent will be expected to be able to deal with multiple tasks in a courteous and result-oriented manner, often with short deadlines and fluctuating workload. Demonstrated flexibility for work during weekends or out of working hours as per need is required. Ability to work as part of a team in a diverse work environment is one of the key competencies. The function also requires strong analytical skills, precision, accuracy and personal integrity. Work experience in humanitarian interventions supporting refugees and asylum seekers is desirable, while previous work experience with UNHCR is an asset. Experience in reception facilities in border areas would be favourably considered. Knowledge of Greek and English languages at minimum C1 level is mandatory. Good knowledge French or other language spoken by the communities is desirable. Excellent written and verbal communications skills, as well as strong organizational skills are an advantage, while ability to meet deadlines is required.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level): Greek
,English
,
Desired languagesFrench
,Arabic
,
Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/travel
Nature of Position:
Currently, some 91,000 asylum-seekers and refugees are hosted in Greece. So far in 2023, over 28,500 people have arrived either by sea or land. UNHCR provides expert advice to the State and evidence-based information that helps inform programmes and policies for asylum-seekers and refugees. Access to international protection, identifying durable solutions and support to vulnerable asylum-seekers and refugees, such as unaccompanied children and survivors of gender-based violence, are UNHCRโs key priorities. UNHCR also works with national and local authorities, the private sector, civil society and refugee communities to advance inclusion, develop support networks and create employability and training opportunities for refugees. The Office retains a readiness to respond to emergencies and new arrivals, with a focus on immediate support to the most vulnerable. UNHCR Greece plays a strong advocacy role since continued support is needed particularly from EU countries and EU institutions in providing immediate protection to those most at-risk through sufficient resources, ensuring capacity in the country and responsibility-sharing. UNHCR will continue to assist Greek authorities in responding to both short and long-term challenges.
UNHCR Field Office in Samos engages in multiple interventions in protection and solutions, in line with UNHCR Greece strategic directions and Sub-Office Lesvosโ guidance. The Senior Protection Assistant may undertake tasks related to a number of areas, such as access to international protection and reception conditions, integration, gender-based violence, protection from sexual exploitation and abuse, child protection or community-based protection. The Senior Protection Assistant is supervised by / reports to the Head of Field Office in Samos. Regular presence and support for the operation at Samos Closed Controlled-Access Centre (CCAC) is required, although performing in other field locations on the island or participating in missions to other locations may be relevant as per need.
S/He engages in information provision and protection monitoring activities, facilitates focus group discussions with asylum seekers and beneficiaries of international protection, supports capacity building and advocacy and promotes peaceful co-existence with the host community.
Living and Working Conditions:
Samos is the ninth largest island in Greece located in the eastern Aegean Sea. The capital of Samos is Vathy town. Samos is a family duty station, classified as H by ICSC. Samos International Airport, also known as Aristarchos Airport, serves the island with domestic and some international flights. The island has three ports as well, Vathy, Pythagoreio, and Karlovasi, at least two of which are well-connected by regular ferry services. Public transportation, primarily in the form of buses, is available and medical facilities are well-developed and easily accessible. Public educational institutions at all levels are available, but no international schools are based on the island. The climate can be described as Mediterranean, with hot and dry summers and mild and rainy winters.
In accordance with UNDSS security risk assessment, the whole Greek operation is classified as Security Level 2 (low). Security Clearance is required for travelling in the country.
For more detailed information please consult the continuously updated living conditions booklet on Intranet.
Additional Qualifications
SkillsPR-Refugee protection standards
Education
CertificationsInternational Law - Other, Political Science - Other
Work ExperienceWorking with Persons of Concern: Asylum Seekers, Working with Persons of Concern: Refugees
CompetenciesAccountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration
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Compendium
Additional InformationShortlisted candidates might be required to sit for a written test and will undergo an interview
Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance