Only candidates who are not nationals of the country of assignment are eligible to apply to this position
Hardship LevelA (least hardship)
Family TypeFamily
Residential location (if applicable)
GradePR4
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.
In practical terms this means that you are not eligible to apply for International Professional vacancies advertised in the country where you are national of.
ReasonTemporary > Temporary Assignment/ Appointment
Remote work acceptedNo
Target Start Date2023-10-01
Job Posting End DateSeptember 17, 2023
Standard Job DescriptionSenior Social Protection Officer Organizational Setting and Work Relationships The Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) affirmed by the UN General Assembly in December 2018 has strengthened UNHCRยฟs protection and solutions mandate. It calls for the inclusion of refugees in the societies that host them, pending solutions; and has provided an opportunity to assemble into a single framework decades of good practices pertaining to inclusion. Social protection systems, figure prominently in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Goal 1.3 calls for the implementation of ยฟnationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and vulnerableยฟ. Inclusion of refugees in social safety nets and social protection programmes, with the support of the international community is highlighted in the Compact. This contrasts with realities in many parts of the world. Refugees are indeed often excluded from national social protection programmes/systems which normally help the most vulnerable families cover their basic needs and earn income. This is due to various reasons, including that these systems are meant to serve their own citizens, restrictive policies and legal frameworks, limited ability of refugees to pay into national social protection programmes, etc. This exclusion also applies to internally displaced- and stateless persons. Moreover, in much of the world, these systems are nascent or non-existent. Where they do exist, they are often unable to meet the needs of their own nationals. At the same time, humanitarian and development actors, particularly in protracted displacement contexts, are increasingly working to transition refugees, where possible, from humanitarian assistance to national social safety nets, social welfare services and public labour / workplace programmes. This contributes to the SDG `Leave No-One Behindยฟ principle and SDG-specific objectives working to increase the global coverage of social protection. Innovative financing such as the World Bankยฟs IDA 18 Refugee Sub-Window (RSW) are opening up refugee inclusion windows in national social safety net, health coverage and public labour programmes, with the upcoming IDA 19 Host Community and Refugee Window (HRW) investments continuing this trend. Humanitarian actors are also providing assistance to refugees and host communities through socio-economic services or delivering directly cash and goods similar to the functions of national social protection systems with opportunities for harmonization with national systems. As part of the implementation of the GCR, UNCHR is increasing its capacity to support initiatives aimed at including where possible its persons of concern (POC) in national social protection programmes. This requires capacities for operational analysis, policy, research, and partnerships. Within this context, the Senior Social Protection Officerยฟs role is to support UNHCR in understanding social protection/safety net schemes, and how to eventually include refugees, IDPs and stateless persons. The incumbent is expected to work in line with the multi-functional team (MFT) approach and establish strong working relationships with other technical sectors and divisions in UNHCR, including protection, programme, livelihoods, economic and financial inclusion, education, cash and partnerships with development actors. 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 UNHCRยฟs core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity. Duties - Develop operational guidance, good practice notes and policy briefs for the Field and senior management, as necessary, drawing on relevant UNHCR-supported action research or other sources from authoritative partners; - Represent UNHCR and engage in upstream policy, progamme and financing dialogues on social protection with key actors, including, inter-alia, the World Bank, EU, UNICEF, ILO and WFP, to ensure that refugees and other POC are included; - Lead on promoting and supporting research to have the right data for advocating for the inclusion of refugees and other POC in social protection programmes, strategies and financing; - Draft briefing papers, talking points and memorandum to support senior management in promoting inclusion of POCs in social protection policy, programmes and financing. - Work with relevant UNHCR technical staff to identify and gather necessary socio-economic micro data of POC and host communities, as relevant, to support inclusion in social protection programmes; - Provide direct technical support to Operations in transitioning from a humanitarian social assistance approach to a national social protection programme, as required - Support the Regional Bureau or specific Operations, as needed, in developing actionable strategies for the inclusion of POC into protection/safety nets programmes from a regional or specific Operationยฟs perspective; - Build a strong knowledge base of existing (and potential) social protection/safety net schemes that do/could include POC; - Identify and support RB and Operations to secure relevant technical expertise, including support to drafting ToRs, etc. - Provide direct technical support to Operation(s) within the Area of Responsibility (AoR) in transitioning from a humanitarian social assistance approach (cash, food for work, etc.) to a national social protection programme - Organize and facilitate capacity building and awareness raising activities within the AoR on social protection In a Regional Bureaux (RB) - Support the Field to identify and secure technical expertise, potential financing options and partnerships; - Elevate key regional research and lessons learned to the HQ levelfor inclusion in guidance, policy and institutional-level engagements on social protection. In Country Offices - Identify most relevant partners and potential financing options; - Where relevant, build strong engagement with World Bank social protection task team leaders; - Build effective working relationships with relevant government departments and local government administrations associated with social protection programmes; - Organize and facilitate capacity building and awareness raising activities related to social protection and inclusion for UNHCR staff and colleagues in relevant agencies and host governments entities; and, - draft lessons learned and support knowledge sharing with regional bureau and HQ. - Perform other related duties as required. Minimum Qualifications Education & Professional Work Experience Years of Experience / Degree Level For P4/NOD - 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree Field(s) of Education Socio-Economic Development, Social Sciences, Development studies, Community Development, International Relations, Law, Political Science, Disaster Risk Management, Emergency Management, Environmental/Earth science or other relevant field. (Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential) Certificates and/or Licenses Not specified Relevant Job Experience Essential Minimum of 5 years relevant, demonstrated field experience working on social protection-related programme development, management, implementation and monitoring/evaluation. Practical field experience transitioning humanitarian-type programming into national social protection programmes, e.g. cash transfers, public works, health services, etc. Relevant field experience in related areas including around targeting, socio-economic household data preferably in both humanitarian and development and forced displacement contexts. Ability to identify the most valuable partnerships and leverage them and to influence policy dialogue, taking into account the capacities and vulnerabilities of forcibly displaced persons. Excellent analytical capacity and proven ability to work with socio-economic micro data. Ability to translate complex concepts and programming opportunities for the use by UNHCR staff. Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills. Demonstrated maturity to engage with senior managers in host governments, bilateral donors, development banks and other UN agencies. Ability to work in teams. Excellent communications skills ยฟ written and oral. Nuanced understanding of the key partners that are engaged in social protection programmes, including, inter alia, the World Bank, EU, ILO and UNICEF. Desirable Good knowledge of UNHCR or other institutions working with forcibly displaced populations. Experience in poverty reduction programmes. Capacity to work with socio-economic data. Functional Skills *CL-Strategy Development and Monitoring *CO-Drafting and Documentation *CO-Strategic Communication *ER-Inter-Agency Leadership/Coordination *IM-Knowledge Management *MG-Partnership Development *PR-Social cohesion *SO-Critical Thinking and problem solving *SO-Networking *UN-Policy Advocacy in UNHCR PG-Results-Based Management 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 Operational Context:
The Senior Social Protection Officer will be based in the UNHCR Regional Bureau for Middle East and North Africa (RB-MENA) that covers 17 countries. By the end of 2022, the MENA region hosted 2.4 million refugees, 12.6 million internally displaced people, 251,800 asylum seekers and 370,300 stateless persons. There are multiple protracted crises in the MENA region, including the Syria and Sudan situations. UNHCR is expanding its engagement with development partners in order to ensure that increasing numbers of Refugee, IDP, returnee and stateless people are socially and economically empowered with the means to be self-reliant and able to enjoy their rights. The MENA Regional Bureau has leveraged partnerships at regional level with a number of development actors to support country operations in line with UNHCRs Strategic Directions 2022-2026. RB-MENA has been increasing its engagement on social protection through a range of initiatives including the ESCWA Issue Based Coalition on Social Protection in the Arab Region (IBC-SP) and collaboration with UN partners and the Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan (3RP). Along with joint agency efforts UNHCR seeks to support host and refugee populations and strengthen the evidence base, vulnerability and poverty analysis of populations in support of refugee inclusion. Further, UNHCR has increased advocacy with governments and donors for capacity building of national social protection services. A regional review of country operations has identified potential partnership opportunities with the World Bank, IMF and WFP, UNICEF and ILO, including the PROSPECTS partnership led by the Government of the Netherlands furthering the inclusion of refugees into national social protection systems.
The Senior Social Protection Officerโs role is to support the MENA Regional Bureau and UNHCR Operations in advancing the inclusion and alignment of refugees, IDPs and other persons of concern with national sectors and increasing access to public services, including social protection systems and programmes. The Senior Social Protection Officer will work in a matrixed reporting line to the Senior Partnerships Advisor and Senior Development Officer (SDO) as part of a multi-functional team within the Regional Bureau. The Senior Social Protection Officer will work closely with the SDO and UNHCR country operations in the region alongside Programme, Protection, Data and Cash Based Intervention colleagues covering livelihoods, economic and financial inclusion, education, public health and partnerships with development actors. With Senior Management support, outreach to key external stakeholders and development agencies will include the World Bank, government agencies, national line ministries and other operational partners. Guidance and support will also be provided by the UNHCR Social Protection Unit in Headquarters Geneva that contributes to strategic direction, coordination, and oversight of UNHCR social protection activities, as well as the design and implementation of capacity building activities.
In the given Operational Context, the Senior Social Protection Officer will:
โข Expand and strengthen existing UNHCR analysis and understanding of inclusion of refugees and other PoC in national socio-economic systems, including mapping the status of inclusion across the region, identifying opportunities in each country, liaising with Senior Development Officer, Senior Economist and relevant colleagues working on inclusion in the MENA Regional Bureau and in Country Operations as needed.
โข Provide technical support to the MENA Regional Bureau and Country Operations for the inclusion of refugees and other PoC in Social Protection programmes and how to align UNHCR assistance to these programmes, working together with social protection focal points and with Multi-Functional Teams (MFT) including programme, protection and external relations staff.
โข Support Country Operations in the MENA region to formulate their strategic priorities and engagement opportunities in the area of social protection and inclusion (with a focus on: Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia, Yemen).
โข Conduct social protection capacity building activities for UNHCR staff in the regional bureau as well as country operations in MENA, tailored to the specific contexts and needs, by: (i) strengthening their understanding of social protection through a thematic workshop as well as webinars and exchange events, (ii) conducting regular calls with social protection focal points in the region, (iii) leverage use of refugee data to underwrite social protection technical services offered by UNHCR, (iv) enhancing country operationsโ capacity for social protection policy engagement.
โข Contribute to policy development and advocacy in the area of social protection and inclusion, providing operational and best-practice briefs to senior management and other technical staff engaged in external processes and partnerships linked to social protection and inclusion, while also providing inputs into the global UNHCR social protection institutional products.
โข Represent UNHCR and support partnerships with Governments, key bilateral donors and international financial institutions working in support of national social protection systems, strengthening the role of UNHCR and scaling up operational support with other external agencies (e.g. ILO, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, World Bank) to rollout the alignment and transitioning of assistance to government social protection programmes.
โข Leverage external partnerships to influence government and donor policy dialogue, considering the capacities and vulnerabilities of forcibly displaced persons.
โข Manage operational research and the documentation of regional learnings to build the knowledge base for UNHCR and other external actors for the inclusion of refugees and other PoCs in social protection systems and economic inclusion programmes.
โข Promote linkages and foster integration of social protection work with other relevant teams such as cash-based interventions, health, education, livelihood and financial inclusion.
โข Generate data and analysis for evidence-base, communication, and visibility, including on numbers of refugees and other PoC having access to social protection programmes across the MENA region.
โข Ensure fluid communication and information exchange with key stakeholders internally and externally.
Desired Candidate Profile:
โข Demonstrated experience in working with government social protection systems, particularly in contexts of fragility and/or forced displacement.
โข Operational experience in national social protection systems, including responsibility for liaising with line ministries at national and decentralized levels.
โข Proven knowledge and technical skills in designing, implementing and/or monitoring different types of social protection programmes;
โข Field experience in working with poor, vulnerable, humanitarian caseloads, particularly those impacted by forced displacement.
โข A good knowledge of UNHCR and/or other institutions working with displaced populations will be an asset.
โข Experience in MENA region will be an asset.
โข Knowledge of French and Arabic is desirable.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level): English
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Desired languagesArabic
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Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
Nature of Position:
Living and Working Conditions:
Additional Qualifications
SkillsCL-Strategy Development and Monitoring, CO-Drafting and Documentation, CO-Strategic Communication, ER-Inter-Agency Leadership/Coordination, IM-Knowledge Management, MG-Partnership Development, PG-Results-Based Management, PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework, PR-Social cohesion, SO-Critical Thinking and problem solving, SO-Networking, UN-Policy Advocacy in UNHCR
Education
Certifications
Work Experience
CompetenciesAccountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration
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Additional Information
Functional clearanceThis position requires Functional Clearance