Associate Community-Based Protection Officer

E (most hardship)Non Family with Residential LocationNon Family with Residential LocationNairobi (CO), KenyaNOBNational Professional Officer

Reason

Regular > Regular AssignmentNo2025-01-01December 12, 2024

Associate Community-Based Protection Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Associate Community-Based Protection Officer is a member of the Protection Team in a Regional Bureau or a Country Office and normally reports to the Senior Community-Based Protection Officer, the Senior Protection Officer, Head of Sub-Office or the Assistant Representative for protection.
For a regional position, the incumbent may have direct supervisory responsibility for Protection and Community-Based Protection staff in the regional office, and a technical support role for Community-Based Protection staff in the region. For a country level position the incumbent may have direct supervisory responsibility for Community-based Protection staff and other protection staff in the operation.
S/he supports the implementation of protection standards and provides advice on community-based protection to senior management and Country Operation(s) in close collaboration with the Division of International Protection (DIP).
The incumbent is relied upon by senior management to support a coordinated approach in the implementation of UNHCR's rights-based and community-based engagement with all persons of concern (PoC) and contributes to the achievement of UNHCR's commitments to accountability to affected people.
S/he maintains close working relationships and supports Protection and Community-Based Protection staff in the field, who act as the critical interface between UNHCR and communities of concern, enabling them to provide the AGD-sensitive analysis of community risks and capacities that form the essential foundations of national and regional programmes. The incumbent maintains close working relations with sister UN entities, governmental entities, non-governmental organisations and academic institutions that can contribute to enhancing protection and achieving solutions through people centred, community-based and gender responsive approaches.
The incumbent provides guidance to country operations to strengthen their coordination and advocacy on community-based approaches to protection with governments, partners and other key stakeholders.

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
- Be fully informed about community structures and the protection and security situation of the population of concern and develop strong links with a cross-section of members of refugee/IDP/stateless communities, using an AGD approach.
- Through relationships with PoC 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 senior management.
- Ensure that the perspectives, capacities, needs and resources of the PoC are reflected in the protection strategy, planning processes and operations plan addressing the specific protection needs of women and men, children, youth and older persons, persons with disabilities, minority groups such as sexual minorities and persons living with HIV/AIDS.
- Ensure through direct action and advocacy with more senior protection staff that the necessary resources are allocated to enable community work to identify and address protection and assistance gaps.
- Support a consultative process with government counterparts at local levels, partners and PoC to develop and implement integrated strategies that address the key protection priorities, including, for example, child protection, education and GBV, and solutions approaches.
- Provide technical guidance and support to UNHCR and partners and implement and oversee Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on all community-based protection related issues.
- Support the design, implementation and evaluation of protection centred and solutions oriented programming with implementing and operational partners guaranteeing that community-owned activities are integrated.
- Support communities in establishing representation and coordination structures
- Promote confidence building and conflict resolution among PoC, authorities and host communities.
- Maintain protection presence through regular field missions and reports, making direct contact with PoC, host communities, local authorities and partners. In operations applying the humanitarian cluster system, contribute to the development of an AGD-compliant strategy on which the response of the Protection Cluster is grounded in and covers all assessed and prioritized protection needs of the affected populations.
- Support the Operation's work to fully integrate the protection strategy into the Country Operations Plan, the UN Development and Assistance Framework (UNDAF), the Humanitarian Country Team's common humanitarian action plan where applicable.
- Contribute to the Protection team's information management component which: provides disaggregated data on PoC and their problems; researches, collects and disseminates relevant protection information and good practices to enhance protection delivery and provide technical advice if necessary.
- Support the inclusion of participatory, community-based protection and AGD approaches in strategies and plans within the Area of Responsibility (AoR).
- Support community understanding of UNHCR's commitment to deliver on accountability and quality assurance in its response.
- Support PoC to develop structures that enhance their participation and protection.
- Contribute to the design of the community-based protection strategy, project submissions and budgets for endorsement by the supervisor.
- Intervene with authorities on community-based protection issues.
- Negotiate with local counterparts, partners and PoC.

- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P2/NOB - 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
International Development, Cultural Studies, Human Rights,
International Social Work, Social Science, Political Science,
Anthropology, International Law or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Relevant professional experience, including in the areas of community based protection, community services, social work, and human rights.

Desirable
Proven communication skills, both oral and written.
Demonstrated knowledge of community communication and engagement approaches.
Understanding of and demonstrated competencies in forced displacement and protection, particularly GBV prevention and response, child protection, education, gender equality, and the application of the Age, Gender and Diversity Policy.

Functional Skills
DM-Database Management
IT-Computer Literacy
PR-Coordination in Forced Displacement situations
PR-Convention on the Rights of the Child / International Legal Framework
PR-Gender Equality
PR-Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD)
CO-Drafting and Documentation
ED-Technical support to education programmes and proposals
PR-Gender Based Violence (GBV) prevention programming
PR-Gender Based Violence (GBV) response programming
(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.

