Protection Officer( Adolescents and Youth)
Temporary Assistance
Duty Station: Geneva
Duration: 12 months (to end 2014)
Deadline: Monday 16 December (COB)
Adolescents and youth make up the largest generation in human history, with one third to
almost one half of the population in developing countries under 20 years old. Among
refugees, internally displaced and stateless people, children and youth constitute a majority
of people in need of protection. Youth face heightened protection risks of sexual and gender
based violence, abuse, exploitation, trafficking and forced recruitment into armed groups.
In addition to protection risks, displaced children and young people often have limited
access to development opportunities. They may be excluded from education and training
services, suffer from language barriers, or be denied the right to work in their host country.
They may experience psychological traumas associated with displacement and persecution.
These burdens, coupled with new responsibilities of independence or caring for family
members in the absence of a social support network, may pose further challenges and
increase their vulnerability.
A global review of UNHCR’s engagement with displaced youth, undertaken in 2013,
concluded that UNHCR has few programmes targeting youth that respond to their specific
concerns and help build their capacities. Developing successful programming for adolescents
and youth is a challenge for many humanitarian organizations. Yet, there is a wide range of
promising initiatives that are used in non-humanitarian contexts, in particular initiatives
targeting marginalized adolescent boys and girls in disadvantaged neighborhoods and in
urban centers in both the global south and in western countries. One of the key deliverables
of this position is to explore the potential of and test the applicability of such initiatives in
humanitarian situations, and to describe how these initiatives can support, and even
maximize, positive protection outcomes in displacement situations.
Funding has been granted to identify promising youth centered programmes from within
and outside the humanitarian context and adapt these for field testing to advance
protection programming for adolescents and youth. The first phase in this process (approx.
2 months) entails a mapping of promising practices and potential partners outside of
humanitarian contexts, which could be piloted in refugee contexts. In addition to a more
global mapping, the initiative would also encourage country offices to undertake youth
partnership mapping in their operations and in the local community -as there is also
potential for exploring local youth partnerships benefiting displaced youth and adolescents –
and maybe vice versa. During the second phase (approx. 10 months) Some of the adapted
or identified methodologies will be field tested in a selected number of country operations.
A key element during the piloting would be to identify and train youth leaders among
refugee communities who can continue the work. The piloted initiatives would have clear
protection objectives, including identification and referral of adolescents at risk; support
self-protection through empowerment; support psychosocial well-being; foster leadership
skills. The initiative would also help establish a global network of adolescents/youth actors
who engage with displaced communities, which could be taken to scale through publicprivate partnerships.
Key recommendations from the global review state that UNHCR needs to recognize and
build on young people’s present capacities and the valuable contributions they are already
making to their family and community’s wellbeing. This includes developing stronger
partnerships with youth-initiated and youth led organizations. The review also emphasized
the need for UNHCR to listen to adolescents and youth in order to align protection services
with their ongoing transitions, challenges and priorities.
Displacement, war and
emergencies take a toll on children and young people and their natural coping mechanisms
might be stretched or ineffective. Efforts to restore resilience need therefore to be central
for quality programmes targeting adolescents and youth. Empowerment of young people to
strengthen their capacity to avoid harm and risky behavior and to contribute to their own
protection is key. In 2013, UNHCR initiated a Youth Protection Fund aimed to address some
of these concerns. It provides limited financial support to youth-led initiatives in a number
of countries. Based on the lessons learned during this initial phase of the initiative, the
project will continue in 2014, and necessary adjustments will be made.
Purpose and Scope of Assignment
The Consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Senior Protection Adviser
(Children) in collaboration with the Senior Protection officer (Education) and the overall
supervision of the Senior Protection Coordinator, Pillar II. He/She will undertake the
following tasks to promote the advancing of:
a) Map promising practices and partners relating to initiatives targeting youth in
disadvantaged environments.
b) Assess suitability and feasibility of identified initiatives and suggest possible
adaptations needed to make these more tailored for refugee/displacement
situations.
c) Identify suitable operations (within Child Protection and Education Framework
target countries) and potential local partners to pilot adolescent/youth
initiatives.
d) Support the piloting process, including identification of target countries and
develop tools to document learning and assess impact of the initiatives.
e) Guide development and implementation of the Youth Protection Fund, a small
internal fund to support youth-led initiatives in select countries. This includes
issuing the request for proposals, coordinating fund decision-making, and
overseeing budget allocation to approved projects.
f) Identify promising practices and lead learning opportunities from Youth
Protection Fund projects.
g) Produce a report on the Youth Fund Initiative, with clear recommendations on
the way forward.
h) Support selected country offices in undertaking mapping of possible local youth
initiatives and partnership mappings.
i) Develop a brief guidance on (Child Protection Issue Brief) which outlines how the
protection dividends of youth initiatives can be maximized, including ensuring
strong linkages between child protection, education and SGBV initiatives and
programmes.
j) Other functions in line with the education and child protection unit work plans.
Deliverables
- Mapping of relevant practices and potential partners for implementation of
interventions targeting youth in refugee settings
- Draft discussion paper/concept note on protection programmes targeting youth and
adolescents, including clear recommendations regarding the integration of such
programmes into UNHCR’S protection work.
- A brief guidance on (Child Protection Issue Brief) which outlines how the protection
dividends of youth initiatives can be maximized, including ensuring strong linkages
between child protection, education and SGBV initiatives and programmes
- Field missions as needed
- Pilot testing of identified methodologies in a selected number of country operations.
- Report on learnings from Youth Protection Fund including good practices on
developing youth empowerment, challenges, and community involvement in youthled activities.
- Reports and other communications tools to update and share information on these
initiatives.
Qualification and Experience of Consultant
 Advanced university degree in Social Work, Humanitarian Law, humanitarian affairs,
education, development, Human Rights or a related technical field.
 3-5 years of progressively responsible professional work in child protection or social
work preferably with a focus on youth and adolescents.
 Specific experience in programming for adolescent and youth groups
 Demonstrated knowledge/experience of supporting innovative approaches in
response to youth and adolescent sector challenges, particular as they relate to
displacement and emergencies.
 Demonstrated knowledge of humanitarian sector (including protection or child
protection, education) and in particular displacement (refugee) situations.
 Familiarity with community based protection initiatives and child/youth
empowerment methodologies and practices.
 Proven research and data analysis skills
 Programme management skills and good analytical skills.
 Previous experience with UNHCR in the area of child protection or education is
highly desirable.
 Excellent written and oral communication skills in English. Additional languages are
an asset.
 Ability to work independently and achieve quality results with limited supervision.
Send applications with an updated cv to HQTS00@unhcr.org . Please indicate: “Protection Officer
Adolescents” in the subject line. Please name 3 references who can be contacted for further
information. Deadline for applications is Monday 16 December 2013.
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for a phone interview – during the week of 16 December. If
you have queries contact Monika Sandvik-Nylund sandvikn@unhcr.org using the above mentioned
subject line.