UNOPS Protection Assistant

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

A (least hardship)FamilyUNOPS LICA42025-01-01October 20, 2024Title: Protection Assistant
Project: UNHCR – Protection of Refugees in Ecuador
Duty station: Sub-Office Guayaquil, Ecuador
Section/Unit: Protection
Contract/Level: Local Support, LICA 4
Duration: From 02 January to 31 December 2025
Supervisor: Snr. Protection Assistant, Sub-Office Guayaquil


1. General Background

Ecuador is part of the United Nations Convention of 1951 relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol, as well as major international and regional human rights instruments that recognize the right to asylum. It is also part of the United Nations Convention of 1954 relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the United Nations Convention of 1961 on the Reduction of Statelessness. The asylum procedure in Ecuador is regulated by the Organic Law of Human Mobility, effective February 6, 2017.

Ecuador is a country of transit and destination for people who need international protection. In the last two decades, Ecuador hosted more than 68,708 recognized refugees (mainly Colombian) and has become one of the leading countries of transit and destination for Venezuelan refugees and migrants. Ecuador receives the third highest number of Venezuelans after Colombia and Peru. Since 2016, more than 4.7 million Venezuelans have left their country, making it the biggest exodus in the history of Latin America. Of these, 2.2 million have entered Ecuador, of which estimated 500,000 have been established in the country according to the R4V.

In 2019, approximately 2,100 Venezuelans per day entered Ecuador (with peaks of 6,000) until 26 August, when Ecuador began requiring visas for Venezuelans. Since 2018, the number of Venezuelan asylum seekers exceeded the number of asylum seekers from Colombia.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees works in Ecuador supporting the Ecuadorian government to protect refugees and looking for durable solutions. UNHCR's operation in Ecuador began in 2000 as part of the strategy of the organization to protect and provide assistance, particularly to the victims of the Colombian conflict. The Ecuadorian 2023-2025 Multiyear Strategy aims to support the Government of Ecuador to: (i) the development of protection mechanisms, (ii) strengthening national asylum system, (iii) and identification of durable solutions, including alternative pathways.

Guayaquil and its AoR host the second largest Venezuelan population in Ecuador, according to the UNHCR database, and is a city that attracts refugees and migrants to settle due to its attractive economy.
The main state portfolios and their different ministries are based in the city which also makes it a city of reference.
In the last year the security context has triggered an increase in the PoC's protection needs.

2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment

The Protection Assistant normally reports to a more Senior Protection colleague. The incumbent provides functional and administrative support to the protection unit on protection related liaison, correspondence, monitoring, case management and reporting activities.

The Protection Assistant also supports the protection unit in designing a comprehensive protection strategy and in providing quality, timely and effective protection responses to persons of concern (PoC). S/he may liaise externally with local authorities and partners on correspondence and/or protection issues as guided by the supervisor.

The Protection Assistant also facilitates the involvement of PoC 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.



Duties:

- Consistently apply International and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards and codes of conduct.
- Observe and respect protection related Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Provide functional and administrative support in all protection related AGD based programming with implementing and operational partners.
- Provide functional and administrative support in implementing participatory approaches, needs assessments, monitoring, reporting and case management.
- Act as the focal point for the management, referral, and intervention of protection cases in close coordination and collaboration with the registration staff in the sub-office.
- Manage individual protection cases, including those related to gender-based violence and child protection, in accordance with UNHCR standards, particularly those pertaining to the PRIMES case management system.
- Develop an accompaniment plan for people identified with NEP.
- Maintain an adequate relationship with local authorities, partners, key actors and strengthen the local rights protection system for the effective assistance of persons by and for whom UNHCR works.
- Develop methodologies for the individual and group support of people for whom UNHCR works in coordination with local partners and actors.
- Enforce integrity in the delivery of protection services by local implementing partners.
- Support operational and implementing partners, as well as displaced and local communities, to develop community-owned activities that address, where appropriate, social, educational, psychosocial, cultural, health, organizational, as well as legal and physical protection
- Assist in working with host communities to involve national civil society groups in improving the protection of PoC.
- Support the collection and analysis updating relevant databases and compiling statistics within related to protection monitoring in AoR of the Guayaquil office.
- Ensure the strengthening of local institutions in the handling of individual protection cases through advocacy, articulation, and continuous training efforts.
- Coordinate and carry out activities in the field based on identified protection needs and gaps, in collaboration with local protection actors and partners.
- Ensure community understanding of UNHCR's commitment to deliver on accountability and quality assurance in its response.
- Perform protection interviews.
- Perform other related duties as required.

