JOB DESCRIPTION

E (most hardship)

Non Family

Non FamilyDanger Pay

PR3

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2025-07-23

August 8, 2025

Protection Cluster Coordination Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
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 Senior Protection Cluster Coordination Officer and the supporting positions of Protection Cluster Coordination Officer.

These latter P3 level positions normally report directly to the Senior Protection Cluster Coordination Officer. The UNHCR Representative has final accountability for the performance of UNHCR as Cluster Lead Agency.

The Protection Cluster Coordination Officer 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 Protection Cluster Coordination Officer in ensuring UNHCR’s leadership within a diverse protection community.

The Protection Cluster Coordination Officer is expected to facilitate the work of the Protection Cluster through the provision of analysis, organization and reporting; and to impartially represent the interests of the members of the Protection Cluster. 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 in an environment that requires high standards of accountability, facilitation, negotiation and conflict resolution skills, in which respect the principles of partnership and collaboration are essential.

The incumbent supports the Senior Protection Cluster Coordination Officer in Inter-Cluster Coordination mechanisms, for advocacy and facilitation of protection mainstreaming and cross-cutting issues of age, gender and diversity in the humanitarian response and early recovery activities.

S/he works closely with and may, depending on the Office structure, directly supervise multi-functional Protection Cluster Support staff in the areas of data and information management, needs assessment, profiling, registration, reporting and advocacy.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR’s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties
– Facilitate the development of a Protection Cluster strategy following a consultative process with partners and stakeholders. 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 coordination with government counterparts and other relevant authorities.
– Support the design of transition strategies for the Protection Cluster: facilitate the development of a strategy for the cluster ensuring proper linkages with disaster risk reduction, relief, and recovery and development efforts.
– Facilitate the coordination and conduct of Protection Cluster or Inter-Cluster level protection needs assessments, including participatory assessments of affected populations.
– Provide strategic inputs to development of common funding criteria, resource mobilisation and prioritization within the Protection Cluster for inclusion in Consolidated Appeals and pooled funds processes.
– Establish mechanisms for accountable and transparent financial resource allocation within the cluster.
– Facilitate 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.
– Ensure adherence to IASC standard operating procedures for IDP profiling.
– Ensure the integration of cross-cutting issues in the work of the Protection Cluster, including any work developed by sub-clusters or working groups.
– Ensure adherence of Protection Cluster activities to Guidelines on Age, Gender and Diversity Mainstreaming.
– Through Cluster-wide consultative processes, provide input into the development of global protection policy and standards led by the Global Protection Cluster.
– Support reporting and information sharing within the Protection Cluster and at the inter-cluster level.
– Support and facilitate the Protection Cluster information management strategy and mechanisms.
– Ensure that the Protection Cluster produces regular updates and briefing notes on the protection concerns in the affected population, response activities, challenges and recommendations.
– Identify core advocacy concerns for the Protection Cluster through a consultative process: Facilitate joint cluster/ inter-cluster initiatives to ensure regular and consistent advocacy.
– 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.
– Promote and help strengthen national legislation relevant to internal displacement and durable solutions.
– Facilitate cluster meetings and represent the Protection Cluster in meetings with sectoral and external partners, authorities and other relevant interlocutors.
– 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 the Humanitarian Coordinator/Resident Coordinator, the Humanitarian Country Team and cluster members on the prioritization and inclusion of project proposals and common funding criteria for inclusion in inter-agency funding appeals.
– Monitor the allocation of financial and other resources within the Protection Cluster, when required, such as with regard to Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) or Common Humanitarian Funds (CHF).

– Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
– Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P3/NOC – 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Law; International Law; Political Sciences; or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
HCR Coordination Lrng Prog;

Tri-Cluster Knowl/Coord Skills;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Good knowledge of International Refugee and Human Rights Law plus minimum 6 years relevant professional experience of which 2 years in the field.

Desirable
Not specified.

Functional Skills
PR-Protection in natural disaster situations
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Demonstrated protection cluster leadership in complex settings and coordination skills to provide strategic direction to a cluster comprised of more than 50 member organisations and six sub-clusters and thematic working groups. A sensitive political context requires the ability to work collaboratively with a varied range of counterparts and advocate for principled, pragmatic protection interventions and solutions. Strong analytical skills are required to ensure that protection is adequately and appropriately factored into coherent program strategies and advocacy efforts, considering dynamic and fast-evolving local contexts and regional dynamics. Excellent drafting skills are required for this position. The position also supports the Humanitarian Country Team in implementing the HCT’s Centrality of Protection strategy, and it requires representation at high-level meetings. The candidate should therefore have experience with Inter-Agency processes, and be prepared to lead a transition process, particularly in a context of humanitarian reset.
Prior experience leading a protection cluster and/or experience with inter-cluster dynamics and structures is strongly desired. Prior experience in protracted displacement and emergency contexts is a plus, including the ability to identify pragmatic solutions for longstanding displaced populations of concern.
Building consensus and maintaining team spirit in a difficult operational context is a must. Strong cultural sensitivity and emotional intelligence are required to lead and effectively coordinate a diverse cluster comprised of international and national organisations. Strong capacity-building skills are an asset, particularly the ability to provide daily, on-the-job coaching/mentoring of national colleagues in the country office and for cluster members in the field offices. Demonstrated facilitation and public speaking/presentation skills are essential. Strong knowledge of IDP protection coordination tools, OCHA developed tools (including HNRP), protection principles, and strategies is essential.

