Assistant Protection Cluster Coordination Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was established in 1950 with the mission to protect the rights and well-being of refugees and displaced persons. The organization operates in over 130 countries and has a workforce of more than 18,000 employees. UNHCR's primary goal is to ensure that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another country, and to return home voluntarily. The organization also works to promote solutions for refugees and displaced persons, including integration into host communities and resettlement to third countries.

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 in complex humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters. This position is integral to the coordination, strategy development, and advocacy functions of UNHCR as the Protection Cluster Lead Agency. The incumbent will report directly to a higher-grade Protection Cluster Coordination Officer and will be responsible for ensuring that protection informs and shapes the overall humanitarian response. The role involves working within the framework of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) and the Cluster Approach, reinforcing UNHCR's leadership within a diverse protection community. The Assistant Protection Cluster Coordination Officer will provide support in analysis, organization, and reporting, and will actively engage with sub-clusters or working groups coordinated by other agencies. The position requires high standards of accountability, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills, as well as a commitment to partnership and collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties of the Assistant Protection Cluster Coordination Officer include supporting the Protection Cluster to ensure that protection informs the overall humanitarian response, participating in consultative cluster meetings, coordinating with government counterparts, conducting protection needs assessments, providing inputs for funding criteria, assisting in protection training activities, contributing to the development of global protection policy, supporting reporting and information sharing, drafting reports and advocacy statements, facilitating cluster meetings, and managing risks related to the protection response. The incumbent will also be responsible for fostering a consistent interpretation of law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">international law and UNHCR policies, and for ensuring effective coordination and engagement for the implementation of protection activities.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a good knowledge of International Refugee and Human Rights Law. Essential functional skills include expertise in Human Rights Law and International Refugee Law. The position requires strong analytical thinking, communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment. Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning and have a client and results-oriented approach.

Educational Background:
The minimum educational requirement for this position is an undergraduate degree in Law, International Law, Political Sciences, or a related field. A graduate degree or doctorate in a relevant field is preferred but not mandatory. Candidates with relevant certifications, such as the HCR Coordination Learning Program, will be given preference.

Experience:
For the P1/NOA level, candidates should have at least one year of relevant experience with an undergraduate degree, or no experience with a graduate or doctorate degree. Experience in protection response, coordination, and advocacy in an IDP context is essential, particularly in direct engagement with partners and government authorities. Familiarity with protection analysis and cluster tools is desirable.

Languages:
Knowledge of English is mandatory, along with the UN working language of the duty station if not English. For National Professional jobs, knowledge of the local language is also required. Candidates should have at least a B2 level proficiency in required languages, which include Ukrainian and English. Additional languages may be considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as a National Professional Officer role and is based in a non-family duty station with a hardship level of E. The target start date for this position is November 1, 2025, and the application deadline is November 9, 202

• The role is full-time and may involve working in a high-stress environment due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Candidates should be prepared for a dynamic security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security environment and may need to work from alternative locations during emergencies. The position offers a competitive salary and benefits package, in line with UNHCR standards.