Senior Community-Based Protection Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is UNHCR, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, which was established in 195

• Its mission is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people. UNHCR operates in over 130 countries, providing assistance and protection to millions of people worldwide. The organization is dedicated to ensuring that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another state, and to return home voluntarily, integrate locally, or resettle in a third country. UNHCR's work is guided by the principles of law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">international law and humanitarian action, focusing on the needs and rights of those it serves.

Job Overview:
The Senior Community-Based Protection Assistant plays a crucial role within the Protection Unit of UNHCR, reporting to the Protection Officer or Community-Based Protection Officer. This position is integral to the organization's efforts to engage directly with communities of concern, identifying the risks they face and leveraging their capacities to enhance their protection. The incumbent is expected to spend a significant portion of their workday outside the office, fostering relationships within communities of persons of concern (PoC). This role involves supporting the application of community-based protection standards and operational procedures, ensuring that the protection strategies are informed by the voices and needs of the communities served. The Senior Community-Based Protection Assistant is also responsible for designing community-based protection strategies based on consultations with PoC, thereby ensuring that the protection response is tailored to the specific needs of the community. The position requires strong communication and coordination skills, as well as the ability to work effectively in inter-agency environments, making it essential for the incumbent to be proactive and responsive to the evolving protection landscape.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Senior Community-Based Protection Assistant include assisting functional units and senior management in integrating participatory and community-based approaches into the overall protection strategy. The incumbent must maintain relationships with PoC and a network of partners to stay informed about political, social, economic, and cultural developments that impact the protection environment. They will provide advice to the protection team based on the perspectives, capacities, needs, and resources of the PoC, highlighting specific protection needs across various demographics. The role also involves supporting initiatives with host communities to engage national civil society groups in the protection of PoC, as well as assisting in the development of community-owned activities that address social, educational, psycho-social, cultural, health, organizational, and livelihood concerns. The Senior Community-Based Protection Assistant will support participatory assessments, build office capacity for community-based protection, and ensure community understanding of UNHCR's commitment to accountability and quality assurance. Additional responsibilities include collecting data for program monitoring, drafting correspondence and reports, acting as an interpreter, and enforcing compliance with global protection policies.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience with a High School Diploma, or 1 year of relevant work experience with a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent. Essential qualifications include knowledge of UNHCR's administrative rules, regulations, and procedures, as well as computer literacy and familiarity with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. The candidate should possess strong community-based protection principles and methodologies, and demonstrate effective multi-stakeholder communication skills with partners, government, and community.

Educational Background:
While there are no specific field requirements for education, relevant certifications in areas such as Development, Human Rights, International Law, Social Work, Social Science, or Political Science are considered beneficial. Candidates with certifications in community development or social work are particularly encouraged to apply, as these qualifications align closely with the responsibilities of the role.

Experience:
Candidates should have relevant experience in protection case management, particularly with refugees and vulnerable populations. Experience in humanitarian action and working in field or border areas is considered an asset. The role demands a strong understanding of community dynamics and the ability to analyze community capacities and risks, translating findings into appropriate protection responses.

Languages:
Knowledge of English is mandatory, along with the UN working language of the duty station if it is not English. For national professional jobs, knowledge of the local language is also required. Proficiency in Spanish is desirable, as it may enhance communication with local communities and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified under the UNOPS LICA5 category and is not remote. The target start date for the position is June 16, 202

• The role is full-time and involves working closely with various stakeholders, including government entities and NGOs, to ensure effective protection strategies are implemented. The incumbent will be expected to uphold UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity, and respect for diversity, contributing to a safe and empowering work environment.