Protection Associate

Overview

Support the effective implementation of protection activities for asylum seekers.

You have:

• 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher
• Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
• Certificates in International Law, Political Science or other related field
• Protection Learning Programme experience is desirable
• IT-Computer Literacy required
• Knowledge of PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework is essential
• Knowledge of PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators is essential

Deadline for Applications

June 4, 2026Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

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

FamilyStaff Member / Affiliate Type

UNOPS LICA6Target Start Date

2026-06-01Terms of Reference

The ideal candidate is a highly motivated and field-oriented professional with demonstrated ability to support the effective implementation of protection activities in dynamic operational settings. They bring strong coordination skills and the ability to maintain a consistent presence in reception centers, ensuring timely identification and response to the needs of asylum seekers. The candidate excels in building and maintaining constructive relationships with government authorities, partners, and service providers to facilitate access to protection and humanitarian assistance. Additionally, they have experience in leading and developing teams, promoting a collaborative, results-oriented work environment aligned with UNHCR values and standards. Also demonstrate empathy, cultural sensitivity, and professionalism when working with diverse populations, particularly those in at-risk situations.

They possess solid case management skills, including the ability to assess needs, refer individuals to appropriate partners, and closely monitor the quality and timeliness of assistance provided. Experience in supporting vulnerable populations through targeted interventions—such as the delivery of non-cash assistance—is essential, alongside a strong sense of accountability and attention to detail. The candidate is proactive in following up with stakeholders to enhance access to livelihoods opportunities, demonstrating a solutions-oriented approach that promotes self-reliance and inclusion.

In addition, the candidate shows empathy, cultural sensitivity, and professionalism when working with diverse populations, including those in vulnerable situations. They are well-organized, adaptable, and capable of managing multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment while ensuring compliance with protection principles and operational standards. Strong communication, coordination, and problem-solving skills, combined with a commitment to humanitarian values and teamwork, are critical for success in this role.Standard Job Description

Protection Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships The Protection Associate normally reports to the Protection Officer or the Senior Protection Officer. The incumbent monitors protection standards, operational procedures and practices in protection delivery in line with international standards and provides functional protection support to information management and programme staff.

The Protection Associate is expected to coordinate quality, timely and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern (PoC) and identify opportunities to mainstream protection methodologies and integrate protection safeguards in operational responses in all sectors. S/he contributes to designing a comprehensive protection strategy and liaises externally with authorities and partners on protection doctrine and policy as guided by the supervisor.

The Protection Associate also ensures that PoC are involved 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 - Stay abreast of political, social, economic and cultural developments that have an impact on the protection environment. - Consistently apply International and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards and codes of conduct. - Assist in providing comments on existing and draft legislation related to PoC. - Provide advice on protection issues to PoC; liaise with competent authorities to ensure the issuance of personal and other relevant documentation. - Assist in conducting eligibility and status determination for PoC. - Contribute to measures to identify, prevent and reduce statelessness. - Contribute to a country-level child protection plan as part of the protection strategy. - Contribute to a country-level education plan as part of the protection strategy. - Monitor Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all protection/solutions activities. - Manage individual protection cases including those on GBV and child protection. Monitor, and intervene in cases of refoulement, expulsion and other protection incidents. - Assist in identifying durable solutions for the largest possible number of PoC through voluntary repatriation, local integration and where appropriate, resettlement. - Contribute to the design, implementation and evaluation of protection related AGD based programming with implementing and operational partners. - Facilitate effective information management through the provision of disaggregated data on PoC and their problems. - Participate in initiatives to capacitate authorities, relevant institutions and NGOs to strengthen national protection related legislation and procedures. - Assist the supervisor in prioritizing PoC for interview, counselling and propose protection support for individual cases. - Assist the supervisor with enforcing compliance of local implementing partners with global protection policies and standards of professional integrity in the delivery of protection services. - Assit the supervisor with enforcing compliance with, and integrity of, all protection standard operating procedures. - Submit individual payments request for PoC for approval.

- 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 G6 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education Not applicable

Certificates and/or Licenses International Law, Political Science or other related field (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience Essential Not specified

Desirable Protection Learning Programme

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

Spanish,

English,

Desired Languages

,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

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

High school diploma (Required)Certifications

International Law - Other, Political Science - OtherWork Experience

Other information

n/aThis position doesn't require a functional clearance Remote

No

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Potential interview questions

Added 3 hours ago - Updated 3 hours ago - Source: unhcr.org