Protection Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The Office of the UNHCR, established on December 14, 1950, by the UN General Assembly, is dedicated to leading and coordinating international efforts to protect refugees and resolve refugee issues globally. The agency's primary mission is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees, ensuring that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another state. The UNHCR also facilitates voluntary return, local integration, or resettlement in a third country, aligning with its commitment to humanitarian principles and the protection of vulnerable populations.

Job Overview:
The Protection Assistant role is a UN Volunteer assignment that plays a crucial part in UNHCR's response to the ongoing refugee situation stemming from the Ukraine crisis. This position is focused on enhancing operational engagement with national stakeholders to promote community engagement, empowerment, and protection for refugees. The Protection Assistant will be responsible for maintaining communication with refugees and asylum-seekers to understand their needs and concerns better. This role involves disseminating vital information about available services, rights, and duties of refugees, and providing in-person counseling in the Ukrainian language. The position also requires promoting community mobilization and organizing participatory activities to foster integration and awareness among different community groups. The Protection Assistant will contribute to the planning, monitoring, and evaluation of outreach activities, ensuring that the specific protection needs of diverse groups are addressed effectively.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Protection Assistant will undertake a variety of tasks, including: maintaining regular communication with refugees and asylum-seekers to understand their concerns; disseminating information about available services and rights; providing in-person counseling in Ukrainian; assisting vulnerable individuals and referring cases to service providers; conducting training on information provision and counseling; promoting community mobilization for social and cultural events; organizing participatory activities; updating and reporting on work areas; contributing to planning and evaluation of outreach activities; and ensuring that age, gender, and diversity considerations are integrated into all activities. The role requires a proactive approach to identifying gaps and trends in refugee needs and ensuring that UNHCR's communication strategies effectively enhance access to services.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong commitment to the principles of voluntary engagement, including solidarity, compassion, and self-reliance. They should demonstrate professionalism, integrity, and respect for diversity. The role requires effective teamwork, planning, organizing, and communication skills, along with flexibility and a commitment to continuous learning. The Protection Assistant must be able to engage with refugee communities and partners effectively, ensuring that their needs are reflected in UNHCR's programming.

Educational Background:
While specific educational qualifications are not explicitly stated, candidates are expected to have relevant experience or training that equips them with the necessary skills for the role. A background in social work, community development, or a related field would be advantageous, particularly in understanding the complexities of refugee issues and community engagement.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have experience in community engagement, protection, or social services, particularly in contexts involving refugees or vulnerable populations. Familiarity with the challenges faced by refugees and asylum-seekers, as well as experience in providing support and counseling, is essential. Previous work with NGOs, UN agencies, or similar organizations would be beneficial.

Languages:
Fluency in Ukrainian is mandatory for this position, as the Protection Assistant will be providing information and counseling in this language. Proficiency in Czech or English would be advantageous but is not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
This UN Volunteer assignment is exclusively open to individuals residing in the Czech Republic who have stateless, refugee, or similar protective status, including Temporary Protection. The UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging their own housing and living essentials. The monthly living allowance is approximately CZK 42,220.15, which includes a Well-Being Differential of 30%. Additional entitlements include a one-time entry lump sum payment of USD 400, an exit allowance for each month served, and medical and life insurance through Cigna Private Insurance. Leave entitlements include 2.5 days of annual leave accrued per calendar month, 30 days of certified sick leave, and 3.5 days of uncertified sick leave.