Protection Officer, P3, Aleppo At UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

In the Bureaux, the Protection Officer works under the direct supervision of the Senior Protection Coordinator or Senior Protection Officer. In the Field, the incumbent normally reports to the Representative, Deputy or Assistant Representative (Protection), Head of Sub Office or Senior Protection Officer as appropriate. The incumbent may have direct supervisory responsibility for protection staff whose work may include RSD, community-based protection, registration, resettlement, complementary pathways, internal displacement and education, among other areas. In HQ, the incumbent may report to a Senior Protection Officer, Chief of Section or Deputy Director and may supervise other protection staff.

The incumbent acts as an advisor to senior management in, when not responsible for, designing a comprehensive protection strategy under the area of responsibility (AoR). S/he represents the Organization to authorities, UN sister agencies, partners and other stakeholders on protection policy and doctrine.

The Protection Officer coordinates quality, timely and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern under the AoR. S/he ensures that persons of concern of all age, gender and diversity groups are involved with the Office in making decisions that affect them, whether in accessing their rights or in identifying and implementing appropriate solutions to their problems. To undertake this role effectively, the incumbent will need to build and maintain effective interfaces with other relevant teams within the operation or the Bureau (including programme; PI and external relations; IM) and with DIP, communities of concern, authorities, protection and assistance partners as well as a broader network of stakeholders who can contribute to enhancing protection and achieving solutions.

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

– Provide technical guidance and support to UNHCR and partners on all protection related issues.

– Stay abreast of and report as relevant on legal political, social, economic and cultural developments that have an impact on the protection environment.

– Engage relevant national authorities and structures in identifying and expanding opportunities in view of developing or strengthening national asylum/RSD systems.

– Facilitate a consultative process with government counterparts, partners and persons of concern to develop and implement a comprehensive protection and solutions strategy addressing the specific protection needs of women and men, children, youth and older persons, persons with disabilities, persons of diverse sexual orientation and/or gender identities (LGBTI persons), persons living with HIV/AIDS; gender equality and Gender Based Violence (GBV) priorities with regard to these persons.

– In operations applying the Cluster Approach, seek to ensure the response of the Protection Cluster is grounded in a strategy which covers all assessed and prioritized protection needs of the affected populations.

– Support senior management to ensure the protection strategy is fully integrated into the Country Operations Plan, the UN Development and Assistance Framework (UNDAF), the Humanitarian Country Team’s common humanitarian response plan where applicable, as well as with the implementation of the Global Compact on Refugees and the Three Year Strategy on Resettlement and Complementary Pathways.

– Promote relevant International, Regional and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards and codes of conduct and ensure that all sectors and /or in clusters in applicable operations fulfil their responsibilities in mainstreaming protection.

– Promote the implementation of the AGD policy, including UNHCR’s updated commitments to women and girls, and, design, deliver I and monitor programmes on an AGD basis to address identified protection needs.

– Develop, implement and monitor community-based protection strategies and ensure systematic application and integration of participatory and community-based approaches in protection and solutions planning, programming and strategies.

– Support the establishment of feedback and response systems and the incorporation of feedback received from persons of concern into programme design and adaptation.

– Support the operation to develop and implement robust prevention, identification, and responses to fraud within protection processes and procedures, including registration, RSD, resettlement and complementary pathways, ensuring the integrity of interventions across all protection activities.

– Assist UNHCR management at country level to comply with polices and commitment on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse measures.

– Oversee and manage individual protection cases including those on GBV and child protection.

– Provide legal advice and guidance on protection issues to internal and external interlocutors; ensure legal assistance is accessible to persons of concern; liaise with competent authorities to ensure the issuance of personal and other relevant documents to persons of concern (including women and others in need of civil documentation, in particular birth certificates).

– As designated Data Protection Focal Point, assist the data controller in carrying out his or her responsibilities regarding the Data Protection Policy (7.2 DPP).

– Oversee and undertake eligibility and status determination within the AoR ensuring compliance with UNHCR procedural standards and international protection principles.

– Promote and implement effective strategies and measures to identify, prevent and reduce statelessness within the AoR.

– Contribute to the development and implementation of an education plan as part of protection strategy within the AoR as relevant.

