ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT: Define the role of the position within the team, describing its leadership role, if any, it’s external/internal work relationships or contacts, the contextual environment in which it operates and the scope of supervision received, and where applicable, exercised by the incumbent.

The Protection Associate (Community-Based) is a member of the Protection Unit in a Country Operation and may report to the Protection Officer, Protection Officer (Community-Based), or another more senior staff member in the Protection Unit. Under the overall direction of the Protection Unit, and in coordination with other UNHCR staff, government, NGO partners and other stakeholders, the Protection Associate (Community-Based) works directly with communities of concern to identify the risks they face and to leverage their capacities to protect themselves, their families and communities. The incumbent may have direct supervisory responsibility for part of the protection and/or support staff and supports the application of community-based protection standards, operational procedures and practices in community-based protection delivery at the field level. To fulfil this role the Protection Associate (Community-Based) is required to spend a substantial percentage of her/his time working outside the office, building and maintaining networks within communities of persons of concern. The development and maintenance of constructive relationships with persons of concern that measurably impact and enhance protection planning, programming and results forms the core of the work of the Protection Associate (Community-Based). The incumbent also supports the designing of a community-based protection strategy by ensuring that it is based on consultation with persons of concern.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT:

• Assist functional units, the Multi-Functional Team (MFT) and senior management to integrate participatory and community-based approaches in the overall protection delivery strategy and operational procedures.

• Through relationships with persons of concern and network of partners stay abreast of political, social, economic and cultural developments that have an impact on the protection environment and provide advice to the protection team. Understand the perspectives, capacities, needs and resources of the persons of concern and advise the protection team accordingly, highlighting the specific protection needs of women and men, children, youth and older persons, persons with disabilities, marginalized groups.

• Work with host communities to identify opportunities for national civil society involvement in improving the protection of persons of concern.

• Work with implementing and operational partners as well as with displaced and local communities to develop community-owned activities to address, where applicable, the social, educational, psycho-social, cultural, health, organisational and livelihood concerns as well as child protection and prevention and response to SGBV.

• Assist in the analysis that identifies the capacities of communities of concern and risks they face.

• Support participatory assessments by multifunctional teams and ongoing consultation with persons of concern.

• Assist in planning and monitoring of programmes and budgets, with an AGD perspective.

• Build office capacity for community-based protection through training and establishing systems for community mobilization and participation of persons of concern.

• Support communities in establishing representation and coordination structures.

• Ensure community understanding of UNHCR's commitment to deliver on accountability and quality assurance in its response.

• Act as interpreter in exchange of routine information, contribute to related liaison activities and respond directly to routine queries.

• Perform other relevant duties as required.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Completion of the Secondary education; Training/certificate in International Development, Cultural Studies, Human Rights, International Social Work, Social Science, Political Science, Anthropology, International Law or other clearly related disciplines is required.

• Minimum of 6 years previous relevant job experience.

• Computer skills (MS Office, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access).

• Fluency in English and working knowledge of another relevant UN language or local language.

In order to be considered for this position , candidate is required to complete and submit the NEW UNHCR P11 Form.

Only short listed candidates will be notified.

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply

Candidate Assessments may include a written examination followed by a Competency Based Interview.