Description of assignment title
Protection Assistant
Assignment country
Bulgaria
Expected start date
01/01/2025
Sustainable Development Goal
16. Peace, justice and strong institutions
Volunteer category
National UN Community Volunteer
Host entity
UNHCR Bulgaria
Type
Onsite
Duration
12 months
(with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments
1
Duty stations
Sofia
Mission and objectives
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people.
Context
The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and coordinate 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 resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org).
UNHCR initiated activities in Bulgaria in 1993 in tandem with the country’s accession to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees. Since then, it has been engaged with national and local authorities, civil society organizations and refugee, stateless, and host communities to promote access to territory, legal status, and opportunities for legal and socio-economic inclusion. Currently, the office is supporting authorities and communities in the response to the needs of refugees fleeing the armed conflict in Ukraine and those from the Middle East, North Africa, and Near Asia, who are seeking protection and opportunities for meaningful inclusion in Bulgarian society.
Task description
Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Senior Protection Officer or their designated mandated representative(s), the Protection Assistant will:
• Through relationships with persons of concern, authorities and network of partners stay abreast of political, social, economic, and cultural developments that have an impact on the protection environment and provide advice to senior management.
• Ensure that the perspectives, capacities, needs, and resources of the persons of concern 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 people with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics;
• Coordinate the implementation and monitoring of programmes ensuring that identified protection needs, including an Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) approach, are adequately addressed;
• Provide policy and operational support to UNHCR and partners on all protection related issues;
• Provide legal 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 to persons of concern (civil documentation, in particular, birth certificates);
• Support a consultative process with government counterparts at local levels, partners, and persons of concern to develop and implement integrated strategies that address the key protection priorities, including, for example, child protection, education, and SGBV, and solutions approaches;
• Maintain protection presence through regular field missions and reports, making direct contact with persons of concern, host communities, local authorities, and partners;
• Contribute to the Protection team’s information management component which: provide disaggregated data on populations of concern and their problems; research, collect and disseminate relevant protection information and good practices to enhance protection delivery and provide technical advice if necessary;
• Ensure participatory, community-based protection and AGD approaches are included in, strategies and plans in the country operation;
• Support persons of concern to develop structures that enhance their participation and protection.
• Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:
• 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;
• Provide annual and end-of-assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results, and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• 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 outputs:
• As an active UNHCR team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNHCR and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:
• Support in mapping community structures, monitoring CBP activities and strengthening Accountability to Affected Populations in UNHCR’s programming in Bulgaria.
• Enhance experience sharing of good practices amongst teams and partners.
• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment.
Age
18 – 80
Required experience
No experience required
Nationality
Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.
Relevant experience
No experience required
Languages
English, Level: Working knowledge, Required
Bulgarian, Level: Working knowledge, Required
Ukrainian, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable
Russian, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable
Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in Law, Social Sciences, Humanities, or other relevant areas.
Competencies and values
•Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNHCR; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNHCR’s 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 the 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 mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.
Skills and experience
3 years of experience in relevant programmes is desirable; experience in project management and with the UN or other international development organizations is an asset. Excellent oral, writing, formulation, and reporting skills; accuracy and professionalism in document production. Excellent interpersonal skills; cultural and social sensitivity; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities; familiarity with tools of communications for development. Ability to adapt professionally in a challenging environment and a multicultural (international and national) team. Computer literacy, MS Office; familiarity with database management and office equipment. Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision and tight deadlines. Interest in international refugee law, and volunteerism as a mechanism for sustainable development.
Area(s) of expertise
Community development, Social work, Legal affairs
Driving license
–
Living conditions and remarks
This assignment requires full-time engagement (8 hours/5 days per week). The contract lasts for the period indicated above with the possibility of extensions subject to the availability of funding, operational necessity, and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment.
The applicable Volunteer Living Allowance is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities, and normal cost of living expenses. The purpose of the allowances and entitlements paid to UN Volunteers is to enable UN Volunteers to sustain a secure standard of living at the duty stations in line with United Nations standards without incurring personal costs. The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward, or salary in exchange for the UN Volunteer’s service. Contingent on specific eligibility criteria, location of the volunteer assignment, and contractual type and category, the payment of allowances will begin from the date of Commencement of Service.
Monthly Living Allowance (per month): BGN 2120
Entry lump sum (one-time payment): USD 50
Please note that the amounts can vary according to fluctuations in the exchange rate.
Medical and life insurance:
• Medical insurance: The UN Volunteer will receive UNV-provided medical insurance coverage.
• Life Insurance: UN Volunteers are covered by life insurance for the duration of the UN Volunteer assignment.
Leave entitlements:
• Annual leave: UN Volunteers accrue an entitlement to 2.5 days of Annual Leave per completed month of the UN Volunteer assignment. Unused accrued Annual Leave up to a maximum of 30 days is carried over in case of a contract extension within the same UN Volunteer assignment. Unused accrued Annual Leave may not be carried over in case of reassignment or a new assignment.
• Learning leave: Subject to supervisor approval and exigencies of service, UN Volunteers may request up to ten working days of Learning Leave per consecutive 12 months of the UN Volunteer assignment, starting with the Commencement of Service date, provided the Learning Leave is used within the contract period.
• Certified Sick Leave: UN Volunteers are entitled to up to 30 days of certified sick leave based on a 12-month cycle. This amount is reset every 12-month cycle.
• Uncertified Sick Leave: UN Volunteers receive seven days of uncertified sick leave working days in a calendar year. This amount will be reset at the established interval period.
The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/sites/default/files/2022-12/UNVcos20221%20Complete%20hi-res-final_compressed_NOV22.pdf
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Scam warning
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