Protection Associate

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is a global organization dedicated to protecting the rights and well-being of refugees and displaced persons. Established in 1950, UNHCR operates in over 130 countries, providing assistance and support to millions of people forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, or violence. The organization works closely with governments and partners to ensure that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another country. UNHCR's mission is to safeguard the rights of refugees, ensure their access to asylum, and promote durable solutions for their plight. In Turkey, UNHCR collaborates with the government and various stakeholders to enhance the protection of refugees and asylum seekers, particularly in light of the significant influx of displaced persons in recent years.

Job Overview:
The Protection Associate position is crucial for supporting the Protection Unit in implementing core protection functions. This includes individual case interventions, protection monitoring, data analysis, and drafting guidance notes. The incumbent will play a vital role in standardizing and enhancing the quality of protection responses, working closely with UNHCR partners. The role involves case processing and protection interventions, providing technical guidance to partners, and coordinating with technical and field units as well as public institutions. The Protection Associate will also focus on child protection, gender-based violence prevention and response, and other specific protection interventions. The position requires a commitment to continuous improvement of case processing mechanisms and ensuring compliance with protection standards and procedures. The incumbent will be responsible for consolidating and analyzing data related to persons with specific needs, contributing to evidence-based protection planning, and preparing various reports and documents to strengthen coordination and informed decision-making at the country level.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Protection Associate will have a comprehensive set of duties and responsibilities, including:

• Supporting the Protection Unit in implementing core protection functions, including individual case interventions and protection monitoring.
• Conducting data and information analysis to inform protection responses.
• Drafting guidance notes and contributing to the standardization of protection responses.
• Engaging in case processing and providing technical guidance to partners on individual cases.
• Coordinating closely with technical and field units, as well as public institutions, to ensure effective protection interventions.
• Supporting child protection and gender-based violence prevention and response initiatives.
• Overseeing the quality and compliance of protection responses implemented by partners.
• Providing internal reporting on identified gaps and areas requiring improvement.
• Ensuring compliance with applicable protection standards and procedures during case processing. 1
• Liaising with field units, partners, and stakeholders to ensure effective follow-up on individual cases. 1
• Contributing to evidence-based protection planning by consolidating and analyzing thematic and operational data. 1
• Supporting the preparation and review of protection reports, analytical briefs, and strategy documents.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Bachelor's degree or higher in Law, Political Science, International Relations, Social Sciences, or a related field. The candidate must possess strong research and analytical thinking skills, planning and organizing abilities, and stakeholder management capabilities. Proficiency in data collection, compilation, and reporting is essential, along with strong drafting skills. The candidate should demonstrate accountability, client and results orientation, and a commitment to continuous learning. Other important qualifications include judgment and decision-making skills, negotiation and conflict resolution abilities, and organizational awareness. Excellent knowledge of Turkish and fluency in English are mandatory, while knowledge of other UN languages is desirable. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, as well as the ability to work effectively in a team, are also required.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Law, Political Science, International Relations, Social Sciences, or a related field. This educational background is essential for understanding the legal and social frameworks relevant to protection, asylum, and migration management.

Experience:
A minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience in protection, asylum, migration management, or related areas is required. This experience should include contributions to protection monitoring frameworks and drafting analytical inputs for reporting. Familiarity with monitoring and evaluation principles to support results- and impact-based reporting is also necessary.

Languages:
The mandatory language requirements for this position include Turkish as a mother tongue and excellent command of English. Knowledge of any other UN language is considered desirable and would enhance the candidate's profile.

Additional Notes:
The position is classified as a Local Entry and Mid-Level Support role, with a target start date of April 1, 202

• The contract duration is subject to operational needs, satisfactory service, and availability of funds, with no expectation of renewal beyond its expiry date. The working hours are set at 40 hours per week, which may include mandatory night shifts and the possibility of work on weekends and official holidays. Leave entitlements include annual leave at the rate of two and a half working days per month and sick leave at the rate of two working days for each month of service. Medical coverage is provided through Cigna Health Insurance, with options available for eligible dependents. The remuneration will be based on the International Civil Services Commission (ICSC) salary scale. Non-Turkish candidates must obtain clearance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) before any offer can be made, and applications must include valid residence permits for non-Turkish nationals. The recruitment process may involve written tests and/or oral interviews, and only shortlisted candidates will be notified.