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

UNHCR and WFP have contracted IQARUS international to provide medical interventions under the AFMAT clinics in Kabul and Field Offices. Staff members on special prescription should travel with sufficient quantity of medication. Medical facilities for referral in Kabul include German Clinic, French Medical Institute for Mothers & Children (FMIC) and Blossom Health Center. Seasonal air pollution occurs in Afghanistan and contributes to comorbidities that are known to worsen outcomes among those infected with COVID-19.

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

The Afghanistan Protection Cluster (APC) has been in operation since 2008. It is run by a dedicated Cluster Coordinator, in a co-facilitation agreement between UNHCR and NRC. The Cluster aims to improve the protection of civilians and consists of the following thematic groups called Areas of Responsibility (AOR): Child Protection in Emergencies (CPiE), Gender-based Violence (GBV); Housing, Land and Property (HLP) and Mine Action (MA). The APC also includes general protection (GP) partners, protection monitoring partners, a youth working group and a legal aid working group. The APC has seven principal sub-national clusters run by UNHCR dedicated/double-hatting Cluster Coordinators. To enhance coordination and response, APC in Provinces has developed a co-facilitation agreement with field NGO partners whose role is to support the regional focal points/ coordinators in sharing information on displacement, protection monitoring, assessments, partners mapping, and enhancing protection mainstreaming in humanitarian interventions countrywide.

The protection environment in Afghanistan has deteriorated across the country since August 2021 with the Taliban’s return to the political arena. The humanitarian crisis facing the country continues multiple fronts, with protection threats deepening for many parts of the population. Along with the political shift, the massive economic contraction with the banking and financial system crisis, the combination of natural disasters, the severe drought, rising food prices, and flooding meant people have resorted increasingly to negative coping strategies. While education is a critical protective factor for children and youth, access to education for girls remains highly restricted.

Threats to the returnee and displaced population in Afghanistan persist and result in various protection risks, including the killing and injury of civilians, high levels of contamination from explosive devices and forced displacement/. Gender-based violence and child protection are high protection concerns. The UN and human rights groups have documented restrictions on media and fundamental rights and freedoms, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and arbitrary detentions particularly impacting women and girls, religious and ethnic minorities, and persons deemed to be in opposition to the de facto rule. The protection concern persists, and the humanitarian needs increase exponentially.

UNHCR, as the lead agency for the Protection cluster, continues to advocate for the centrality of protection in the humanitarian response in Afghanistan, increased operational presence and accelerated localization and partnership modalities. It recognizes the importance of maintaining a strong focus not only on emergency response but also on longer-term durable solutions with target populations, including IDPs. Working with private sector is also a key element of the livelihoods and economic inclusion strategy and key to achieving the economic resilience and self-reliance of returnees, displaced people and their host communities.

Living and Working Conditions:

Afghanistan is a high-risk country with a very complex operational environment, characterized by uncertainty and frequent security incidents. Movement by all personnel is restricted, coordinated and monitored by the security officers. UNHCR in Kabul is located within the ICON Compound on the Supreme Road of the Police District 9. It occupies 40 MOSS-compliant rooms for staff accommodation, with each room having its own washroom and other facilities. Offices are within the ICON compound. No visits except in UN compounds and Embassies, which is frustrating and stressful to cope with.

Outdoor air quality is a health concern in Kabul. The degree of exposure and concentration of air pollutants can be detrimental to breathing problems, the development of chronic diseases, and the deterioration of health status in individuals with chronic diseases. The office provides air purifiers both in the office and in the accommodation.

The security situation is unstable, volatile, and unpredictable, with a rise since 2022-2023. A daily radio check is mandatory. All movements are strictly by Armoured Vehicle or by air. A 6-week R&R cycle is applicable for the duty station, and staff are highly encouraged not to delay. Considering the serious restrictions on staff movement, it is crucial to demonstrate a record of maintaining a positive attitude whenever confronted with adversity and restraints in social life. Curfews are in place throughout the country, and mission travel must be authorized by the Representative or designated managers, subject to completing the mandatory BSAFE, SSAFE, and IFAK training and security clearance procedures.

Staff interested in the position should be mentally, psychologically, and physically fit and ready to adjust to living in a compound setting surrounded by a barbed-wired wall with the presence of 24/7 armed security and dogs patrolling within the compound premises. Applicants should be aware of the possibility of being put on lockdown in bunkers due to security threats. Therefore, applicants need to have strong coping mechanisms and be highly adaptable.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

PR-Protection in natural disaster situations

Bachelor of Arts: Human Rights, Bachelor of Arts: International Law, Bachelor of Arts: International Refugee Law, Bachelor of Arts: Law, Bachelor of Arts: Political Science

Certifications

HCR Coordination Learning Program – UNHCR, Tri_Cluster Knowledge/Coord Skills – Other

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Add. 2 to the Bi-Annual 2025 Compendium – Part B

Additional Information

This position doesn”t require a functional clearance