Assistant Protection Officer
Job Description
Job Posting Organization:
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to protecting people who are forced to flee their homes due to conflict and persecution. Established in 1950, UNHCR operates in over 130 countries, providing life-saving support and safeguarding fundamental human rights for millions of displaced individuals. The organization aims to help these individuals build a better future, and its mission is to ensure that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another country. UNHCR's work is guided by the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence, and it collaborates with various stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, and civil society, to promote the rights of forcibly displaced and stateless persons. In Latvia, UNHCR maintains a small presence in Riga, working closely with government authorities and local partners to address the needs of displaced populations.
Job Overview:
The Assistant Protection Officer is a key position within UNHCR, reporting to the Protection Officer or Senior Protection Officer. This role involves providing functional protection guidance to information management and program staff on various protection and legal matters. The incumbent is responsible for ensuring that operational responses in all sectors mainstream protection methodologies and integrate protection safeguards. The Assistant Protection Officer will coordinate quality, timely, and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern (PoC), ensuring that their voices are heard in decisions affecting them. This includes contributing to the design of a comprehensive protection strategy and representing the organization externally on protection doctrine and policy. The role requires building and maintaining effective relationships with communities of concern, authorities, and partners to enhance protection efforts.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Assistant Protection Officer will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including: staying informed about political, social, economic, and cultural developments impacting the protection environment; applying international and national law, as well as UN/UNHCR policies; providing legal advice and guidance to PoC; conducting eligibility and status determination for PoC; promoting measures to prevent and reduce statelessness; contributing to child protection and education plans; managing individual protection cases, including those related to GBV and child protection; recommending durable solutions for PoC; facilitating effective information management; assisting in capacity-building initiatives; and intervening with authorities on protection issues. The incumbent will also support the supervisor in prioritizing reception and counseling for individuals and groups, ensuring compliance with global protection policies, and managing risks in the area of responsibility.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of 1 year of relevant experience with an undergraduate degree, or no experience with a graduate or doctorate degree. Essential qualifications include knowledge of International Refugee and Human Rights Law and the ability to apply relevant legal principles. Desirable qualifications include experience in protection-related guidelines, standards, and indicators, as well as project management skills. The role requires strong analytical and facilitation skills, as well as the ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.
Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a degree in Law, International Law, Political Sciences, or a related field. Candidates with a Bachelor of Arts in International Law, Law, or Political Science are preferred. Advanced degrees may be considered in lieu of experience, particularly for candidates with graduate or doctorate degrees.
Experience:
The position requires at least 1 year of relevant experience for candidates with an undergraduate degree. For those with a graduate or doctorate degree, no prior experience is necessary. The experience should be related to protection issues, legal frameworks, and working with displaced populations or in humanitarian contexts.
Languages:
Fluency in Latvian and English is essential for this position. Knowledge of Russian, Ukrainian, or other UN languages is considered an asset. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in the required languages to effectively communicate with diverse populations and stakeholders.
Additional Notes:
This is a temporary appointment until December 31, 2025, with the possibility of extension. The position is open to both internal and external applicants, and candidates must be citizens of Latvia at the time of application. The deadline for applications is July 22, 2025, at 23:5
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to protecting people who are forced to flee their homes due to conflict and persecution. Established in 1950, UNHCR operates in over 130 countries, providing life-saving support and safeguarding fundamental human rights for millions of displaced individuals. The organization aims to help these individuals build a better future, and its mission is to ensure that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another country. UNHCR's work is guided by the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence, and it collaborates with various stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, and civil society, to promote the rights of forcibly displaced and stateless persons. In Latvia, UNHCR maintains a small presence in Riga, working closely with government authorities and local partners to address the needs of displaced populations.
Job Overview:
The Assistant Protection Officer is a key position within UNHCR, reporting to the Protection Officer or Senior Protection Officer. This role involves providing functional protection guidance to information management and program staff on various protection and legal matters. The incumbent is responsible for ensuring that operational responses in all sectors mainstream protection methodologies and integrate protection safeguards. The Assistant Protection Officer will coordinate quality, timely, and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern (PoC), ensuring that their voices are heard in decisions affecting them. This includes contributing to the design of a comprehensive protection strategy and representing the organization externally on protection doctrine and policy. The role requires building and maintaining effective relationships with communities of concern, authorities, and partners to enhance protection efforts.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Assistant Protection Officer will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including: staying informed about political, social, economic, and cultural developments impacting the protection environment; applying international and national law, as well as UN/UNHCR policies; providing legal advice and guidance to PoC; conducting eligibility and status determination for PoC; promoting measures to prevent and reduce statelessness; contributing to child protection and education plans; managing individual protection cases, including those related to GBV and child protection; recommending durable solutions for PoC; facilitating effective information management; assisting in capacity-building initiatives; and intervening with authorities on protection issues. The incumbent will also support the supervisor in prioritizing reception and counseling for individuals and groups, ensuring compliance with global protection policies, and managing risks in the area of responsibility.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of 1 year of relevant experience with an undergraduate degree, or no experience with a graduate or doctorate degree. Essential qualifications include knowledge of International Refugee and Human Rights Law and the ability to apply relevant legal principles. Desirable qualifications include experience in protection-related guidelines, standards, and indicators, as well as project management skills. The role requires strong analytical and facilitation skills, as well as the ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.
Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a degree in Law, International Law, Political Sciences, or a related field. Candidates with a Bachelor of Arts in International Law, Law, or Political Science are preferred. Advanced degrees may be considered in lieu of experience, particularly for candidates with graduate or doctorate degrees.
Experience:
The position requires at least 1 year of relevant experience for candidates with an undergraduate degree. For those with a graduate or doctorate degree, no prior experience is necessary. The experience should be related to protection issues, legal frameworks, and working with displaced populations or in humanitarian contexts.
Languages:
Fluency in Latvian and English is essential for this position. Knowledge of Russian, Ukrainian, or other UN languages is considered an asset. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in the required languages to effectively communicate with diverse populations and stakeholders.
Additional Notes:
This is a temporary appointment until December 31, 2025, with the possibility of extension. The position is open to both internal and external applicants, and candidates must be citizens of Latvia at the time of application. The deadline for applications is July 22, 2025, at 23:5
- UNHCR does not charge any fees during the recruitment process, and only shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview. The organization is committed to maintaining a diverse workforce and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
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We are not liable for any decisions or actions taken by applicants in response to this job listing. By applying, you agree that all application processes, interviews, and potential job offers are managed exclusively by the listed employer or organization.
Beware of fraudulent job offers. Do not provide sensitive personal information or make any payments to secure a job.