The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees was established on December 14, 1950, by the United Nations General Assembly. The agency is mandated by the United Nations to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees. UNHCR is guided by and acts as the guardian of the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol. 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. UNHCR also supports former refugees who have returned to their home country, people displaced within their own country, and people who are stateless or whose nationality is disputed. As of 30 June 2024, Somalia hosts 39,475 refugees and asylum seekers; the majority, 65% are from Ethiopia, followed by Yemen 30%, Syria 4% and other countries 1%. There are currently approximately 3.8 million internally displaced persons in Somalia.
The political environment in Somalia is complex, and severe economic consequences resulting from the negative impact of climatic shocks, conflict, and high cost of living have exacerbated existing vulnerabilities of forcibly displaced persons. While national policies and actions, remain generally favorable towards asylum-seekers and refugees, security and economic setbacks hinder the full implementation of UNHCR’s protection and solutions’ priorities. UNHCR works with the Federal Government of Somalia, Federal Member States, UN agencies and various stakeholders including INGOs, NGOs, to achieve solutions for forcibly displaced persons aligned to the Somalia National Development Plan (2020– 2024), or (NDP-9) with an agenda of inclusive politics and reconciliation, security and the rule of law, and economic and social development, with linkages to human rights and protection, including the empowerment of women, youth, and other marginalized groups. The UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2021-2025), or (UNCF), represents the commitment of the FGS and UN to work together to achieve peace, stability, and prosperity in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals

Within the delegated authority of the Deputy Representative, , the Associate Protection Officer will:

-Assist the Protection Cluster Coordinator (PC) with a particular emphasis on information management and communication among Cluster members and other relevant partners, as well as training and capacity –building for members and partners;

-Interact with PC members and maintain close contact with OCHA for the collection and transmission of periodic reports and documents required; elaborate routines for the timely production of these reports;

-Ensure liaison with thematic working groups (Area of Responsibility – AoRs) under the PC (SGBV, Child Protection, House Land and Property Issues), as well as Protection working groups /focal points at the territorial Level and national protection cluster to ensure follow-up of recommendations and alerts, input into joint analysis and advocacy initiatives, and into protection strategies;

-Compile and review thematic information/data from PC members with a view to drafting a consolidate Protection Cluster periodic newsletters on a monthly basis;

-Assist in the collection of information and analysis of protection data, in the form of reports and/or maps, in particular in view of advocacy with the UN Peace-Keeping Mission on priority protection areas;

-Alert and consult with nuclear PC members in case of emergency and assist in organising joint evaluation protection missions;

-Assist in the research of data and analysis in support to the Protection Cluster advocacy initiatives, organize advocacy for a with relevant target groups as deemed appropriate;

-Coordinate the promotion of international refugee law principles and standards and also IDP legislation or policies ensuring that all sectors and clusters fulfill their responsibilities mainstreaming protection;

-Refer PC recommendations to members and UN Agencies/NGOs concerned and ensure/follow-up their implementation;

-Coordinate the development of Protection strategies in context of Pooled Fund process, ensure timely information of PC members of applicable rules and procedures, ensure that submissions are timely received and ensure review of submission as per Pooled Fund procedure;

-Ensure that the perspectives, capacities, needs and resources of the persons of concerns are reflected in the protection strategy, planning processes and operations plan addressing the specific protection needs of women and men, children, youth and older persons, persons with disabilities, minority groups such as sexual minorities and persons living with HIV/AIDS;

-Ensure legal assistance is accessible to persons of concern; liaise with competent authorities to ensure the issuance of personal and other relevant documents to persons of concern (civil documentation, in particular birth certificates);

-Maintain protection presence through regular field missions and reports, making direct contact with persons of concern, host communities, local authorities and partners. Contribute to ensuring that the response of the Protection Cluster is grounded in an AGD-compliant strategy which covers all assessed and prioritized protection needs of the affected populations;

-Support the follow-up of all matters linked to resource mobilisation, including the Humanitarian Action Plan;

-Design, plan and deliver training in coordination with order actors for target audience as per PC recommendations, in particular with regard to protection mainstreaming, age & gender issues, Protection Monitoring and advocacy, follow-up the impact of training in accordance with indicators;

-Elaborate essential documents for the Cluster, as well as preparatory documents, draft agenda and convene Protection Cluster meetings, and draft meeting minutes.

• 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.

information management and communication in Humanitarian and Protection affairs, in particular in the framework of Protection Clusters.
• Experience with refugees and/or other people of concern in a protection capacity required.
• Experience with relevant information management tools and software is desirable;
• Field experience in particular of working with persons of concern desirable
• Commitment to help persons of concern and willingness to cooperate with counterparts and partners;
• Good analytical skills;
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills in a multi-cultural setting;
• Ability to design, organize, deliver and evaluate training/capacity building activities;
• Ability to live and work in the difficult and harsh conditions of developing countries is essential.

Desirable Qualifications and Skills:
• Knowledge of UN policies and procedures;
• Knowledge of the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, as well as of relevant UNHCR and inter-agency policies and guidelines on Protection;
•Computer skills: Office Package (excellent knowledge of Word, good knowledge of Excel and Power Point) and Internet browsing.

The UNHCR Somalia operation is complex in nature. Given the complexity of the crisis, the capability of UNHCR to provide assistance to the people in need in different areas of Somalia according to its mandate lies in its ability to adjust its response taking into account the different local realities which vary from one area to the other.
Mogadishu is Non-Family E- duty station with highly stressful work context where capacity for self-care is critical. Mogadishu has a relatively dry climate and it is classified as hot and semi-arid.
UNHCR maintains its own compound inside the Mogadishu International Airport ATMIS Protected Area. The Compound consists of the Office Space and accommodation; both are made of prefab containers with overhead and side protection to mitigate the risk in indirect fire. Due to security restrictions UNHCR International staff in Mogadishu reside at the UNHCR compound. International Staff are restricted to live within AAIA. The accommodations have self-contained rooms. There is a canteen available at the compound serving meals three time a day at you own cost. More restaurants and dining facilities are available at the UNSOS and other UNDSS approved compounds across the AAIA ATMIS protected area. Movement within AAIA protected area is possible on foot and by car, curfews apply for night movement. There is a Gym available at the UNHCR compound. Other leisure and recreational facilities are very limited. Overnight stay in all other field locations is in UN approved guest houses apart from Hargeisa which is approved UNDSS hotel. Travel to the field locations is mainly through regular UN flights. No local banking facilities; but there is an ATM Machine where staff can withdraw USD using Visa / Master credit/debit cards. There are two Level I Hospitals within AAIA for basic and emergency health services. UN security structures in Somalia are robust and generally effective in managing risk. UNHCR ‘s posture is appropriate in its major offices, including three FSAs posts, but less assured in outlying areas where field or satellite offices are envisioned to be established.
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