Assistant Protection Cluster Coordination Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has been operational in Ukraine since 1994, significantly increasing its presence and response efforts following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 202

• The organization is dedicated to providing protection and assistance to refugees and displaced persons, and it operates in various capacities across the country. UNHCR's mission is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees, asylum-seekers, and stateless individuals, ensuring that they find safety and support in their time of need. The organization has expanded its geographical presence within Ukraine, establishing offices in major cities including Kyiv, Dnipro, L’viv, Odesa, and Kharkiv. As of 2025, UNHCR is actively involved in addressing the urgent humanitarian needs of over 12.7 million people affected by the ongoing conflict, working closely with local authorities and humanitarian partners to deliver essential services and support.

Job Overview:
The Assistant Protection coordination-officer" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Cluster Coordination Officer plays a crucial role in supporting UNHCR's efforts to coordinate protection responses in complex humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters. This position is integral to ensuring that protection considerations are embedded within the overall humanitarian response, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The incumbent will work closely with the Protection Cluster Coordinator and other stakeholders to facilitate effective coordination, advocacy, and strategy development. The role requires a strong understanding of international refugee and human rights law, as well as the ability to engage with various partners, including government authorities, civil society, and humanitarian organizations. The Assistant Protection Cluster Coordination Officer is expected to contribute to the development of protection policies and standards, support the implementation of protection mainstreaming initiatives, and assist in the organization of protection training activities for cluster members and local partners. This position demands high standards of accountability, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills, as well as a commitment to fostering collaboration and partnership within the protection community.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Assistant Protection Cluster Coordination Officer will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including but not limited to: supporting the Protection Cluster in ensuring that protection informs and shapes the overall humanitarian response; participating in cluster meetings and ensuring they are consultative and results-oriented; coordinating with government counterparts and relevant authorities; conducting protection needs assessments; providing inputs for funding criteria and resource mobilization; assisting in the delivery of protection training activities; contributing to the development of global protection policy and standards; supporting reporting and information sharing within the Protection Cluster; drafting reports and advocacy statements; facilitating cluster meetings and cooperation with sub-groups; managing risks and identifying opportunities impacting objectives; and performing other related duties as required. The incumbent will also be expected to engage with partners implementing legal assistance, psychosocial-support" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">psychosocial support, and community-based protection programming, ensuring effective coordination and collaboration across sectors.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong knowledge of International Refugee and Human Rights Law, with a minimum of one year of relevant experience for those holding an undergraduate degree, or no experience required for those with a graduate or doctorate degree. Essential functional skills include a solid understanding of human rights law and international refugee law. The ideal candidate should demonstrate strong communication skills, operational knowledge, and the ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders, including government institutions and humanitarian partners. Familiarity with protection response and humanitarian coordination tools is desirable, as is experience in protection programming and advocacy.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a degree in Law, International Law, Political Science, or a related field. Candidates with advanced degrees (graduate or doctorate) are encouraged to apply, as they may be considered for the position without prior experience. Relevant certifications, such as the HCR Coordination Learning Program and Tri-Cluster Knowledge/Coordination Skills, are essential for this role.

Experience:
The position requires at least one year of relevant experience for candidates with an undergraduate degree. Candidates with a graduate or doctorate degree may apply without prior experience. Experience in protection response and humanitarian coordination is highly valued, as is familiarity with the operational context of humanitarian emergencies and the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, along with knowledge of the UN working language of the duty station if it is not English. For national professional jobs, knowledge of the local language is also required. The expected overall language ability is at least B2 level in Ukrainian and English, with additional languages considered a plus.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as a National Professional Officer role at the NOA grade level, with a target start date of November 1, 202

• The position is based in Kharkiv, Ukraine, with potential responsibilities in Budapest, Hungary. The role is full-time and involves working in a challenging security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security environment due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Candidates should be prepared for a dynamic operational context, including the possibility of working in high-risk areas and adapting to changing security conditions. The position does not require functional clearance.