UNOPS Senior Protection Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is a global organization dedicated to protecting the rights and well-being of refugees, asylum-seekers, and stateless persons. Established in 1950, UNHCR works to ensure that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another country. The organization is committed to providing life-saving assistance and advocating for the rights of displaced individuals. UNHCR operates in over 130 countries, with a workforce of more than 18,000 staff members, and is focused on delivering protection, assistance, and solutions to displaced people worldwide. In Ecuador, UNHCR aims to deliver protection and assistance to a variety of displaced people, including asylum-seekers and refugees, in partnership with national authorities, NGOs, and local communities. The organization has a strong presence in Ecuador, with field offices in Guayaquil and Tulcán, and field units in Esmeraldas, Manta, and Lago Agrio, addressing the needs of over 440,000 Venezuelan refugees and migrants, as well as Colombian refugees.

Job Overview:
The Senior Protection Assistant position is crucial for monitoring protection standards and operational procedures in line with international standards. The incumbent will provide functional protection support to information management and program staff, ensuring quality, timely, and effective protection support to persons of concern (PoC). This role involves identifying opportunities to mainstream protection methodologies and safeguards in operational responses, contributing to the design of a comprehensive protection strategy, and liaising with local authorities and partners on protection issues. The Senior Protection Assistant will also ensure that PoC are actively involved in decision-making processes that affect their rights and solutions to their problems. Building and maintaining effective relationships with communities of concern, local authorities, and protection partners is essential for success in this role. The position requires a strong commitment to UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity, and respect for diversity, as well as adherence to the regulatory framework of UNHCR.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Protection Assistant will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including: consistently applying International and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards, and codes of conduct; providing counseling on protection issues to PoC; liaising with competent authorities to ensure the issuance of personal and other relevant documentation; supporting activities in protection-related AGD-based programming with implementing and operational partners; conducting preliminary information gathering and interviews in support of eligibility, status determination, durable solutions, and social needs assessments; contributing to measures to identify, prevent, and reduce statelessness; contributing to a country-level child protection plan and education plan for PoC; monitoring Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all protection/solutions activities; participating in individual protection case management, including cases of GBV and child protection; monitoring and reporting on cases of refoulement, expulsion, and other protection incidents; assisting in identifying durable solutions for PoC; contributing to the design, implementation, and evaluation of protection-related AGD-based programming; drafting reports and routine correspondence; updating relevant databases and compiling statistics; contributing to initiatives to enhance national and local protection capacities; selecting PoC for preliminary interviews; enforcing integrity in the delivery of protection services; and performing other related duties as required.

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-Computer Literacy, knowledge of protection-related guidelines, standards, and indicators, and familiarity with Refugee Protection Principles and Framework. Knowledge of English is desirable, and candidates should demonstrate core competencies such as accountability, communication, organizational awareness, teamwork and collaboration, commitment to continuous learning, and client and result orientation. Additionally, candidates should exhibit analytical thinking, political awareness, and stakeholder management skills.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a High School Diploma for candidates with 2 years of relevant experience or a Bachelor's degree or higher for those with 1 year of relevant experience. While specific fields of education are not applicable, certifications in International Law and Political Science are beneficial.

Experience:
The position requires 2 years of relevant experience with a High School Diploma or 1 year of relevant work experience with a Bachelor's degree or higher. Candidates should have experience in protection-related roles, particularly in contexts involving refugees and asylum-seekers, and should be familiar with the operational challenges faced by displaced populations.

Languages:
Knowledge of English is desirable for this position. Candidates should also be proficient in the UN working language of the duty station, which is Spanish in Ecuador. Knowledge of local languages may also be beneficial, depending on the community served.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as Local Support, LICA 5, and is expected to start on February 1, 2026, with a contract duration from February 1 to April 30, 202

• Candidates must have a temporary or permanent residence in Ecuador that allows them to work in the country. If recommended, candidates must submit a current and updated RUC Unique Taxpayer Registry and a voluntary contribution certificate to the Ecuadorian Institute of Social security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security (IESS). The salary offered is in net terms, and UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.