Senior Protection Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is UNOPS, which stands for the United Nations Office for Project Services. Established to support the implementation of projects and programs in various sectors, UNOPS aims to provide efficient and effective project management services to its partners. The organization operates in multiple countries around the world, focusing on humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding efforts. UNOPS is committed to delivering sustainable solutions and enhancing the capacity of local partners through its projects. The organization employs a diverse workforce and collaborates with various stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, and the private sector, to achieve its mission of supporting peace and development.

Job Overview:
The Senior Protection Assistant position is crucial for ensuring the protection of refugees and asylum seekers in Libya. The incumbent will report to a more senior Protection colleague and will be responsible for monitoring protection standards and operational procedures in line with international standards. This role involves providing functional protection support to information management and program staff, ensuring that protection methodologies are integrated into operational responses. The Senior Protection Assistant will also be tasked with designing a comprehensive protection strategy and liaising with local authorities and partners on protection issues. A key aspect of this role is to ensure that refugees and asylum seekers are actively involved in decision-making processes that affect their rights and access to solutions. The incumbent will need to build and maintain effective relationships with communities of concern, local authorities, and protection partners to facilitate this involvement. Additionally, the role includes performing child protection and gender-based violence (GBV) case management activities alongside general protection responsibilities, making it essential for the candidate to have a strong understanding of these areas.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Senior Protection Assistant include consistently applying international and national laws, as well as UN/UNHCR and IASC policies and standards. The incumbent will establish strong relationships with local authorities to facilitate access to services for forcibly displaced and stateless people (FDSP) and explore short-term solutions. Responsibilities also include creating service mappings to identify service providers, providing counseling on protection issues, and liaising with authorities for documentation issuance. The Senior Protection Assistant will support AGD-based programming with partners, conduct preliminary information gathering and interviews for eligibility and needs assessments, and implement measures to prevent and reduce statelessness. The role requires contributing to a country-level child protection plan, monitoring standard operating procedures for protection activities, and participating in individual protection case management, particularly for GBV and child protection cases. The incumbent will ensure compliance with UNHCR’s policies on child protection, GBV, and accountability to affected populations, conduct awareness-raising sessions, strengthen referral pathways for GBV survivors, and consult with children and communities on child protection issues. Additional responsibilities include monitoring and reporting on protection incidents, drafting reports, updating databases, and contributing to initiatives that enhance local protection capacities.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Senior Protection Assistant position include 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. The candidate should possess functional skills in IT and computer literacy, as well as knowledge of protection-related guidelines, standards, and indicators. Familiarity with refugee protection principles and frameworks is also essential. Core competencies required for this role include accountability, communication, organizational awareness, teamwork and collaboration, commitment to continuous learning, and client and result orientation. Additionally, cross-functional competencies such as analytical thinking, political awareness, and stakeholder management are desired.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a High School Diploma as a minimum, with a Bachelor’s degree being preferred. The educational qualifications should be complemented by relevant training or certifications in protection, social work, or related fields, which would enhance the candidate's ability to perform effectively in this role.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in protection monitoring and outreach, preferably with UNHCR, international NGOs, or local NGOs. Experience in protection case management, particularly focusing on child protection and GBV, is highly advantageous. Familiarity with psychological first aid and psychosocial-support" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">psychosocial support within child protection contexts is also desirable. Experience working in remote areas like Al-Kufra is beneficial, as is an understanding of UNHCR reporting and assistance systems, including RAIS and V4.

Languages:
The mandatory languages for this position are Arabic and English. Proficiency in both languages is essential for effective communication and documentation. Additional languages may be considered an asset but are not required for this role.

Additional Notes:
This position does not require a functional clearance and is not remote. The role is classified under the UNOPS LICA5 staff member type, indicating a level of seniority and responsibility. The target start date for the position is February 1, 2026, and the deadline for applications is February 3, 202

• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply, reflecting the organization's commitment to gender equality and diversity in the workplace.