Assistant Community-Based Protection Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The Assistant Community-Based Protection Officer position is part of the UNHCR, which is dedicated to protecting the rights and well-being of refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people. Established in 1950, UNHCR operates in over 130 countries, providing critical support and assistance to millions of individuals. The organization focuses on ensuring that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another state, as well as working towards durable solutions for displaced populations. UNHCR's mission is to safeguard the rights of refugees and ensure their access to essential services, while also promoting their self-reliance and integration into host communities. The organization employs thousands of staff members worldwide, including national and international professionals, to carry out its humanitarian mandate effectively.

Job Overview:
The Assistant Community-Based Protection Officer plays a crucial role within the Protection Unit of UNHCR, primarily focusing on community-based protection strategies. This position requires the incumbent to engage directly with communities of concern, identifying risks and leveraging community capacities to enhance their protection. The role involves significant fieldwork, necessitating the establishment of strong relationships with persons of concern (PoC) and various stakeholders, including government entities and NGOs. The officer is responsible for supporting the development and implementation of protection strategies that are inclusive of the perspectives and needs of diverse community members, including women, children, and marginalized groups. The position also entails contributing to the design of community-based protection programs and ensuring that they align with UNHCR's operational procedures and standards. The Assistant Community-Based Protection Officer must demonstrate a commitment to UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity, and respect for diversity while fulfilling their responsibilities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Assistant Community-Based Protection Officer's duties include:

• Developing strong links with community structures and understanding the protection and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security situation of the PoC.
• Staying informed about political, social, economic, and cultural developments affecting the protection environment and advising senior management accordingly.
• Ensuring that the needs and resources of the PoC are integrated into protection strategies and operational plans.
• Supporting consultative processes with government counterparts, partners, and PoC to develop integrated strategies addressing key protection priorities.
• Providing technical guidance and support to UNHCR and partners, implementing and overseeing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) related to community-based protection.
• Supporting the design, implementation, and evaluation of protection-centered programming with operational partners.
• Promoting confidence-building and conflict resolution among PoC, authorities, and host communities.
• Conducting regular field missions to maintain a protection presence and report on interactions with PoC and local authorities.
• Contributing to the development of AGD-compliant strategies for the Protection Cluster response. 1
• Supporting the integration of protection strategies into the Country Operations Plan and UN Development and Assistance Framework (UNDAF). 1
• Contributing to information management components that provide disaggregated data on PoC and disseminate relevant protection information. 1
• Supporting community understanding of UNHCR's commitment to accountability and quality assurance in its response. 1
• Assisting PoC in developing structures that enhance their participation and protection. 1
• Contributing to project submissions and budget design for endorsement by supervisors. 1
• Negotiating with local counterparts and managing risks related to community-based protection issues.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of one year of relevant experience with an undergraduate degree, or no experience with a graduate degree or doctorate. Essential qualifications include professional working experience in community services, social work, human rights, or related fields, particularly in contexts involving refugees or forcibly displaced persons. Desirable qualifications include proven communication skills, knowledge of community engagement approaches, and competencies in forced displacement and protection, especially regarding GBV prevention and response, child protection, and gender equality. Familiarity with the Age, Gender, and Diversity (AGD) Policy is also beneficial.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a degree in fields such as International Development, Cultural Studies, Human Rights, International Social Work, Social Science, Political Science, Anthropology, law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">International Law, or other relevant disciplines. A bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement, with advanced degrees being advantageous.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have at least one year of relevant professional experience in community services, social work, or human rights, particularly in contexts involving refugees or forcibly displaced persons. Experience working with IDPs and knowledge of community-based protection mechanisms are highly desirable. Candidates should demonstrate familiarity with the local context and the ability to engage effectively with various stakeholders in humanitarian settings.

Languages:
For this position, knowledge of English is mandatory, along with proficiency in 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. A minimum overall ability of B2 level in the required languages is expected.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as a national professional officer role and does not require functional clearance. The job is based in Nairobi, Kenya, with a target start date of January 1, 202

• The position is full-time and involves significant fieldwork, requiring the incumbent to engage directly with communities of concern. The role is subject to the hardships associated with working in a challenging environment, as indicated by the hardship level E designation. The position is non-family with residential location, and candidates should be prepared for the potential dangers associated with the role.