– Contribute to the development and implementation of a child protection plan as part of the protection strategy within the AoR ensuring programmes use a child protection systems approach.

– Monitor, and intervene in cases of refoulement, expulsion and other protection incidents through working relations with governments and other partners.

– Work to safeguard the rights of persons of concern in the context of mixed movements as relevant.

– Coordinate the preparation of, implement and oversee Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all protection/solutions activities.

– Ensure that durable solutions through voluntary repatriation, local integration and where appropriate, resettlement and complementary pathways are sought and provided to the largest possible number of persons of concern, including undertaking and/or overseeing resettlement and complementary pathways activities.

– Contribute to the coordination of the design, implementation and evaluation of protection related programming with implementing and operational partners.

– Contribute to and facilitate a programme of results-based advocacy through a consultative process with sectorial and/or cluster partners.

– Ensure that the Protection Sector or Cluster has an effective information management component which: provides disaggregated data on populations of concern and their problems; researches, collects and disseminates relevant protection information and good practices to enhance protection delivery.

– Build the protection capacity of national and local government, partners and civil society to assume their responsibilities vis-à-vis all persons of concern through protection training, mainstreaming and related activities.

– Coordinate capacity-building initiatives for communities and individuals to assert their rights.

– Advise and capacitate national authorities, relevant institutions and civil society to strengthen legislation and status determination procedures and mechanisms.

– Perform other related duties as required.

For positions in Bureaux

– Support the Regional Bureau and Country Operations to reflect the protection and solution angle in support of persons of concern within regional processes.

– Support Country Operations in the development of strategies to build and further develop national asylum/RSD systems with a view to ensuring their fairness, efficiency, adaptability and integrity, favourable protection environment and solutions.

– Assist UNHCR management at regional and country level to comply with polices and commitment on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse measures.

– Support Country Operations and ensure they meet their complementary pathways objectives and resettlement quotas.

– In close collaboration with DIP, (a) contribute to the development of background and general normative, policy, and legal positions, in compliance with UNHCR’s global protection policies and standards; (b) contribute to the development of strategies at the regional and country level on the usage of law and policy approaches, including legislative and judicial engagement and UN human rights mechanisms – and/or regional ones – and other protection frameworks, and integrated human rights standards in protection strategies and advocacy; and (c) support coordination and review of UNHCR’s country reports to the UN human rights mechanisms.

– Engage in relevant international and regional fora and contribute to forging regional partnerships to advocate for key protection and mandate issues, and engage in cross-cutting protection-related matters, including mixed movement, internal displacement and climate change/disaster-related displacement responses, as well as Statelessness, in cooperation with DIP and where relevant RSD.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level

For P3/NOC – 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education

Law; International Law; International Refugee Law;

International Human Rights Law; International Humanitarian Law;

Refugee and Forced Migration Studies; Political Sciences

or other relevant field.

(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Certificates and/or Licenses

Protection Learning Programme

RSD- Resettlement Learning Programme

(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Minimum 4 years of relevant professional experience in the area of refugee protection, internal displacement, human rights or international humanitarian law, including experience in working directly with Field Offices. Good knowledge of International Refugee and Human Rights Law and ability to apply the relevant legal principles. Excellent legal research, analytical skills and drafting.

Desirable

Diverse field experience. Good IT skills including database management skills.

Functional Skills

*PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators

*PR-Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD)

PR-Human Rights Doctrine/Standards

PR-International Humanitarian Law

PR-Comprehensive Solutions Framework

LE-Judicial Engagement

PR-Assessment of IDPs Status, Rights, Obligation

PR-Climate change and disaster related displacement

PR-Accountability to Affected People – Principles and Framework

PR-Gender Based Violence (GBV) Coordination

(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

– Proven experience in inter-agency/cluster/sector coordination.

– Experience in mixed context (Refugees, IDPs and Returnees).

– Management experience in different thematic protection areas; i.e (GBV, PSEA, Legal, CBP, PSS, CP).

– Previous experience in the MENA region would be an asset.

– Experience in non-family/HRDSs.

