Job Description
| Organization | United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees |
| Job Title | Protection Associate (SGBV) UNOPS LICA 6 |
| Location | Ed Daein, Sudan |
| Hardship Level | E |
| Job ID | 34317 |
| Salary Grade | |
| Family Location Type | Non-Family |
| Closing Date | 20/03/2022 |
Eligible Applicants
This Job Opening is available to eligible UNHCR staff members and external applicants.
Duties and Qualifications
General Background;
The SGBV Associate supports the operations¿ efforts to fulfil UNHCR¿s mandate and associated obligations on SGBV prevention, risk mitigation and response based on policy and guidance.
The SGBV Associate works under direct supervision of a more senior SGBV/Protection colleague who defines overall work objectives and provides regular advice and guidance. S/he will focus on strengthening SGBV case management supervision as well as safe and ethical data collection and further analysis of SGBV trends. The incumbent will also ensure quality prevention and risk mitigation interventions.
S/he collaborates closely with the UNHCR management and the Protection team in the country and strengthens working relations with other agencies involved in SGBV prevention, risk mitigation and response. S/he promotes alignment with GBV minimum standards and respect of GBV Guiding Principles.
S/he also ensures that persons of concern, in particular women and girls, 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.
Operational context
The influx of South Sudanese refugees during 2016 saw many arriving in large numbers in East Darfur and subsequently into some of the most impoverished and difficult areas to access in Sudan. East Darfur experienced the largest number of arrivals since 2016, which continues with over 68,000 refugees residing in two camps (Kario and El Nimir) and seven settlements areas / localities spread apart over a large geographically area. The refugees comprising two main groups: Dinka refugees mainly from Northern Bahr el Ghazal area displaced as a result of conflict-related food insecurity, and Feratit from in and around Raja town in Western Bahr el Ghazal due in large part to localized violence in Raja.
This refugee population has been highly mobile, seeking livelihood and seasonal labour opportunities in different parts of East Darfur and surrounding states; both factoring into the heightened risk of SGBV.
Basic services are provided to refugees through various partners (National & International) in both camps as well as in the seven settlements areas. UNHCR in East-Darfur is responsible for the implementation of protection and assistance programme to refugees leaving in camps and in settlements. The operation also includes the leading of the Protections cluster, Shelter and NFI cluster, as well as supporting durable solutions for IDPs, promoting and supporting the peace building process through implementation of community support projects and community-based protection.
Purpose and Scope of Assignment;
The Protection Associate (SGBV) (Sexual and Gender-Based Violence) reports to the Community Based Protection Officer. He/she 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 (SGBV) is expected to coordinate quality, timely and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern (children, women, survivors of SGBV, including men and boys) and identify opportunities to mainstream SGBV protection methodologies and integrate protection safeguards in operational responses in all sectors. He/she 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 (SGBV) also ensures that persons of concern under area of responsibility 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.
Monitoring and progress controls;
- Assist the Community Based Protection Officer in the preparations and holdings of the coordination meetings of the SGBV sub-working group (and/or Protection Working Group) or support follow-up required within GBV sub-clusters chaired by other organizations.
- Support the development and strengthening of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) with comprehensive referral mechanism for response services through a consultative process with NGOs and community groups;
- Support the development of coordination tools such as referral pathways;
- Conduct mapping and maintain a ¿who, what where¿ matrix of existing services to address SGBV, including community capacities and structures;
- Contribute to safety audits and other relevant assessments.
- Contribute to support other sectors/units on SGBV risk mitigation under overall guidance of Community Based Protection officer. Contribute to the design of SGBV prevention, risk mitigation and response interventions.
- Support in providing technical guidance to partners and government counterparts on SGBV minimum standards under overall direction of the supervisor.
- Contribute to SGBV partners¿ monitoring by undertaking regular field visits and drafting monitoring reports; Provide inputs to donor reports;
- Provide SGBV case management services for survivors at high risk and/or other complex cases (if relevant in operation) and follow-up with other units/partners as relevant;
- Ensure technical supervision of UNHCR staff providing SGBV case management (including coaching and implementation of staff care strategies);
- Support SGBV capacity building initiatives, including on SGBV safe disclosure and referrals.
- Ensure the wishes of survivors are prioritized as per the survivor-centered approach.
- Assist to enforce compliance with, and integrity of, all protection standard operating procedures for SGBV as well as the SGBV minimum standards and Guiding Principles.
- Assist the operation in developing/ strengthening and implementing a country/ location specific Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) strategy is in line with UNHCR guidelines and updated global SGBV strategy. The SGBV strategy should be part of the operation¿s Protection & Solutions Strategy;
- Establish and/or strengthen strategic and innovative partnerships for SGBV with community-based, local, national, and international organizations;
- Promote mainstreaming of Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) across all sectors and activities such as health, safety and security, psychosocial and legal shelter, WASH, and Energy and coordinate with Programme and Protection sections to ensure that SGBV programming is incorporated in partner agreements in all sectors;
- Support the operation in conducting assessments and safety audits on SGBV in coordination with other units and other agencies;
- Strengthen and lead SGBV coordination mechanisms in refugee contexts or, in the context of IDPs, support the Sub-cluster SGBV coordination structure;
- Support SGBV data management (collection, storage, analysis and sharing) in line with safety and ethical standards.
- Contribute to effective information management through the provision of disaggregated data on populations of concern and their problems.
- Prepare regular consolidated reports on the progress, challenges, gaps and recommendations on SGBV prevention and response;
- Contribute to analysis of SGBV trends and gaps, including by assisting with drafting briefing notes and analytical reports.
- Conduct training on basic elements of SGBV prevention and response, the design of SGBV programmes and coordination mechanisms;
- 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.
- Provide advice on SGBV issues to persons of concern; liaise with competent authorities to ensure the issuance of personal and other relevant documentation.
- Assist in identifying durable solutions for the largest possible number of persons of concern through voluntary repatriation, local integration and where appropriate, resettlement.
- Participate in initiatives to capacitate authorities, relevant institutions and NGOs to strengthen national protection related legislation and procedures.
- Perform other related duties as required.
Qualifications and Experience;
Required Education/Experience
- 4 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher
- Previous work experience relevant to the function of SGBV in a local context and having experience in the field of SGBV prevention, mitigation and response, broader protection or social work involving empowerment of women and girls, gender, child protection, mental health, counselling and working with survivors, humanitarian and development issues.
- Demonstrated knowledge of engagement with SGBV Interagency humanitarian architecture.
- Applied experience in survivor-centred approach, SGBV guiding and Case management principles related to SGBV programs.
- Demonstrated knowledge in gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls and apply, promote and integrate gender analysis into humanitarian programming.
- Knowledge of SGBV minimum standards, Guiding Principles and SGBV case management standards.
- Knowledge and experience of participatory approaches to engaging with and mobilizing communities.
- Fluency in English and Arabic
Education;
- Good computer skills.
- Completed Protection Learning Programme
- Good understanding of displacement and protection issues including, child protection, education and the application of the Age, Gender and Diversity Policy.
Work Experience;
4 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher.
Key Competencies;
Essential Skills
- Empowering and Building Trust
- Managing Resources
- Analytical Thinking
- Political Awareness
- Stakeholder Management
- Judgement and Decision Making
- Confidentiality
Core Competencies
- Training/Coaching
- Communication
- Organizational awareness
- Teamwork/Collaboration
- Commitment to Continuous Learning
- Client & Result Orientation
Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
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.
Closing Date
The closing date for the UNOPS job opening is 20 March 2022.
