Senior Child Protection Assistant, Guatemala City, Guatemala

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based): A (least hardship)

Family Type (not applicable for home-based): Family

Staff Member / Affiliate Type: UNOPS LICA5

Target Start Date: 2023-01-03-08:00

Job Posting End Date: November 27, 2023

Terms of Reference

1. General Background UNHCR is committed to the effective protection of children of concern, with children representing more than half of the persons falling under its mandate. UNHCR adopts rights and community-based approach to addressing the protection needs of children, with a strong emphasis on inclusion within national child protection, child-friendly procedures, and working with other sectors to protect children. Child protection is recognized as a global organizational priority for UNHCR.

In recent years, the North of Central America u2015 El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala u2015 has seen a dramatic escalation in acute violence of street gangs and organized criminal groups that are driving increased forced displacement both within and from these countries. NCA countries are experiencing some of the highest homicide rates ever recorded, and sexual violence, forced disappearances, forced recruitment into gangs, forced prostitution, and trafficking of girls and women for sexual exploitation have also been reported as part of the violence pattern.

UNHCR has developed a comprehensive protection strategy for the NCA countries within the framework of the 2014 Brazil Declaration and Plan of Action and the 2016 San Josu00e9 Statement with the aim to provide protection and a durable solution to UNHCR Persons that UNHCR serves.

Resettlement is one of the durable solutions offered to persons that UNHCR serves in NCA countries. u2018Traditional’ Resettlement of persons outside of their country of origin, particularly those returned by the US government, and persons in transit is taking place from Guatemala. Moreover, in Guatemala UNHCR has in place a Resettlement program called the Protection Transfer Agreement (PTA) for persons that UNHCR serves who are still in their countries of origin.

Both the RST and PTA programs are elements of the regional protection and solutions strategy and represents an innovative life-saving mechanism that provides individuals facing severe protection risks within Guatemala with safe and legal access to another country where they can enjoy effective protection. The programs are coordinated by UNHCR, IOM, local NGOs, the Republic of Costa Rica which is used as a transit country for specific profiles and most vulnerable cases; and with the Governments of the countries of asylum/origin and participating Resettlement countries.

The ongoing scale-up of the Guatemala operation saw a sharp increase in terms of annual quotas for PTA and RST. Specifically, in 2022 PTA-Resettlement quota stands at 3,000 individuals between PTA (Guatemala nationals) and RST (refugees and asylum seekers). It is estimated that approximately 20% of PTA and Resettlement cases processed for submission to resettlement countries undergoes a best-interest process and requires the completion of a BIA or BID report to be submitted alongside the resettlement application.

The Senior Child Protection Assistant is needed in Guatemala to take the responsibility for specific actions as part of the overall Best Interests Procedure in case management, which includes carrying out timely best interest assessments and determinations, developing a case plan ensuring the child’s participation in the process and case management through appropriate documentation, including updating and maintaining the database for best interest procedure.

2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment: u2022tThrough interviews, home visits, and interactions with children and other stakeholders, identify children at risk and in need of protection interventions. u2022tAs part of the overall implementation of the best interest procedure, carry out timely best interest procedures, and develop a case management plan ensuring the child’s participation in the process; this also includes managing the cases through appropriate documentation, including updating and maintaining the database for best interest procedure. u2022tEnsure timely referrals, and appropriate follow-up on individual cases, and continue monitoring and providing support in accordance with the case plan. This may include providing guidance, advice, and emotional support, community mediation, and further referrals. u2022tIn consultation with the designated supervisor for the BID Process identify cases requiring BIDs or BIAs. u2022tCollect all information relevant to the child’s case by interviewing the child, his/her family or other caregivers, and others who may be relevant to the child’s case. u2022tAnalyze the information collected, formulate recommendations for decisions, prepare the case report, and submit it to the Reviewing Officer for further action, while continuing to monitor and follow up on the child’s protection situation. u2022tParticipate in BID Panel meetings when required, to clarify or respond to questions, and act as an advocate for the child. u2022tLead or support the implementation of the BID decision, and report to the supervisor on progress and/or challenges. This includes advising the supervisor on changes in the child’s protection situation. u2022tTravel to the territory if required to conduct Best Interest Procedures. u2022tPerform other related duties as required.u2002u2002u2002u2002 u2002 3. Monitoring and Progress Controls The Senior Child Protection Assistant will be required to prepare reports following standard forms and deadlines: u2022tMonthly reports on the completion of BIAs and BIDs conducted, the CP Assistant is expected to be able to prepare and complete a minimum of 10 monthly BID reports to be presented to the panel and additional BIAs if required. u2022tRegular Reports on the progress of case management and other statistical and narrative reports on the progress of best interest procedures u2022tCase management information updated on progress v4 including updating and maintaining the database for best interest procedures. u2022tA Final Report (at the end of the assignment or end of the year) u2022tQuarterly Performance Appraisal Reports (PAR)

4. Qualifications and Experience a.tEducation u2022tAcademic degree in relevant area (e.g., Social Work, Psychology, Political Science, or other relevant social science) u2002u2002 b. Work Experience Essential: 1 year of previous work experience relevant to the function of child protection in a local context and having experience in the field of child protection prevention and response, broader protection or psychosocial work involving empowerment of women and girls, gender, child protection, mental health, counselling and working with survivors, humanitarian, and development issues. Skills and experience in interviewing and working with children and families including supervision of child protection case management.

An asset: Experience in case work, preferably in Child Protection and Resettlement or Refugee Status Determination- RSD context, and experience working with vulnerable groups and in emergency contexts.

c. Key Competencies Essential Technical knowledge: u2022tKnowledge of UNHCR child protection policies and tools including the UNHCR Best Interests Procedures Guidelines, interagency child protection Minimum Standards, Guiding Principles, and GV case management standards. u2022tA good knowledge and experience of protection, including prevention and response to sexual and gender-based violence. u2022tKnowledge of the national child protection systems, including laws, policies, and services. u2022tGood knowledge of the roles of different actors, and processes for the protection of children. u2022tExcellent skills in communicating with children and advocating on behalf of children. u2022tInterviewing and counseling skills and individual case management. u2022tUnderstanding of the community’s role, structure, and practices, including the community’s social, cultural, and gender norms. u2022tGood analytical and report-writing skills.

Desirable Technical knowledge: u2022tUnderstanding of displacement and protection issues including GV, education, and the application of Age, Gender, and Diversity. u2022tKnowledge of the international legal framework governing refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced persons, and statelessness. u2022tKnowledge of UNHCR guidelines on RSD and Resettlement. u2022tKnowledge of and/or preparedness to become familiar with and abide by UNHCR’s principles, Code of Conduct, and humanitarian goals. u2022tCompleted Protection Learning Programme. u2022tKnowledge of protection information management tools, including but not limited to proGres v4 and/or CPIMS.

Essential Competencies: u2022tAccountability u2022tOrganizational Awareness u2022tTeamwork & Collaboration u2022tCommitment to Continuous Learning u2022tClient & Result Orientation u2022tJudgement and Decision Making u2022tAnalytical Thinking

Desirable Competencies: u2022tPolitical Awareness u2022tStakeholder Management u2022tPlanning and Organizing u2022tCommunication

Standard Job Description: Required Languages: ,

Additional Qualifications: Skills

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Other information: This position doesn’t require a functional clearance