Protection Associate

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, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people. UNHCR operates in over 130 countries and has a workforce of more than 18,000 staff members. 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 works to safeguard the rights of refugees and other displaced persons, providing them with assistance and protection, and advocating for durable solutions to their plight.

Job Overview:
The Protection Associate position is crucial within UNHCR, focusing on monitoring and implementing protection standards and operational procedures in line with international standards. The incumbent will be responsible for providing functional protection support to information management and program staff, ensuring that protection responses are timely, effective, and of high quality. The role requires a proactive approach to identifying opportunities for integrating protection methodologies into operational responses across various sectors. The Protection Associate will also contribute to the development of a comprehensive protection strategy and engage with external authorities and partners to align on protection policies. A key aspect of the role is to ensure that populations of concern (PoC) are actively involved in decision-making processes that affect their rights and access to solutions, thereby fostering a participatory approach to protection.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Protection Associate will be tasked with several critical duties, including staying informed about political, social, economic, and cultural developments that impact the protection environment. They will apply international and national laws, as well as UN/UNHCR policies and standards, to provide advice on protection issues to PoC. The role involves conducting eligibility and status determinations for PoC, contributing to measures aimed at preventing statelessness, and developing country-level child protection and education plans. The Protection Associate will monitor Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for protection activities, manage individual protection cases, and assist in identifying durable solutions for PoC. They will also facilitate effective information management by providing disaggregated data on PoC and their challenges, and participate in initiatives to strengthen national protection legislation and procedures. Additionally, the Protection Associate will assist supervisors in prioritizing PoC for interviews and counseling, ensuring compliance with global protection policies, and submitting payment requests for PoC.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Protection Associate position must possess a strong understanding of international protection principles and frameworks. They should have relevant work experience in protection, particularly in contexts involving internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees, and other forcibly displaced individuals. Knowledge of the legal and regulatory frameworks concerning displaced persons is essential, along with experience in multi-stakeholder collaboration and coordination. The role requires innovative and creative skills, as well as the ability to work effectively in a team environment. Familiarity with the local context in Northeast Nigeria is highly desirable, as is experience working with local authorities and civil society organizations.

Educational Background:
A university degree in law, social or political science, development, international relations, or a related field is required for this position. Candidates with a high school diploma must have at least three years of relevant experience, while those with a bachelor's degree or higher must have at least two years of relevant work experience. Certifications in international law or political science are considered advantageous.

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. Experience in protection-related roles, particularly in humanitarian contexts, is essential. Familiarity with the challenges faced by PoC in Northeast Nigeria and previous work with UN agencies or similar organizations will be beneficial.

Languages:
Knowledge of English is mandatory, along with proficiency in the UN working language of the duty station, which in this case is likely to be English. Additionally, knowledge of local languages such as Hausa and Kanuri is desirable, as it will facilitate communication with the populations of concern and enhance the effectiveness of protection interventions.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as a UNOPS LICA6 role, with a target start date of February 1, 202

• The position is not remote and is based in Yola, Nigeria. The role is categorized under the non-family category, indicating that staff members will not be accompanied by family members. UNHCR encourages applications from qualified female candidates and is committed to workforce diversity. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities upon request. A written test may be administered as part of the recruitment process.