Protection Associate

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, ensuring that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another state. UNHCR operates in over 130 countries and has a workforce of more than 18,000 staff members dedicated to protecting and assisting refugees and displaced persons. The organization focuses on providing life-saving assistance, advocating for the rights of refugees, and finding durable solutions to their plight.

Job Overview:
The Protection Associate position is crucial for supporting the implementation of protection strategies in the Irbid Field Unit, which serves approximately 80,000 refugees, primarily from Syria. The role involves working closely with local authorities, implementing partners, and the refugee community to assess needs, monitor access to protection services, and ensure effective responses to protection issues. The incumbent will be responsible for conducting protection assessments, facilitating community engagement activities, and providing counseling to refugees. This position requires a dynamic approach, balancing office-based tasks with fieldwork in urban, rural, and camp settings. The Protection Associate will also play a key role in maintaining a strong network with local actors and ensuring that the voices of refugees are heard in decision-making processes that affect their lives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Protection Associate will be tasked with a variety of responsibilities, including but not limited to: staying informed about political, social, economic, and cultural developments affecting the protection environment; applying international and national laws and UNHCR policies; providing advice on protection issues to persons of concern (PoC); assisting in eligibility and status determination; contributing to child protection and education plans; managing individual protection cases, including those related to gender-based violence (GBV); identifying durable solutions for PoC; facilitating effective information management; participating in capacity-building initiatives for local authorities and NGOs; and ensuring compliance with protection standards and procedures. The role also involves submitting payment requests for PoC and supporting risk management efforts in the area of responsibility.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess strong experience in implementing protection responses, including case management and community-based protection. They should have experience in coordinating with local actors and engaging in outreach and counseling. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively in a multi-functional team under challenging conditions are essential. Proficiency in both English and Arabic is mandatory, and knowledge of the operational context is considered an asset. Relevant experience with UNHCR in protection and case management is highly desirable.

Educational Background:
The minimum educational requirement for this position is a High School Diploma with three years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with two years of relevant work experience. Candidates should have a background in law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">International Law, Political Science, or a related field, with certifications in these areas being advantageous.

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. Experience in protection-related roles, particularly within the UN system or similar organizations, is highly valued. Candidates should demonstrate a solid understanding of protection principles and frameworks, as well as practical experience in case management and community engagement.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, along with knowledge of the local language (Arabic) as the duty station's working language. For international professional and field service jobs, knowledge of the UN working language of the duty station is also required if it is not English. This ensures effective communication with both the refugee population and local authorities.

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

• The position is full-time and involves both office-based and field-based tasks. Candidates may be required to undergo a written test as part of the selection process. The role is essential for ensuring that the rights and needs of refugees are addressed effectively, and it requires a commitment to upholding the values and standards of UNHCR.