UNV – United Nation Volunteers sta selezionando un/a Child Protection Officer da inserire nell’operatività di UNHCR in Burundi. Dutata 12 mesi (estendibile). Scadenza candidature 11/10/2022
Associate Child Protection Officer
Assignment country: Burundi
Expected start date: 01/11/2022
Sustainable Development Goal 10. Reduced inequalities
Volunteer category: International UN Volunteer Specialist
Host entity: UNHCR
Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments: 1
Duty stations: Muyinga
Mission and objectives
The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate 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 to resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org).
Context
The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate 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 to resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org).
This UNV assignment is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19 with WHO approved vaccine, unless the UNHCR Medical Service approves an exemption from this requirement on medical grounds.
Task description
- Individual child protection case work according to best interests procedures; conducting best interests assessments (BIA), best interests determinations (BID) and family tracing/reunification in accordance with relevant UNHCR protection standards and IASC guidance, ensuring appropriate case tracking and follow-up of child protection cases.
- Support staff and partners in the strengthening of a functioning Best Interests system: identification, assessment, referral, response and assistance, monitoring and documenting of cases of children at risk.
- Support the organization of and trainings in Best Interests Procedures and Child Protection.
- Contribute to effective child protection reporting and information management through the provision of disaggregated data on populations of concern and their problems.
- Contribute to the systematic application of participatory, community and rights-based approaches, ensuring that children, adolescents and youth are included (as appropriate) in participatory assessments and community-based protection initiatives.
- Contribute to capacity-building initiatives for communities, including children, adolescents and youth to assert their rights and to strengthen community-based child protection initiatives.
- Participate in the updating, implementation and monitoring of child protection related SOPs.
- Support the implementation of the child protection aspects of the Country Protection Strategy and programming in relation to individual case management but also participatory evaluations, setting up of alternative care arrangements, strengthening of child protection mechanisms and establishment of youth programming.
- Support other child protection activities and initiatives in coordination with colleagues in the operation.
- Contribute to the implementation of UNHCR framework for the protection of children, and specifically the child protection strategy in the Country.
- Specifics to sub/field offices work if support is needed and requested:
- Support/establish working BID panel and best interests system in close collaboration with staff and partners.
- Follow-up and support on child protection cases and BID/BIA case management, including referrals for family tracing and response to specific needs.
- In collaboration with colleagues, promote and find durable solutions for children (and their families).
- Support participatory, AGD-sensitive analysis to form the essential basis for UNHCR’s work.
- Intervene with authorities on child protection issues.
- Contribute to national/sub-national (child) protection (including sectoral/cluster) strategies, project submissions and budgets.
Support other Child Protection related activities.
Required experience
3 years of experience in protection capacity with refugees and/or other people of concern, individual case work (managing interviews, conducting assessments, counselling, case advocacy and management, identifying solutions, etc.). Inter-national experience required. Desirable Qualifications and Skills: • Knowledge of UN policies and procedures; • Knowledge / awareness of UNHCR’s Framework for the Protection of Children and Education and SGBV strategies; • Knowledge of community communication and engagement approaches; • Knowledge / awareness of cross cultural issues, especially in the context of child protection; • Knowledge / awareness of gender issues and how to apply rights and community based approach to identify and respond to specific needs; • Previous experience in child protection is a great advantage; • Previous experience in working with communities; • Skills in conducting trainings and exercises with large groups of people (e.g. trainings, participatory evaluations); • Excellent drafting and analytical skills; • Excellent interviewing and counselling skills; • Ability to manage information, in a confidential manner, and to use database management systems; • Ability to conduct individual and group assessments and to identify protection risks, to liaise with partners and pro-actively find solutions. • Other Computer skills: Office Package (excellent knowledge of Word, good knowledge of Excel and Power Point) and Internet browsing.
Area(s) of expertise: Administration, Security and protection, Social work
Living conditions and remarks
Muyinga is classified as Security level III. Caution is therefore advised at all times in the interior of the country as well as in the capital. Muyinga is a non-family duty station; all UN personnel must carry VHF radios when traveling and respect the curfew from 22h00 to 05h00; and it is mandatory to attend the safety briefing on arrival in the country. Social indicators show that 70% of Burundi’s population lives below the poverty line. The UN security service has certain security standards that all housing must meet and UN volunteers receive an allowance to ensure that these standards can be met. The electricity supply is erratic. Therefore, alternative source of electricity supply (e.g. use of generator) should be installed at residence. In terms of health, it is advised to drink bottled or boiled water; to be careful of what foods one eats; and to always take the necessary precautions against malaria which is a serious threat in the country. R&R (Rest and Recuperation, a mandatory leave aiming to remove staff from a stressful location) is applicable for staff assigned to Muyinga every 8 weeks. Houses are available for rental, for an approximate rent of 300 US$ to 400 US$ per month.
