Protection Assistant

Volunteering Crisis & Emergency Response

Overview

Support the implementation of the Protection and Solutions Strategy.

You have:

• A minimum of three years of experience working with refugees and/or vulnerable populations with specific needs;
• Proven ability to respond to individual case management demands;
• Experience in engaging with public authorities, NGOs, and UN agencies;
• Knowledge of UNHCR mandate;
• Knowledge of UNHCR Protection principles;
• Strong writing and report-drafting skills, in Portuguese, English, and Spanish;
• Good time management skills;
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Technical knowledge of resettlement and complementary pathways programmes is strongly desired;
• Experience in planning and executing logistical procedures for events is strongly desired;
• Experience in budget management.
• Experience with Microsoft Teams and collaboration software;
• Ability with Canva and other design tools.
• Knowledge of additional UN languages is an asset.

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

Brazil has developed a progressive and inclusive framework for protecting refugees and forcibly displaced persons, ensuring access to rights such as freedom of movement, formal employment, education, healthcare, and social assistance. As of December 2024, Brazil hosted 824,661 individuals from over 100 nationalities, with Venezuelans forming the majority. Of these, 153,614 have been recognized as refugees—92% of them Venezuelan.

Brazil is a regional leader in refugee protection, applying the broader Cartagena Declaration definition through prima facie recognition for those fleeing serious human rights violations. This includes individuals from Venezuela, Afghanistan, Syria, and others. The National Committee for Refugees (CONARE) also protects people persecuted for sexual orientation, gender identity, and women at risk of female genital mutilation. Brazil is modernizing its refugee status determination (RSD) process with advanced digital tools.

Humanitarian visas and temporary residence permits are available for nationals from Afghanistan, Haiti, Syria, and Ukraine. Venezuelans may also apply for temporary residence if not seeking asylum.

To promote sustainable inclusion, Brazil is developing a National Policy for Migrants, Refugees, and Stateless Persons, aiming to streamline access to services across all government levels. This is supported by 44 local committees, 27 policies and plans, and the Network of Welcoming Cities.

Since 2018, “Operation Welcome” has supported Venezuelans with reception, documentation, shelter, and voluntary relocation. Over 148,657 have been relocated to nearly 1,000 cities. A new plan also targets Haitian integration.

Following the 2021 humanitarian visa policy for Afghans, over 13,100 visas have been issued, with more than 12,000 arrivals. In April 2025, Brazil launched a community sponsorship program for Afghan integration, with similar plans for Haitians. UNHCR and partners have identified over 11,000 indigenous Venezuelans in Brazil, who face greater challenges in accessing services, including higher food insecurity, healthcare needs, and school dropout rates. Language barriers and low education levels hinder their integration.

Brazil’s response is supported by civil society, refugee-led groups, the private sector, and academia, with 50 universities participating in the Sérgio Vieira de Mello Academic Chair initiative.

At the 2023 Global Refugee Forum, Brazil pledged to enhance family reunification, refugee participation, resettlement, healthcare, and asylum systems, while supporting the Cartagena+40 process.

UNHCR prioritizes climate action, including refugee inclusion in disaster preparedness and green job opportunities, especially for indigenous communities. It also supports Brazil’s response to climate emergencies like the 2025 floods in Rio Grande do Sul.

UNHCR Brazil follows a multi-year strategy (2023–2025) aligned with global and national development plans. While most funding comes from governments, private sector contributions are growing. However, only about 30% of annual financial needs are typically met.

UNHCR Brazil operates from its Country Office in Brasília and several field locations across São Paulo, Rio Grande do Sul, Roraima, Amazonas, and Pará.

Within the framework of delegated authority and under the supervision of the Durable Solutions Associate and/or his/her designated representative, the UN Volunteer will carry out the following tasks: • Support the implementation of the Protection and Solutions Strategy, providing support to field offices when necessary, particularly in the areas of resettlement and complementary pathways, development and implementation of public policies, and higher education for refugees. • Support activities in protection, resettlement and complementary pathways with implementing and operational partners, including higher education institutions. • Contribute to the development of country-level protection and durable solutions plans and SOPs, as part of the protection and solutions strategy. • Support protection / solutions monitoring activities. • Assist in the liaison with federal, state, and local authorities in topics related to public policies. • Support the organization of meetings, workshops, side events, webinars and on-line/on-site seminars, among other events, • Draft reports, routine correspondence, update relevant databases and compile statistics. • Consistently apply International and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR, standards and codes of conduct. • Provide counselling on protection issues to refugees and other persons with international protection needs. • Contribute to initiatives to enhance national and local protection and solutions capacities. • Perform other related duties as required.

In addition to the above, UN Volunteers are encouraged to join the mandate of UNV within the framework of its assignment and promote voluntary action through integration into communities in the development of your work. As such, UN Volunteers must dedicate part of your work time to one of the following activities recommended:

• Strengthen your knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteering by reading relevant publications from both the UNV program and external, as well as playing an active role in the UNV activities (e.g. at UNV events) commemoration of International Volunteer Day); • Know and develop traditional and/or local forms of volunteering in the host country; • Provide annual and assignment self-assessment reports on UNV actions, results and opportunities; • Contribute articles/reviews of your experiences in the field and submit them to headquarters for inclusion on the website, publications, pamphlets/newsletters, press releases, etc. of UNV; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers • Promote or advise local groups in the use of the Volunteering service in UNV line or promote the use of the service to individuals and relevant local organizations where technically possible.

In the selection process for this UNV position, UNHCR aims to hire candidates from groups still underrepresented in its workforce in Brazil, namely black people, indigenous people, transgender persons and persons with disabilities. Refugees of all nationalities, regardless of race, sex, gender identity, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, or other status are highly encouraged to apply. Candidates will be treated equally regardless of their social status

• Accountability • Adaptability and Flexibility • Communication • Creativity • Teamwork and Collaboration • Planning and organising • Analytical Thinking • Political Awareness • Professionalism • Self-management • Stakeholder Management

Required relevant job experience:
• A minimum of three years of experience working with refugees and/or vulnerable populations with specific needs; • Proven ability to respond to individual case management demands; • Experience in engaging with public authorities, at the local or national level, NGOs, UN agencies and other relevant UNHCR stakeholders; • Knowledge of UNHCR mandate; • Knowledge of UNHCR Protection principles; • Strong writing and report-drafting skills, in Portuguese, English and Spanish; • Good time management skills; • Knowledge Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Additional desirable qualifications & competencies:

Relevant job experience:
• Technical knowledge of and experience with resettlement and complementary pathways programmes is strongly desired; • Experience in planning and executing logistical procedures for events is strongly desired; • Experience in budget management.

Additional skills:
• Experience with Microsoft Teams and collaboration software; • Ability with Canva and other design tools. • Knowledge of additional UN languages is an asset .

The assignment will be in Brasília, the Federal capital of Brazil and seat of government of the Federal District. Brasilia is a family duty station and classified A (hardship).

The living conditions in Brasilia are good as well as the access to health services. The accommodation facilities are in general good, and the choice is wide. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging their own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan.

Brazil is security level 3 (moderate). United Nations Department of Safety and Security UNDSS Brazil advises to exercise a high degree of caution in Brazil due to high levels of serious and violent crime, particularly in major cities. Violent crime as muggings, armed robbery, kidnappings, and sexual assault, is very high. Avoid shanty towns (favelas) in the big cities and if you are attacked or robbed, do not resist. Demonstrations can occur at any time and may turn violent with little or no warning. All United Nations personnel must scrupulously comply with UNDSS procedures and recommendations during their assignment in Brazil. For missions in rural areas or indigenous reservations, special procedures may apply; UN personnel should consult with the local DSS office in advance.

Additional information regarding the selection process, position, and working conditions will only be made available to pre-selected candidates. Information on entitlements at the duty station is available at https://app.unv.org/calculator.

The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.
https://www.unv.org/.

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Potential interview questions

Added 11 months ago - Updated 11 months ago - Source: unv.org