Associate Protection Officer (Cluster)

Details

Mission and objectives

The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country.During times of displacement, we provide critical emergency assistance in the form of clean water, sanitation and healthcare, as well as shelter, blankets, household goods and sometimes food. We also arrange transport and assistance packages for people who return home, and income-generating projects for those who resettle.

Context

The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to pro-tect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org).

Task description

Under the direct supervision of Protection Cluster Coordinator, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:• Assist the Protection Cluster Coordinator (PC) with a particular emphasis on information management and communication among Cluster members and other relevant partners, as well as training and capacity –building for members and partners.• Interact with PC members and maintain close contact with OCHA for the collection and transmission of periodic reports and documents required; elaborate routines for the time-ly production of these reports.;• Ensure liaison with thematic working groups (Area of Responsibility - AoRs) under the PC (SGBV, Child Protection, House Land and Property Issues), as well as Protection working groups /focal points at the territorial Level and national protection cluster to en-sure follow-up of recommendations and alerts, input into joint analysis and advocacy ini-tiatives, and into protection strategies.• Compile and review thematic information/data from PC members with a view to drafting a consolidate Protection Cluster periodic newsletters on a monthly basis.• Assist in the collection of information and analysis of protection data, in the form of re-ports and/or maps, in particular in view of advocacy with the UN Peace-Keeping Mission on priority protection areas.• Alert and consult with nuclear PC members in case of emergency and assist in organizing joint evaluation protection missions.• Assist in the research of data and analysis in support to the Protection Cluster advocacy initiatives, organize advocacy for a with relevant target groups as deemed appropriate.• Coordinate the promotion of international refugee law principles and standards and also IDP legislation or policies ensuring that all sectors and clusters fulfill their responsibilities mainstreaming protection.• Refer PC recommendations to members and UN Agencies/NGOs concerned and en-sure/follow-up their implementation.• Coordinate the development of Protection strategies in context of Pooled Fund process, ensure timely information of PC members of applicable rules and procedures, ensure that submissions are timely received and ensure review of submission as per Pooled Fund procedure.• Ensure that the perspectives, capacities, needs and resources of the persons of con-cerns 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 legal assistance is accessible to persons of concern; liaise with competent au-thorities to ensure the issuance of personal and other relevant documents to persons of concern (civil documentation, in particular birth certificates).• Maintain protection presence through regular field missions and reports, making direct contact with persons of concern, host communities, local authorities and partners. Con-tribute to ensuring that the response of the Protection Cluster is grounded in an AGD-compliant strategy which covers all assessed and prioritized protection needs of the affected populations.• Support the follow-up of all matters linked to resource mobilization, including the Human-itarian Action Plan.• Design, plan and deliver training in coordination with order actors for target audience as per PC recommendations, in particular with regard to protection mainstreaming, age & gender issues, Protection Monitoring and advocacy, follow-up the impact of training in accordance with indicators.• Elaborate essential documents for the Cluster, as well as preparatory documents, draft agenda and convene Protection Cluster meetings, and draft meeting minutes.Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by read-ing relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for in-stance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;• Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities.• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publica-tions/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers.• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.• Given the evolving situation in South Sudan and the diverse cluster composition, the UNV must be a highly adaptable, willing to learn, comfortable with extensive travel in remote and challenging environments, possessing strong cultural sensitivi-ty and resilience to thrive in a dynamic and demanding role.• Assist in planning and organizing cluster meetings, including drafting agendas, preparing presentations, and taking minutes.• Conduct pre-meetings with state-level coordination team to gather information and identify issues of note for cluster and external discussions.• Undertake research and analysis to inform the cluster’s advocacy and monitoring efforts.• Provide logistical and administrative support as needed.• Collect data on the protection situation of IDPs and returnees through various partner reports, analyze said data to identify trends, patterns, and key protection concerns.• Prepare reports and presentations summarizing data findings and recommendations for action• Maintain and update a database of relevant protection information and resources.• Communicate key information and updates to the Cluster Coordinator, and when needed to working group members, and other relevant stakeholders.• Establish and maintain relationships with local partners, communities, and NGOs working on IDP and returnee protection.• Support in communication and coordination within the Mobile Protection Working Group.