A (least hardship)

Family

Family

GS7

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

No

2025-02-01

November 22, 2024

Senior Community-Based Protection Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Community-Based Protection Associate is a member of the Protection Unit and may report to the Protection Officer, Community-Based Protection Officer, or another more senior staff member in the Protection Unit. Under the overall direction of the Protection Unit, and in coordination with other UNHCR staff, government, NGO partners and other stakeholders, the Senior Community-Based Protection Associate works directly with communities of concern to identify the risks they face and to leverage their capacities to protect themselves, their families and communities. The incumbent may have direct supervisory responsibility for part of the protection and/or support staff and supports the application of community-based protection standards, operational procedures and practices in community-based protection delivery at the field level. To fulfil this role, the Senior Community-Based Protection Associate is required to spend a substantial percentage of the workday outside the office, building and maintaining networks within communities of persons of concern (PoC). The development and maintenance of constructive relationships with PoC that measurably impact and enhance protection planning, programming and results, form the core of the work of the incumbent. S/he also supports the designing of a community-based protection strategy by ensuring that it is based on consultation with PoC.

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
– Assist functional units, the Multi-Functional Team (MFT) and senior management to integrate participatory and community-based approaches in the overall protection strategy and operational procedures.
– Through relationships with PoC and network of partners, stay abreast of political, social, economic and cultural developments that have an impact on the protection environment and provide advice to the protection team. Understand the perspectives, capacities, needs and resources of the PoC and advise the protection team accordingly, highlighting the specific protection needs of women and men, children, youth and older persons, persons with disabilities, marginalized groups.
– Work with host communities to identify opportunities for national civil society involvement in improving the protection of PoC.
– Work with implementing and operational partners as well as with displaced and local communities to develop community-owned activities to address, where applicable, the social, educational, psycho-social, cultural, health, organisational and livelihood concerns as well as child protection and prevention and response to GBV.
– Perform analysis that identifies the capacities of communities of concern and risks they face.
– Contribute to participatory assessments and ongoing consultation with PoC using multifunctional teams.
– Plan and monitor programmes and budgets with an AGD perspective.
– Build capacity to maximize opportunities for participatory and community-based approaches and to make appropriate use of guidelines and tools in working with partners and other relevant entities.
– Support communities in establishing representation and coordination structures.
– Ensure community understanding of UNHCR’s commitment to deliver on accountability and quality assurance in its response.
– Assist in developing UNHCR communication strategies by emphasizing the participatory, community-based and AGD approaches.
– Act as an interpreter in exchange of routine information, contribute to related liaison activities and respond directly to routine queries.
– Contribute to the enforcement of participatory AGD sensitive analysis as an essential basis for all of UNHCR’s work.
– Initiate AGD sensitive interventions at the appropriate level on community-based protection issues and to respond to protection concerns and incidents within the office, with external interlocutors, groups and individuals based on agreed parameters.
– Identify and select which individuals or groups to prioritize for counselling and field visits based on agreed criteria.
– Intervene with authorities on protection.
– Enforce compliance of staff and implementing partners with global protection policies and standards of professional integrity in the delivery of protection services.
– As instructed by the supervisor, approve individual payment requests for PoC.

– Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
– Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G7 – 4 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
Development, Human Rights, nternational Law
Social Work, Social Science, Political Science,
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Not specified.

Desirable
UNHCR learning programmes (PLP). Knowledge of MSRP.

Functional Skills
*IT-Computer Literacy
IT-Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
UN-UN/UNHCR Administrative Rules, Regulations and Procedures
PR-Community-based Protection – Principles and methodologies
CL-Multi-stakeholder Communications with Partners, Government & Community
PG-Stakeholder management and coordination with Implementing Partners (Gov/NGO/Corporate)
TR-Capacity Building
(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.

UNHCR ECUADOR – VN-05-25

Title of Position: Senior Community-Based Protection Associate
Position Number: 33015891
Category & Level: General Service, G7
UNHCR Quito, Ecuador
Effective date: 01 February 2025
Duration: Initially one year – Fixed Term Appointment
(upon medical clearance and references check)

OPERATIONAL CONTEXT:

Since 2000, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has worked in Ecuador to protect and assist one of the largest population of recognized refugees in Latin America and the Caribbean. Since 2016, more than six million Venezuelans have left their country.

Both as a transit and destination country, Ecuador hosts one the largest numbers of recognized refugees in Latin America and the Caribbean, the majority fleeing the ongoing armed conflict in Colombia. Despite the 2016 peace agreement, thousands of people continue to be internally displaced within that country, with a smaller number seeking international protection in Ecuador. The country is also home to the fourth-largest population of Venezuelan refugees and migrants in the region, many of whom lack the necessary regular documentation to exercise their rights after being compelled to enter the country irregularly to avoid visa requirements.

Added to the ongoing inflow of people in need of international protection are thousands from Africa, Asia, Haiti, Cuba among other countries, who transit through Ecuador in mixed and complex population movements heading mostly north and south of the continent. These population displacements are joined by thousands of Ecuadorians moving northward due to the overall deteriorating situation in the country. Over 200,000 Ecuadorians have departed the country in the last two years, according to the Ministry of Interior, many of whom assert having fled violence and insecurity linked to drug trafficking and transnational organized crime. Pending the results of assessments and reports, there is anecdotal evidence of internal displacement of refugees and migrants and Ecuadorians living in the most violent communities in the country.

