Protection Associate – UN jobs Bangladesh – Careers Cox’s Bazar – UNHCR jobs

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

D

Family

UNOPS LICA6

2024-09-01

August 31, 2024

General Background
(Brief description of the national, sector-specific or other relevant context in which the individual contractor will operate)

Following the 2017 influx of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar into Bangladesh, the number of registered refugees across 33 camps in Cox’s Bazar District is more than 984,000 as of the end of June 2024. Bangladesh is not a party to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. Despite the lack of a normative framework, Bangladesh continues to demonstrate generosity in hosting the refugees on humanitarian grounds, where UNHCR and partners play a critical role in supporting the Government’s efforts to protect them. However, due to the absence of recognized legal status and the consequent absence of legal rights to formally engage in wage earning activities, it is estimated that 95% of the Rohingya refugee population is moderate to highly vulnerable and remains entirely dependent on humanitarian assistance. Additionally, restrictions on movements outside refugee camps as well as on access to formal education and livelihoods further expose refugees to specific protection risks, including human trafficking and exploitation. In addition, the security situation in the camps remain extremely volatile as seen in the record-high 91 killing/murder incidents that occurred in 2023, a 65% increase compared to 2022. According to the Inter-Sector Coordination Group’s (ISCG) Protection Sector, the overall number of serious security incidents (murder, physical assault, kidnapping, abduction, extortion, gunshots) in 2023 reached 1,830, increasing by 181% in comparison to 2022. The Sector further reported that there were 318 serious security incidents in quarter 1 of 2024 including 15 killing/murder, 72 serious physical assaults, and 152 abduction/kidnapping. The stark number of serious security incidents in the camps underscore the need to strengthen prevention and response mechanisms. UNHCR will address these challenges through a comprehensive protection and solutions strategy that includes engaging Government authorities and partners to strengthen the protective environment for refugees, including by enhancing outreach activities, community consultation and engagement, case management, advocacy for refugees’ basic rights.

The Protection Associate normally reports to the (Associate/Assistant) Protection Officer or the Senior Protection Officer. He/she monitors protection standards, operational procedures and practices in protection delivery in line with international standards and provides functional protection support to information management and programme staff. Given the seniority, he/she may be requested to be responsible to oversee multiple camps with a high number of security incidents and other complexities.

The Protection Associate is expected to coordinate quality, timely and effective protection responses to the needs of refugees and identify opportunities to mainstream protection methodologies and integrate protection safeguards in operational responses in all sectors. He/she contributes to designing a comprehensive protection strategy and liaises externally with authorities and partners on protection doctrine and policy as guided by the supervisor.

The Protection Associate also ensures that refugees are involved with the Office in making decisions that affect them, whether in accessing their rights or in identifying appropriate solutions to their problems. To achieve this, the incumbent will need to build and maintain effective interfaces with communities of concern, local authorities and protection and assistance partners.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR’s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment
• Stay abreast of political, social, economic and cultural developments that have an impact on the protection environment.
• Consistently apply International and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards and codes of conduct.
• Assist in providing comments on existing and draft legislation related to refugees.
• Provide counselling on protection issues to PoC; liaise with competent authorities to ensure the issuance of personal and other relevant documentation.
• Conduct preliminary information gathering and interviews in support of eligibility, status determination, durable solutions and social needs assessment.
• Conduct individual protection case management including developing case management plans and managing referrals to different service providers. Monitor and report on cases of refoulement, expulsion and other protection incidents.
• Maintain the integrity of files and other materials related to cases and record information and data accordingly into the UNHCR proGres database in a timely manner.
• Coordinate protection activities in the camp when assigned as the Protection Sector focal point organizing coordination meetings and protection interventions.
• Execute the duties as the Protection Emergency Response Unit (PERU) focal point when assigned to the role.
• Monitor the activities of Protection volunteers and provide the necessary support to fulfil their duties.
• Assist in identifying durable solutions for the largest possible number of refugees through voluntary repatriation, local integration and where appropriate, resettlement.
• Contribute to measures to identify, prevent and reduce statelessness.
• Monitor Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all protection/solutions activities.
• Contribute to the design, implementation and evaluation of protection related AGD based programming with implementing and operational partners.
• Facilitate effective information management through the recording and provision of disaggregated data on refugees and their problems.
• Participate in initiatives to capacitate authorities, relevant institutions and NGOs to strengthen national protection related legislation and procedures.
• Assist the supervisor with enforcing compliance of local implementing partners with global protection policies and standards of professional integrity in the delivery of protection services.
• Assist the supervisor with enforcing compliance with, and integrity of, all protection standard operating procedures.
• Perform other related duties as required.

3. Monitoring and Progress Controls
Performance of the incumbent will be assessed at the end of the contract term against the objectives and responsibilities specified in the Terms of Reference. Key results that are expected to achieve include:

 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 activities are guided by the UNHCR country protection strategy.
 The participation of refugees is facilitated through continuous assessment and evaluation using participatory, rights and community-based approaches.
 Protection incidents are immediately identified and reported.
 Prioritize refugees for interview, counselling and propose protection support for individual cases.
 Enforce compliance of local implementing partners with global protection policies and standards of professional integrity in the delivery of protection services.
 Enforce compliance with, and integrity of, all protection standard operating procedures.
 Submit individual payments request for refugees for approval.

4. Qualifications and Experience

a. Education
Completion of secondary school is required. Additional certificate/training in International Law, Political Science or related field is preferred.

b. Work Experience
3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma, or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

c. Key Competencies
Required:
Good command of English and knowledge of Chittagonian and/or Rohingya language
Good computer skills, including the use of email, web browser and data entry techniques.

Core Competencies
Professionalism
Integrity
Respect for diversity
Accountability
Communication
Organizational Awareness
Teamwork & Collaboration
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Client & Result Orientation
Judgement and Decision Making
Planning and Organizing

Managerial Competencies
Not specified.

Cross-Functional Competencies
Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
Analytical Thinking
Political Awareness
Stakeholder Management

Desired:
Completed Protection Learning Programme

Standard Job Description

Protection Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Protection Associate normally reports to the Protection Officer or the Senior Protection Officer. The incumbent monitors protection standards, operational procedures and practices in protection delivery in line with international standards and provides functional protection support to information management and programme staff.

The Protection Associate is expected to coordinate quality, timely and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern (PoC) and identify opportunities to mainstream protection methodologies and integrate protection safeguards in operational responses in all sectors. S/he contributes to designing a comprehensive protection strategy and liaises externally with authorities and partners on protection doctrine and policy as guided by the supervisor.

The Protection Associate also ensures that PoC are involved in making decisions that affect them, whether in accessing their rights or in identifying appropriate solutions to their problems. To achieve this, the incumbent will need to build and maintain effective interfaces with communities of concern, local authorities and protection and assistance partners.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR’s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties
– Stay abreast of political, social, economic and cultural developments that have an impact on the protection environment.
– Consistently apply International and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards and codes of conduct.
– Assist in providing comments on existing and draft legislation related to PoC.
– Provide advice on protection issues to PoC; liaise with competent authorities to ensure the issuance of personal and other relevant documentation.
– Assist in conducting eligibility and status determination for PoC.
– Contribute to measures to identify, prevent and reduce statelessness.
– Contribute to a country-level child protection plan as part of the protection strategy.
– Contribute to a country-level education plan as part of the protection strategy.
– Monitor Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all protection/solutions activities.
– Manage individual protection cases including those on GBV and child protection. Monitor, and intervene in cases of refoulement, expulsion and other protection incidents.
– Assist in identifying durable solutions for the largest possible number of PoC through voluntary repatriation, local integration and where appropriate, resettlement.
– Contribute to the design, implementation and evaluation of protection related AGD based programming with implementing and operational partners.
– Facilitate effective information management through the provision of disaggregated data on PoC and their problems.
– Participate in initiatives to capacitate authorities, relevant institutions and NGOs to strengthen national protection related legislation and procedures.
– Assist the supervisor in prioritizing PoC for interview, counselling and propose protection support for individual cases.
– Assist the supervisor with enforcing compliance of local implementing partners with global protection policies and standards of professional integrity in the delivery of protection services.
– Assit the supervisor with enforcing compliance with, and integrity of, all protection standard operating procedures.
– Submit individual payments request for PoC for approval.

– Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
– Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G6 – 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not applicable

Certificates and/or Licenses
International Law, Political Science
or other related field
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Not specified

Desirable
Protection Learning Programme

Functional Skills
IT-Computer Literacy
PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework
PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Required Languages

,

,

Desired Languages

,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

IT-Computer Literacy, PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators, PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework

Education

Certifications

International Law – Other, Political Science – Other

Other information

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance

Home-Based

No