Background

The international obligations of Turkey and its national legislative framework on asylum have shaped the form of the current collaboration with UNHCR. During the last 54 years, UNHCR and Turkey have been working together in close partnership. Turkey has provided the asylum space for persons seeking refuge, and UNHCR has assisted Turkey to determine who is in need of international protection and to enable access to rights by these persons. As the main partner of the Turkish State in the field of international protection, UNHCR Turkey continues to provide legislative and technical support as well as institutional capacity building support to the Directorate General of Migration Management (DGMM) and other national institutions.

As regarding Syrian nationals who are hosted in Turkey under a Temporary Protection (TP) framework for Syrian nationals, refugees and stateless, UNHCR’s work is to support the authorities through the provision of technical assistance and strong public advocacy for enhanced responsibility sharing.

UNHCR in Turkey also intervenes to strengthen the protection environment and access to social support mechanisms, endeavors to find durable solutions for the most vulnerable amongst those who are recognized as refugees provided they meet the criteria of the resettlement countries, and provides support to the Turkish asylum authority, i.e. DGMM (Directorate Deneral of Migration Management) in the implementation of national status determination procedures.  

Based on the  national legislation, i.e. the Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection,  DGMM conducts  adjudication of international protection applications, and in this context UNHCR provides direct operational support, capacity development and technical advice to Turkish authorities to reinforce the national asylum system and RSD processing.

With the project, UNHCR is aiming to strengthen access of persons of concern to national asylum determination procedures as a core protection element and enhance the efficiency and fairness of the national RSD procedures.

Living Conditions:

The UN Volunteer will live and work in Ankara, Turkey. The national UN Volunteer may also be required to go on missions.

Ankara is the capital of Turkey and the country’s second largest city following Istanbul, with the population of 4.5 million people. Centrally located in Anatolia, Ankara is an important commercial and industrial city. It is the seat of the Turkish government and houses all foreign embassies. The city is strategically located at an important crossroads for trade in proximity of Turkey’s highway and railway networks. Visas are required for entry into Turkey. It is therefore strongly recommended to check with the local Turkish Embassy or Consulate before traveling (http://www.mfa.gov.tr/visa-informationforforeigners.en.mfa). Nationals of EU member states and a limited number of nations are eligible for visas-on-arrival at international air termini and certain border crossing points.

· Security: The current security level in Ankara is minimal – 1. Ankara is considered a generally a safe city, where normal use of common sense and acting responsibly takes one a long way. · The public transport is safe to use. There are no direct threats towards United Nations and its staff in Turkey. · Medical Services: No special vaccinations are required for a travel to Ankara. Medical services available are of high quality, and health care services are available also in English.

· Housing: Apartments and flats are easily available and generally of good condition, with well working services (gas, electricity, water). The cost of housing is reasonable, although smaller apartments and certain locations close to foreign embassies and the UN House tend to be more expensive. Some UN Volunteers opt for house sharing. Upon arrival, UN Volunteers will reside in a hotel until they find permanent housing. UNV Field Unit can provide assistance to UN Volunteers in identifying suitable housing. · Cost of living and services: Housing is the largest monthly expense, and the cost of living is otherwise very affordable. Daily food and products are inexpensive, as are many services.

· Imported goods and many non-essential services and products tend to be more expensive. The provision of goods and services in general is very good. Local transportation ranges from buses, mini-busses called “dolmuş” to taxis, which are all affordable. The subway lines are very limited in the scope. · Weather: The city has a mean elevation of 938 metres. It has cold, often snowy winters due to its elevation and inland location, and hot, dry summers. Because of Ankara's high altitude and its dry summers, nightly temperatures in the summer months can be cool.