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

Desired languages

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

The Protection Officer in Aleppo is responsible for leadership in mainstreaming protection. Reporting to the Head of Sub office, the Protection Officer oversees the appropriate and timely provision of protection and support for internally displaced persons, returnees, refugees and asylum-seekers located in Aleppo governorate. The incumbent leads the protection sector at the sub-national level and represents the sector in the Area Humanitarian Coordination Team when needed.

The Protection Officer supervises the protection team, and should have demonstrated managerial skills, including recruitment, coaching and training, supervision, team building and performance management. The Protection Officer maintains close coordination with the Protection Unit in Damascus and should be proactive in the country wide protection network, as well as with protection actors in the governorate.

The incumbent faces multiple challenges, including sensitive relationships with authorities and partners; a volatile security situation; increased logistical obstacles; few independent or objective sources of information; and the need to be perceived as impartial. The Protection Officer will oversee numerous protection-related partnership agreements which require continuous guidance and capacity-building.

A well-rounded and experienced protection profile is important, with prior experience in coordination and protection for IDPs and returnees in both urban and rural contexts. Protection programmes currently include legal support, child protection, GBV prevention and response, psychosocial support, education, vocational training, as well as community outreach and mobilization. The incumbent should have previous experience working in emergency situations with the ability to lead the design and delivery of quality and timely protection response that incorporates a commitment to accountability to affected populations and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse. Demonstrated analytical and reporting skills are important.

The incumbent should be proactive and able to implement planned activities successfully under adverse conditions. S/he should demonstrate political awareness and be able to deal effectively with authorities and national partners. S/he must be able to motivate and train groups with varying degrees of experience in the sector.

Fluency in Arabic would be an asset, provided other elements of the functional profile are met.

Living and Working Conditions:

Sub-Office Office Aleppo currently covers the areas of Aleppo Governorate that are under the control of the Government of Syria. The area experiences conflict-induced internal displacement that has continued throughout the protracted situation with multiple causes & patterns.Spontaneous returns of mostly internally displaced persons occur in areas where hostilities have ceased & a certain level of stability has been reached,especially in eastern/rural Aleppo.These communities in what are called ¿newly accessible areas constitute occasional new caseloads that require interagency needs assessment &response planning.

The governorate continues to experience military hostilities particularly i &on the front lines of the areas that are not under government control.The security situation in Aleppo is permissive to conduct UNHCR activities in all the Government of Syria controlled areas. Sporadic clashes occur between Government of Syria & non-state armed groups in the western side of the city & occasional retaliation of shelling between both sides has minor impact on UN operations. In general, the humanitarian situation inside Aleppo city remains relatively calm with isolated security related incidents. Surroundings remain insecure with reports of deteriorating humanitarian, economic, health, living & security conditions.UNHCR & other UN agencies & their local partners continue to provide multi-sectoral humanitarian assistance. Most convoys require security escorts, especially outside Aleppo city given its proximity to Idlib.

The present situation in Syria also creates ad hoc pressures at work and in daily life. The incumbent should be capable to work under such conditions, professionally managing stress, guiding their team through difficult times and maintaining respectful interpersonal relations.

Aleppo is a non-family duty station with a 4 week R&R cycle. All international s/m live in Hotel.The hotel offers a modest gym &a large, seasonal,outdoor pool. There are numerous restaurants around the city; also, several shops are available in the city where everyday groceries, clothing, toiletries and basic medications can be purchased.Staff have relatively free movement within the city until the midnight curfew.

COVID 19 remains a challenge in Syria as the vaccination rate is still low, however,few precautions are observed outside of the work environment. SO Aleppo office space is adequate & mostly staff work from the office or out at project & assessment sites.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

BA: International Humanitarian Law (Required), BA: International Human Rights Law (Required), BA: International Law (Required), BA: International Refugee Law (Required), BA: Law (Required), BA: Political Science (Required), BA: Refugee and Forced Migration Studies (Required)

Certifications

HCR Protection Learning Program – UNHCR, HCR Resettlement Learning Program – UNHCR

Work Experience

Competencies

Accountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Managing performance, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaboration

UNHCR Salary Calculator

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

Compendium

March 2023 Compendium – Part B

Additional Information

Functional clearance

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance