Protection Associate

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is UNOPS, which stands for the United Nations Office for Project Services. Established in 1973, UNOPS is dedicated to helping people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development. The organization operates in over 80 countries and has a workforce of more than 20,000 personnel. UNOPS focuses on project management, infrastructure, and procurement services, ensuring that projects are delivered efficiently and effectively to meet the needs of communities and governments. The mission of UNOPS is to provide operational support to the United Nations and its partners, ensuring that projects are implemented in a manner that is transparent, accountable, and sustainable.

Job Overview:
The Protection Associate position is a critical role within UNOPS, primarily focused on monitoring and enhancing protection standards and operational procedures in line with international standards. The incumbent will report to the Protection Officer or Senior Protection Officer and is expected to provide functional protection support to information management and program staff. The role involves coordinating timely and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern (PoC), ensuring that protection methodologies are integrated into operational responses across various sectors. The Protection Associate will also play a vital role in designing comprehensive protection strategies and liaising with external authorities and partners on protection policies. A key expectation is to ensure that PoC are actively involved in decision-making processes that affect their rights and access to solutions for their challenges. This position requires a commitment to working collaboratively with communities, local authorities, and protection partners to enhance the overall protection environment.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Protection Associate include staying informed about political, social, economic, and cultural developments that impact the protection environment. The incumbent will consistently apply international and national laws, as well as UN/UNHCR policies and standards. They will assist in providing feedback on existing and draft legislation related to PoC and offer advice on protection issues while liaising with competent authorities for necessary documentation. The Protection Associate will conduct eligibility and status determinations for PoC, contribute to measures aimed at preventing and reducing statelessness, and assist in developing country-level child protection and education plans. They will monitor Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for protection activities, manage individual protection cases, and intervene in cases of refoulement and other protection incidents. The role also involves identifying durable solutions for PoC, contributing to the design and evaluation of protection-related programming, and facilitating effective information management through disaggregated data. The Protection Associate will assist in prioritizing PoC for interviews and counseling, enforce compliance with protection policies, and submit payment requests for PoC. Additionally, they will support risk management and decision-making processes within their area of responsibility.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Protection Associate position include a minimum of three years of relevant experience with a High School Diploma, or two years of relevant work experience with a Bachelor’s degree or higher. Candidates should possess knowledge in law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">International Law, Political Science, or a related field. Essential functional skills include IT literacy and familiarity with refugee protection principles and guidelines. The role demands a strong understanding of protection-related standards and indicators, as well as the ability to apply these in practice. Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to the core values of professionalism, integrity, and respect for diversity, as well as the ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment.

Educational Background:
Candidates for the Protection Associate position should have a High School Diploma as a minimum requirement, with a preference for those holding a Bachelor’s degree or higher in relevant fields such as International Law or Political Science. While specific certifications are not mandatory, having certifications related to international law or protection principles is considered advantageous. The educational background should equip candidates with the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to effectively address the challenges faced by populations of concern.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of three years of relevant experience for candidates with a High School Diploma, or two years of relevant experience for those with a Bachelor’s degree or higher. This experience should be in areas related to protection, community management, or similar fields. Candidates should demonstrate a proven track record of working effectively in challenging environments, particularly in roles that involve direct interaction with vulnerable populations and coordination with various stakeholders.

Languages:
For this position, knowledge of English is mandatory, along with proficiency in the UN working language of the duty station, which is Arabic in this case. Familiarity with local languages is considered an asset, as it enhances communication with the populations of concern and local authorities. Proficiency in additional languages may also be beneficial, depending on the specific context of the role.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified under the UNOPS LICA6 category, indicating a level of seniority and responsibility. The target start date for the role is October 13, 2025, and the application deadline is set for October 18, 202

• The position is not remote and requires the incumbent to report to the office at 5:00 am for crowd control and management duties. The role is full-time and may involve working with families, as indicated by the family type classification. The hardship level for this position is categorized as A, indicating a lower level of hardship in the duty station.