Job description
Preamble
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of development and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing volunteers.
In most cultures volunteerism is deeply embedded in long-established, ancient traditions of sharing and support within the communities. In this context, UN Volunteers take part in various forms of volunteerism and play a role in development and peace together with co-workers, host agencies and local communities.
In all assignments, UN Volunteers promote volunteerism through their action and conduct. Engaging in volunteer activity can effectively and positively enrich their understanding of local and social realities, as well as create a bridge between themselves and the people in their host community. This will make the time they spend as UN Volunteers even more rewarding and productive.
Brief Project Description
The Urban Programme caters for 65,163 asylum seekers and refugees residing mainly in Nairobi and other urban locations including Mombasa, Nakuru, Eldoret, Kitale, Meru-Maua, Isiolo and Bungoma. Majority of the persons of concern are Somali nationals.
The Protection Delivery Unit (PDU) at Branch Office Kenya is responsible among others for:
assessing and addressing the legal and protection needs (ranging from arrest, detention, SGBV) of individuals who approach UNHCR and the Refugee Affairs secretariat as well as those referred by partners or by any other means.
conducting protection monitoring, coordination, capacity building and advocacy with the Authorities, partners and refugee communities.
working closely with other functional units within UNHCR, such as Community Services, and partners and government in order to implement the urban refugee policy and community-based protection strategy.
Organizational Context
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees was established on December 14, 1950 by the United Nations General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country.
The Protection Delivery Unit (PDU) is responsible for delivering protection to refugees, particularly through individual case management and capacity building of local partners, communities and authorities. The areas of intervention are legal aid, SGBV, child protection and engagement with authorities.
Living Conditions
The UNV will be based in Nairobi, and work out of the UNHCR office in Nairobi, located on Wayiaki Way in Westlands
Conditions of Service
An initial contract until 31/12/2018 -; monthly with subsequent contract extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment.
Travel to duty station (if applicable) and a Settling-In-Grant will be provided in the event duty station is not within commuting distance from the place of recruitment. A Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) of KES 76,779 is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents), as well as final repatriation (if applicable) and resettlement allowance for satisfactory service.
Duties And Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Assistant Protection Officer the UNV volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
Participate in receiving and processing individual protection cases at the UNHCR Office desk, as well as during protection outposting. Respond to written queries of persons of concern.
Strengthen the capacity of partners and communities to handle individual protection requests through sharing of best practices and guidance on individual cases.
Arrange and lead community discussions on protection issues in cooperation with other functional units and partners.
Contribute to the strengthening of existing protection mechanisms and development of innovative approaches.
Participate in the engagement with local authorities and in capacity building of local partners.
Assist in the protection coordination by Branch office Nairobi (preparation and documentation of meetings, background notes, etc.)
Participate in protection and detention monitoring in the urban context and work closely with partners on protection and legal matters. Assist in the design implementation and monitoring of programmes.
Support in any other tasks, as required.
Furthermore, UN Volunteers Are Encouraged To
Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark IVD);
Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.
Results/Expected Output
More efficient handling of individual protection cases, i.e. timely responses provided to refugees and solutions identified in engagement with other units and partners, as necessary.
Effective implementation and follow-up of activities undertaken by UNHCR and partners in implementing the urban refugee policy.
Continuity in protection outposting and monitoring ensured, allowing for reliable mechanisms of information exchange/gathering between UNHCR, partners and refugee communities.
A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.
Competencies
Ethics and Values
Job Knowledge and technical expertise
Very good communication skills (verbal and written English)
Required Skills And Experience
University degree in Law, social work or Social Sciences (BA.).
Experience with protection/ community-based approaches
Exposure to international/humanitarian environment.
Knowledge of UNHCR’s mandate
Minimum of two years experience in a similar field of work
Experience in working with legal issues, SGBV or child protection is an advantage
Knowledge of Somali or Ethiopian contexts languages is an advantage
Disclaimer
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme which welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture.
United Nations Volunteers reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this opening for other openings with United Nations Volunteers with similar assignment description, experience and educational requirements.
