UNOPS Community-Based Protection Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is a global organization dedicated to protecting the rights and well-being of refugees, asylum-seekers, and stateless individuals. Established in 1950, UNHCR operates in over 130 countries, providing assistance and support to millions of displaced people worldwide. The organization aims to ensure 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 mission is to safeguard the rights of refugees and to ensure that they can access essential services and support. The organization employs thousands of staff members and collaborates with various partners, including governments, NGOs, and local communities, to deliver its programs effectively. In Ecuador, UNHCR has been active in addressing the needs of refugees and migrants, particularly those from Colombia and Venezuela, and works closely with local authorities and communities to enhance protection and inclusion strategies.

Job Overview:
The Community-Based Protection Assistant plays a crucial role within the Protection Unit of UNHCR, focusing on community engagement and protection strategies. This position requires the incumbent to work directly with communities of concern, identifying the risks they face and leveraging their capacities to protect themselves and their families. The role involves significant fieldwork, necessitating the development and maintenance of constructive relationships with persons of concern (PoC). The Community-Based Protection Assistant will support the application of community-based protection standards and operational procedures, ensuring that protection strategies are informed by the needs and perspectives of the communities served. The incumbent will also assist in designing community-based protection strategies based on consultations with PoC, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of UNHCR's protection efforts in the field. This position is vital for fostering a participatory approach to protection, ensuring that the voices of refugees and migrants are heard and considered in program planning and implementation.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Community-Based Protection Assistant will undertake a variety of duties, including:

• Building and maintaining relationships with persons of concern and partners to stay informed about political, social, economic, and cultural developments affecting the protection environment.
• Advising the protection team on the perspectives, capacities, needs, and resources of the PoC, with a focus on the specific protection needs of diverse groups, including women, children, youth, older persons, and marginalized communities.
• Supporting the implementation of community-owned activities that address social, educational, psycho-social, cultural, health, organizational, and livelihood concerns, as well as child protection and GBV prevention and response.
• Collaborating with host communities and national civil society groups to enhance the protection of PoC.
• Conducting participatory assessments and ongoing consultations with PoC to identify their capacities and the risks they face.
• Assisting communities in establishing representation and coordination structures to facilitate effective communication and collaboration.
• Ensuring community understanding of UNHCR's commitment to accountability and quality assurance in its response.
• Collecting data for monitoring programs and budgets from an Age, Gender, and Diversity (AGD) perspective.
• Drafting routine correspondence, documents, and reports, and maintaining up-to-date filing systems. 1
• Acting as an interpreter and contributing to liaison activities, responding to routine queries. 1
• Enforcing compliance with global protection policies and standards of professional integrity in the delivery of protection services. 1
• Identifying and managing risks while seeking opportunities that impact objectives in the area of responsibility. 1
• Performing other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of 1 year of relevant experience with a High School Diploma, or a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent higher education. Essential qualifications include knowledge of community-based protection principles and methodologies, as well as familiarity with UNHCR's administrative rules and regulations. Candidates should also demonstrate functional skills in multi-stakeholder communications with partners, government, and community. Proficiency in IT applications, particularly MS Office and ERP systems, is also required. Desirable qualifications include completion of UNHCR learning programs (PLP) and knowledge of MSRP.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a High School Diploma as a minimum, with a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent higher education being preferred. Relevant fields of study include Development Studies, Human Rights, Community Development, Social Work, Social Science, Political Science, and law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">International Law. Candidates with certifications in these areas will be given preference, particularly those marked as essential.

Experience:
The position requires at least 1 year of relevant experience in a related field. While specific prior experience is not detailed, candidates with experience in community engagement, protection work, or humanitarian assistance will be favored. Familiarity with UNHCR's operational context and previous involvement in protection-related roles will enhance a candidate's suitability for this position.

Languages:
Knowledge of English is desirable for this position, particularly for international professional and field service roles. For national professional jobs, proficiency in English and the UN working language of the duty station (if not English) is required, along with knowledge of the local language. This multilingual requirement ensures effective communication with diverse communities and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as a Local Support role at the LICA 4 level, with a contract duration from April 1 to June 30, 202

• Candidates must have temporary or permanent residence in Ecuador to be eligible for this position. The salary offered is in net terms, and candidates are required to submit a current and updated RUC Unique Taxpayer Registry and a voluntary contribution certificate to the Ecuadorian Institute of Social security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security (IESS). The position does not require a functional clearance and is not remote.