Senior Protection Assistant

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

• The organization is dedicated to saving lives and protecting the rights of refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people. UNHCR works in over 130 countries and has a workforce of more than 18,000 staff members. The organization aims to ensure that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another state, and to return home voluntarily. UNHCR also strives to help integrate refugees into their host communities and to find durable solutions for their plight.

Job Overview:
The Senior Protection Assistant position is crucial within the UNHCR framework, focusing on providing protection support to persons of concern (PoC). The incumbent will be responsible for monitoring protection standards and operational procedures, ensuring that they align with international standards. This role involves functional protection support to information management and program staff, contributing to the design of comprehensive protection strategies, 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. This position requires strong adaptability and flexibility, as it operates in a dynamic work environment, particularly in border areas where humanitarian action is critical.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties of the Senior Protection Assistant include consistently applying international and national law, providing counseling on protection issues, liaising with authorities for documentation issuance, supporting AGD-based programming, conducting preliminary information gathering and interviews, contributing to measures against statelessness, and developing country-level protection and education plans for PoC. The incumbent will monitor Standard Operating Procedures for protection activities, participate in individual case management, assist in identifying durable solutions for PoC, draft reports and correspondence, and contribute to enhancing national and local protection capacities. Additionally, the Senior Protection Assistant will enforce integrity in service delivery and manage risks impacting objectives in their area of responsibility.

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 higher. Essential functional skills include IT literacy, knowledge of protection-related guidelines, and understanding of refugee protection principles. Candidates should demonstrate strong adaptability, flexibility, and the ability to work in a dynamic environment. Knowledge of community-based protection and experience in monitoring and evaluation are also important.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a High School Diploma as a minimum, with a Bachelor’s degree in relevant fields such as International Law or Political Science being advantageous. Certifications in International Law or related fields are considered essential for this role, as they provide foundational knowledge necessary for effective performance in protection-related tasks.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience for candidates with a High School Diploma, or 1 year of relevant experience for those with a Bachelor’s degree or higher. Experience in protection interventions in humanitarian environments, case management, and working with UNHCR case management systems is highly desirable. Familiarity with monitoring and evaluation processes, as well as experience in humanitarian action in border areas, is considered an asset.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish is mandatory, along with a working knowledge of English at a minimum B2 level. Knowledge of local languages is also beneficial, as it enhances communication with the communities of concern and facilitates better understanding of their needs and rights.

Additional Notes:
This position is offered as a Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA) for a duration of six months, with the possibility of extension based on operational needs, budget, and performance. The role is based in Tumbes, Peru, and requires candidates to be legally present in the country at the time of application and appointment. The recruitment process includes a proof of vaccination against Covid-19 and a valid medical certificate. UNHCR does not charge any fees during the recruitment process, and all applications will be treated confidentially. The organization encourages applications from diverse backgrounds and aims to maintain an inclusive working environment.