3. Monitoring and Progress Controls

- Compliance and reporting of weekly and monthly monitoring activities.
- Case management, using the ProGres database.
- Reports on field visits and activities to strengthen protection networks.
- File notes of relevant meetings, workshops and events.
- Preparation of reports.
- Periodic entry of the cases attended in the ProGres database.

4. Qualifications and Experience

a. Education

- University Degree (4 years) in Law, Social Sciences, Social Work, Psychology or any other related field.

b. Work Experience

- 2 year relevant experience with High School Diploma; or Bachelor or equivalent or higher
- Work experience in case management.
- Work experience with social organizations, public sector institutions and / or international organizations will be an advantage.
- Experience with the refugee population or groups in a situation of vulnerability.

c. Key Competencies

- Ability to work in difficult conditions and under stress.
- Ability to work within an international and multicultural environment.
- Ability to work with individuals in vulnerable situations.
- Willingness to work in emergency situations.
- Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information in a professional manner.
- Availability to mobilize at the community level and other cities.
- Computer skills: Word, Excel, internet, powerpoint, Kobo.

Functional Skills

- IT-Computer Literacy
- CL-Protection & Solutions Awareness
- PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators
- PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework

Core Competencies

- Accountability
- Communication
- Organizational Awareness
- Teamwork & Collaboration
- Commitment to Continuous Learning
- Client & Result Orientation

Cross-Functional Competencies

- Analytical Thinking
- Political Awareness
- Stakeholder Management

5. Submission of applications

A. English Desirable. (B2 Level)
B. The shortlisted candidates may sit a technical examination.
C. Foreign candidates, to be considered eligible for this position, must have a temporary or permanent residence in Ecuador that allows them to carry out work activities in the country.
D. If selected the candidate must submit a current and updated RUC Unique Taxpayer Registry. The salary offered is in net terms.
E. If you wish to be considered for this 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.

- EXTERNAL CANDIDATES:
Candidates who do NOT have access to the WORKDAY system must submit their application through UNHCR's official site for applications: https://www.unhcr.org/careers.html

NOTE

UNHCR is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, color or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.

UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).

If you are a person with a disability and need additional assistance during the application and/or recruitment process, please contact us by email: ecuquhr@unhcr.org

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

 

Standard Job Description

Protection Assistant

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Protection Assistant normally reports to a more senior Protection colleague. The incumbent provides functional and administrative support to the protection unit on protection related liaison, correspondence, monitoring, case management and reporting activities.

The Protection Assistant also supports the protection unit in designing a comprehensive protection strategy and in providing quality, timely and effective protection responses to persons of concern (PoC). S/he may liaise externally with local authorities and partners on correspondence and/or protection issues as guided by the supervisor.

The Protection Assistant also facilitates the involvement of PoC 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
- Consistently apply International and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards and codes of conduct.
- Observe and respect protection related Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Provide functional and administrative support in all protection related AGD based programming with implementing and operational partners.
- Provide functional and administrative support in implementing participatory approaches, needs assessments, monitoring, reporting and case management.
- Support assessments on durable solutions through voluntary repatriation, local integration and where appropriate, resettlement.
- Facilitate liaison with competent authorities for the issuance of personal and other relevant documents.
- Assist in drafting reports, routine correspondence, updating relevant databases and compiling statistics within the Area of Responsibility (AoR).
- Select PoC for preliminary interviews and decide which relevant information to share.
- Enforce integrity in the delivery of protection services by local implementing partners.

- 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 G4 - 1 year relevant experience with High School Diploma; or Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not applicable

Certificates and/or Licenses
Protection
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential: Not specified.
Desirable: Not specified.

Functional Skills
PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators
PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework
IT-Computer Literacy
(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.

Required Languages

,

,

Desired Languages

,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

IT-Computer Literacy, PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators, PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework

Education

Certifications

HCR Learning Program - UNHCR, HCR Protection Induction Prog - UNHCR

Other information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

Home-Based

No