Protection Officer (Mixed Migration) At UN High Commissioner for Refugees

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is offering a an IICA full time position Kassala SO Office Sudan.

Sudan has always been a country of origin, destination, and transit on the migratory route from the Horn of Africa to Europe (mainly through the central Mediterranean route) and other destinations. By the end of 2021, UNHCR, in partnership with the government of Sudan, partners and the donor community provided protection and humanitarian assistance to 126,354 refugees and asylum-seekers hosted in 9 camps in eastern Sudan. Among the 6,664 new arrivals in 2021, some 2,000 did not show up for registration on the scheduled dates and are presumed to have irregularly left the camps and moved onwards. Most asylum seekers, refugees, and persons in need of international protection rely on criminal networks to transport them into, through and out of Sudan and therefore risk falling prey to abuse and exploitation by smugglers/or traffickers. In close collaboration with COR and legal implementing partner (SOD), all the victims of trafficking receive legal aid, health support, psychosocial support, and transportation to the Shagarab camp.

UNHCR in collaboration with the Danish Red Cross also continues to support the gender-segregated safe shelters which accommodate vulnerable victims of trafficking and other vulnerable persons of concern (PoC). Besides, UNHCR with the support of the Telling the Real Story project (TRS) supports community awareness initiatives in the camps through focus group discussions using an AGD approach and community outreach. In coordination to address mixed movements and human trafficking, UNHCR convenes a bi-monthly East Sudan migration working group which is a UN/INGO/NGO coordination forum on issues of mixed movements and human trafficking to support the objectives of the national committee on counter-trafficking (NCCT) at the state level.

Title: Protection Officer (Mixed Migration)

Duty Station: Kassala, Sudan

Duration: through 31/12/2022

Contract Type: UNOPS International Individual Contractor – IICA 2

Closing date: 1st June 2022

Posting Date: 18th May 2022

Start date: ASAP

Operational context

Sudan has always been a country of origin, destination, and transit on the migratory route from the Horn of Africa to Europe (mainly through the central Mediterranean route) and other destinations. By the end of 2021, UNHCR, in partnership with the government of Sudan, partners and the donor community provided protection and humanitarian assistance to 126,354 refugees and asylum-seekers hosted in 9 camps in eastern Sudan. Among the 6,664 new arrivals in 2021, some 2,000 did not show up for registration on the scheduled dates and are presumed to have irregularly left the camps and moved onwards. Most asylum seekers, refugees, and persons in need of international protection rely on criminal networks to transport them into, through and out of Sudan and therefore risk falling prey to abuse and exploitation by smugglers/or traffickers. In close collaboration with COR and legal implementing partner (SOD), all the victims of trafficking receive legal aid, health support, psychosocial support, and transportation to the Shagarab camp.

UNHCR in collaboration with the Danish Red Cross also continues to support the gender-segregated safe shelters which accommodate vulnerable victims of trafficking and other vulnerable persons of concern (PoC). Besides, UNHCR with the support of the Telling the Real Story project (TRS) supports community awareness initiatives in the camps through focus group discussions using an AGD approach and community outreach. In coordination to address mixed movements and human trafficking, UNHCR convenes a bi-monthly East Sudan migration working group which is a UN/INGO/NGO coordination forum on issues of mixed movements and human trafficking to support the objectives of the national committee on counter-trafficking (NCCT) at the state level.

Duties and responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Senior protection Officer, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

• Monitor and evaluate activity implementation on mixed-migration and counter-trafficking through UNHCR direct implementation and implementing partners and prepare donor reports.
• Work closely with the State Technical Committee on Mixed-Migration and Counter-Trafficking and other Government counterparts such as Ministry of Social Affairs and the Office of the Commissioner for Refugees (COR) on issues of mixed migration and counter-trafficking.
• Work closely with UN/INGO and NGO partners in addressing mixed migration issues which are of common interest to UNHCR.
• Work on all aspects of the mixed migration and counter-trafficking strategy, draft and review strategy documents, prepare presentations, fact sheets, reports and updates.
• Liaise and lobby with Police, Immigration, Police Investigation, Special Court and other relevant actors to enhance the protection of asylum seekers and refugees against trafficking, including though improved coordination mechanisms.
• Work with government counter-parts, COR and implementing partners in East Sudan to ensure the installation and implementation of measures to improve physical security in the camps and the border areas as well as in transit during convoy movements from border entry points to reception centers.
• Organize capacity-building training Workshops for local authorities and partners, on international refugee law and mixed migration.
• Strengthen the identification, screening and referral of the victims of trafficking to available service providers, such as psycho-social, health, legal and physical protection.
• Engage with the refugee and host communities to increase their awareness and participation in counter-trafficking and mixed-migration initiatives.
• Support the management of safe houses for victims of trafficking and strengthen witness protection measures in coordination with special prosecutor and special court on counter-trafficking in Kassala.
• Formulate research and survey needs and assist in conducting research and surveys in the area of mixed migration.
• Coordinate information sessions and awareness raising campaigns on the risks of onward movement, kidnapping and trafficking, working closely with the “Telling the Real Story” Project personnel in Eastern Sudan.
• Any other functions that may required by the office.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

• Reports and inputs as stated above are submitted regularly and on time.
• Other tasks stated above are carried out professionally and completed timely.

Essential minimum qualifications and professional experience required

For P3/NOC – 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree,

Field(s) of Education

Graduate degree in relevant areas (Law/International Human Rights Law/International Refugee Law; Refugee and Forced Migration Studies; or other relevant fields) and thorough understanding of the principles of refugee law and UNHCR’s mandate.

Experience

Essential

Minimum 4 years of relevant professional experience in the area of refugee protection, human rights or international humanitarian law, including experience in working directly with Field Offices. Good knowledge of Forced Migration, International Refugee and Human Rights Law and ability to apply the relevant legal principles. Excellent legal research, analytical and drafting skills.

Desirable

• Diverse field experience is desirable, especially in Africa or working with populations from Africa.
• Previous work experience with refugee population or mixed movements is an asset.
• Familiarity with the UN System or experience in the humanitarian field is considered an advantage.

Functional Skills

• English compulsory (excellent drafting and verbal skills), working knowledge of Arabic desirable.
• Ability to work effectively in multi-functional teams;
• Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills due to a multi-cultural work environment and working with PoC;
• Good IT skills including database management skills;
• Ability to work within deadlines, high volumes of work and cope with stress.

Core Competencies:

Accountability

Communication

Organizational Awareness

Teamwork & Collaboration

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies:

Empowering and Building Trust

Judgement and Decision Making

Managing Resources

Cross-Functional Competencies:

Negotiation and Conflict Resolution

Planning and Organizing

Stakeholder Management

Language Requirements

Knowledge of English.

Location

The IICA will be based in Kassala, Sudan with Travel to other states within Sudan.

Remuneration

Monthly fees range between USD $ 9,006.75 to $ 10,100.20 depending on the level of expertise of the candidate. Daily subsistence allowance for travel with Sudan will be payable as applicable.