This vacancy is for Internal and UNHCR-Experience only.
Nature of Position:
UNHCR’s Office in Italy is a multi-Country office responsible for Italy, San Marino and the Holy See. Italy plays an important role in refugee protection in Europe, remaining one of the major points of arrival for persons seeking protection to Europe, mostly arriving by sea via the Mediterranean. In 2023, 157,651 migrants and refugees originating from 62 countries arrived in Italy by sea and Italy received 71% of all sea arrivals to Southern Europe. Whereas numbers have gone down in 2024, it is anticipated that Italy will continue to receive the largest number of asylum-seekers arriving in Europe by sea as well as an increasing number arriving by land and air. While there are fluctuations in levels of arrivals, the drivers of the movements from Africa and the Middle East moving along the Central Mediterranean and Balkan routes continue to remain or worsen because of the various political tensions in the Sub-Saharan region.
In Italy, UNHCR works to enhance Italy’s role as a global partner, expand solutions and achieve and safeguard best practices in protection. A key priority in this remains to contribute to build a system for identifying and responding to persons with specific needs (arrival, reception, RSD and solutions), and child protection, response to GBV and community engagement are cross-cutting priorities of the operation.
The Community-Based Protection (CBP) unit, responsible for persons with specific needs (PSN), GBV, child protection, MHPSS, communication with communities (CwC) and community participation, drives the realization of the CBP priorities. The unit also leads the effort of PSEA and mainstreaming accountability to affected people (AAP), age, gender and diversity (AGD) and community-based approaches across the operation.
The incumbent will, under the supervision of the Deputy Representative, be responsible for directly supervising and coordinating the UNHCR CBP team based in Rome and guiding the CBP team in the field, comprising GBV, child protection and CBP/CwC staff. This should be done with a view to maintain a qualified and consistent UNHCR approach, in line with international standards, team well-being, and a harmonious workplace. The incumbent will be responsible for devising effective CBP strategies, and in cooperation with Programme to manage a considerable number of partnerships in all areas of CBP. The work also involves close coordination with key UN partners, UNICEF and IOM, and numerous counterparts, including the ombudsman’s office and a series of line ministries. The incumbent will represent UNHCR in various fora and support the Italian Private Sector Partnerships service (PSP) in fundraising for CBP projects.
The Senior Community-Based Protection Associate will be part of the senior protection staff of the Italy operation, playing a crucial role in advising Senior Management on a range of protection issues, with particular focus on issues related to PSN, Child Protection and GBV.
MCO Italy is looking for a candidate with proven managerial skills, understanding of the Italian operational context as well as expertise in the areas of Community-Based protection. The candidate must have excellent Italian and English drafting as well as a creative, solution and result-oriented outlook to successfully manage the role and the CBP team under supervision. The candidate should have the ability to think and execute strategically and possess strong interpersonal and team building skills. Community-Based and other protection experience from abroad would be an asset. Experience working with refugee urban population is also desirable.
While the incumbent will be based in Rome, he/she will be expected to go on mission within the country due to the dispersion of the population of concern in Italy.
Additional Information
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in Italy.
English is the official working language of UNHCR in Italy. Only applications fully completed in English will be considered.
How to apply
Internal and UNHCR-Experience candidates can access the vacancy and apply at Former Staff (myworkdayjobs.com)