In complex humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters where UNHCR is designated as the Protection Cluster Lead Agency under the Cluster Approach, UNHCR performs a dedicated coordination, strategy development and advocacy function through the position of the Cluster Coordinator (Protection) and with the support of the Assistant Protection Officer (Cluster Support).  The Assistant Protection Officer (Cluster Support) supports UNHCR to work within the framework of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) and the Cluster Approach. The position reinforces UNHCR Protection Cluster Lead Agency functions by providing support to the role of Cluster Coordinator in ensuring UNHCR’s leadership within a diverse protection community.

While Ethiopia battles residual needs from the 2015/2016 El Niño-induced drought, below average rains in the southern and south-eastern parts of the country led to a drought in lowland pastoralist areas, with the Somali region the worst affected. As a result, some 10 million people in Ethiopia require emergency food assistance.  In addition, in 2017 another drought affected the same area of the country causing 8.5 million Ethiopians to be in need of relief food assistance. In September 2017, a series of events escalated in conflict between the Oromia and Somali regions.  By the end of 2017, 1.6 million persons were displaced, and among these 1.1 million were displaced as a result of conflict.  Internal displacement is increasing, due to the combination of drought and inter-communal tensions.

The Gambella region has a unique array of challenges associated with displacement. The most frequent causes of displacement in the Gambella region annually are seasonal flooding and conflict-induced displacement which is on the rise since 2016 and into 2017 due to both inter-communal clashes and cross-border attacks during the height of the dry season (January – April).  The top hazards in the region are floods, the South Sudan crisis/refugee influx impact on vulnerable host communities, cross border attacks, inter-communal conflicts, erratic rainfall and disease outbreaks.  As of December 2017, the Gambella region hosts more than 400,000 refugees from South Sudan and over 20,000 internally displaced persons, with an estimated 71% of the population being conflict displaced.  Displacement places additional strain on the limited resources for affected populations, which may also lead to competition over resources between host communities, refugees, and displaced persons. Reports and assessments led by local authorities indicate that access to services is not designed to incorporate the needs of vulnerable groups amongst affected populations. As a result, the national Protection Cluster is working to ensure that services are provided in a meaningful and inclusive manner for affected populations based on the principle of the Centrality of Protection.

In order to address the significant needs in the Gambella region, a sub-national Protection Cluster was established in December 2016 to coordinate and enhance humanitarian protection efforts in the Gambella region with a focus on IDPs.  The Assistant Protection Officer (Cluster Support) is expected to facilitate the work of the Gambella Protection Cluster through the provision of support in analysis, organization and reporting, and in line with the Gambella Protection Cluster Terms of Reference and the Gambella Protection Cluster Strategy. This includes 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 incumbent supports an inter-agency team of cluster members in an environment that requires high standards of accountability, facilitation, and negotiation, in which respect the principles of partnership and collaboration are essential.

The Assistant Protection Officer (Cluster Support) works closely with multi-functional Protection Cluster Support staff in the areas of data and information management, monitoring, needs assessment, profiling, reporting and advocacy.

Accountability:

The protection needs of populations of concern are met through timely and coordinated action by all cluster members.

Effective coordination mechanisms and tools, including information management, are facilitated and maintained with cluster members, government counterparts and donors, for timely and effective needs assessment, planning, prioritization, implementation, reporting and evaluation.

Responsibility:

• Support the Protection Cluster to ensure that protection informs and shapes the overall humanitarian response and that the protection response is integrated into the Humanitarian Country Team’s common humanitarian action plan.
• Organize and facilitate meetings in line with the Principles of Partnership, ensuring that cluster meetings are consultative and results-oriented
• Facilitate the coordination and conduct of Protection Cluster or Inter-Cluster level protection needs assessments and protection monitoring, including participatory assessments of all affected populations.
• Provide inputs to the development of common funding criteria, resource mobilisation and prioritization within the Protection Cluster for inclusion in the Consolidated Appeals and pooled funds processes.
• Assist in 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.
• Support reporting and information sharing within the Protection Cluster and at the inter-cluster level.
• Ensure that the Protection Cluster produces regular updates and briefing notes on the protection concerns in the affected population, response activities, challenges and recommendations.
• Help foster a consistent interpretation and application of international law and related UNHCR and IASC legal standards and protection policies.
• Promote 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.
• Perform other related tasks as required.

Authority

• Draft reports and prepare advocacy statements on behalf of the Protection Cluster – for clearance by Senior management.
• Organise and facilitate cluster meetings, work and cooperate with focal points sub-groups/working groups and ad hoc/task-related bodies for specific issues.
• Facilitate negotiation with cluster members on the prioritization and inclusion of project proposals and common funding criteria for inclusion in inter-agency funding appeals.

Essential Minimum Qualifications and Experience

• Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) in Law, International Law, Political Sciences or related field with good knowledge of International Refugee and Human Rights Law plus minimum 3 years relevant work experience.
• Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master’s) plus 2 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 1 years of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted.
• Excellent knowledge of English, Amharic and local language in area of operation will be an added advantage

Desirable Qualifications & Competencies

• Coordination Learning Programme
• Tri-Cluster Knowledge and Coordination Skills Training.
• Protection Learning Programme.
•  Training on Protection in Natural Disaster Situations.

Required Competencies:

• Stakeholder Management
• Empowering and Building Trust
• Policy Development and Research
• Managing Resources
• Analytical Thinking
• Innovation and Creativity