Child Protection Associate at UNHCR

Details

Mission and objectives

The High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is mandated by the United Nations to lead and coordinate international action for the worldwide protection of refugees and the resolution of refugee problems. UNHCR’s primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. In its efforts to achieve this objective, the Office strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, and to return home voluntarily. By assisting refugees to return to their own country or to settle permanently in another country, UNHCR also seeks lasting solutions to their plight. UNHCR’s Executive Committee and the UN General Assembly have authorized involvement with other groups. These include former refugees who have returned to their homeland; internally displaced people; and people who are stateless or whose nationality is disputed. The Office seeks to reduce situations of forced displacement by encouraging states and other institutions to create conditions which are conducive to the protection of human rights and the peaceful resolution of disputes. In all of its activities, it pays particular attention to the needs of children and seeks to promote the equal rights of women and girls. The Office works in partnership with governments, regional organizations, international and non-governmental organizations. It is committed to the principle of participation, believing that refugees and others who benefit from the organization’s activities should be consulted over decisions which affect their lives.

Context

UNHCR works closely with the government and the Implementing Partners in the protection and care of the refugee children in Malawi. Unaccompanied/Separated Children and other categories of vulnerable children are received at the boarder entry points by the Malawian government and taken to the reception center in Karonga. Thereafter, they are transported to Dzaleka refugee camp where they are registered by the government and UNHCR and appropriate care arrangements are identified for them. In partnership with Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), UNHCR provides primary education to over 4,500 refugee and asylum seeker children. Some 500 children attend secondary education. Malawian nationals also benefit from the educational facilities in the camp. However, the education system is currently overwhelmed by the number of new arrivals. In addition to education, JRS also provides psychosocial counselling to individuals and families while school social workers attends to issues affecting school children. Health care is provided to PoCs and more than 40,000 nationals from villages surrounding Dzaleka refugee camp while World Food Programme (WFP) in collaboration with the Participatory Rural Development Organization (PRDO) and UNHCR provide monthly food rations to the refugees and asylum seekers. UNHCR in collaboration with Plan Malawi implements Child Protection program in the following areas; basic case management for vulnerable children and organizes educational, artistic and recreational activities. UNHCR also works closely with community structures to enhance child protection notably through Child Protection Committee as well as the Human Rights and SGBV committees. UNHCR also identifies durable solutions to refugees primarily through resettlement and voluntary repatriation.