Associate Protection Officer (Community-Based)

Volunteering Communications & PR Crisis & Emergency Response

Overview

Support the development of community communication strategies for refugee protection.

You have:

• Demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNHCR.
• Technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferable to UNHCR procedures and rules.
• Demonstrated interest and/or experience in refugee protection, asylum, or migration-related work.
• Experience in community-based protection, outreach, or social work.
• Experience in communication with communities, community engagement, or participatory approaches.
• Experience in working with vulnerable populations in humanitarian or development contexts.
• Strong analytical and drafting skills.
• Understanding of protection principles and confidentiality requirements.
• Ability to work with diverse stakeholders, including communities and partners.
• Basic data analysis skills (Excel, qualitative feedback analysis).
• Good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports.

Contract

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Morocco hosts a diverse population of refugees and asylum-seekers within a mixed-movement context, with evolving asylum procedures and increasing demand for protection services. Ensuring access to accurate, timely and understandable information, as well as meaningful participation of persons of concern, is essential to protection delivery and is a core component of UNHCR’s accountability to affected populations (AAP).

In line with UNHCR’s global commitments on AAP, Communication with Communities (CwC), and Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD), UNHCR Morocco is strengthening structured approaches to community engagement, access to information, and feedback mechanisms. This includes enhancing two-way communication, addressing misinformation, and ensuring that communication strategies are protection-sensitive and inclusive.The assignment offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the design and operationalization of a structured communication strategy and community engagement model in a complex and evolving asylum environment. The UN Volunteer Associate will be embedded within the Community-Based Protection unit and will work closely with protection teams (registration, RSD, protection), national partners, and refugee communities. The role combines protection analysis and delivery, community engagement, and operational planning, offering strong learning opportunities in humanitarian protection systems and field-based implementation.

Under the direct supervision of the Protection Officer (CBP), the UN Volunteer Associate will:

• Support the development and operationalization of a Communication with Communities (CwC) strategy aligned with UNHCR’s AAP and CBP frameworks, including mapping of communication needs, risks, and barriers across different population groups. • Assist in the design of a detailed operational communication plan for refugees and asylum-seekers, including key messages, communication channels (HELP, SMS, community outreach, partners), and feedback mechanisms. • Assist in mapping community structures and communication channels, including outreach volunteers, community leaders, and partner networks, ensuring inclusion of women, youth, and vulnerable groups. • Support the strengthening of feedback and complaint mechanisms, including analysis of trends from reception, hotlines, HELP platform, and partner referrals. • Contribute to the development and review of information materials (multilingual, accessible formats) related to registration, RSD, documentation, rights, and services. • Participate in coordination with implementing partners to ensure consistent, accurate, and protection-sensitive messaging. • Support community consultations and focus group discussions to inform communication strategies and identify protection risks and information gaps. • Assist in monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of communication approaches, including identifying misinformation risks and proposing mitigation measures. • Contribute to internal guidance and SOPs related to communication with communities and community engagement.

By the end of the assignment, the UN Volunteer will have contributed to: • Strengthened communication with communities approaches within the operation • A practical communication plan supporting outreach and information provision • Improved access to clear and consistent information for refugees and asylum-seekers • Enhanced use of feedback from communities to inform protection activities • Increased coordination with partners on communication and outreach

The assignment will provide the UN Volunteer with practical experience in applying UNHCR protection frameworks, including AAP, AGD and community-based protection, while contributing to strengthening access to information and community engagement in a complex mixed-movement context.

During the first month of the assignment, the UN Volunteer will work closely with his/her direct supervisor to finalize an agreed-upon work plan. The work plan should outline key objectives and activities and include regular check‑ins with the supervisor to review progress and receive performance feedback.

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNHCR; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNHCR procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNHCR in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNHCR mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

• Computer skills (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, social media, and others).

Demonstrated interest and/or experience (up to 2 years) in: • Refugee protection, asylum, or migration-related work • Community-based protection, outreach, or social work • Communication with communities, community engagement, or participatory approaches • Working with vulnerable populations in humanitarian or development contexts • Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded.

Skills in: • Strong analytical and drafting skills (ability to translate complex protection information into accessible language) • Understanding of protection principles and confidentiality requirements • Ability to work with diverse stakeholders, including communities and partners • Basic data analysis skills (Excel, qualitative feedback analysis) • Strong interpersonal and communication skills in multicultural settings

All goods and services are easily available in Morocco. The climate in Rabat and coastal areas is mild, with hot summers and short, wet, and rainy winters. Accommodation (apartments, studios, and villas) is available at reasonable prices. Public transportation, including the train system, is inexpensive and has a good safety record, connecting all major cities across the country. Taxis are widely available in large cities such as Casablanca and Rabat.

The UNHCR operation in Morocco offers a unique humanitarian environment, providing an enriching professional experience. It also requires a high level of cultural awareness, flexibility, and strong commitment.

The contract lasts for the period indicated above with possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment.

The applicable Volunteer Living Allowance is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents - except for UN Community Volunteers), as well as final repatriation (if applicable).

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Added 1 day ago - Updated 7 hours ago - Source: unv.org