Snr Prot Officer (SGBV-SftS)

Senior Protection Officer (SGBV-SftS)

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
The Senior Protection Officer (SGBV-SftS) will report directly to the most senior Protection staff member in the office and will be an integral part of the protection team, working closely with programme and other team members to create a multi-sectoral SGBV prevention and response mechanisms as a life-saving priority. This will require setting up and/or leading coordination with interagency partners, government authorities, and persons of concern, including development of strategies, action plans, SOPs. Capacity development may be required, including leading SGBV workshops for a range of audiences. Initially, as the new staff will be deployed to on-going emergencies in different parts of the world, they will also be tasked with reviewing the current SGBV prevention and response framework on the ground to identify critical gaps to be filled. Furthermore, the deployed staff will be tasked with ensuring that SGBV-related responsibilities are fully incorporated into the existing protection staffing structure. Under Safe from the Start (SftS) project, the staff member will be deployed to a location for an initial period of 6 months, with the intention of getting multi-sectoral SGBV prevention and response programs developed and implemented. At the end of the 6 months, the objective is to hand over the longer-term SGBV programming to regular staff in an operation. Some flexibility will be maintained, however, to renew placement in the same location depending on operational and broader organizational needs.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
Accountability
- SGBV strategy developed as part of the broader protection strategy of the operation.
- Multi-sectoral SGBV prevention and response programs based on needs and capacity assessment results are established and programmed at onset of emergency.
- SGBV coordination mechanisms function with all relevant stakeholders and partners.
- Multi-sectoral UNHCR staff and key partners are trained on SGBV prevention and response.
- SGBV referral mechanism is in place for essential response services including clinical management of rape.
- Quarterly and end of deployment reports are finalized to facilitate hand-over to Protection staff at the end of their assignment.
- Baseline and endline assessments are completed in close collaboration with the Project Monitoring & RBM expert.

Responsibility
- Support the country office to conduct initial needs/gaps and capacity assessments on SGBV in close coordination with any on-going joint/common assessments being conducted in the early stages of emergency response.
- Provide support to integrate SGBV prevention and response in humanitarian action plans of all programme areas.
- Develop a SGBV strategy in partnership with protection and programme leads in the country operation as part of the overall protection strategy, with particular emphasis on linkages with child protection and education.
- Lead the planning and monitoring for multi-sectoral SGBV programming using the Results Framework and Focus in close collaboration with Programme and different sectors.
- Establish/strengthen and lead SGBV coordination mechanisms, both in refugee contexts and with the GBV AoR members in non-refugee settings.
- Establish and/or strengthen new strategic and innovative partnerships for SGBV both with community-based, local, national, and international organizations, with a focus on ensuring continuity and sustainability.
- Propose measures to ensure appropriate SGBV accountability measures in the Job descriptions and Performance management systems of key staff members.
- Provide support in mapping existing services to address SGBV in the various affected areas, including identifying community capacities and structures for potential partnership.
- Put in place a core referral mechanism for response services through consultative development of basic Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and emergency SGBV strategy that is entrenched in the comprehensive emergency protection framework.
- Conduct training on basic elements of SGBV prevention and response, the design of SGBV programmes and coordination mechanisms.
- Advocate with senior management in UNHCR and other humanitarian actors, to ensure prioritization of SGBV prevention and response as a life-saving response.
- Identify potential partners and coordinate with Programme and Protection sections to incorporate SGBV programming in sub-agreements.
- Monitor SGBV programs implemented by UNHCR and partners (both implementing and operational) and adjust programming as required.
- Support the integration of SGBV programming and monitoring to long-term protection staff.
- Consult with Snr. Advisor (SGBV), DIP on policy developments and strategic direction.

Authority
- Lead and/or represent UNHCR in high-level interagency fora related to SGBV.
- Lead planning, programming, and monitoring of budget and other resources dedicated to emergency SGBV programs under the supervision of the Representative or Emergency Team Leader and in consultation with DIP.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Advanced University Degree in International Law, Human Rights, International Development, International Relations, Anthropology, Political or Social Science, with authoritative knowledge of issues relating to refugee women, gender, humanitarian and development issues, and SGBV prevention and response.
- Minimum 10 years of job experiences relevant to the function of which at least 5 in an international context. Experience working in emergency settings is an asset.
- Minimum 5 years previous experience managing Protection related projects including managing SGBV projects with strong program/technical and budget management skills. Experience working on SGBV in emergencies is an asset.
- Thorough understanding of SGBV prevention and response in displacement.
- Training design and facilitation skills.
- Demonstrated capacities in Results Based Management, including monitoring and reporting, linking protection programs and budgets, as well as database management. Experience with GBVIMS is an asset.
- Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to work independently with minimum supervision and productively in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to work flexibly - this position requires missions up to 6 consecutive months. The ability to work productively independently and within a volatile and unstable security environment.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills. Demonstrated ability to successfully and effectively communicate with people in a multi-cultural environment characterized by emergency conditions.
- Excellent knowledge of English and working knowledge of another UN language.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- French or Arabic language skills.
- Solid knowledge of UNHCR's SGBV prevention and  response programming, including its current strategy.
- Demonstrated coordination and consensus building skills to manage multiple stakeholder consultation processes.