UNOPS Community-Based Assistant

Organizational Context

The Community-Based Protection Assistant is part of the Protection Unit, reporting to a Protection Officer or similar. Working under the overall direction of the Protection Unit and in coordination with partners, the incumbent engages directly with communities of concern to identify risks and leverage their capacities for self-protection and community well-being.

Job Purpose

The Community-Based Protection Assistant's primary role is to work directly with communities of concern to understand their protection risks and capacities, fostering self-protection strategies for individuals, families, and communities. This involves supporting the implementation of community-based protection standards and operational procedures at the field level. A significant portion of the role requires spending time outside the office, building and maintaining strong relationships with the persons of concern. Developing and nurturing constructive relationships is central to enhancing protection planning, programming, and outcomes. The Assistant also contributes to the design of community-based protection strategies by ensuring they are informed by direct consultations with the communities, thereby ensuring community ownership and relevance.

Responsibilities

The Community-Based Protection Assistant is responsible for staying informed about political, social, economic, and cultural developments impacting the protection environment through engagement with persons of concern and partners, providing advice to the protection team. They must understand and communicate the perspectives, capacities, needs, and resources of the communities, highlighting specific protection needs of diverse groups including women, men, children, older persons, persons with disabilities, and marginalized populations. The Assistant supports implementing partners and displaced/local communities in developing community-owned activities addressing social, educational, psycho-social, cultural, health, organizational, and livelihood concerns, including child protection and GBV prevention/response. They assist in involving host communities and national civil society groups to enhance the protection of persons of concern. Key duties include supporting participatory assessments, analyzing community capacities and risks, and helping establish community representation and coordination structures. Ensuring community understanding of UNHCR's accountability and quality assurance commitments is crucial. The role involves collecting data for program and budget monitoring from an age, gender, and diversity (AGD) perspective, drafting routine correspondence and reports, and maintaining filing systems. Acting as an interpreter for routine information exchange, contributing to liaison activities, and responding to queries are also required. The Assistant enforces compliance of implementing partners with global protection policies and professional integrity standards, and supports the identification and management of risks, seizing opportunities impacting objectives within their area of responsibility.

Work Experience

1 year of relevant experience is required for candidates with a High School Diploma. No specific years of experience are mentioned for candidates with a Bachelor's degree or higher.

Skills

Community-based Protection - Principles and methodologies Multi-stakeholder Communications with Partners, Government & Community Computer Literacy UN/UNHCR Administrative Rules, Regulations and Procedures Data Collection Report Drafting Interpreting Risk Management Needs Assessment Protection Analysis Stakeholder Engagement Relationship Building

Explore related opportunities