Protection Associate

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), which was established in 195

• Its mission is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees, asylum seekers, and stateless persons. UNHCR operates in over 130 countries and employs more than 18,000 staff members. The organization aims to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another state, as well as to return home voluntarily, integrate locally, or resettle in a third country.

Job Overview:
The Protection Associate position is critical within UNHCR, focusing on monitoring and ensuring protection standards in line with international laws and UNHCR policies. The incumbent will report to the Protection Officer or Senior Protection Officer and will be responsible for coordinating effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern (PoC). This role involves engaging with communities, local authorities, and partners to ensure that PoC are actively involved in decisions affecting their rights and solutions to their problems. The Protection Associate will also contribute to the development of comprehensive protection strategies and ensure that protection methodologies are integrated into operational responses across various sectors.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties of the Protection Associate include staying informed about political, social, economic, and cultural developments that impact the protection environment. The incumbent will apply international and national laws, assist in providing comments on legislation related to PoC, and provide advice on protection issues. Responsibilities also include conducting eligibility and status determination for PoC, contributing to measures to prevent statelessness, and managing individual protection cases, including those related to gender-based violence (GBV) and child protection. The Protection Associate will monitor Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for protection activities, assist in identifying durable solutions for PoC, and facilitate effective information management. Additionally, the role involves capacity building for authorities and NGOs, prioritizing PoC for interviews and counseling, and ensuring compliance with global protection policies.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in Law or a related field. Relevant experience in conducting individual case management, particularly in legal matters such as nationality and asylum, is essential. Knowledge of Syrian and international legal frameworks concerning refugees and stateless persons is required. The ability to coordinate with various teams and maintain confidentiality is crucial, as is the capacity to draft protection analyses and reports. Candidates should demonstrate strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.

Educational Background:
A university degree in Law, Political Science, or a related field is required for this position. Additional certifications in International Law or related disciplines are considered advantageous. Candidates with a high school diploma must have at least three years of relevant experience, while those with a bachelor's degree or higher need two years of relevant work experience.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of three years of relevant experience for candidates with a high school diploma, or two years for those with a bachelor's degree or higher. Experience in protection-related roles, particularly in refugee contexts, is highly desirable. Familiarity with protection principles and frameworks is essential for effective performance in this role.

Languages:
Knowledge of English is mandatory, along with proficiency in the UN working language of the duty station, which is Arabic in this case. Familiarity with local languages is also beneficial, particularly for engaging with communities of concern.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified under the UNOPS LICA6 category and is not home-based. The target start date for the role is April 1, 202

• The position is full-time and involves working in a challenging environment, classified as hardship level E. UNHCR encourages qualified female applicants and does not charge any fees during the recruitment process. Shortlisted candidates may be required to undergo a written test and/or oral interview.