Job: Field Associate (Protection)

Location: Maysan, Iraq
Deadline: Wednesday, 13 November 2013

The Iraq Operation of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Iraq invites qualified candidates to apply for the following vacancy:

Functional Title: Field Associate (Protection) / GL6

Contractual Status: Fixed Term Appointment

P.N. : 10013223

Duty Station: Missan-Iraq

Date of Issue: 30 October 2013

Deadline for applications: 13 November 2013

INTERNAL/EXTERNAL VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT:

The Field Associate (Protection) integrates the Protection Unit in a Field Office, Sub-Office or Country Office and reports, as applicable, to the Head of the Protection Unit or the Head of the Field or Sub-Office. The incumbent has responsibility for protection delivery at the field level, in accordance with the AOR´s protection strategy, while ensuring application of protection standards, operational procedures and practices. He/she keeps daily contacts with communities of concern, authorities, partners and other stakeholders to maintain a flow of protection information and analysis, including on political, social and economic developments that have an impact on the protection and assistance of communities and persons of concern to UNHCR. The Field Associate is relied upon by the Field or Country Office to plan and undertake quality, timely and effective responses to the needs of populations of concern and to facilitate the delivery of the Office´s protection strategy and programmes. To achieve this, the incumbent will need to build and maintain effective interfaces with communities of concern, local authorities and protection and assistance partners. The incumbent will undertake the following responsibilities under the direct supervision of the Head of Office in Basra.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT.

Accountability

• The protection of populations of concern is met through the application of International and National Law, relevant UN/UNHCR protection standards and IASC principles.
• Protection and assistance activities are guided by the UNHCR country protection strategy.
• Effective and timely support is provided to needs assessment; planning, prioritization, implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation.
• Protection incidents and gaps in assistance are immediately identified and addressed.

Responsibility

• Stay alert of political, social, economic and cultural developments which may have an impact on the protection operating environment.
• Support UNHCR's consultative process with local government counterparts, partners and persons of concern for effective needs and risk assessment and planning, including for the preparation of the AOR´s protection strategy.
• Support the implementation, reporting and evaluation of the AOR´s protection strategy and the delivery of its operational components.
• Facilitate and monitor UNHCR's responses in addressing Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) priorities and other specific protection needs of women and men, children, youth and older persons, persons with disabilities, minority groups such as sexual minorities and persons living with HIV/AIDS. Support the implementation of Best Interest Determination Procedures.
• Maintain protection presence and promote confidence building through regular field missions and reports, making direct contact with persons of concern, host communities, local authorities and partners.
• Contribute in developing and implementing an education plan for the AOR as part of the protection strategy.
• Provide advice and guidance on protection issues to internal and local external interlocutors; facilitate access to legal assistance for persons of concern and the issuance of personal documents by local authorities.
• Monitor and control Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all protection activities.
• Facilitate the identification of resettlement needs through monitoring, analysis and contact with populations of concern.
• Facilitate effective systematization and management of data to enhance monitoring, response and evaluation mechanisms.
• Assist in developing and implementing UNHCR's communication strategy to generate support from local counterparts.

Authority

• Prioritize persons and groups of concern for interview and follow up.
• Negotiate with local counterparts, partners and populations of concern to resolve protection and assistance problems.
• Enforce compliance with, and integrity of, standard operating procedures with implementing partners.
• Initiate individual payment requests for persons of concern.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

• Judgement and Decision Making, Analytical Thinking, Political Awareness and Stakeholder Management.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Completion of post-secondary school. Certificate/ training in International Law, Political Science or related field is required.
• Previous job experience: 6 years.
• Job experience relevant to the function: 6 years..

LANGUAGE:

Good knowledge of English and fluency in Arabic (written/oral/comprehension).

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

• Good computer skills.
• Completed Protection Learning Programme Interested applicants should forward the UN history form (P-11) with a covering letter in English explaining their interest in the position to: e-mail: irqbaadm@unhcr.org Please indicate the post title you are applying for in the subject. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted, and engagement is needed immediately.

More Info and Application