Protection Assistant

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

• Its mission is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people. UNHCR operates in over 130 countries, providing assistance and protection to millions of individuals who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, or violence. The organization works to ensure that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another country, and it strives to promote durable solutions for refugees, including voluntary repatriation, local integration, or resettlement to a third country. UNHCR is committed to upholding international refugee law and advocating for the rights of displaced persons globally.

Job Overview:
The Protection Assistant position is crucial in enhancing the protection environment for refugees residing in camps along the Thai-Myanmar border. The incumbent will act as a vital link between UNHCR and various stakeholders, including refugees, camp leadership, community-based organizations (CBOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and Thai authorities. This role involves extensive fieldwork to support the implementation of the 'Right to Work' policy, promote inclusion in state services, and address protection risks faced by vulnerable refugees. The Protection Assistant will engage proactively with communities, ensuring effective protection interventions and durable solutions are achieved. The position requires a strong commitment to community engagement, data collection, and reporting, as well as the ability to provide technical guidance and support capacity-building activities for local partners.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Protection Assistant will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including but not limited to: providing technical guidance and support for capacity-building activities, developing training materials, and conducting training sessions for CBOs, NGOs, and authorities involved in protection-related activities. The incumbent will monitor and collect accurate, age, gender, and diversity (AGD)-sensitive data on the implementation of the 'Right to Work' policy to inform protection strategies. They will prepare statistical and analytical reports to maintain timely information on protection trends, identify persons of concern with specific protection needs, manage individual cases, and coordinate referrals for appropriate interventions or durable solutions. Regular field visits will be conducted to interview and counsel persons of concern, distribute Core Relief Items, and follow up on cases. The Protection Assistant will also accompany and interpret for senior staff during meetings with refugees and camp authorities, enter and update data in ProGres, draft routine correspondence, meeting minutes, and reports, and maintain organized filing systems. Additionally, they will monitor developments in Myanmar and Thailand that may impact UNHCR's work, using media and community networks to stay informed.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of secondary education, with at least one year of relevant experience, or a Bachelor's degree in a related field. Essential skills include proficiency in computer applications such as MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access) and fluency in English, as well as in Karen and/or Burmese and/or Karreni. A working knowledge of Thai is essential. Familiarity with ProGres and completion of UNHCR-specific training activities will be advantageous. Knowledge of UNHCR's administrative and financial rules, procedures, and processes is considered an asset. The candidate should demonstrate a strong understanding of protection-related guidelines, standards, and indicators, as well as refugee protection principles and frameworks.

Educational Background:
The minimum educational requirement for this position is the completion of secondary education, with a preference for candidates holding a Bachelor's degree or equivalent higher education. Relevant certifications in protection or related fields are also beneficial. Candidates are encouraged to have completed UNHCR's learning programs, including the HCR Protection Induction Program, to enhance their understanding of the organization's policies and procedures.

Experience:
The position requires at least one year of relevant experience in a protection-related role, particularly in humanitarian settings. Experience working with refugees or displaced populations is highly desirable. Candidates should demonstrate a strong ability to engage with communities, manage cases, and provide effective support in protection-related activities. Experience in training and capacity-building for local partners is also valuable, as is familiarity with data collection and reporting processes in a protection context.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, along with proficiency in Karen and/or Burmese and/or Karreni. A working knowledge of Thai is essential for effective communication in the local context. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly in enhancing engagement with diverse communities of concern.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as a UNOPS LICA4 level role, with a contract duration from March 1, 2026, to December 31, 202

• The position is not remote and is based in Mae Hong Son, Thailand. The role is full-time, and candidates should be prepared to work in a challenging environment, given the context of refugee protection in Thailand. The position may involve travel to various camps and communities, requiring flexibility and adaptability to changing circumstances. Compensation and benefits will be in accordance with UNOPS policies and guidelines.