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.
- 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

Certificates and/or Licenses
International Law, Political Science or other related field

Relevant Job Experience
Desirable
Protection Learning Programme

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

Language Requirements

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.

Desired Candidate Profile

1) Arabic is highly desirable.

2) Prior experience in humanitarian or cluster settings, inter-agency coordination, media monitoring and analysis, CwC/AAP, and or capacity building is highly desirable.

3) Training in technical areas of protection, GBV, child protection, or mine action is highly desirable

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

This is a position in the UNHCR Cross-border Operations for North-West Syria (NWS), and will be based in Gaziantep, Türkiye.  The Protection Cluster / UNHCR staff do not have direct access to NWS, and by nature the work related to NWS will be remote.  There will not be a significant amount of travel for the position; when such travel is warranted, transportation for official missions will be provided by UNHCR.

The general security situation in Gaziantep remains calm and stable, with security level assessed as 2 (low) in line with the general threat assessment. The Turkish security forces continue security operations against armed elements and proscribed organizations both within the boundaries of southeastern Türkiye as well as northern Iraq and Syria, which also result in occasional retaliatory attacks, targeting government security forces and installations. The 10km border area, along northern Syria, requires additional security precautions. Although the UN is not considered as a direct target, collateral damage can also impact UN in the area. Petty crime incidents have been reported including thefts and snatching, although there have not been many reports of such incidents affecting UN/HCR personnel. Civil unrest and protest demonstrations have been reported from time to time, mostly against socio-economic and socio-political issues. Hazard incidents including road traffic crashes, extreme weather conditions, fire incidents and earthquake remain a concern for the safety of staff. UNHCR security management is guided by the Area Security Management and security advisories are shared with staff as and when required.

Staff safety is paramount to UNHCR  and all UNHCR staff are required to undertake the mandatory course of Basic Security in the Field (BSAFE).

This assignment is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19 with WHO approved vaccine unless the UNHCR Medical Service approves an exemption from this requirement on medical grounds.

Nature of Position:

The Protection Cluster (PC) for North-West Syria (NWS) is based in Gaziantep, and coordinates the response of 65-member organizations which include members of the three Sub-Clusters for Child Protection, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and Humanitarian Mine Action. The PC also houses the Protection Monitoring Task Force (PMTF), a Housing, Land and Property (HLP) TWG as well as a TWG on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (ITWG). 

The position of Protection Associate plays a key role in the day-to-day operation of the PC, and contributes to the implementation of its overall strategy for NWS. The Protection Associate will be responsible for: organizing monthly PC meetings, including taking meeting minutes; compiling inputs for PC's weekly newsletter to the members; supporting with the organization of donor and other high-level  missions; contributing to PC reporting; and provision of other forms of administrative support to the PC, as requested. S/he will also monitor traditional and social media to gather info about political, security, social, economic and other developments that may impact on affected populations and humanitarian response in NWS. S/he will also contribute to Communication with Communities (CwC) / Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) efforts of the PC. Finally, s/he will contribute to capacity building of PC partners - UN agencies, national & international NGOs - on key protection issues.

Given that Protection Cluster / UNHCR staff do not have direct access to NWS, there will be limited direct engagement with the IDPs, IDP-returnees and/or civilians that the PC serves. However,  the Protection Associate will be expected to regularly engage with external stakeholders - particularly national NGOs, INGOs, and UN agencies – including during cluster meetings, inter-agency meetings, joint initiatives including advocacy, and in the delivery of trainings. This includes: members of the Protection Cluster; Coordinators of the GBV, Child Protection & Mine Action Sub-Clusters; UN/NGO members of the Whole of Syria Protection Sector; Global Protection Cluster; other Clusters engaged in the NWS response; human rights actors; OCHA; humanitarian leadership; donors; and external researchers. 

Living and Working Conditions:

The UNHCR office for NWS Cross-Border operations, is located in a secure office building in Gaziantep. The location is accessible by public transit, and via taxi. There is also public parking outside the building. There are ample amenities in Gaziantep, including restaurants, shops and banks. ATMs are accessible throughout the city, and it is possible to open a Turkish bank account. Mobile phone services can be easily arranged. There are good quality healthcare and recreational facilities in Gaziantep, but access to such facilities in the English language requires some coordination. However, there are limited options for English education facilities. 

Functional Clearance

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

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

Work Experience

Competencies

Accountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Judgement & decision making, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

How to Apply                                                                                       

Please note that the applications are only accepted through Workday URL provided.

UNHCR Salary Calculator

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Other information

Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme or as an intern is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19.

The English version is considered original and authoritative, translation to other language(s) serve the purpose of advertisement of local positions where applicable but are not considered as official translations

Staff members must serve for a minimum of one year following assignment before being considered eligible to apply for another position within the same category. The minimum one-year requirement is waived in respect of staff members whose position is being changed or whose assignment/appointment through the joint staff/management review body is in a replacement capacity.

Candidates must be primarily Turkish nationals. The minimum educational requirement for this position is a university degree.

A break of minimum 31 days is required before a staff member who currently holds a Fixed Term or Indefinite Appointment may be rehired on a Temporary Appointment. This requirement is waived if the staff member is selected for a Temporary Appointment in another duty station.

UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).

Only short-listed candidates will be notified. The recruitment process might include written test and/or oral interview for this job opening. No late applications will be accepted.

External candidates must be legally present in Türkiye at the time of application, recruitment and hire.

Non-Turkish citizens are required to submit a valid Turkish residence permit to be considered. Please upload your residence permit document under the Certifications section, select the type as Personnel Administration - Other.

Your application will NOT be considered if a valid residence permit is not attached to the application. (for non-Turkish external candidates only)

For further information on how to apply please visit UNHCR - Application and selection
"https://www.unhcr.org/how-to-apply.html"