Senior Protection Cluster Coordination Officer, P4, Ouagadougou At UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

In complex humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters where UNHCR is designated as the Protection Cluster Lead Agency under the Cluster Approach, the position of Senior Protection Cluster Coordination Officer performs a dedicated coordination, strategy development and advocacy function. The Senior Protection Cluster Coordination Officer reports directly to the UNHCR Representative who has final accountability for the performance of UNHCR as Cluster Lead Agency. At the same time, the incumbent effectuates UNHCR’s commitment to work within the framework of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) and the Cluster Approach. The UNHCR Protection Cluster Lead Agency functions, embodied in the role of Senior Protection Cluster Coordination Officer, are critical in ensuring UNHCR¿s leadership within a diverse protection community. The Senior Protection Cluster Coordination Officer is expected to discharge UNHCR’s lead role in the Protection Cluster and to impartially represent the interests of the members of the Protection Cluster, including the provision of active support, as applicable, to sub-clusters or working groups of the Cluster which may be coordinated by other Agencies. As a result, the Senior Protection Cluster Coordination Officer leads an inter-agency team in an environment that requires high standards of accountability and demonstrable leadership, coordination, negotiation and conflict resolution skills, and in which the principles of partnership and collaboration are essential. The Senior Protection Cluster Coordination Officer represents the Protection Cluster in Inter-Cluster Coordination mechanisms. The Senior Protection Cluster Coordination Officer advocates for protection mainstreaming in the humanitarian response, leads the mainstreaming of early recovery activities in the Protection Cluster, and spearheads the integration of cross-cutting issues into the work of the Protection Cluster, especially age, gender and diversity. The Senior Protection Cluster Coordination Officer works closely with and/or directly supervises a multi-functional UNHCR Protection Cluster Support team, including, but not limited to, the areas of information management, needs assessment, profiling, registration, reporting and advocacy.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR¿s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties

– Chair cluster meetings and represent the Protection Cluster in meetings with sectoral and external partners, authorities and other relevant interlocutors.

– Issue reports and make advocacy statements on behalf of the Protection Cluster.

– Make decision over format and frequency of meetings, designation of focal points and the establishment of sub-groups/working groups and ad hoc/task-related bodies for specific issues.

– Negotiate with the Humanitarian Coordinator/Resident Coordinator, the Humanitarian Country Team and cluster members the prioritization and inclusion of project proposals and common funding criteria for inclusion in inter-agency funding appeals.

– Allocate financial and other resources within the Protection Cluster, when required, such as regarding Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) or Common Humanitarian Funds (CHF). Perform other related duties as required. Strategic Direction

– Ensure that the protection response is driven by a Protection Cluster strategy developed in a consultative process with external partners and is integrated into the Humanitarian Country Team¿s common humanitarian action plan.

– Convene and facilitate meetings in line with the Principles of Partnership, ensuring that cluster meetings are consultative and results oriented.

– Ensure coordination with government counterparts and other relevant authorities.

– Lead the design of transition strategies for the Protection Cluster: facilitate the development of a strategy for the cluster ensuring proper linkages with disaster risk reduction, relief, and recovery and development efforts.

Needs Assessment and Resources Mobilization

– Lead, coordinate and conduct within the Protection Cluster or at Inter-Cluster level protection needs assessments, including participatory assessments of affected populations.

– Provide strategic direction to development of common funding criteria, resource mobilisation and prioritization within the Protection Cluster for inclusion in Consolidated Appeals and pooled funds processes; Establish mechanisms for accountable and transparent financial resource allocation within the cluster.

Capacity Development

– Coordinate the delivery of protection training activities for Protection Cluster members, other local partners, and relevant authorities.

– Coordinate initiatives to build the protection capacity of the national and local government, partners and civil society. Standards Setting

– Ensure adherence to IASC standard operating procedures for IDP profiling.

– Coordinate the integration of cross-cutting issues in the work of the Protection Cluster, including any work developed by sub-clusters or working groups.

– Ensure adherence of Protection Cluster activities to Guidelines on Age, Gender and Diversity Mainstreaming.

– Through Cluster-wide consultative processes, provide input into the development of global protection policy and standards led by the Global Protection Cluster. Information Management

– Facilitate reporting and information sharing within the Protection Cluster and at the inter-cluster level.

– Ensure that the Protection Cluster has a functional information management strategy and mechanism.

– Ensure that the Protection Cluster produces regular updates and briefing notes on the protection concerns in the affected population, response activities, challenges and recommendations. Advocacy – Identify core advocacy concerns for the Protection Cluster through a consultative process: develop joint cluster/ inter-cluster initiatives to ensure regular and consistent advocacy.

– Ensure a consistent interpretation and application of international law and related UNHCR and IASC legal standards and protection policies.

– Ensure the Protection Cluster¿s adherence to international human rights instruments, the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement as well as other relevant international and regional instruments; in cooperation with the Humanitarian Country Team support local interventions when violations of international protection standards and principles occur.

– Promote and strengthen national legislation relevant to internal displacement and durable solutions

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Professional Work Experience Years of Experience / Degree Level For P4/NOD

– 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree Field(s) of Education Law; Human Rights; International Relations; or other relevant field. (Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential) Certificates and/or Licenses CCCM Cluster Coordination; HCR Coordination Lrng Prog; HCR Management Lrng Prg; HCR Protection Learning Prg; Emergency Mgmt Workshop; Tri-Cluster Knowl/Coord Skills; Prot in NaturalDisaster Situat; (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience

Essential 9 years of previous work experience preferably in working with Protection Cluster, IDP Operation or Country Operations applying the Cluster Approach. Desirable Not specified. Functional Skills PR-Country Operations applying the Cluster Approach CL-Protection Cluster Coordination (Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential) Language Requirements For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English. For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language. For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

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. This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Desired Candidate Profile

The candidate should be a seasoned senior protection officer who has experience working in an IDP operation and within cluster coordination mechanisms. The candidate would preferably have undergone the inter-agency coordination course and has a demonstrated experience in working in a cluster operation leading the protection cluster at the national or field level. The candidate must demonstrate, in addition to the technical knowledge, strong inter-personal abilities to interact with members of the protection cluster and its AORs, must master the technicalities of the protection coordination mechanisms with strong knowledge of the IASC principles in an IDP situation, in addition must master the role of the protection cluster coordination officer to ensure harmony within the cluster and that the deliveries of the protection cluster are effective and visible. . The candidate must have a strong knowledge of the strategic decision making, plan and implement cluster strategies, monitor and evaluate the response, support strong advocacy and is accountable to the affected population and engagement with communities. To ensure this role, the protection cluster coordination officer must be agile, a good communicator and strategic thinker, good coordinator with strong ability of mobilize members towards the protection cluster objectives. In addition to the above, knowledge and familiarity with the context in the Sahel is desired.

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

French

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Desired languages

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

The Senior protection Cluster Coordination Officer will supervise the Protection cluster positions within the operation (Ouagadougou, Kaya and Dori). The ideal candidate should have a strong experience in IDP operations or country-operations applying the Cluster Approach alongside a solid protection background. Experience in the area of transitional justice would also be a plus. Prior experience working as Protection Cluster Coordinator or in a position with a strong coordination and advocacy agenda is required. The applicant should possess excellent interpersonal skills to interact with humanitarian and development actors, government/local authorities and to collaborate on projects with partners in non-governmental agencies. S/he should have sufficient experience to settle matters between the displaced populations and the host communities on one hand and coordination with UN agencies, international and local NGOs on the other. The candidate should also have the capacity to provide training to humanitarian actors, judges, lawyers and other stakeholders. Experience supervising colleagues is essential as s/he will manage the day to day work of the Protection Cluster Coordination team and will support the field-based Protection clusters in Kaya, Dori, Fada, Bonbo Dioulasso, Ouahigouya. S/he should also have the important work related to advocating for respect of human rights of civilian population, advocacy against restriction of movement of population, etc. This position requires multi-tasking, ability to work under pressure, and strategic thinking. The candidate will need to be able to lead the strategic processes involving multiple actors in the context of emergency, preparedness and transition to development in an evolving environment. The position also entails contact with varied stakeholders – donors, embassies, as well civil society and human rights actors. Fluent in French and English with good written skills in both languages will be essential for this key position. In addition, strong field protection experience and good IT skills including database management skills will be an asset.

Living and Working Conditions:

Burkina Faso has very basic infrastructures, including in the health sector. In Ouagadougou, there are more than 20 health clinics, but only four are recommended by the UN System. Epidemics and other disease outbreaks are common in the operational area. Ouagadougou is a family duty station and education is carried generally out in French, however there is also a US English school. Banking services are available including more than five international banks among which two are recommended by the UN System (United Bank of Africa and Ecobank). The weather is hot and dry with high daylight temperature fluctuations. Housing in Ouagadougou is mainly individual houses which are easily available. But most buildings are not well maintained and need repair. Electricity is very expensive and a backup generator is recommended. In the past six months, the security and human rights situation in Northern and Eastern Burkina Faso has significantly deteriorated, leading to substantial displacement. The number of IDPs has reached 560,000 displaced early December 2019. Cross-border displacement is also occurring. At least 14,000 people have fled to neighbouring Mali and Niger, while some 2,000 Burkinabè have fled to Ghana. In addition, 25,868 Malian refugees and asylum seekers are residing in camps and other volatile areas of Burkina Faso side by side with newly displaced populations, all of whom are affected by the increased insecurity. As a result of the internal displacement, the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), in close collaboration with the Government of Burkina Faso, has set up a coordination mechanism involving seven clusters to respond to the needs of the population affected by the crisis. The Sahel region (Northern part of Burkina Faso, bordering Mali), our main operational area, is permanently facing terrorist activities, resulting to casualties and kidnappings. Although a C category family duty station, there is general criminality and banditry due to the prevailing security situation.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

BA: Human Rights (Required), BA: International Relations (Required), BA: Law (Required)

Certifications

CCCM Cluster Coordination – UNHCR, Emergency Management Workshop – UNHCR, HCR Coordination Learning Program – UNHCR, HCR Management Learning Program – UNHCR, HCR Protection Learning Program – UNHCR, Protection in Natural Disaster Situation – Other, Tri_Cluster Knowledge/Coord Skills – Other

Work Experience

Number of Persons of Concern Served, Working with Persons of Concern: Internally Displaced Persons

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration

UNHCR Salary Calculator

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Add. 3 to Bi-annual Compendium 2022 – Part B

Additional Information

Functional clearance

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance