Associate Protection Cluster Coordination Officer

Overview

Lead and coordinate the Protection Cluster in Niger, ensuring effective inter-agency collaboration.

You have:

• 3 years of relevant experience with an Undergraduate degree; or 2 years with a Graduate degree; or 1 year with a Doctorate degree.
• Field(s) of Education: Law, International Law, Political Sciences, or other relevant field.
• Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
• Excellent computer skills, particularly in data management; technical expertise in registration, operational data management and individual case management; knowledge of SQL or Microsoft Dynamics CRM; knowledge of UNHCR data standards and procedures.
• Training in HCR Coordination Learning Program; Tri-Cluster Knowledge/Coordination Skills.

Deadline for Applications

February 26, 2026Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

DFamily Type (not applicable for home-based)

Non Family with Residential LocationStaff Member / Affiliate Type

UNOPS IICA2Target Start Date

2026-04-01Terms of Reference

General Background

In the current humanitarian context in Niger—marked by significant political volatility, restricted humanitarian access, and increasing protection risks—the role of Protection Cluster Lead Agency requires stronger operational leadership than in standard emergency settings. While globally the Protection Cluster is led by P5/P4 Protection Cluster Coordinators supported by P3/P2 positions, in Niger these senior coordination posts are not in place. As a result, the Associate Protection Cluster Coordination Officer assumes full coordination responsibilities, leading protection strategy, inter‑agency engagement, and advocacy on behalf of UNHCR as Cluster Lead Agency. The UNHCR Representative retains overall accountability for the Cluster lead role, while the Associate Coordinator ensures day‑to‑day leadership across a diverse partner environment and under increasingly complex protection challenges.

The Associate Protection Cluster Coordination Officer ensures UNHCR’s effective leadership of the Protection Cluster within the IASC coordination framework. Rather than providing limited support, the incumbent assumes day‑to‑day coordination responsibilities, leading inter‑agency engagement, supporting joint protection analysis, and ensuring coherent collaboration among a diverse range of partners. The position plays a central role in sustaining UNHCR’s leadership in a complex and evolving protection environment. The Associate Protection Cluster Coordination Officer is expected to facilitate the work of the Protection Cluster through the provision of support in analysis, coordination and reporting. This includes the provision of active support, as applicable, to 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 Associate Protection Cluster Coordination Officer supports the Protection Cluster Coordinator 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.

The Associate Protection Cluster Coordination Officer works in close collaboration with Protection Cluster partners and relevant inter‑agency working groups to support joint analysis, needs assessments, and coordinated reporting. Given the absence of a dedicated Protection Cluster support team in Niger, the incumbent relies on partners’ field presence and contributions to inform protection trends, advocacy, and prioritization, ensuring coherent and collective coordination despite significant operational constraints

1. Purpose and Scope of Assignment (Concise and detailed description of activities, tasks and responsibilities to be undertaken, including expected travel, if applicable)

• 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
• Facilitate the coordination and conduct of Protection Cluster or Inter-Cluster level protection needs assessments, including participatory assessments of affected populations.
• Provide inputs to the development of common funding criteria, resource mobilisation and prioritization within the Protection Cluster for inclusion in Consolidated Appeals and pooled funds processes.
• Assist in 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Draft reports and prepare advocacy notes 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.
• Perform other related duties as required.

3. Qualifications and Experience

Education & Professional Work Experience

Years of Experience / Degree Level

For P2/NOB - 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education

Law; International Law; Political Sciences; or other relevant field.

(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Certificates and/or Licenses

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

Certificates and/or Licenses

Not specified.

(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience

Essential Excellent computer skills, particularly in data management. Technical expertise in registration, operational data management and individual case management. Knowledge of SQL or Microsoft Dynamics CRM. Knowledge of UNHCR data standards and procedures.

Desirable

• Education in International Law, Political Sciences; or other relevant field. Training in HCR Coordination Lrng Prog. Strong skills in Coordination and Expertise in International Protection

• Proven experience working with diverse humanitarian partners — including UN agencies, national authorities, local NGOs, and community-based organizations — in highly challenging and unstable operational environments.

• Experience contributing to protection coordination, including joint analysis, reporting, and supporting inter‑agency mechanisms.
• Experience engaging with government counterparts and supporting coordination with national structures (e.g., disaster management, social welfare, or protection bodies).
• Previous exposure to one or more Protection AoRs (Child Protection, GBV, HLP, MHPSS, Mine Action) is an asset.
• Participation in UNHCR or inter‑agency protection learning programmes (Protection Mainstreaming, Coordination, AGD, PSEA) is desirable.
• Experience in advocacy and negotiation in contexts with access constraints, insecurity, and limited partner presence.

Functional Skills DM-Data collection methodologies

• Protection coordination & partner engagement in complex, multi‑actor environments.
• Protection analysis & reporting under challenging field conditions.
• Facilitation & negotiation with diverse stakeholders.
• Protection mainstreaming & AGD guidance to partners.
• Training & capacity‑building for authorities and NGOs.

Only pre‑selected candidates will be invited to participate in a written test and/or an oral interview.

The initial duration of the contract will be nine (9) months, up to 31 December 2026.Standard Job Description

Associate 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 positions of P5/P4 Protection Cluster Coordination Officer and the supporting positions of P3 Protection Cluster Coordination Officer and/or P2 Associate Protection Cluster Coordination Officer.

These latter P2 level positions normally report directly to the P5/P4 Protection Cluster Coordination Officer. The UNHCR Representative has final accountability for the performance of UNHCR as Cluster Lead Agency.

The Associate 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 Cluster Coordinator in ensuring UNHCR's leadership within a diverse protection community.

The Associate Protection Cluster Coordination Officer is expected to facilitate the work of the Protection Cluster through the provision of support in analysis, organization and reporting. 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 Associate Protection Cluster Coordination Officer supports the Protection Cluster Coordinator 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.

The Associate Protection Cluster Coordination Officer works closely with 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 - 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 - Facilitate the coordination and conduct of Protection Cluster or Inter-Cluster level protection needs assessments, including participatory assessments of affected populations. - Provide inputs to development of common funding criteria, resource mobilisation and prioritization within the Protection Cluster for inclusion in Consolidated Appeals and pooled funds processes. - Assist in 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. - 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. - 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. - 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.

- 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

Education & Professional Work Experience Years of Experience / Degree Level For P2/NOB - 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year 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.

Desirable Not specified.

Functional Skills LE-Human Rights Law; LE-International Refugee Law; (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.

Required Languages

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Desired Languages

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Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

Bachelor of Arts: International Law, Bachelor of Arts: Law, Bachelor of Arts: Political ScienceCertifications

Coordination Skills Workshop - Other, Tri_Cluster Knowledge/Coord Skills - OtherWork Experience

Other information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance Remote

No

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Potential interview questions

Added 4 months ago - Updated 4 months ago - Source: unhcr.org