Home-based: Child Protection Expert

The RefugePoint-UNHCR Collaboration Project (UNCP) deploys qualified staff (generally referred to as “Experts on Mission,” or “Experts”) to UNHCR offices globally to increase resettlement, complementary pathways, and child protection capacity. As part of the UNCP, the Child Protection Expert provides direct support to UNHCR through temporary deployments globally. Occasionally, RefugePoint may deploy staff to work on projects not directly related to resettlement, child protection, or complementary pathways.

Assigned to one or more specific duty station(s) over the course of employment, the Expert is tasked with enhancing local refugee child protection capacity, in particular as it relates to Best Interests Procedures (BIP). Typically, the Expert’s core responsibility is to provide direct casework support to UNHCR by conducting Best Interests Assessments (BIA) and Best Interests Determinations (BID) for Unaccompanied and Separated Children (UASC) or other at-risk children. Depending on the needs of the assigned duty station(s) as determined by UNHCR, the Expert may also assist in child protection case management activities and capacity building through training, mentoring, and other activities such as monitoring and evaluating existing child protection systems. In addition, the Expert contributes to the logistical planning and execution of their deployments.

The Expert will work within a dual reporting structure that includes a UNHCR supervisor at their duty station, and a reporting line to RefugePoint’s offices maintained through regular operational and administrative communication during all stages of deployment.

Shortlisting and interviews for the Deployment Program will be conducted on a rolling basis.

Primary Responsibilities:

Actual functions may vary according to the circumstances of the UNHCR duty station and will be outlined more specifically in Terms of Reference (TOR) particular to the assignment. They may include but are not limited to the following:

• Conduct BIAs/BIDs in accordance with applicable guidelines and standard operating procedures, including conducting child-friendly interviews and home visits;
• Meet set targets for the number of interviews and number of BIAs/BIDs to be completed;
• Conduct internal review of casework (BIA/BID reviews);
• As part of the casework process, refer refugee children to available services as appropriate;
• Participate in and/or lead and facilitate BID Panels;
• Provide technical guidance on child protection matters, and general case management;
• On occasion, liaise with Government authorities and other partners about issues related to child protection procedures;
• Systematically update and maintain case data in UNHCR’s proGres database;
• Ensure proper follow-up of pending cases and conclude them in a timely manner;
• Provide case counseling to refugees, and manage expectations on resettlement;
• Liaise with Implementing Partners and interlocutors as and when required in relation to individual cases under resettlement process;
• Ensure proper management of both physical and electronic data;
• Deliver training, mentoring, and other capacity building, as determined appropriate in consultation with the UNHCR supervisor;
• Submit timely, accurate, complete, and informative quarterly narrative reports, case tracking reports, monthly Timesheets, and Expense Reports to RefugePoint;
• Provide prompt responses to requests from RefugePoint staff to clarify, correct, or otherwise remedy issues raised with reporting and other operational and administrative requirements;
• Uphold the highest professional and ethical standards;
• Adhere to both UNHCR’s and RefugePoint’s Code of Conduct, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), and guiding principles;
• Uphold programmatic integrity by guarding against fraud and any other misconduct;
• When on assignment to UNHCR, actively participate as a member of the UNHCR team and comply with all UNHCR policies;
• Engage with UNHCR supervisor in a constructive, solution-oriented manner regarding challenges that may be encountered at the duty station;
• Attend mandatory RefugePoint technical and administrative trainings;
• At all times, actively contribute to RefugePoint’s programs by embracing a learning attitude and by engaging in lively discussions to develop professionally and improve programs; and
• Any other duties as assigned by the UNHCR supervisor, in accordance with RefugePoint’s goals and agreed upon by the RefugePoint supervisor.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Familiarity with refugee law, protection, and assistance, including resettlement
• Excellent interviewing and counseling skills, including the use of trauma-informed, age-appropriate and gender-sensitive techniques
• Strong writing and analytical skills
• Strong interpersonal and diplomacy skills; ability to work effectively and tactfully with partners and cross-cultural teams; ability to navigate administrative systems and work effectively and efficiently in a structured environment
• Demonstrated ability to work well under pressure, maintaining flexibility and attention to detail under challenging circumstances
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office; knowledge of proGres database or the ability to learn computer programs quickly
• Ability to adhere to RefugePoint and UNHCR Codes of Conduct and conduct oneself in a professional and courteous manner at all times
• Ability to travel on short notice and sometimes under difficult conditions, including to refugee camps
• English language fluency