Since 2020, extortion has increased exponentially in Ecuador, from 1,210 cases nationwide, to 8,300 reports by end of 2023, according to the Attorney General’s Office. This has led to the closure of businesses or to including extortion payments in their cash flow. Others have decided to take their business to other cities with less market opportunities. Moreover, according to the Attorney General´s office, crime rates increased by 45.7% between 2021 and 2022. According to Police data, 2022 was the most violent year with 25,32 deaths per 100.00 inhabitants. Security analyses reveal that organized crime groups are dedicated to mainly illegal mining, smuggling of goods and people, drugs and arms trafficking, money laundry, and trafficking of people resulting in among other incidents, increased GBV and increased protection risks borne by children and adolescents. Provinces most affected are Esmeraldas, Manabi and Guayas (where UNHCR has presence) and is disproportionally affecting indigenous groups, afro-descendants as well as displaced people whose vulnerable condition makes them more susceptible to become victims of violence.

The growing impact of climate change and the reduction of crops will impact refugees and locals greatly, in an economy that registers a growth of 2,4% in 2023 and an unemployment rate of 4,2% in February 2024.

Following the political instability that dominated the public agenda in 2023 and the overall socioeconomic challenges worsened since the pandemic, Ecuador held extraordinary elections and elected a new President and a National Assembly that took office in November 2023 for an 18-month period. Renewed violence and an escalation in prison riots and murders in early 2024 led the new Government to declare an internal armed conflict and sustain a State of Emergency to help combat criminal groups across the country. In addition, the Government increased in the value added tax (VAT) from 12% to 15% as of April 2024 to help finance the fight against crime. Although the direct effects cannot be measured yet, such increase has direct impact in the basic food basket linked with the costs on the supply chains (gasoline, transportation, and logistics). Small refugee and host community businesses are likely to be seriously affected since raw materials, equipment and other supplies have become more expensive.

These measures were put in place to display ‘heavy-hand’ before its constituency who is demanding increased action from the Government to ensure their safety – including to expel non-nationals. Refugees and migrants continued to be targets of discrimination and xenophobia by the public opinion, largely fueled by mis/disinformation spread through media and social media, favoring an anti-foreigner sentiment. This is compounded further by the politization of human mobility in the context of upcoming elections in 2025 and the urgency from the current Government to show results.

In this difficult context, forcibly displaced people and locals face several challenges. By end of 2023, 24% of forcibly displaced people had the right to work. 92% held informal employment, as compared to 55% among nationals, according to INEC (National Institute for Statistics and Census). 65% of households were living in poverty (JNA, July 2023). For 80% of the population, meeting their basic needs was their major concern. A significant number remained in need of support to regularize their status.

The second exercise to regularize foreigners, mainly Venezuelans, started in August 2022. Despite the much-expected positive results, barriers in accessing information, in obtaining documentation, among others, meant that of some 250,000 who registered, around 96,000 were able to obtain a visa. With indications that the government might extend the period for eligible applicants to obtain the visa, the operation will continue to advocate for a continuous regularization process. This in addition to ongoing efforts to strengthen the asylum system.

Ecuador continued to witness the effects of climate change and natural disasters – exacerbating risks faced by refugees and their host communities in disaster-prone and impoverished areas. According to the update of the UN Country Common Assessment, the Ecuadorian territory is very vulnerable to the effects of climate variation and climate change. Ecuador developed a national plan for adaptation to climate change (2023 – 2027) that will allow for territorial planning as well as reduction of climate vulnerabilities in six prioritized areas, including health, human settlements (housing), productive and strategic sectors, food security, agriculture, cattle industry, and fishery.

With violence and insecurity affecting locals greatly but exponentially refugees and migrants, and climate change posing additional threats to the entire population amid a challenging economic and political context, UNHCR and partners haven been adapting their community-based work, developing humanitarian access procedures as well as reinforcing the operationalization of the do no harm principle to cater for the most pressing protection and humanitarian needs.

ELIGIBILITY

Candidates must be present in the country at the moment of selection.

SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS

A. English is mandatory (B2 level).
B. Shortlisted candidates may be invited to sit a technical test.
C. If you wish to be considered for this INTERNAL vacancy, please submit your application according to the following instructions:

– CANDIDATES WITH ACCESS TO THE WORKDAY: In order to apply, you must first create your profile in the WORKDAY system.

WHEN CREATING A CANDIDATE PROFILE IN WORKDAY, PLEASE USE CAPSLOCKS FOR LAST NAME AND NO SPECIAL CHARACTERS (Ñ OR ACCENTS)

CVs WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED BY EMAIL. ONLY THOSE APPLICATIONS SENT THROUGH THE SYSTEM WILL BE CONSIDERED

Spanish

,

English

,

,

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Nature of Position:

Living and Working Conditions:

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CL-Multi-stakeholder Communications with Partners, Government & Community, IT-Computer Literacy, IT-Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), PG-Stakeholder management and coordination with Implementing Partners (Gov/NGO/Corporate), PR-Community-based Protection – Principles and methodologies, TR-Capacity Buidling, UN-UN/UNHCR Administrative Rules, Regulations and Procedures

Certifications

Community Development/Social Work – Other, Development Studies – Other, Human Rights – Other, International Law – Other, Political Science – Other, Social Sciences – Other

Competencies

Accountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Managing performance, Organizational awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

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

Compendium

Additional Information

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance