GBV and Community Engagement Support Contractor

Job Posting Organization:
The job is posted by the UNHCR Multi-Country Office (MCO) based in Italy. UNHCR, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, is an international organization dedicated to protecting the rights and well-being of refugees and displaced persons. Established in 1950, UNHCR operates in over 130 countries and has a mission to ensure that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another state. The organization works to safeguard the rights of refugees, support their integration into host communities, and assist in their voluntary repatriation when conditions allow. The MCO in Italy oversees operations not only in Italy but also in the Holy See, Malta, and San Marino, focusing on the unique challenges and legal frameworks of these regions regarding asylum and refugee protection.

Job Overview:
The GBV and Community Engagement Support Contractor plays a crucial role in supporting UNHCR's mandate concerning gender-based violence (GBV) prevention, risk mitigation, and response. This position is particularly focused on assisting asylum seekers, refugees, and stateless individuals who are at risk or survivors of GBV. The contractor will work under the direct supervision of the Senior Community-Based Protection Associate, who will provide guidance and define work objectives. The role involves collaborating with UNHCR partners to ensure effective protection services are delivered, as well as engaging in safe and ethical data collection and analysis of GBV trends. The contractor will also be responsible for ensuring that interventions align with GBV minimum standards and guiding principles, while actively involving affected communities, particularly women and girls, in decision-making processes that impact their rights and solutions to their challenges.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the GBV and Community Engagement Support Contractor include:

• Contributing to the monitoring of GBV partners and providing technical guidance on GBV minimum standards.
• Assisting in the analysis of GBV trends and gaps, including drafting briefing notes and analytical reports.
• Designing GBV prevention, risk mitigation, and response interventions.
• Developing coordination tools such as referral pathways.
• Conducting safety audits and relevant assessments.
• Supporting other sectors/units on GBV risk mitigation under the guidance of the Senior CB Protection Associate.
• Facilitating GBV capacity-building initiatives, including safe disclosure and referrals.
• Engaging in communication with communities on GBV topics and other relevant issues for refugees and asylum seekers in Italy.
• Coordinating consultative and engagement activities with refugee communities, such as participatory assessments. 1
• Ensuring compliance with protection standard operating procedures for GBV and adherence to GBV minimum standards and guiding principles. 1
• Liaising regularly with the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) and other stakeholders. 1
• Performing other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a valid work contract with a Swiss entity, such as an NGO or cantonal/municipal institution. They should have at least three years of relevant work experience in GBV and/or community engagement. Knowledge of GBV minimum standards, guiding principles, and case management standards is essential. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders.

Educational Background:
A desirable educational background for this position includes university studies in fields such as Human Rights, Social Anthropology, Social Work, Law, International Development, Social Sciences, or other relevant areas. This educational foundation will provide the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively engage with communities and address GBV issues.

Experience:
Candidates are expected to have a minimum of three years of professional experience relevant to GBV and community engagement. This experience should include work in protection or social work, particularly involving child protection, mental health, counseling, and working with survivors of displacement and protection issues. Familiarity with participatory approaches to community engagement is also highly valued, as is experience with UNHCR programming and partnership modalities.

Languages:
The mandatory language for this position is English, as it is the official working language of UNHCR in Italy. Proficiency in Italian is also required. Additionally, knowledge of French is considered a desirable asset, enhancing communication capabilities within diverse communities.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as a local senior level support role and is open only to candidates with a valid contract with a Swiss entity. The target start date for the position is June 1, 2026, and the application deadline is March 31, 202

• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in Italy, and only applications completed in English will be considered. The recruitment process may include an interview and a written test for short-listed candidates. UNHCR is committed to diversity and encourages applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital status, race, or other characteristics. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, and successful candidates will undergo mandatory clearance checks.