The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org).

The Associate Field Officer (Protection) integrates the Protection Unit in a Field Office, Sub-Office or Country Office and reports to the Protection Officer, Field Officer or Head of Field or Sub-Office as applicable. The Associate Field Officer (Protection) in a Field or Sub-Office reports to the Protection, Field Officer or Head of Field Office as appropriate. The incumbent has direct supervisory responsibility for part of the protection staff and supports the application of protection standards, operational procedures and practices in protection delivery at the field level. He/she liaises with protection partners on the delivery of the Field Office protection strategy and programmes.

The Associate Field Officer (Protection) assists in the design and preparation of the Office protection strategy, in particular by ensuring that it is based on consultations and actual needs of persons of concern. He/she provides timely analysis on the protection situation in the field, highlighting important political, social, military and economic developments affecting the protection of persons of concern. The incumbent is responsible for the application of protection standards, operational procedures and practices in protection delivery at the field level and is relied upon by the Field or Country Office to plan and undertake quality, timely and effective responses to the needs of populations of concern.

To achieve this, the incumbent will build daily contacts with persons of concern, authorities, protection and assistance partners as well as a broader network of stakeholders who can contribute to enhancing protection.

This UNV 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.

Within the delegate supervision of the Field Officer the Associate Field Officer will

•Stay abreast of political, social, economic and cultural developments that have an impact on the protection environment and provide advice to senior management;

•Support UNHCR’s consultative process with local government counterparts, partners and persons of concern for effective needs assessment and planning;

•Facilitate UNHCR’s responses in addressing Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) priorities and other specific protection needs of women and men, children, youth and older persons, persons with disabilities, marginalized groups such as persons with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities;

•Manage individual protection cases including those on SGBV and child protection;

•Monitor the integrity of UNHCR operations management standards and procedures in the Area of Responsibility (AoR) and facilitate the respect of deadlines;

•Maintain protection presence through regular field missions and reports, making direct contact with persons of concern, host communities, local authorities and partners;

•Monitor and report on the protection, security and safety situation of persons of concern;

•Facilitate and monitor programmes on an Age, Gender, Diversity (AGD) basis to address identified protection needs;

•Support communities in establishing representation and coordination structures. Promote confidence building and conflict resolution among populations of concern, authorities and host communities;

•Provide advice and guidance on protection issues to internal and external interlocutors; ensure legal assistance is accessible to persons of concern; liaise with competent authorities to ensure the issuance of personal and other relevant documents and services to persons of concern;

•Contribute in developing and implementing an education plan for the AoR as part of the protection strategy;

•Intervene in cases of expulsion, arbitrary deprivation of nationality, and other protection incidents through close working relations with governments and other partners.

•Assess resettlement needs and apply priorities for the resettlement of individuals and groups of refugees and other persons of concern;

•Support the effective systematization and management of data to enhance monitoring, response and evaluation mechanisms;

•Contribute to initiatives to build the capacity of local partners and civil society through training and other initiatives to protect persons of concern.

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNHCR; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNHCR 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 UNHCR 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 UNHCR’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

refugees setting and/or other people of concern in a protection capacity required.

Experience working with counterparts and implementing partners, including civil society groups, local authorities, and other UN agencies is an asset.

Computer literate; proficiency in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, Power Point, etc) and Internet browsing.

International Field experience required in Protection, Community Services and Coordination / management role

Dollow is a remote location with 4 weeks R&R cycle at the moment. UNHCR has one Office Space and one accommodation in Dolow managed through MOU with WFP. All the staff work in a small concrete office and share the space. Working spaces have been provided for all the staff. WFP has meeting boardroom with capacity of 15 individuals. This can be used on request.
WFP provides full board guesthouse accommodation for the international staff. Services such as air condition, desks, fridge, bed, kettle, TV with DSTV satellite connection and Wi-Fi access are available. Laundry services is also provided. No private cooking is currently permitted.
The social activities in the compound are limited. Well-equipped Gym is provided for the International staff. The compound has a functional Clinic with a resident Medical Doctor and a nurse.
The local airstrip serves the community and the NGOs. UNHAS flight is operational three times a week on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.
Due to the tense security situation, movement out of WFP compound is restricted except with armed escort and armored vehicle including to the airport. International flight is through Mogadishu. Staff may have to overnight in Mogadishu UNHCR Guest house before catching international flight during R&R travel. There is no banking facility in Dollow. Hence, staff are advised to carry some cash in USD.
Somalia is a unique country and UNHCR Somalia is a unique (humanitarian) operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable.
Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.
You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator
The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos