WHO WE ARE
The Global Protection Cluster is a network of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), international organizations and United Nations (UN) agencies, engaged in protection work in humanitarian crises including armed conflict, climate change related and natural disaster. The GPC is mandated by the IASC, led by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), governed by a Strategic Advisory Group, co-chaired by the GPC Coordinator and an operational NGO, and serviced by a multi-partner Operations Cell.
The GPC unites members, partners and communities working on the full gamut of protection activities, including in four specialized Areas of Responsibility (AoRs): Child Protection, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Housing, Land and Property and Mine Action. The GPC contributes to and benefits from the broader IASC system, the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), various human rights treaty bodies and key development and peace building and peacekeeping actors, and through building partnerships with international financial institutions and the private sector.
Our Vision
People are protected in humanitarian crises and their rights respected and solutions found in accordance with international law.
Our Mission
Ensuring well-coordinated, effective and principled protection preparedness and responses, and that protection is at the core of all humanitarian action and recognized as essential in any nexus with development and peace.
Leadership
UNHCR is the Global Cluster Lead Agency for Protection. In this capacity UNHCR has the responsibility to lead and coordinate other United Nations agencies, inter-governmental organisations and Non-governmental organisations participating in the GPC.
In light of their thematic expertise, other agencies have been designated as focal point agencies for specific Areas of Responsibilities (AORs) within the GPC:
- Child Protection (UNICEF)
- Gender-Based Violence (UNFPA)
- Land, Housing and Property (NRC)
- Mine Action (UNMAS)
GPC Coordination Team
| NAME | ORGANIZATION | |
|---|---|---|
| William Chemaly | Global Protection Cluster Coordinator (UNHCR) | |
| Sofia Khetib-Grundy | Global Protection Cluster Deputy Coordinator (SDC) | |
| Michael Copland | Child Protection AoR Coordinator (UNICEF) | |
| Joyce Mutiso | Child Protection AoR Deputy Coordinator (UNICEF) | |
| Jennifer Chase | GBV AoR Coordinator (UNFPA) | |
| Astrid Haaland | GBV AoR Deputy Coordinator (UNFPA) | |
| Bruno Donat | MA AoR Coordinator (UNMAS) | |
| Christelle Loupforest | MA AoR Deputy Coordinator (UNMAS) | |
| Jim Robinson | HLP AoR Coordinator (NRC) |
Task Teams
The GPC’s Task Team’s are established to guide activities of the GPC Work-Plan and effectively implement them. They are led by participants of the GPC and are time-bound.
| TASK TEAM | CO-CHAIRS | TOR |
|---|---|---|
| Law and Policy | Martina Caterina (UNHCR) | Download |
| Human Rights Engagement |
Elisa Gazzotti (Soka Gakkai International) Isaiah Toroitich (LWF) Valerie Svobodova (UNHCR) |
|
| Anti-Trafficking in Humanitarian Action |
Zahra Atbi (IOM) Andrea Bruhn Bove (UNHCR) Sam McCormack (GPC) |
Download |
| Cash for Protection |
Stefan Schmoldt (IRC) Tenzin Manell (WRC) |
Download |
| Donor and Member States Liaison Group | Annika Sandlund (UNHCR) | Download |
| Information Analysis Working Group | Jude Sweeney (DRC) Boris Aristin (UNHCR) |
Download |
GPC Operations Cell
The GPC has established an Operations Cell with staff from UNHCR, the Swiss Development Cooperation, ProCap and CashCap to deliver on the objectives of the 2016-2019 Strategic Framework. The Operations Cell was formerly known as the Support Cell and the change in its name reflects the emphasis on its engagement with the field. The Operations Cell supports field clusters in their responsibility to craft an appropriate response and provides critical support to the Global Cluster Coordinator by monitoring the GPC’s Work-Plan, influencing planning and resource mobilization.
William Chemaly
Global Protection Cluster Coordinator
Chemaly@unhcr.org
Caroline Blay
Senior Protection Advisor
blay@unhcr.org
Tatiana Iskindirova
Leadership and Coordination Project Manager
iskindir@unhcr.org
Boris Aristin Gonzalez
Senior Needs Analysis Officer
aristing@unhcr.org
Ivan Cardona Landinez
Information Management Officer
cardona@unhcr.org
Jude Sweeney
PIM Officer – IAWG Co-Lead
jude.sweeney@drc.ngo
Julien Marneffe
Head of Field Operations and Support
marneffe@unhcr.org
Sofia Khetib-Grundy
Global Protection Cluster Deputy Coordinator
khetibgr@unhcr.org
Musa Al-asad
Information Management Officer
alasad@unhcr.org
Dorothy Sang
COVID-19 Advocacy Coordinator
dorothy.sang@oxfam.org
Sam McCormack
Associate Legal Officer (Anti-Trafficking)
mccormac@unhcr.org
Yasmine El-Behiery
Learning, Development, and Capacity Building Lead
elbehier@unhcr.org
Nancy Polutan-Teulieres
Policy and Standard Setting Lead
polutan@unhcr.org
Mohammad Erekat
Information Management Officer
erekat@unhcr.org