UNHCR Country Office in Cyprus
Location: Nicosia, Cyprus
Staff Member / Affiliate Type: UNOPS LICA5
Target Start Date: 2024-03-01
Deadline to Apply: February 2, 2024
General Background:
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (“UNHCR”) is the agency entrusted by the United Nations General Assembly with the mandate to provide international protection to refugees and, together with Governments, to seek permanent solutions to the problems of refugees. Article 35 of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and Article II of the 1967 Protocol requires states parties to cooperate with the office of the UNHCR in the exercise of its supervisory responsibilities. UNHCR’s supervisory responsibility has been reflected in European Union law, including by way of a general reference to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees in Article 78 (1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (“TFEU”), as well as in Declaration 17 to the Treaty of Amsterdam, which provides that “consultations shall be established with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees … on matters relating to asylum policy”.
Within the framework of UNHCR’s supervisory responsibility, the UNHCR country office in Cyprus seeks a Senior Protection Assistant to be stationed or have regular presence at the first reception centre ‘Pournara’ in Kokkinotrimithia and/or other reception and detention facilities as needed. The Senior Protection Assistant undertakes to monitor the protection standards, operational procedures and practices in protection delivery at the reception centers, in line with international standards, participates in the vulnerability assessments conducted jointly by the authorities, UNHCR and EUAA, as well as provides information and advice to residents who seek UNHCR support.
Purpose and Scope of Assignment:
The Senior Protection Assistant provides quality, timely and effective protection support to persons of concern (PoC) and identifies opportunities to mainstream protection methodologies and safeguards in operational responses. S/he contributes to designing a comprehensive protection strategy and may liaise externally with local authorities and partners on protection issues as guided by the supervisor. In addition, the Senior Protection Assistant provides functional protection support to UNHCR information management and Programme, i.e. follow-up on persons arriving at the center and verify means of arrival, travel routes, as well as conduct trends analysis.
The Senior Protection Assistant ensures that PoC are involved in decisions that affect them, whether in accessing their rights or in identifying appropriate solutions to their problems. To achieve this, the Senior Protection Assistant will need to build and maintain effective interfaces with communities of concern, the authorities and protection and assistance partners.
Main duties and responsibilities:
The Senior Protection Assistant will undertake the following tasks and responsibilities:
• Consistently apply International and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards and codes of conduct.
• Monitor Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all protection/solutions activities, identify gaps and make recommendations to remedy them.
• Provide information and counselling on protection issues to PoC; liaise with competent authorities to advocate for adherence to protection standards.
• Support the management of the centers as required, particularly in relation to coordination and communication with the initiatives of the communities.
• Participate in individual protection case management including cases of SGBV and child protection.
• Support activities in protection related AGD based programming with implementing and operational partners.
• Participate in the vulnerability assessment process, alongside the authorities and EUAA.
• Conduct an assessment of arrival trends, reasons, travel routes and means of arrival.
• Liaise with national and European authorities, as well as local and international monitoring bodies, to enhance cooperation between UNHCR and these bodies, facilitate two-way information sharing, validate the data on arrivals, and advocate for adherence to protection standards.
• Draft reports, routine correspondence, update relevant databases and compiling statistics within the Area of Responsibility (AoR).
• Contribute to initiatives to enhance national and local protection capacities.
• Enforce integrity in the delivery of protection services by local implementing partners.
• Perform other related duties as required.
Monitoring and Progress Controls:
The Senior Protection Assistant will work under the supervision of the Protection Officer of UNHCR. S/he will also maintain close contact with all other relevant staff in the office, and other UNHCR offices as required. S/he will have regular meetings with the supervisor where, among other things, performance issues would be discussed. Given the nature of the assignment, a weekly report/update shall be prepared and submitted at the end of each week.
Qualifications and Experience:
a. Education
Completion of secondary education, Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) in Law, Psychology, Social Science, International Relations, Political Science, Social Work, Cultural Studies, Anthropology, or related field. Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master’s) or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) may also be accepted.
b. Work Experience
• At least 2 years of previous work experience directly relevant to the position. Working experience with humanitarian actors (UNHCR, UN agencies or national/European/international organizations and agencies) and/or the authorities. Professional experience in refugee protection in Cyprus;
• Experience with working directly with asylum seekers and refugees, familiarity with UNHCR community-based, AGD and participatory approaches
c. Key Competencies
• Computer skills (MS Office and People Soft applications)
• Excellent writing/drafting skills
• Analytical skills: Ability to identify trends and produce relevant and usable information; assesses needs quickly and accurately; offers well-supported recommendations for a course of action
• Planning and organizing skills: ability to establish priorities and to plan work assignments, respond to competing demands and work under pressure of frequent, multiple and tight deadlines
• Inter-personal skills: ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; ability to develop partnership and networks in community development work.
• Communication skills: Is sensitive, compelling and clear in formal and informal communication; has well developed listening skills; explains complex matters in a clear and informative way.
• Client & Result Orientation: Understands and exceeds client needs. Ensures overall provision of quality service to persons of concern. Is sensitive to and responsive to the age, gender and diversity requirements of clients.
• Stakeholder Management: Builds networks of mutual trust with stakeholders in order to maximize results for people of concern. Effectively engages with stakeholders and collaborates with partners.
• Technical training: courses certifications on refugee protection topics
• Solid knowledge of the humanitarian context and key stakeholders in Cyprus
d. Languages
Fluency in English and Greek is essential; knowledge of French or Arabic is desirable.
Additional Information:
No late applications will be accepted.
Candidates may be required to sit for a test.
Candidates must have the right to work in Cyprus.
To Apply:
For full details and requirements of this vacancy and in order to apply, please CLICK HERE.
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