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 worldwide. 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 a critical role within UNHCR, primarily responsible for monitoring and ensuring the implementation of protection standards and operational procedures in line with international norms. The incumbent will work under the supervision of the Assistant Protection Officer, contributing to the development and execution of protection strategies that address the needs of populations of concern (PoC). This role requires a solid understanding of UNHCR’s protection principles, including Protection Mainstreaming, Accountability to Affected People (AAP), and Community-Based Protection (CBP). The Protection Associate will engage with communities to ensure their involvement in decision-making processes that affect their rights and access to solutions. The position demands strong analytical skills to assess protection needs and trends, as well as the ability to coordinate effectively with various stakeholders, including local authorities and partner organizations. The incumbent will also be expected to contribute to capacity-building initiatives and lead community-based protection activities, ensuring that protection methodologies are integrated into all operational responses.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities 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, as well as UN/UNHCR policies, to provide advice on protection issues to PoC and liaise with authorities for documentation issuance. Responsibilities also include conducting eligibility and status determinations, contributing to child protection and education plans, managing individual protection cases, and monitoring compliance with protection standards. The Protection Associate will assist in identifying durable solutions for PoC, facilitate effective information management, and participate in initiatives to strengthen national protection legislation. Additionally, the incumbent will support the supervisor in prioritizing cases for interviews and counseling, ensuring adherence to global protection policies, and submitting payment requests for PoC.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Protection Associate position include a minimum of three years of relevant experience with a High School Diploma or two years of relevant work experience with a Bachelor’s degree or higher. Candidates should possess knowledge of law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">International Law, Political Science, or a related field. Essential functional skills include IT literacy and familiarity with refugee protection principles and guidelines. The position also requires strong communication and advocacy skills, as well as the ability to work effectively in multifunctional teams.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have a High School Diploma or a Bachelor’s degree in International Law, Political Science, or a related field. Relevant certifications in these areas are considered essential for the role. The educational background should provide a solid foundation in protection principles and frameworks, enabling the incumbent to perform effectively in a humanitarian context.

Experience:
The level of experience required for this position is three years of relevant work experience with a High School Diploma or two years with a Bachelor’s degree. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in protection monitoring, assessments, and coordination within humanitarian responses. Familiarity with protection case management and community engagement is also essential.

Languages:
For this position, knowledge of English is mandatory, along with proficiency in the UN working language of the duty station, which is not specified. Knowledge of the local language is also beneficial, particularly for engaging with communities of concern and local authorities.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as UNOPS LICA6 and is not remote. The target start date for the role is April 6, 202

• The position is full-time and falls under the non-family category with a residential location. All UNHCR staff members are expected to contribute to a safe and respectful working environment, demonstrating zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment, and discrimination. The role requires adherence to UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity, and respect for diversity.