Cluster Coordinator (PRT)

Cluster Coordinator (Protection)

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT:

In complex humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters where UNHCR is designated as the Protection Cluster Lead Agency under the Cluster Approach, the position of Cluster Coordinator performs a dedicated coordination, strategy development and advocacy function. The Protection Cluster Coordinator reports directly to the UNHCR Representative who has final accountability for the performance of UNHCR as Cluster Lead Agency. At the same time, the incumbent effectuates  UNHCR's commitment to work within the framework of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) and the Cluster Approach. The UNHCR Protection Cluster Lead Agency functions, embodied in the role of Cluster Coordinator, are critical in ensuring UNHCR¿s leadership within a diverse protection community. The Cluster Coordinator is expected to discharge UNHCR's lead role in the Protection Cluster and to impartially represent the interests of the members of the Protection Cluster, including the provision of active support, as applicable, to sub-clusters or working groups of the Cluster which may be coordinated by other Agencies. As a result, the Cluster Coordinator leads an inter-agency team in an environment that requires high standards of accountability and demonstrable leadership, coordination, negotiation and conflict resolution skills, and in which the principles of partnership and collaboration are essential.

The Cluster Coordinator (Protection) represents the Protection Cluster in Inter-Cluster Coordination mechanisms. The Cluster Coordinator advocates for protection mainstreaming in the humanitarian response, leads the mainstreaming of early recovery activities in the Protection Cluster, and spearheads the integration of cross-cutting issues into the work of the Protection Cluster, especially age, gender and diversity.

The Cluster Coordinator (Protection) works closely with and/or directly supervises a multi-functional UNHCR Protection Cluster Support team, including, but not limited to, the areas of information management, needs assessment, profiling, registration, reporting and advocacy.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT:

Accountability

- The protection needs of populations of concern are met through timely and coordinated action by all cluster members;
- The protection of populations of concern is maximized through research, advocacy and effective consultative and feedback mechanisms;
- Effective coordination mechanisms and tools, including information management, are established and maintained with cluster members, government counterparts and donors, ensuring timely and effective needs assessment, planning, prioritization, implementation, reporting and evaluation;
- Strategies and activities delivered by the Protection Cluster enjoy political and/or financial support by other clusters, government, donors and other partners through effective prioritization, advocacy and resource mobilization;

Responsibility

STRATEGIC DIRECTION
- Ensure that the protection response is driven by a Protection Cluster strategy developed in a consultative process with external partners and is integrated into the Humanitarian Country Team¿s common humanitarian action plan;
- Convene and facilitate meetings in line with the Principles of Partnership, ensuring that cluster meetings are consultative and results-oriented;
- Ensure coordination with government counterparts and other relevant authorities;
- Lead the design of transition strategies for the Protection Cluster: facilitate the development of a strategy for the cluster ensuring proper linkages with disaster risk reduction, relief, and recovery and development efforts.

NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND RESOURCES MOBILIZATION AND ALLOCATION
- Lead, coordinate and conduct within the Protection Cluster or at Inter-Cluster level protection needs assessments, including participatory assessments;
- Ensure that the Protection Cluster covers all identified protection needs of the affected population;
- Provide strategic direction to development of common funding criteria, resource mobilisation and prioritization within the Protection Cluster for inclusion in Consolidated Appeals and pooled funds processes; Establish mechanisms for accountable and transparent financial resource allocation within the cluster.

CAPACITY-DEVELOPMENT
- Coordinate the delivery of protection training activities for Protection Cluster members, other local partners, and relevant authorities;
- Coordinate initiatives to build the protection capacity of the national and local government, partners and civil society.

STANDARDS SETTING AND IMPLEMENTATION
- Ensure adherence to IASC standard operating procedures for  IDP profiling;
- Coordinate the integration of cross-cutting issues in the work of the Protection Cluster, including any work developed by sub-clusters or working groups;
- Ensure adherence of Protection Cluster activities to Guidelines on Age, Gender and Diversity Mainstreaming;
- Through Cluster-wide consultative processes, provide input into the development of global protection policy and standards led by the Global Protection Cluster.

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT AND REPORTING
- Facilitate reporting and information sharing within the Protection Cluster and at the inter-cluster level;
- Ensure that the Protection Cluster has a functional information management strategy and mechanism;
- Ensure that the Protection Cluster produces regular updates and briefing notes on the protection concerns in the affected population, response activities, challenges and recommendations;

ADVOCACY AND PROMOTION
- Identify core advocacy concerns for the Protection Cluster through a consultative process: develop joint cluster/ inter-cluster initiatives to ensure regular and consistent advocacy;
- Ensure a consistent interpretation and application of international law and related UNHCR and IASC legal standards and protection policies;
- Ensure the Protection Cluster¿s adherence to international human rights instruments, the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement as well as other relevant international and regional instruments; in cooperation with the Humanitarian Country Team support local interventions when violations of international protection standards and principles occur;
- Promote and strengthen national legislation relevant to internal displacement and durable solutions;

Authority

- Chair cluster meetings, and represent the Protection Cluster in meetings with sectoral and external partners, authorities and other relevant interlocutors;
- Issue reports and make advocacy statements on behalf of the Protection Cluster;
- Make decision over format and frequency of meetings, designation of focal points and the establishment of sub-groups/working groups and ad hoc/task-related bodies for specific issues;
- Negotiate with the Humanitarian Coordinator/Resident Coordinator, the Humanitarian Country Team and cluster members the prioritization and inclusion of project proposals and common funding criteria for inclusion in inter-agency funding appeals;
- Allocate financial and other resources within the Protection Cluster, when required, such as with regard to CERF or CHF.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIOANL EXPERIENCE:

University degree, preferably in Law or Human Rights, International Relations or related protection oriented discipline;
Minimum 10 years (with MA degree) or 12 years (BA degree) of relevant job experience preferably in working with  Protection Cluster, IDP Operation or Country Operations applying the Cluster Approach;
Excellent knowledge of English and another relevant UN language.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES:

Coordination Learning Programme
Management Learning Programme
Tri-Cluster Knowledge and Coordination Skills Training
Protection Learning Programme
Training on Protection in Natural Disaster Situations
Workshop on Emergency Management