Associate Protection Officer at United Nations Volunteers (UNV)

Context

• The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refuge and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees.
• It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org). UNHCR has also been involved in various IDP operations at the request of the concerned countries or the United Nations General Assembly/Secretariat General (UNGA/SG). Further to the humanitarian reform in 2005, UNHCR has been appointed to ensure the leadership of Protection, Shelter/NFI, and Camp management and camp coordination clusters in emergency settings.
• As a result, the staffing requirements have increased in UNHCR’s operations worldwide.
• In Nigeria, UNHCR plays the role of co-sharing with IOM the Shelter/ NFI and CCCM sector, coordination for the Protection sector working group. In the meantime, UNHCR, as a protection agency, is implementing activities to promote a favorable protection environment. In addition, UNHCR Nigeria continues to respond to a complex humanitarian situation in northeast Nigeria which has caused massive internal displacement and refugee outflows into the neighboring countries of Cameroon, Niger, and Chad. UNHCR’s humanitarian response targets IDPs, IDP return- ties, and refugee returnees in this complex humanitarian environment. The 2021 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) puts the number of IDPs in Northeast Nigeria at 2.2 million.
• The ongoing efforts by the Nigerian forces to liberate more areas from Boko Haram control continue to create new displacements. As the military liberates new areas, some IDPs spontaneously return to their Local Government Areas (LGAs).
• The improved situation in some areas also engendered the spontaneous returns of refugees from neighboring countries. The movement of the humanitarian actors to the areas outside the state capitals is through helicopters. In some locations, humanitarian hubs, where humanitarian workers can stay on mission for a maximum period of three days, have been established.

Task Description

• Within the delegated authority and under the direct supervision of the GBV Officer Maiduguri the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
• Ensure that UNHCR’s policies, standards and procedures are constantly and coherently applied in the Area of Responsibility (AoR).
• Contribute, under the overall guidance of the supervisor, to the formulation of Child Protection and GBV key considerations in multi-sectoral and protection specific assessments and monitoring.
• Provide effective and timely support to the formulation and monitoring of a clear and coherent Child Protection and GBV strategy as part of the operation’s broader Protection and Solutions Strategy.
• Ensure compliance with UNHCR’s Child Protection and GBV policies, priorities and commitments, as well as other aligned policies on age,gender, diversity (AGD) and accountability to affected populations (AAP), gender equality, disability and youth empowerment.
• Contribute to assessment of the capacity of national Child Protection and GBV systems and services, the inclusion of women and children of concern into national laws, policies and services and strengthening the capacity of the national protection system to provide quality support to women and children of concern.
• Support child protection and GBV data collection, analysis, and dissemination within UNHCR and partners.
• Assist in defining context-appropriate approaches for a meaningful participation of women, children, adolescents and youth in the development and implementation of strategies that address key child protection and GBV priorities. Support the supervisor in evidence-based advocacy with UNHCR senior management, authorities and other actors on child protection
• Contribute to the design and implementation of child protection and GBV programmes, including multisectoral activities based on identified needs and in line with UNHCR's global, regional and national policies and standards.
• Contribute to the effective implementation of Best Interest Assessment Procedures by UNHCR and partners for timely support for children at heightened risk including supervision of UNHCR case management staff in line with UNHCR Standard Operating Procedures.
• Contribute to the development/update and implementation of GBV and Child Protection StandardOperating Procedures in collaboration with partners and other sectors, particularly, Durable Solutions,Education, Cash-based Interventions and MHPSS.
• Support implementation of GBV and child protection information management systems in accordance with UNHCR's Policy and procedures and interagency GBV and child protection information management standards and agreements.
• Support community-based GBV and child protection programmes based on thorough understanding of the community structures, capacity and needs and in collaboration with Community-Based Protection colleagues.
• Assist in monitoring the implementation of UNHCR and partners’ GBV and child protection programme and recommend corrective actions, if required.
• Provide technical support to UNHCR colleagues to effectively mainstream GBV and child protection in UNHCR’s overall response.
• Make recommendations for planning, programming, and monitoring of human and financial resources for GBV and child protection activities.
• Provide functional guidance to UNHCR and partner staff involved in GBV and child protection activities.
• In collaboration with UNHCR colleagues, contribute to ensuring that UNHCR procedures, including solutions and accountability mechanisms are child-friendly and are in line with AGD approach.
• Undertake other relevant duties as required

Requirements

• 3 years of experience in Child protection and Gender- Based Violence data collection, analysis, and dissemination
• Design and implementation of child protection and GBV programmes, including multi-sectoral activities based on identified needs
• Working with a range of stakeholders to improve the situation of persons of concern
• Planning, programming, and monitoring and evualation of protection activities.
• The demonstration of knowledge and application of GBV prevention theory and appropriate GBV prevention and behaviour change strategies at different stages of the humanitarian response.
• The demonstration on the use of GBV tools and Guidance.
• Age: 27 - 80

Area(s) of Expertise:

• Development programmes, Social work, Security and protection
• Driving license

Languages

• English, Level: Working knowledge, Required

Required Education Level:

• Bachelor degree or equivalent in Law, International Law, International Relations, Social Sciences, Human Rights, Political Sciences or related field

Competencies and Values

• Professionalism
• Integrity
• Teamwork and respect for diversity
• Commitment to continuous learning
• Planning and organizing effective organizational and problem-solving skill
• Communication
• Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions
• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement