Associate Protection Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is UNHCR, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, which was established in 195

• The organization is dedicated to protecting the rights and well-being of refugees and displaced persons worldwide. UNHCR operates in over 130 countries and has a workforce of more than 18,000 employees. Its mission is to ensure that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another country, and to return home voluntarily, integrate locally, or resettle in a third country. UNHCR is committed to promoting international protection and finding durable solutions for refugees and displaced persons.

Job Overview:
The Associate Protection Officer position is crucial for ensuring effective protection responses to the needs of forcibly displaced and stateless persons. The incumbent will report to the Protection Officer or Senior Protection Officer and may supervise protection staff. The role involves providing functional protection guidance on various legal matters, including statelessness, child protection, and gender-based violence. The Associate Protection Officer is expected to coordinate timely protection responses, engage with communities of concern, and represent UNHCR externally on protection policies. The position requires strong reporting skills, the ability to work with local authorities, and experience in developing protection strategies and implementing programs. The incumbent will also be responsible for ensuring that operational responses integrate protection methodologies and safeguards, contributing to the design of comprehensive protection strategies, and ensuring meaningful engagement of displaced persons in decision-making processes.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Associate Protection Officer include staying informed about political, social, economic, and cultural developments affecting the protection environment, promoting international and national law, providing legal advice to displaced persons, conducting eligibility and status determinations, and implementing standard operating procedures for protection activities. The incumbent will oversee individual protection cases, recommend durable solutions, facilitate participatory assessments, and promote community-based approaches to protection. Additionally, the Associate Protection Officer will support risk management activities related to sexual exploitation and abuse, engage with authorities on protection issues, and ensure compliance with global protection policies and standards. The role also involves managing risks and opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility and performing other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a minimum of three years of relevant experience with an undergraduate degree, two years with a graduate degree, or one year with a doctorate. Essential qualifications include professional experience in refugee protection, internal displacement, human rights, or international humanitarian law, along with a good knowledge of international refugee and human rights law. Desirable qualifications include field experience working directly with communities and good IT skills, including database management. The incumbent must possess functional skills in protection-related guidelines, age, gender, and diversity, gender-based violence coordination, project management, and international humanitarian law.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have a degree in Law, International Law, Political Sciences, or a related field. A Bachelor of Arts in International Law, Law, or Political Science is preferred. The educational background should provide a solid foundation in legal principles and human rights standards relevant to the protection of forcibly displaced persons.

Experience:
The Associate Protection Officer should have a minimum of three years of relevant professional experience in the field of refugee protection, internal displacement, or human rights. Experience in conducting assessments, developing protection strategies, and implementing programs is essential. Field experience, particularly in working directly with affected communities, is highly desirable. The candidate should also have a good understanding of international protection principles and the ability to apply relevant legal frameworks in practice.

Languages:
Knowledge of French is mandatory for this position, as it is the UN working language in Chad. Proficiency in English is desirable but not mandatory. Candidates should be able to communicate effectively in both languages, especially in the context of legal and protection-related matters.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as an International Expert UN Volunteer role, with a target start date of January 1, 202

• The position is not remote and is based in Chad, which has a hardship level of E (most hardship). The family type for this position is non-family with residential location. The application deadline is December 16, 202
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, and they may be invited to undertake written and/or oral tests as part of the selection process.