H (no hardship)

Family

Family

GS6

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

No

2023-11-01

October 12, 2023

Protection Associate Organizational Setting and Work Relationships The Protection Associate normally reports to the Protection Officer or the Senior Protection Officer. The incumbent monitors protection standards, operational procedures and practices in protection delivery in line with international standards and provides functional protection support to information management and programme staff. The Protection Associate is expected to coordinate quality, timely and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern (PoC) and identify opportunities to mainstream protection methodologies and integrate protection safeguards in operational responses in all sectors. S/he contributes to designing a comprehensive protection strategy and liaises externally with authorities and partners on protection doctrine and policy as guided by the supervisor. The Protection Associate also ensures that PoC are involved in making decisions that affect them, whether in accessing their rights or in identifying appropriate solutions to their problems. To achieve this, the incumbent will need to build and maintain effective interfaces with communities of concern, local authorities and protection and assistance partners. 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 – Stay abreast of political, social, economic and cultural developments that have an impact on the protection environment. – Consistently apply International and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards and codes of conduct. – Assist in providing comments on existing and draft legislation related to PoC. – Provide advice on protection issues to PoC; liaise with competent authorities to ensure the issuance of personal and other relevant documentation. – Assist in conducting eligibility and status determination for PoC. – Contribute to measures to identify, prevent and reduce statelessness. – Contribute to a country-level child protection plan as part of the protection strategy. – Contribute to a country-level education plan as part of the protection strategy. – Monitor Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all protection/solutions activities. – Manage individual protection cases including those on GBV and child protection. Monitor, and intervene in cases of refoulement, expulsion and other protection incidents. – Assist in identifying durable solutions for the largest possible number of PoC through voluntary repatriation, local integration and where appropriate, resettlement. – Contribute to the design, implementation and evaluation of protection related AGD based programming with implementing and operational partners. – Facilitate effective information management through the provision of disaggregated data on PoC and their problems. – Participate in initiatives to capacitate authorities, relevant institutions and NGOs to strengthen national protection related legislation and procedures. – Assist the supervisor in prioritizing PoC for interview, counselling and propose protection support for individual cases. – Assist the supervisor with enforcing compliance of local implementing partners with global protection policies and standards of professional integrity in the delivery of protection services. – Assit the supervisor with enforcing compliance with, and integrity of, all protection standard operating procedures. – Submit individual payments request for PoC for approval. – Perform other related duties as required. Minimum Qualifications Education & Professional Work Experience Years of Experience / Degree Level For G6 – 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher Field(s) of Education Not applicable Certificates and/or Licenses International Law, Political Science or other related field (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential) Relevant Job Experience Essential Not specified Desirable Protection Learning Programme Functional Skills IT-Computer Literacy PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators (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.

Experience related to assisting refugees and asylum seekers with information provision and advocacy is desired. The desired candidate should ideally have experience in refugee research, report writing and capacity development of stakeholders in the various areas of refugee issues and assistance.
Completion of a Protection Learning Programme and/or certification in Human Rights, International Law, Social Science, Gender/Forced Migration Studies or other relevant fields would be considered an asset.

English

,

,

Arabic

,

French

,

Maltese

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:

Malta is of strategic importance, located in the center of the migration route from Africa to Europe. Despite increased numbers of movements along the Central Mediterranean route, Malta has received less and less sea arrivals since 2019. Some 444 people were rescued at sea and disembarked in Malta in 2022, compared with 3,406 in 2019. Migration and asylum remain central political themes and receive frequent media attention. UNHCR Malta focuses its engagement with Maltese authorities on search and rescue, asylum procedures, reception and detention conditions, child protection and durable solutions. As a result, the UNHCR Country Office in Malta works closely with the International Protection Agency, the Detention Services Agency and the Agency for Welfare of Asylum Seekers.

Apart from the duties listed in the standard job description, the Protection Associate is expected to conduct refugee research on specific protection issues including GBV, Child Protection, mental health and other issues of vulnerability.

Living and Working Conditions:

Malta’s rich history, beautiful coastlines, and sunny skies contribute to a strong tourism industry, which is an important source of income for numerous people. Maltese cuisine is heavily influenced by neighbouring Italy, so one can imagine a mixture of Mediterranean style pizza and pasta. A passion for fishing is a vital part of Maltese culture, so a variety of fresh fish will always be on the menu throughout the year. Today, 98% of the population is Catholic. Religion still plays an important role in daily life in Malta. There are 365 churches on the islands, one for each day of the year.

Historically Malta used to be cheaper than other central EU countries, this situation is changing rapidly as the costs of housing and living keep rising. Living standards in Malta are good and compare well with those of European States.

Real Estate: The rental market has seen an increase in both supply and demand in recent years and is expected to continue to grow. The type of property and its location, standard of furnishings and finishing, and duration of tenancy all affect the price of your rental property. Most often, properties are rented fully furnished, including appliances while utility expenses, such as electricity and internet, for long term tenancies are paid for separately by the lessee on a consumption basis.

Malta is a H Duty Station with a 5 years SAL. Malta is a safe country, however travellers are urged to practice common-sense personal security precautions that are part of everyday life, particularly when spending time in areas frequented by tourists. Visitors should always lock their car when parking and should not leave luggage and valuables visible inside parked vehicles. TRIP and security clearance is to be obtained 7 days in advance.

In Malta, driving is on the left. Taxi services from the Malta International Airport to all locations in Malta are based on a fixed tariff. Taxi phone Apps such as Bolt and eCabs, are highly recommended. Local buses: a one-way ticket is ‚¬2 and it is valid for unlimited rides for two hours.

Primary and secondary State schools are found in all the main regions of Malta. Demand for faith-based and private schools is high. Entry into faith-based schools is by ballot, and requires early booking, sometimes a few months or years in advance.

The country has a wide selection of private clinics and a public healthcare system which is free for its residents.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Certifications

International Law – Other, Political Science – Other

Number of Workforce in Operation/Work Setting, Working with Persons of Concern: Asylum Seekers, Working with Persons of Concern: Refugees

Competencies

Accountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Judgement & decision making, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

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

Compendium

Additional Information

Shortlisted candidates might be required to sit for a written test and will have to undergo an oral interview.
Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member is subject to proof of vaccination against COVID19.

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance