Protection Assistant

Overview

Support implementation of protection strategies for refugees in Thailand.

You have:

• Completion of secondary education is the minimum requirement with 1-year of experience or Bachelor’s degree.
• Fluency in English and Karen and/or Burmese and/or Karreni is mandatory. Working knowledge of Thai is essential.
• Knowledge of ProGres and completion of UNHCR specific learning/training activities will be an advantage.

Deadline for Applications

February 15, 2026Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

A (least hardship)Family Type (not applicable for home-based)

FamilyStaff Member / Affiliate Type

UNOPS LICA4Target Start Date

2026-03-01Terms of Reference

Title: Protection Assistant Duty station: Mae Sot, Thailand Section/Unit: Protection ICA Level: LICA4 Corresponding level: G4 Duration: 1 March – 31 December 2026 Supervisor: Protection Associate

1. General Background

Thailand is not a signatory to the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees or its 1967 Protocol and does not have a formal legal framework to protect and uphold the rights of people forced to flee. Refugees reside in nine government-run Temporary Shelters along the Thai-Myanmar border, some having lived in Thailand since the mid-1980s after fleeing armed conflict. Until the Cabinet Resolution of August 2025 Cabinet Resolution, refugees were restricted from working, accessing public services, or moving beyond the shelters. As a result, they relied heavily on humanitarian assistance provided by UNHCR and NGOs coordinated through the Committee for the Coordination of Services to Displaced Persons in Thailand (CCSDPT). The Cabinet Resolution, operational since 1 October 2025, marks a major policy shift – opening new pathways for refugee self-reliance and inclusion. This government-led plan takes a whole-of-government approach, with active involvement from line ministries and the private sector. UNHCR is providing technical guidance, supporting coordination among humanitarian and development partners, and building a socio-economic database to inform inclusive, protection-sensitive policies that strengthen national systems and promote sustainable, government-led inclusion strategies for refugees.

2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment

The Protection Assistant plays a key role in strengthening the protection environment for refugees in the camps by serving as a vital link between UNHCR and refugees, camp leadership, community-based organizations (CBOs), NGOs, and Thai authorities.

Under the supervision of the Protection Associate, the incumbent will work extensively in the field to support implementation of the “Right to Work” policy, promote inclusion in State services, and address protection risks for the most vulnerable refugees.

The position requires proactive engagement with communities of concern, camp authorities, partners, and Royal Thai Government authorities to ensure effective protection interventions and durable solutions.

The incumbent will: • Provide technical guidance and support capacity-building activities, including developing training materials and conducting trainings for CBOs, NGOs and authorities engaged in protection-related activities. • Monitor and collect accurate, AGD-sensitive data, on implementation of the “Right to Work” policy to inform protection strategies. • Prepare statistical and analytical reports to maintain accurate and timely information on protection trends. • Identify persons of concern with specific protection needs, manage individual cases, and coordinate referrals for appropriate interventions or durable solutions. • Conduct regular field visits to interview and counsel persons of concern, share relevant information, distribute Core Relief Items, and follow up on cases. • Accompany and interpret for senior staff during meetings with refugees and camp authorities. • Enter and update data in ProGres and update dashboards using the Kobo tool. • Draft routine correspondence, meeting minutes, and reports, and maintain organized filing systems. • Monitor developments in Myanmar and Thailand—security, political, and social—that may impact UNHCR’s work, using media and community networks. • Perform other related duties as required.

3. Monitoring and Progress Controls

• Level of confidence among the community of concern in accessing the “Right to Work” policy and State services. • Effectiveness in strengthening and supporting the capacities of CBOs, NGOs, and authorities through training and technical guidance. • Accuracy and timeliness of AGD-sensitive data collection and reporting on implementation of the “Right to Work” policy. • Level of trust and collaboration built with CBOs, camp authorities, and Royal Thai Government counterparts. • Efficiency in providing information and counseling to persons of concern and maintaining up-to-date data in ProGres and dashboards (Kobo). • Number and quality of training activities conducted or facilitated for stakeholders. • Effectiveness and timeliness in follow-up and referral of cases to other UNHCR units and external partners for protection interventions or durable solutions. • Quality and consistency of field presence and engagement with communities of concern. • Ability to monitor and report on developments in Myanmar and Thailand that impact protection strategies.

4. Qualifications and Experience

Education Completion of secondary education is the minimum requirement with 1-year of experience or Bachelor’s degree. Skills • Computer skills (MS Office, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access) • Fluency in English and Karen and/or Burmese and/or Karreni mandatory. Working knowledge of Thai essential. • Knowledge of ProGres and completion of UNHCR specific learning/training activities will be an advantage

• Familiarity with UNHCR’s administrative/financial rules, procedures and processes is an assetStandard Job Description

Protection Assistant

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships The Protection Assistant normally reports to a more senior Protection colleague. The incumbent provides functional and administrative support to the protection unit on protection related liaison, correspondence, monitoring, case management and reporting activities.

The Protection Assistant also supports the protection unit in designing a comprehensive protection strategy and in providing quality, timely and effective protection responses to persons of concern (PoC). S/he may liaise externally with local authorities and partners on correspondence and/or protection issues as guided by the supervisor.

The Protection Assistant also facilitates the involvement of PoC in making decisions that affect them, whether in accessing their rights or in identifying appropriate solutions to their problems. To achieve this, the incumbent will need to build and maintain effective interfaces with communities of concern, local authorities and protection and assistance partners.

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 - Consistently apply International and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards and codes of conduct. - Observe and respect protection related Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). - Provide functional and administrative support in all protection related AGD based programming with implementing and operational partners. - Provide functional and administrative support in implementing participatory approaches, needs assessments, monitoring, reporting and case management. - Support assessments on durable solutions through voluntary repatriation, local integration and where appropriate, resettlement. - Facilitate liaison with competent authorities for the issuance of personal and other relevant documents. - Assist in drafting reports, routine correspondence, updating relevant databases and compiling statistics within the Area of Responsibility (AoR). - Select PoC for preliminary interviews and decide which relevant information to share. - Enforce integrity in the delivery of protection services by local implementing partners.

- 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 Years of Experience / Degree Level For G4 - 1 year relevant experience with High School Diploma; or Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education Not applicable

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

Relevant Job Experience Essential: Not specified. Desirable: Not specified.

Functional Skills PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework IT-Computer Literacy (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

,

,

Desired Languages

Burmese,

Thai,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

IT-Computer Literacy, PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators, PR-Refugee Protection Principles and FrameworkEducation

Certifications

HCR Learning Program - UNHCR, HCR Protection Induction Prog - UNHCRWork 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 3 months ago - Source: unhcr.org