UN Volunteer Protection Assistant

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Position Title: UN Volunteer Protection Assistant
Location: Bogotá
Country: Colombia
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was established on December 14, 1950, by the United Nations General Assembly. The organization is dedicated to directing and coordinating international action for the protection of refugees worldwide. Its primary goal is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees, ensuring that everyone can exercise their right to seek asylum in another state and enjoy it, while identifying durable solutions for refugees, such as voluntary repatriation in dignified and safe conditions, integration into the host society, or resettlement in a third country. UNHCR's mandate also includes stateless persons. Colombia is currently the country most affected by the outflow of over 7.1 million Venezuelan refugees and migrants, hosting more than 2.4 million Venezuelans, most of whom are in the process of regularization. Despite the 2016 Peace Agreement, conflict and armed violence continue to displace Colombians, with an estimated 842,000 people displaced again due to internal conflict since November 201

• Additionally, over 2.3 million Venezuelans living in Colombia have registered to benefit from the Temporary Protection Status (TPS) issued by the Colombian government in February 2021, which provides a 10-year protection status and access to a full range of rights, including healthcare, education, formal employment, and financial inclusion. UNHCR supports the implementation of TPS and believes it is a promising avenue to address the vulnerability of Venezuelan refugees and migrants and to contribute positively to Colombia's economy. UNHCR continues to work towards achieving durable solutions. Furthermore, Afro-Colombians and indigenous people are disproportionately affected by displacement events and the confinement of large groups, particularly in the Pacific Coast. UNHCR and its partners work to strengthen preventive actions and respond to emergencies, providing protection and solutions to communities affected by conflict and violence. For more information about UNHCR, its mandate, and operations, please visit the website: www.unhcr.org

Job Overview:
The UN Volunteer Protection Assistant will operate under the delegated authority and supervision of the Protection Officer or their designated representative. The role involves contributing to the compilation and analysis of relevant regulations, jurisprudence, and reports to promote the protection and access to rights and durable solutions for the population that UNHCR serves. The assistant will represent UNHCR at forums and workshops, providing training to partners, allies, and other stakeholders on technical issues related to UNHCR's mandate, including international protection, displacement, and statelessness. The position requires identifying and recording the specific protection needs of individuals served by UNHCR and making appropriate referrals for care, assistance, and services. The assistant will support the application and participate in the analysis of protection monitoring tools to understand the profile of the population of interest in the coverage area. When necessary, the assistant will accompany field activities to provide information and guidance to the population, as well as conduct awareness-raising or training actions on protection. The role also includes following up on the work carried out by UNHCR partners to ensure compliance with the organization's established standards. The assistant will support methodologies for conducting participatory diagnostics as part of a multifunctional team, considering ethnic, gender, age, and diversity perspectives to understand the risks and needs of displaced populations, as well as their priorities for care and available resources. Additionally, the assistant will contribute to the development of UNHCR's protection and solutions strategy as part of the legal protection team and multifunctional team. Participation in team meetings and contributing to the construction and consolidation of working documents to advance the objectives of the protection strategy of the Sub Office is also expected. The assistant will ensure the operationalization of the Gender, Age, and Diversity mainstreaming strategy across the various areas covered by the office, ensuring that vulnerable individuals (women, children, youth, disabled persons, elderly) and groups (indigenous and Afro-Colombians) are identified and their needs addressed. A work schedule will be developed to ensure timely execution of assigned activities, and the assistant will ensure proper documentation and traceability of activities, missions, and decisions. Administrative tasks related to the assignment, such as requests for the use of direct implementation funds and procurement requests under $4,000, will also be part of the responsibilities, following supply chain rules and procedures as required.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the compilation and analysis of relevant regulations, jurisprudence, and reports to promote protection and access to rights and durable solutions for the population served by UNHCR.
• Represent UNHCR at forums and workshops, providing training to partners, allies, and other stakeholders on technical issues related to UNHCR's mandate (international protection, displacement, statelessness).
• Identify and record specific protection needs of individuals served by UNHCR and make appropriate referrals for care, assistance, and services.
• Support the application and participate in the analysis of protection monitoring tools to understand the profile of the population of interest in the coverage area.
• Accompany field activities when required to provide information and guidance to the population and conduct awareness-raising or training actions on protection.
• Follow up on the work of UNHCR partners to ensure compliance with established standards.
• Support methodologies for conducting participatory diagnostics as part of a multifunctional team, considering ethnic, gender, age, and diversity perspectives to understand risks and needs of displaced populations.
• Contribute to the development of UNHCR's protection and solutions strategy as part of the legal protection team and multifunctional team.
• Participate in team meetings and contribute to the construction and consolidation of working documents to advance the objectives of the protection strategy of the Sub Office. 1
• Ensure the operationalization of the Gender, Age, and Diversity mainstreaming strategy across various areas covered by the office. 1
• Ensure that vulnerable individuals and groups are identified and their needs addressed. 1
• Develop a work schedule to ensure timely execution of assigned activities. 1
• Ensure proper documentation and traceability of activities, missions, and decisions. 1
• Carry out administrative tasks related to the assignment, such as requests for the use of direct implementation funds and procurement requests under $4,000, following supply chain rules and procedures as required.

Required Qualifications:

• Strong understanding of international protection principles and frameworks.
• Knowledge of the legal and policy frameworks relevant to refugees and displaced persons.
• Ability to analyze complex situations and provide practical solutions.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Experience in training and capacity building is an asset.

Educational Background:

• A degree in law, social sciences, international relations, or a related field is required.
• Additional training or certification in protection, human rights, or related areas is an asset.

Experience:

• Previous experience in protection, humanitarian work, or related fields is desirable.
• Experience working with refugees, asylum-seekers, or displaced populations is an advantage.
• Familiarity with the local context and issues affecting displaced populations in Colombia is beneficial.

Languages:

• Fluency in Spanish is mandatory.
• Proficiency in English is desirable.
• Knowledge of additional languages relevant to the local context is an asset.

Additional Notes:

• This position is a volunteer role under the UN system.
• The duration of the contract is typically for a specified period, often ranging from 6 to 12 months, with the possibility of extension based on performance and organizational needs.
• The position is full-time, requiring a commitment to the mission and objectives of UNHCR.
• The role may involve travel within Colombia to support field activities.