Protection Associate

Job Posting Organization:
The job is posted by the Regional Bureau for West and Central Africa (RBWCA), which is part of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The RBWCA is responsible for overseeing UNHCR operations in 23 countries across West and Central Africa. The bureau is based in Dakar, Senegal, and maintains offices in several countries including Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria, as well as national offices in Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Senegal, and Togo. The organization engages with regional intergovernmental bodies such as ECOWAS and ECCAS and collaborates closely with various UN regional entities. The mission of the RBWCA is to provide protection and solutions for forcibly displaced and stateless persons in the region, which is currently facing significant challenges due to conflict, political instability, and humanitarian crises.

Job Overview:
The Protection Associate position is integral to the Protection and Solutions team within the RBWCA. The role focuses on coordinating effective protection responses to the needs of forcibly displaced and stateless persons. The Protection Associate will work closely with various technical units, including Protection, Development, Policy, and Education, to ensure that programmatic activities related to the Mastercard Foundation/UNHCR partnership are implemented smoothly. This includes organizing regional multistakeholder meetings, collecting and analyzing protection information, and contributing to the development of visibility materials. The position requires a proactive approach to identifying opportunities for cross-learning and the exchange of best practices in areas such as access to documentation and durable solutions for displaced populations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Protection Associate will be responsible for a range of duties, including but not limited to:

• Supporting the organization of regional multistakeholder meetings and workshops focused on protection and inclusion themes.
• Collecting, consolidating, and analyzing protection information from country operations to prepare internal reports and monitoring notes.
• Identifying and implementing activities that promote cross-learning and the exchange of good practices in key areas related to protection.
• Contributing to the development and dissemination of visibility materials that highlight the activities and successes of the program.
• Monitoring and reporting on the progress of activities in line with the requirements set by the Mastercard Foundation.
• Engaging with diverse stakeholders, including authorities and civil society, to build trust and collaboration in protection efforts.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong understanding of international protection principles, particularly those related to refugee protection frameworks. They should demonstrate the ability to build collaborative relationships with various actors, including vulnerable populations and civil society organizations. Proficiency in both English and French is mandatory, with excellent drafting skills required in both languages. A commitment to teamwork, positive interpersonal relationships, and cultural sensitivity is essential for success in this role.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a background in law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">international law, political science, refugee protection, or a related field. A High School Diploma with 3 years of relevant experience is essential, or a Bachelor’s degree with 2 years of relevant work experience is also acceptable. Advanced degrees such as a Master’s in International Law or Political Science are preferred and may enhance a candidate's qualifications.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience for candidates with a High School Diploma, or 2 years of relevant experience for those with a Bachelor’s degree or higher. Familiarity with UNHCR protection frameworks and AGD approaches is considered an advantage, as is experience with the Protection Learning Programme training.

Languages:
Full oral and written proficiency in both English and French is mandatory for this position. Candidates should possess excellent drafting skills in both languages. While proficiency in additional languages is not specified as mandatory, it may be beneficial for candidates to have knowledge of other languages spoken in the region.

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

• The role is full-time and involves working in a context that may require travel to various locations within the region. The position does not require a functional clearance, and the hardship level is classified as A, indicating the least hardship conditions.