'The candidate must be familiar with provision of technical guidance and support to UNHCR and partners to implement and oversee Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on all community-based protection related issues and implementation of Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) community-based and right based approaches.
S/he must have experience working and overseeing activities to address the needs of persons with specific needs and mobilizing the community to support those with specific needs.
S/he must have experience working and overseeing activities to address the needs of persons with specific needs and mobilizing the community to support those with specific needs.
S/he must have previous work experience to coordinate the design, implementation and evaluation of protection related programming with implementing and operational partners especially working with the authorities guaranteeing that community-owned activities both in a settlement and in a refugee, camp are integrated; also ensuring that key protection priorities, including, for example, child protection, youth, legal protection, education and GBV are addressed.
S/he must have excellent communication and coordination skills, relevant experience in similar complex operations.
S/he needs to have contributed to the development of protection strategies in Youth, Education, PWG, Sports for Protection, GBV, Child Protection, & other relevant areas to seamlessly integrate solutions processes within a broader protection strategy.
S/he should be knowledgeable on data management systems & risk management on UNHCR process. S/he should be familiar using several innovation tools like in Kakuma- KASI, Fresh Desk and others.
S/he should be equipped to exercise a high degree of flexibility, creativity, patience and adaptability.
S/he should possess strong analytical and diplomatic skills, knowledge of the context and exhibit good judgment and protection instincts.
and is expected to demonstrate strong managerial and interpersonal skills'

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational health and safety considerations for this duty station, please visit this link: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

Sub-Office  Kakuma covers two main areas of operation: Kakuma refugee camp and Kalobeyei integrated settlement. Kakuma refugee camp is located in the North-western region of Kenya, about 720.4 Km from Nairobi. The camp was established in 1992 following the arrival of the "Lost Boys of Sudan". During that year, large groups of Ethiopian refugees fled their country following the fall of the Ethiopian government. Somalia had also experienced high insecurity and civil strife causing people to flee. Total population of the camp is 299,833 registered refugees and asylum seekers at the end of October 2024 from 24 nationalities. UNHCR supported the Government in launching of the Kalobeyei Integrated Social Development Plan (KISEDP) at the end of 2018, a multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder plan to enhance equitable access to services and economic opportunities to further an enabling protecting environment supporting the socioeconomic inclusion of the refugees and host communities. KISEDP adopts an integrated and whole of government and stakeholder approaches facilitating robust humanitarian-development-peace (HDP) partnerships among the government, UN agencies, development actors, NGOs, private sector, civil society, refugees and host communities etc. The Government of Kenya in collaboration with UNHCR and other actors is developing the Shirika Plan, a pioneering approach for socioeconomic inclusion of refugees and host communities. Importantly, Kakuma is designated as the municipality to develop further the services and promote local economic development, all in a way supporting refugee inclusion and equity.  

The incumbent will co-lead the Inter-Agency group on Communication with Communities besides being a part of Inter-Agency Protection working group and MHPSS.

S/he will oversee transit and reception center’s activities in coordination with other sectors/units, partners and Government counterparts.

S/he will supervise CBP team comprised of 6 national staff and S/he is expected to work in coordination with Field, other units/sectors and with a range of national and international UNHCR counterparts, Government as well as the refugees and asylum seekers.

Living and Working Conditions:

Kakuma Sub Office is a non-family duty station with a hardship classified E, its living conditions are difficult, but the social climate is calm. International and national staff live on UNHCR compound which houses both offices and residences. Compound has a gym and basketball court. Rooms have a bathroom, bed, wardrobe, TV, AC, refrigerator, gas stove. Staff provide their own bedsheets, towels, and toiletries. Rooms are cleaned Monday to Friday. Private company sells meals and drinks in the cafeteria. Shops in Kakuma town sell toiletries and food items. There are several churches and several mosques. Available banks are Equity Bank and Kenya Commercial Bank. ATM machines accept some credit and debit cards, dispensing Kenyan Shillings. The area is generally characterized by high temperatures and is relatively humid. January to March is the hottest months, with temperatures reaching 38oC / 100.4oF. Some essentials during these periods are a hat/cap, sunglasses, light sweat absorbing clothes, closed shoes, welly boots. November-December is the short rainy season. Long rains start in mid-March and end in June. Some of the hazards in the Kakuma operation includes dust storms, heat exhaustion, flooding, and presence of different insects, snakes, scorpions, and high risk of malaria. Rain showers usually results in large muddy areas and overflowing of seasonal rivers which limits staff movements. Kakuma Mission Hospital at Kakuma town is the first point of call during medical emergency situations in Kakuma camp. JMS (UN Joint Medical Service) has a clinic in UNHCR compound. A level 4 hospital is also available in Kakuma camp and is managed by a UNHCR partner. There are also few medical clinics and chemist shops in Kakuma town with very basic facilities. Referrals and evacuations are primarily to Nairobi. Kakuma Sub Office is a Security Level 3. The overall security situation in the operational area has been calm and stable over the past few months. While UNHCR operations have not been directly affected by insecurity, humanitarian operations and program delivery modalities are constantly reviewed, and the security posture adjusted in order to mitigate the risks. Security of UNHCR compound is provided by UN Security and Safety Service (UNDSS), a private guard company (G4S) and the Kenya Police Service. Staff are expected to always cooperate with security personnel and keep ID badge/visitors pass visible at all times while in the compound. Movement in and out of the UNHCR Compound is restricted from 22:00Hrs to 05:00Hrs.Staff are expected to return from refugee camps and integrated settlement to the UNHCR compound by 18:00 hours.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CO-Drafting and Documentation, DM-Database Management, ED-Technical support to education programmes and proposals, IT-Computer Literacy, PR-Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD), PR-Convention on the Rights of the Child / International Legal Framework, PR-Coordination in Forced Displacement situations, PR-Gender Based Violence (GBV) prevention programming, PR-Gender Based Violence (GBV) response programming, PR-Gender EqualityBachelor of Arts (BA): Anthropology, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Cultural Studies, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Human Rights, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Development, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Social Work, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political Science, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Social Science

Certifications

Competencies

Accountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Organizational awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Additional Information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance