Protection Assistant – UNV jobs in the USA

• Location: USA
• Vacancy No: N/A 
• Salary: N/A
• Organization: UNV
• Gender: Both
• Deadline: 2024-03-01

Details
Mission and objectives
The UNHCR Representation in Venezuela has the Country Office in Caracas, four Field Offices (Guasdualito, San Cristobal, Maracaibo, and Ciudad Guayana), as well as Field Units in Caracas, Puerto Ayacucho, and Santa Elena de Uairen. The overall context in Venezuela remains challenging with an estimated 7.7 million people in need, according to the Humanitarian Response Plan, and recurring issues related to humanitarian access. While the humanitarian crisis continues to produce population outflows from Venezuela, since 2022 there has been a noticeable increase in the proportion of spontaneous returns to the country. Returnees face a range of challenges for successful reintegration and to break the repeated cycle of displacement and human mobility. As a result, the UN Country Team has identified reintegration as an interagency priority for which UNHCR is co-leading coordination efforts and the operational response. Based on the current operational context, the operation needs to better understand the returnee situation; operationally adapt; and seek collaboration and leadership within the humanitarian response on returns. The position reports to the Deputy Representative.

Context
UNHCR Representation in Venezuela works through the Country Office, three Field Offices (Maracaibo, San Cristobal, Guasdualito) as well as four Field Units (Caracas, Santa Elena de Uairen, Carupano and Puerto Ayacucho). Field Unit Santa Elena de Uairen covers the municipality of Gran Sabana in Bolivar State, at the border with Brazil and falls under the supervision and management of Branch Office in Caracas. Occasionally the Office will cover other municipalities in Bolivar State. The overall context in Venezuela remains challenging both politically as well as operationally, especially as it relates to infrastructure deficiencies across a large area of responsibility. UNHCR Venezuela works with multiple population groups including refugees and asylum-seekers, host communities, and Venezuelans affected by the humanitarian crisis (including situations of emergency due to natural disasters).

UNHCR in Venezuela is working through a community-based approach to prevent displacement, mitigate protection risks and support resilience of affected communities. In Santa Elena de Uairen focus is placed with indigenous population and persons in mobility.

UNHCR works closely with operational and implementing partners and coordinates activities with local authorities, including the Office of the Ombudperson, CONARE (National Refugee Commission), Civil Registry, as well as regional and municipal authorities, among others.

UNHCR Field Unit Santa Elena de Uairen covers Gran Sabana municipality and supports essential services and community-based interventions to strengthen self-management of heightened protection risks, including human trafficking and gender-based violence. Moreover, it implements directly and with its partners community mobilization activities with community leaders and volunteers on activities focused on awareness, prevention/mitigation, and response pathways. Furthermore, it supports community spaces and infrastructure as complementary interventions to facilitate community-based activities, including solidarity initiatives and using sport as a protection tool in at-risk communities.

This position will be under the direct supervision of the Protection Associate in Santa Elena de Uairen and operational support may also be received from Protection Unit in Branch Office Caracas. The incumbent provides functional and administrative support to the protection unit on protection related liaison, correspondence, monitoring, case management and reporting activities.

The Protection Assistant also supports the protection unit in designing a comprehensive protection strategy and in providing quality, timely and effective protection responses to persons of concern (PoC).

S/he may liaise externally with local authorities and partners on correspondence and/or protection issues as guided by the supervisor.

The Protection Assistant also facilitates the involvement of PoC 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.

Task description
Under the direct supervision of the Protection Associate, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• The protection of populations of concern is met through the application of International and National Law relevant UN/UNHCR protection standards and IASC principles.
• Protection activities are guided by the UNHCR country protection strategy.
• The participation of persons of concern is facilitated through supporting participatory, rights and community-based approaches.
• Support is provided to identify and report protection incidents.
• Consistently apply International and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards and codes of conduct.
• Provide counselling on protection issues to persons of concern; 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 persons of concern 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 SGBV and child protection only for Persons of Concern to UNHCR (refugees, asylum seekers and persons in need of international protection). Monitor and report on cases of refoulement, expulsion and other protection incidents.
• Assist in identifying durable solutions for persons of concern in voluntary repatriation, local integration and where appropriate, resettlement.
• Support the implementation of the reintegration strategy and an inter-agency programme in collaboration with the Government, UN agencies and other stakeholders.
• Contribute to the design, implementation and evaluation of protection related AGD based programming with implementing and operational partners.
• Assist in drafting reports, routine correspondence, updating relevant databases and compiling statistics for the protection unit / section.
• Contribute to initiatives to enhance national and local protection capacities.
• Consult and involve indigenous persons in decision‑making, programming and leadership, giving them the means to voice their opinions and participate fully in the design, assessment, monitoring and evaluation of humanitarian activities and assistance.
• Establish a protection referral system to support effective case management.
• Enhance coordination and synergies among protection cluster’s partners, facilitate dialogue and flow of information at local level.
• Prepare Protection Cluster information products.
• Regularly update the Protection Custer strategy and workplans.
• Ensure centrality of protection by ensuring that that leadership, coordination, and engagement in all sectors is more strategic, aligned and directed toward a stronger response.

Eligibility criteria
Age
27 – 80

Nationality
Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.

Requirements
Required experience
3 years of experience in
Essential: Relevant professional work experience at the national and/or international level, or other relevant programmes; experience with NGOs is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization;

• Knowledge of UN policies and procedures;
• Good analytical skills;
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills in a multi-cultural setting;
• Ability to live and work in the difficult and harsh conditions of developing countries is essential.
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
• Sound security awareness;
• Have affinity with or interest in volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.
• Computer skills: Office Package (excellent knowledge of Word, good knowledge of Excel and Power Point) and Internet browsing.
• Willingness to travel to remote and rural areas as required.

Area(s) of expertise
Community development, Crisis and emergency response, Legal affairs

Driving license
–

Languages
English, Level: Fair, Required
Spanish, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in international law or political science or other related fields.

Area(s) of expertise:

• International Refugee Law
• International humanitarian law
• National Law and International Law

Competencies and values
Core Competencies:

-Accountability
-Communication
-Organizational Awareness
-Teamwork & Collaboration
-Commitment to Continuous Learning
-Client & Result Orientation

Cross-Functional Competencies:

-Analytical Thinking
-Political Awareness
-Stakeholder Management

Other information
Living conditions and remarks
Carupano is a “D” Family duty station, is a small city in Sucre State, three hours away by car from Cumana, capital of the state. Health facilities are available locally. Clinics provide some specialized assistance, but conditions and medicines are still a bit limited. Epidemics and other disease outbreaks are common in the operational area, such as malaria and dengue. Banks, restaurants and supermarkets are available. Carupano has presence of UN sister agencies and INGOs. Internet access is limited, and power/water shortages may occur. The operation may require undertaking frequent field missions by land, river and sea. Hotel and accommodation arrangements in field locations are available. Due to the prevailing economic situation and political dynamics criminality is a factor, however incidents affecting humanitarian workers are limited. Although there is no official curfew in place, staff are advised not to go out after dark by walking (18h00 pm) and to use reliable transportation instead of walking.

Other remarks:

BENEFITS

The basic benefits of this allowance, as per the UN Volunteer Conditions of Service, are as follows:

– Monthly living allowance.
– A pre-assignment allowance (paid on first payroll).
– An end-of-assignment allowance, paid at the end of the contract, provided that the relevant conditions are met.
– Medical, dental and hospital insurance, as well as life and disability insurance.
– Medical insurance for eligible dependents. See Conditions of Service for eligibility details.
– Annual leave computed on the basis of 2.5 days per month.

Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
This UNV assignment is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19 with WHO approved vaccine, unless the UNHCR Medical Service approves an exemption from this requirement on medical grounds

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