· Language: Turkish is the only official language. English is widely spoken in touristic areas, but less commonly in Ankara. In supermarkets and shops, few Turkish words are useful. There are Turkish language schools and tutors available in Ankara.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Protection Assistant will work under the supervision of a Protection Associate, overall guidance of an Assistant Protection Officer, and general oversight of a RSD Officer, within the Policy Development Unit headed by a Senior Protection Officer. Revision of reporting lines might be conducted based on host agency’s operational requirements and in mutual agreement with the UN Volunteer and UNV. The UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Consistently apply International and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR and the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) policy, standards and codes of conduct.
• Support the Unit in its activities aiming to reinforce the national asylum procedures by conducting status determination interviews and drafting recommendations in line with the cooperation framework agreed by UNHCR and DGMM.
• Draft summary RSD assessments to be shared with DGMM on cases adjudicated by UNHCR Turkey under its Mandate as well as other summary documents, advisory opinions as required, to support the national decision-making procedures.
• Conduct research (on country of origin and legal issues), managing and improving the country of origin materials database, reporting on general trends in the relevant countries of origin and replying to queries on specific legal and protection issues, while referring to the supervisor or seeking for advice on more complex issues. 
• Deliver support to the Turkish asylum authority i.e. the Directorate General of Migration Management (DGMM) in their international protection status determination activities,
• Assist in case processing conducted at DGMM International Protection Bureaus (Decision Centers) in Ankara and Istanbul and during the missions of the DGMM Mobile Decision Unit,
• Assist the Unit in capacity-development initiatives organised internally and at those events targeting partners.
• Consult information on ProGres database on individual cases as required,
• Observe and respect relevant Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs),
• File in-coming/out-going correspondence,
• Monitor the security and safety of persons of concern to UNHCR and to support the Office’s priorities and objectives in the protection field,
• Perform other duties, as required.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day).
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities.
• Contribute to articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc..
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers.
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/Expected Output:

• Following the induction period,the Volunteer is expected to  Deliver a determined number of actions identified (an average of 4/5 (cases) per week)  as targets within the Unit.  The Volunteer is expected to support the overall protection activities including identification and referral of persons with special needs in coordination with the national officials.
• The UN Volunteer is expected to conduct research on the countries of origin of the asylum-seekers he/she interviews and updates the country of origin database in accordance with new developments in these countries.
• The UN Volunteer is expected to complete the following trainings: Refugee Status Determination, Induction Training of Protection of Refugees, Security Training programmes as indicated by the Office, Code of Conduct for UNHCR Staff.
• The Volunteer is expected to increase her/his knowledge on UNHCR mandate and international protection.
• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during your assignment such as specific quantification of mobilized volunteers, activities, capacities.

Competencies

Core Competencies: 

• Innovation: Ability to make new and useful ideas work  

• Leadership: Ability to persuade others to follow 

• Communication: Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform  

• Delivery: Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement  

• Technical/functional 

• Research: Knowledge of analytical tools, market research and methods for undertaking substantive research on various policy related issues  

• Marketing: Ability to communicate the value of a product or service  

• Web Design: Ability to create and design web content 

Values: 

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UN Volunteers; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UN Volunteers procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; 

•  

• Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UN Volunteers in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; 

•  

• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; 

•  

• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. 

•  

• Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; 

•  

• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; 

•  

• Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; 

•  

• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UN Volunteers’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.  

Required Skills and Experience

• University degree in (International) Law, Political Science, International Relations, regional studies or other relevant fields is desirable.
• Minimum 2 year of relevant experience is an asset.
• Demonstrated familiarity with and knowledge of the basics of refugee law and international human rights law is desirable.
• Legal Knowledge and the ability to apply legal principles is desirable.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in working with vulnerable groups and gender issues: women, children, and marginalized groups is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in working with trauma victims would be an asset.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a team.
• Good analytical skills, good drafting skills and good oral and written communication skills.
• Cultural and gender awareness.
• Integrity, Professionalism and  Respect for diversity.
• Ability to work effectively under stress and in crisis situations.
• Experience in country of origin information research desirable.
• Languages: Excellent written and spoken English; Excellent written and spoken Turkish.
• Knowledge of another official UN language(s) an asset, in particular Arabic, as well as of other relevant languages, in particular Farsi.
• Computer skills: Good knowledge of MS Office programmes and Internet Applications.
• At least 22 years of age.
• Nationality: Turkish.

Disclaimer

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme which welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture.

United Nations Volunteers reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this opening for other openings with United Nations Volunteers with similar assignment description, experience and educational requirements.

Conditions of Service for national UN Volunteers

A contract till December 31, 2019; with subsequent contract extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment.

Travel to duty station (if applicable) and a Settling-In-Grant will be provided in the event duty station is not within commuting distance from the place of recruitment. A Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) of 3,949.83 TRY is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents), as well as final repatriation (if applicable) and resettlement allowance for satisfactory service.