National UN Volunteer - Protection Assistant

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

• The mission of UNHCR is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people. The organization operates in over 130 countries and has a workforce of more than 18,000 employees. UNHCR's primary goal is to ensure that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another country, and to return home voluntarily when conditions allow. The organization also works to protect the rights of refugees and displaced persons, providing them with assistance and support in various forms, including legal aid, shelter, and access to education and healthcare.

Job Overview:
The National UN Volunteer - Protection Assistant will work under the direct supervision of the Assistant Protection Officer. The primary functions of this position include supporting the digitization of physical files in accordance with established procedures, assisting partners in establishing digitization procedures, and providing capacity building to funded partners. The volunteer may also act as a backup for counseling refugees and will be expected to perform other relevant duties as required by the supervisor. This role is crucial in enhancing the efficiency of the protection unit by ensuring that documentation is digitized and accessible, thereby improving the overall protection response for persons of concern (PoC). The volunteer will also engage in activities that promote volunteerism and contribute to the UNV community, reflecting on their experiences and sharing insights through articles and reports.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the National UN Volunteer - Protection Assistant include:

• Supporting the Office with the digitization of physical files according to established procedures.
• Assisting partners in establishing digitization procedures and providing capacity building to funded partners.
• Acting as a backup for counseling refugees when necessary.
• Performing other relevant duties as required by the supervisor.
• Strengthening knowledge and understanding of volunteerism by engaging with UNV activities and publications.
• Promoting local forms of volunteerism and encouraging the use of online volunteering services.
• Contributing to the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers.
• Facilitating the involvement of PoC in decision-making processes that affect them.
• Liaising with local authorities and partners on protection issues as guided by the supervisor. 1
• Drafting reports, routine correspondence, and updating relevant databases within the Area of Responsibility (AoR). 1
• Supporting assessments on durable solutions through voluntary repatriation, local integration, and resettlement. 1
• Enforcing integrity in the delivery of protection services by local implementing partners.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the National UN Volunteer - Protection Assistant position include:

• A Bachelor’s degree in law, Political Science, Social Work, International Relations, or other related fields, with exposure to human rights.
• A minimum of two years of field experience, preferably in international human rights organizations or NGOs.
• Previous experience working with refugees and asylum seekers is a distinct asset.
• Proven communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with NGO partners.
• Good IT skills, including database management.
• Ability to perform a broad range of activities related to workshop and meeting arrangements.
• Good writing and presentation skills for preparing and updating presentations and reports in English and Russian.
• Flexibility, team spirit, and readiness to support colleagues.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor’s degree in law, Political Science, Social Work, International Relations, or other related fields. This educational foundation is essential as it provides the necessary knowledge and understanding of human rights, legal frameworks, and social issues that are critical in the protection of refugees and displaced persons.

Experience:
The level of experience needed for the National UN Volunteer - Protection Assistant position is a minimum of two years of relevant field experience. This experience should ideally be in international human rights organizations or NGOs, with a focus on working with refugees and asylum seekers. Candidates with a background in protection-related work will be preferred, as they will have a better understanding of the challenges faced by persons of concern.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English, Russian, and Tajik is required for this position. Knowledge of these languages is essential for effective communication with colleagues, partners, and persons of concern. Additionally, proficiency in other languages may be considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
This position is a National UN Volunteer role, which means it is not a full-time employment position but rather a volunteer opportunity. The contract duration is typically for a specified period, and the position is not remote. The target start date for this role is October 1, 202

• The position may involve working in a challenging environment, and the volunteer will be expected to adhere to the UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity, and respect for diversity. Compensation and benefits for UN Volunteers may include a monthly stipend, health insurance, and other allowances as applicable.