Protection Officer

Description

and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Desired Candidate Profile

The position incumbent should have excellent leadership, teamwork, communication, and drafting skills; have relevant educational background (legal, human rights, political or social sciences) and experience in: addressing GBV, Child Protection, Registration, RSD; developing, and implementing comprehensive protection and solutions strategies; managing large teams and dealing with complex protection issues; inter-agency coordination including sectorial coordination working groups; capacity building of local government counterparts, law enforcement officials, judiciary, partners and other relevant actors.
She/he will be adaptable to undertake missions to support filed teams working in hardship and remote location and be conversant with UNHCR guidelines and policies on international protection and legal frameworks on refugee issues and nationality. The desirable candidate would have experience in case management using ProGres, proven skills in community-based protection and field-level programming for protection (by partner and by direct implementation).

She/he have experience in working to support government RSD processes and demonstrated aptitude to engage with government officials from different ministries; an appreciation of differentiated approach for solutions for different population groups including protracted urban based populations, livelihood synergies and interventions, education or environment interventions, knowledge of the protection risk management process, prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse and addressing fraud committed by refugees.

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

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Desired languages

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Abuja have an active social life with recreational facilities that positively support the integration of new arrivals in the city.

Housing -There are good housing accommodations in Abuja though relatively expensive when compared to other cities in the country.

Well-being and family life Abuja is a relatively safe city to stay in with family and there are facilities that support social life and well-being. International schools are available with relatively expensive fees.

Medical facilities Standard medical facilities (such as the UN clinic, NISA Premier Hospital, Nizamiye Hospital, etc.) are available in Abuja. SM maybe required to travel to Lagos on mission.
Food and environmental sanitation There are a variety of local, national, and international food items available, and the city has good environmental sanitation systems.

Communication English and Pidgin-English are widely spoken and understood alongside indigenous languages.

Nature of Position:

The Protection Officer reports to the Deputy Representative (Protection) country Office, Abuja. The icumbent will provide technical guidance and support to UNHCR and partners on all protection related issues. S/he will stay abreast of and report as relevant on legal political, social, economic and cultural developments that have an impact on the protection environment. The incumbent will support senior management to ensure the protection strategy is fully integrated into the Country Operations Plan, UNHCR engagement with key SDG and 2030 Agenda processes such as the UN Common Country Analysis (CCA) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (Cooperation Framework)), the Humanitarian Country Team's common humanitarian response plan where applicable, as well as with the implementation of the Global Compact on Refugees and the Strategy on Resettlement and Complementary Pathways. The Protection Officer is expected to support the operations strategy to enhance the capacity by the National Commission for Refugees, IDPs and Migrants (NCFRMI) in the strengthening of asylum capacity in the country. S/he will engage with the Protection Sector coordinator/s and seek to ensure the response of the Protection Sector is grounded in a strategy which covers assessed and prioritized protection needs of the affected populations. The understanding of the Global compact for Refugees and for Nigeria context be able to unpack the specific Nigeria pledges to government officials and guide the practical identification of key entry points for inclusion of refugees in national services is essential for this position.

Living and Working Conditions:

UNHCR Nigeria consists of a Representation at the Branch Office in the Federal Capital City, Abuja, a Field Office in Lagos, a Sub-Office in Maiduguri (Borno State), a Field Unit in Damaturu (Yobe State), a Field Office in Yola (Adamawa State) a Field Unit in Markudi (Benue State), a Field Office in Ikom (Cross River State) and a Sub Office in Ogoja (Cross River State) under the direct supervision of the Branch Office. UNHCR Nigeria has 146 staff members in Nigeria with 46 international and 100 national staff members.

Abuja is a C duty station with good living conditions. The cost of accommodation is very high (yearly rent payment required) and safety is still a concern.

Accessibility to affected populations in the North East is difficult due to the volatile security situation. Adequate security measures and equipment, including armored vehicles, are required to operate in the area.

The UNHCR Representation acts as a liaison office with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission and coordinates with various departments to ensure information dissemination, capacity building, participation at various events towards ensuring the dynamic growth of the UNHCR-ECOWAS Cooperation and expansion of the protection space for persons of concern in West Africa.

Other activities of the Office in Nigeria include providing support to the Government of Nigeria through the National Commission for Refugees and some other agencies of Government; and working with other UN agencies within various theme groups. With the objective of expanding the protection space for the benefit of all persons of concern in Nigeria.

Security Considerations:

The general security situation in Abuja is calm but unpredictable. Staff must be aware of very high incidence of crime and terrorism in the capital. Terrorism is the main threat in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja SLA.

The security situation requires international staff deployed to Nigeria to undertake security briefings on terrorism related issues. Borno State is at security level 4 while Yobe and Adamawa states are at level 3 (except some LGA). The South-East of Nigeria is at level 2

 General crime is also prevalent

Additional Qualifications

Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Humanitarian Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Human Rights Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Refugee Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political Science, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Refugee and Forced Migration StudiesHCR Protection Learning Program - UNHCR, HCR Resettlement Learning Program - UNHCR

Competencies

Accountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Managing performance, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaboration

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Compendium

Add. 1 to Bi-annual Compendium 2023 - Part B

Additional Information

Functional clearance

This position doesn't require a functional clearance