Senior 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 worldwide, employing thousands of staff members dedicated to providing protection and assistance to those in need. 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 and displaced persons.

Job Overview:
The Senior Protection Assistant position is crucial for ensuring that protection standards and operational procedures are adhered to in the delivery of protection services. The incumbent will report to a more senior Protection colleague and will be responsible for monitoring and providing functional protection support to information management and program staff. This role involves delivering timely and effective protection support to persons of concern (PoC) and identifying opportunities to integrate protection methodologies into operational responses. The Senior Protection Assistant will also contribute to the design of a comprehensive protection strategy and engage with local authorities and partners on protection issues, ensuring that PoC are actively involved in decisions that affect their rights and solutions to their problems. This position requires building and maintaining effective relationships with communities, local authorities, and protection partners, all while adhering to UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity, and respect for diversity.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Senior Protection Assistant include consistently applying International and National Law, as well as UN/UNHCR and IASC policies and standards. The incumbent will provide counseling on protection issues to PoC, liaise with authorities for documentation issuance, and support AGD-based programming with partners. Responsibilities also include conducting preliminary information gathering and interviews for eligibility and status determination, contributing to child protection and education plans, monitoring Standard Operating Procedures for protection activities, and participating in individual protection case management. The Senior Protection Assistant will also assist in identifying durable solutions for PoC, draft reports, update databases, and enhance local protection capacities. The role requires enforcing integrity in service delivery and managing risks effectively, while also performing other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires 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, standards, and indicators, as well as an understanding of refugee protection principles and frameworks. Candidates must demonstrate a commitment to creating a safe and empowering work environment, free from harassment and discrimination.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a High School Diploma as a minimum requirement, with a Bachelor’s degree or higher being advantageous. Relevant fields of education include International Law and Political Science, with certifications in these areas being essential for the role.

Experience:
The position requires at least 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. While specific prior job experience is not detailed, familiarity with protection issues and operational contexts is beneficial.

Languages:
For this position, knowledge of English is mandatory, along with the UN working language of the duty station if it is not English. For national professional jobs, knowledge of the local language is also required. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as a local entry and mid-level support role under an Individual Contractor Agreement. The target start date for the position is March 1, 2026, and the application deadline is March 9, 202

• The role is not remote and is based in Xai-Xai, Gaza Province, Mozambique. The position does not require functional clearance and is categorized under a hardship level of U (unclassified). All UNHCR staff members are expected to contribute to a safe working environment and uphold the organization's values.