Protection Associate (SGBV) at UN High Commissioner for Refugees

The Protection Associate (SGBV) is part of the SGBV Unit in the Operation, which is an integral part of the Protection team. The incumbent reports directly to the UNHCR SGBV Officer and the Senior Protection Coordinator. The Protection Associate (SGBV) is expected to coordinate quality, timely and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern, identify and assess SGBV cases. S/he also represents the Office externally on protection meetings and policy as guided by the supervisor.

The incumbent will support inter-sectorial linkages with education, child protection, community-based protection, livelihoods and health, among others. Additionally, the Protection Associate will focus in strengthening SGBV data and information as well as follow up on individual case management and provision of counselling related to SGBV and to general refugee protection through regular assignment to UNHCR field posts at the camp.

S/he also ensures that persons of concern 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.

Accountability (key results that will be achieved)

• The Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) approach is applied in all aspects of protection and solutions work on behalf of persons of concern.
• Partner’s capacity to effectively implement SGBV prevention and response activities is enhanced.
• SGBV survivors are able to access quality and timely response service.
• SGBV SOPs is updated.
• Effective support and advice is provided to promote AGD sensitive analysis of community risks and capacities as the essential basis for all of UNHCR’s work.
• Support and advice is provided to establish community based activities that address the social, cultural, and livelihood needs of populations of concern.
• Functional case reporting and referral system is in place.
• Coordination among relevant protection actors including through the effective management of the monthly interagency SGBV Coordination meetings which is currently co-chaired by UNHCR is enhanced.

Responsibility (process and functions undertaken to achieve results)

• Assist the SGBV Officer in planning, coordinating, supervising and building technical capacity of partners and providing technical guidance to SGBV actors and monitoring implementation of SGBV activities.
• Assist in reviewing SGBV case management protocols/SOPs and adopting/revising to address identified gaps.
• Support the development /revision of the multi-year SGBV strategy.
• Assist with the profiling of PSN in the camps with a view of assessing their needs and analysing protection risks and capacities.
• In collaboration with the other field staff, undertake regular need assessments with beneficiaries to assess gaps and needs in SGBV prevention and response activities for appropriate action in accordance with guidelines.
• Liaise with relevant units/agencies (protection, field units and IP/OP) to ensure that the necessary services targeting women, children, the elderly and PLWD are reaching them and that SGBV prevention and response address their specific protection risks.
• Maintain regular contact with SGBV actors; local authorities, operational and implementing partners in the community at all levels as required.
• Assist in building capacity for the community-based protection and establish systems for community mobilization and participation in planning and implementing SGBV prevention and response activities.
• Work with implementing and operational partners to develop community-owned activities to address negative cultural practices that promote SGBV and support prevention and response activities in an AGDM sensitive manner.
• Provide technical advice and guidance to partners and government counterparts on SGBV Comprehensive Strategy as well as the UNHCR policy and guidelines on Prevention and Protection of Sexual Violence.
• Contribute to the preparation of status progress report and the unit’s periodic reports by collecting relevant data pertaining to the refugee’s activities and maintain up-to-date computerized records.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Authority (decisions made in executing responsibilities and to achieve results)

• Contribute to the enforcement of participatory AGD sensitive analysis as an essential basis for all of UNHCR’s work.
• Initiate AGD sensitive interventions at the appropriate level on community-based protection issues and to respond to protection concerns and incidents within the office, with external interlocutors, groups and individuals based on agreed parameters.
• Identify and select individuals or groups most at risk of SGBV and prioritize for interventions as per established guidelines.
• Mobilize stakeholders to plan and design and implement SGBV interventions.
• Identify training needs and support implementation for improvement of SGBV activities.

Essential Minimum Qualifications and Experience

• Completion of Secondary education with training/certificate in social work, community development or other related fields.
• Minimum 6 years of previous relevant job experience in Community Development, Social Works, SGBV/Child protection program or related fields.
• Computer skills (MS office applications).
• Fluency in English and Kiswahili.

(In offices where the working language is not English, excellent knowledge of UN working language of duty station and working knowledge of English.)

Desirable Qualifications & Competencies

• Previous experience in working SGBV related activities including planning, developing interventions, capacity building.
• Training and facilitation skills.

Competencies:-

Values

• Integrity
• Professionalism
• Respect for Diversity

Cross-Functional Competencies

• Analytical Thinking
• Political Awareness
• Stakeholder Management

Managerial Competencies

• Empowering and Building Trust
• Judgement and Decision Making