Senior Protection Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The UNHCR operation in Chile is part of a larger Multi-Country Office (MCO) based in Buenos Aires, Argentina, which also oversees operations in Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Established to address the needs of forcibly displaced populations, the UNHCR in Chile comprises approximately 25 personnel, including both national and international staff and affiliates. The organization is dedicated to providing protection and assistance to refugees and migrants, particularly in light of the increasing number of individuals seeking refuge in Chile due to various crises in their home countries. The UNHCR's mission is to safeguard the rights and well-being of those who have been forcibly displaced, ensuring they have access to protection, humanitarian assistance, and durable solutions. The organization collaborates closely with government institutions, civil society, municipalities, and private sector partners to achieve these goals, reflecting its commitment to uphold international protection standards and human rights obligations.

Job Overview:
The Senior Protection Assistant will play a crucial role in the UNHCR's efforts to provide legal protection and case management support to individuals in need. This position is vital in the context of Chile's evolving migration landscape, where the country has become a key destination for displaced populations, particularly from Venezuela, Peru, Colombia, Haiti, and Bolivia. The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Assistant Protection Officer, focusing on the analysis of complex cases, preparing legal summaries, and ensuring that documentation adheres to UNHCR standards. The role also involves following up on activities implemented by partners to ensure that individuals have access to their rights and services. The Senior Protection Assistant will contribute to capacity-building initiatives for local institutions and partners, facilitating training sessions on protection, asylum, and statelessness procedures. This position requires strong attention to detail, legal knowledge, and the ability to manage sensitive information effectively, all while demonstrating cultural sensitivity and organizational skills in a dynamic environment.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Protection Assistant will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including but not limited to: consistently applying International and National Law along with applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policies, standards, and codes of conduct; providing counseling on protection issues to persons of concern (PoC) and liaising with competent authorities to ensure the issuance of necessary documentation; supporting protection-related activities with implementing and operational partners; conducting preliminary information gathering and interviews to support eligibility, status determination, and social needs assessments; contributing to measures aimed at identifying, preventing, and reducing statelessness; participating in individual protection case management, including cases of gender-based violence (GBV) and child protection; monitoring and reporting on cases of refoulement and other protection incidents; assisting in identifying durable solutions for PoC; drafting reports and routine correspondence; and contributing to initiatives that enhance national and local protection capacities. The incumbent will also ensure that PoC are involved in decision-making processes that affect them, thereby fostering a participatory approach to protection.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience with a High School Diploma, or 1 year of relevant work experience with a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent. Essential functional skills include IT literacy, knowledge of protection-related guidelines, standards, and indicators, as well as an understanding of refugee protection principles and frameworks. The position requires a strong commitment to upholding the rights and dignity of individuals in need of protection, alongside the ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a High School Diploma as a minimum, with a Bachelor’s degree or higher being advantageous. Relevant fields of study include International Law and Political Science, among others. Certifications in these areas are considered essential for the role, as they provide the necessary theoretical foundation for understanding the complexities of protection and humanitarian assistance.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have at least 2 years of relevant experience if they hold a High School Diploma, or 1 year of relevant experience if they possess a Bachelor’s degree or higher. This experience should ideally be in a protection-related field, demonstrating familiarity with the challenges faced by forcibly displaced populations and the legal frameworks that govern their rights and protections.

Languages:
Proficiency in Spanish is mandatory, as it is the local language of the duty station. Knowledge of English is also required, as it is one of the UN's working languages. Additional language skills may be beneficial but are not explicitly required for this position.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified under the UNOPS LICA5 category and is not remote. The target start date for the role is February 1, 202

• The position is full-time and involves working closely with various stakeholders, including government entities and civil society organizations, to ensure effective protection and assistance for individuals in need. The role also emphasizes the importance of maintaining a safe and respectful working environment, free from discrimination and harassment, in line with UNHCR's core values.