Qualifications:

Required: 

• Education: University Degree in a relevant field (e.g. Education, social work, law, international affairs, human rights and humanitarian affairs, public health, anthropology, etc.)
• Experience: Previous experience in a related activity in the field of child protection and/or refugee protection
• Previous individual casework experience (interviewing skills, counseling skills, systematically handling cases for clients with vulnerabilities, preferably refugees and asylum seekers)
• Relevant international experience (within the last five years)

Preferred: 

• Social Work or Child Protection background through education and/or work experience
• Experience working in Resettlement or Refugee Status Determination (RSD) procedures (be it UNHCR, or governmental)
• Proven knowledge of the international legal framework governing refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons and statelessness
• Proficient in another UN language in addition to English (in particular French, Spanish, and/or Arabic)

Compensation and Benefits:

At RefugePoint, we strive to recognize and reward our employees equitably and transparently. This means that we pay our employees based on a clear and consistent methodology and without regard to identity or personal relationships. The Resettlement Expert receives a competitive total compensation package that includes salary and benefits, as follows:

• Starting salary of USD 3,225 (non-negotiable);
• Monthly Deployment Allowance to offset the cost of meals and incidental expenses (amount varies per duty station);
• Reimbursement for visas, flights, at the beginning and end of the deployment;
• Reimbursement for accommodation while on deployment;
• 34 days paid time off per year prorated based on start date, which is a combination of sick and annual leave;
• Enrolment in RefugePoint's group health insurance policy (dependents included), as well as additional life and disability insurance;
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and other internal MHPSS support;
• Rest & Recuperation (R&R) allowance if posted to a duty station with an R&R cycle;
• After every 18 months of continuous employment, an Expert is entitled to be reimbursed for 1 flight home or for a flight up to an equivalent amount;
• Opportunities for training and other professional development.

Commitment to Diversity, Equal Opportunity, and Anti-Racism:

A diverse workforce helps RefugePoint realize its fullest potential. RefugePoint is committed to providing equality of opportunity for all persons in all aspects of employment without regard to race, religion, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, disability, ancestry, or any other factor unrelated to job performance.

Additionally, RefugePoint is aware that the pursuit of our vision, mission, and values is strengthened by integrating anti-racist principles in all that we do. Therefore, we are committed to being an anti-racist organization, and realize that doing so involves making a sustained commitment.

Candidates from historically underrepresented group(s) are encouraged to apply.

Agency Overview and Values:

Founded in 2005, RefugePoint is a leading innovator in the refugee solutions space—identifying pathways to safety and self-reliance for refugees and building collaborative efforts to embed our insights more broadly into global humanitarian response. RefugePoint has core, cross-cutting principles and values that define our work. We use a protection lens—prioritizing the most at-risk refugees and vulnerability over volume. Successful candidates will enjoy supporting and developing an organizational culture based on the guiding values of the organization. We strive to be:

• Refugee-Centered
• Anti-Racist & Anti-Colonial
• Equity
• Trauma-Informed
• Evidence-Informed Practice
• Collaborative

We prioritize elevating and amplifying refugee voices, increasing refugee client involvement in our work through an advisory board, and building the capacity of refugee-led organizations with a focus on East Africa. We are committed to monitoring, evaluation, and learning—building an evidence base of what works. And we focus on building collaborations—understanding that change does not happen with one organization alone.

You will be joining a growing organization that is spearheading new initiatives that are changing the face of humanitarian response, and we would be excited to have you as part of our team!

How to Apply: 

Apply here.