General

Description of assignment title: Community Based Protection Assistant

Assignment country: Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)

Expected start date: 09/01/2023

Sustainable Development Goal: 16. Peace, justice and strong institutions

Volunteer category: National UN Volunteer Specialist

Host entity: UNHCR

Type: Onsite

Duration: 6 months (with possibility of extension)

Number of assignments: 1

Duty stations: Caracas

Details

Mission and objectives

The UNHCR Representation in Venezuela has the Country Office in Caracas, four Field Offices (Guasdualito, San Cristobal, Maracaibo, and Ciudad Guayana), as well as Field Units in Caracas, Puerto Ayacucho, and Santa Elena de Uairen. The overall context in Venezuela remains challenging with an estimated 7.7 million people in need, according to the Humanitarian Response Plan, and recurring issues related to humanitarian access. While the humanitarian crisis continues to produce population outflows from Venezuela, since 2022 there has been a noticeable increase in the proportion of spontaneous returns to the country. Returnees face a range of challenges for successful reintegration and to break the repeated cycle of displacement and human mobility. As a result, the UN Country Team has identified reintegration as an interagency priority for which UNHCR is co-leading coordination efforts and the operational response. Based on the current operational context, the operation needs to better understand the returnee situation; operationally adapt; and seek collaboration and leadership within the humanitarian response on returns. The position reports to the Deputy Representative.

Context

The UNHCR Representation in Venezuela has the Country Office in Caracas, four Field Offices (Guasdualito, San Cristobal, Maracaibo, and Ciudad Guayana), as well as Field Units in Caracas, Puerto Ayacucho, and Santa Elena de Uairen. The overall context in Venezuela remains challenging, with an estimated 7.7 million people in need, according to the Humanitarian Response Plan, and recurring issues related to humanitarian access. While the humanitarian crisis continues to produce population outflows from Venezuela, since 2022 there has been a noticeable increase in the proportion of spontaneous returns to the country. Returnees face a range of challenges for successful reintegration and to break the repeated cycle of displacement and human mobility. As a result, the UN Country Team has identified reintegration as an interagency priority for which UNHCR is co-leading coordination efforts and the operational response. Based on the current operational context, the operation needs to better understand the returnee situation, operationally adapt, and seek collaboration and leadership within the humanitarian response on returns. The Community-Based Protection Assistant is a member of the Field Unit Caracas and reports to the head of the Field Unit and may receive indirect guidance from other sections and units relevant to the country programme(s): Protection Officer, Community-Based Protection Officer, or another more senior staff member in the Protection Unit. Under the overall direction of the Head of the Field Unit, and in coordination with other UNHCR staff, government, NGO partners and other stakeholders, the incumbent works directly with communities of concern to identify the risks they face and to leverage their capacities to protect themselves, their families and communities. S/he 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 Community-Based Protection Assistant 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.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the Head of the Field Unit, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: – 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, and marginalized groups. – Support implementing and operational partners as well as 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. – Assist in working with host communities to involve national civil society groups in improving the protection of PoC. – Assist in the analysis that identifies the capacities of the affected communities and the risks they face and provides advice and support to partners on the appropriate delivery of assistance. – Support participatory assessments and ongoing consultation with PoC, community structures and local relevant actors. – Support communities in establishing representation and coordination structures according to the operation strategy ensuring. – Support the training process for community outreach volunteers to strengthen community capacity. – Promote community feedback and complaint mechanisms ensuring community understanding of UNHCR’s commitment to deliver accountability and quality assurance in its response. – Collect data for monitoring of programmes and budgets from an AGD perspective. – Draft and type routine correspondence, documents and reports and maintain up-to-date filing systems. – Act as an interpreter in exchange of routine information, contribute to related liaison activities and respond directly to routine queries. – Assist in the enforcement of participatory AGD-sensitive analysis as an essential basis for all UNHCR’s work. – Identify and recommend which individuals or groups to prioritize for counselling and field visits based on agreed criteria. – Enforce compliance of implementing partners with global protection policies and standards of professional integrity in the delivery of protection services. – Perform other related duties as required.

Eligibility criteria

Age: 27 – 80

Nationality

Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.

Requirements

Required experience

3 years of experience in national and/or international level, or other relevant programmes; experience with NGOs is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization.

•  Essential: Demonstrated experience in community-based protection, Operation Management Cycle and related processes. Computer skills (in MS office) including advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, data management, etc.)
•  Desirable: UNHCR learning programmes (PLP). Knowledge of MSRP. Good analytical skills.
•  Ability to live and work in the difficult and harsh conditions of developing countries.
•  Excellent writing skills in Spanish.
•  Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills.
•  Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing.
•  Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities simultaneously.
•  Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.
•  Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment.
•  Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.
•  Sound security awareness.
•  Have affinity with or interest in volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.
•  Computer skills: Office Package (excellent knowledge of Word, good knowledge of Excel and Power Point) and Internet browsing.

Area(s) of expertise

Communication, Community development, Crisis and emergency response

Driving license

–

Languages

Spanish, Level: Mother tongue, Required English, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable

Required education level

Bachelor degree or equivalent in Law, Social Work, International Relations, Education or related fields.

Competencies and values

– Accountability – Communication – Organizational Awareness – Teamwork & Collaboration – Commitment to Continuous Learning – Client & Result Orientation – Stakeholder Management – Planning and Organizing – Political Awareness

Other information

Living conditions and remarks

BENEFITS: The basic benefits of this assignment, as per the Conditions of Service for UN Volunteers, are as follows: – Monthly living allowance. – A pre-assignment allowance (paid on first payroll). – An end-of-assignment allowance, paid at the end of the contract, provided that the relevant conditions are met. – Medical, dental and hospital insurance, as well as life and disability insurance. – Medical insurance for eligible dependants. See Conditions of Service for details of eligibility. – Annual leave computed on the basis of 2.5 days per month.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

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