UN Volunteer

Job Advertisement

Position Title: UN Volunteer
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. Its mission is to lead and coordinate international action for the protection of refugees worldwide. UNHCR aims 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. The agency also includes stateless persons in its mandate. UNHCR has been active in Colombia, which is significantly 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 since November 201

• Additionally, Afro-Colombians and indigenous people are disproportionately affected by displacement events. 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 www.unhcr.org.

Job Overview:
The UN Volunteer will operate under the delegated authority and supervision of the Head of the Field Unit in Mocoa and/or their designated representative. The role involves maintaining a protective presence through regular missions and reports from the field, establishing direct contact with persons of interest, host communities, local authorities, and partners. The volunteer will provide guidance and information to persons of interest regarding access to migration regularization mechanisms, asylum procedures, basic services, livelihoods, and effective access to their rights. They will identify and register specific protection needs of persons of interest and ensure that their perspectives, capacities, needs, and resources are reflected in protection strategies, planning processes, and operational plans. This includes addressing the specific protection needs of women, men, children, youth, elderly persons, persons with disabilities, minority groups, and individuals living with HIV/AIDS. The volunteer will also provide legal advice and guidance on protection issues to internal and external stakeholders, ensuring that persons of interest have access to legal assistance and establishing links with competent authorities to guarantee access to rights.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The UN Volunteer will carry out a variety of tasks, including: maintaining a protective presence through field missions and regular reporting; providing guidance and information to persons of interest regarding migration regularization, asylum procedures, basic services, and rights; identifying and registering specific protection needs; promoting the inclusion of perspectives and needs in protection strategies; providing legal advice and ensuring access to legal assistance; supporting the implementation and monitoring of programs to address identified protection needs; facilitating referrals for persons of interest to other institutions; collecting information through various community engagement mechanisms; contributing to the information management component of the protection team; monitoring and assisting with interventions in cases of return, expulsion, and other protection incidents; supporting the identification and referral of cases for regular resettlement programs; assisting in drafting reports and maintaining updated records of the population served; and supporting durable solutions processes for the populations served by UNHCR.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess strong interpersonal skills, the ability to work in a multicultural environment, and a commitment to the principles of humanitarian assistance. They should demonstrate a proactive approach to problem-solving and have the ability to work independently as well as part of a team. Familiarity with the UN system and knowledge of refugee protection issues are highly desirable. Candidates should also have experience in community engagement and the ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups.

Educational Background:
A degree in social sciences, law, international relations, or a related field is required. Additional training or certifications in humanitarian assistance, refugee law, or protection issues would be an asset.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 1-2 years of relevant experience in humanitarian work, community engagement, or protection-related roles. Experience working with refugees or displaced populations is particularly valuable. Familiarity with the local context and challenges faced by refugees and migrants in Colombia is essential.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish is mandatory, as it is the primary language of communication in Colombia. Proficiency in English is desirable, and knowledge of other languages spoken by refugee populations may be an advantage.

Additional Notes:
This position is a volunteer role under the UNV program, and candidates should be prepared to dedicate part of their time to activities that promote volunteerism in the community. The role may involve full-time commitment, and candidates should be open to working in challenging environments. Compensation details, including any allowances or benefits, will be provided during the recruitment process.