Refugee Protection Assistant to Bucharest (Romania, UNHCR)

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was created in 1950, during the aftermath of the Second World War, to help millions of Europeans who had fled or lost their homes. We had three years to complete our work and then disband.

Today, over 70 years later, our organization is still hard at work, protecting and assisting refugees around the world.

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has precipitated one of the fastest-growing displacement and humanitarian crises in recent history. Over 6.5 million refugees have fled Ukraine, seeking refuge in neighboring countries such as Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Moldova, and Romania, with many moving onward shortly after arrival. Following the declaration of a Level 3 emergency for Ukraine and its neighboring countries during 2022, the Regional Bureau for Europe and respective country operations have significantly scaled up their capacities to deliver protection, urgent assistance, and coordination in response to the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation. UNHCR’s Multi-Year Strategy 2024 — 2026 will mainly focus on providing assistance and protection services to the most vulnerable forcibly displaced populations while seeking for medium and long-term solutions for the inclusion of refugees in the country, in support of the Government of Romania’s primary response.

As of 13 June 2024, more than 5.9 M refugees were recorded in Europe. As of 31 March 2024, 77.9 K refugees are living in Romania. The Government of Romania and UNHCR have been actively responding since the onset of the emergency, both at the borders and in areas where refugees are settling. Close collaboration and policy coordination with the government are maintained at national and local levels. Through the Inter-Agency Refugee Coordination Model and the Refugee Response Plan, UNHCR, in partnership with UN agencies and NGOs, supports the government’s refugee response, ensuring full harmonization and complementarity both at the central and local levels. UNHCR Romania has its Country Office in Bucharest, Field Offices in Timisoara (where the Emergency Transit Center is established), Suceava, and Galati, and a Field Unit in Constanta, covering key border crossing points.

Requirements for candidates:

• ? Application to this assignment is open exclusively to individuals residing in the country of assignment, with stateless, refugee or similar protective status.
• Application to this assignment is exclusively open to individuals residing in Romania, registered as asylum seekers for at least 3 months or as refugees or with similar protective status, including Temporary Protection.
• 3 years of experience in working with vulnerable people, refugees or IDPs, or other relevant programmes, at the national and/or international level; experience with humanitarian work is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization;
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
• Strong knowledge of social media platforms used by Ukrainian communities, including Telegram, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok is an asset;
• Fluency in spoken and written Ukrainian and/ or Russian and working knowledge of English is required;
• Fluency in Romanian is an advantage;
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
• Sound security awareness;
• Have affinity with or interest in enabling access to services to vulnerable refugees with constant aim to assist in providing durable solutions, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.
• Willingness to work in remote field locations and to conduct field-based work much of the time.
• Secondary education
• Ukrainian, Russian, Level: Fluent, Required
• English, Level: Working knowledge, Required

You will have the opportunity to apply your talent while working for a noble cause. UN Volunteers receive a monthly living allowance (VLA), as well as life insurance and full health insurance.

This position comes with the following benefits and entitlements for UN Volunteers (Refugee UN Volunteer):

• Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) (equivalent in UAH): RON 7004.08
• Entry & Exit Lump Sum
• Medical and life insurance: Cigna Private Insurance
• Annual leave: 30 days
• Certified sick leave: 30 days annually
• Uncertified sick leave: 7 days annually
• Learning leave: 10 days annually

To apply for a vacancy, please first register on the UN Volunteers platform https://app.unv.org/ and send an application using this link: https://app.unv.org/opportunities/1766333093516544

The final date to apply is September 20 inclusive.