Assistant Protection Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which was established in 195

• The organization is dedicated to protecting the rights and well-being of refugees and displaced persons worldwide. UNHCR operates in over 130 countries, employing thousands of staff members who work tirelessly to provide assistance and support to those in need. The mission of UNHCR is to ensure that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another country, and to return home voluntarily when conditions allow. The organization also works to promote durable solutions for refugees, including local integration and resettlement.

Job Overview:
The Assistant Protection Officer plays a crucial role in the protection of populations of concern (PoC) by reporting to the Protection Officer or Senior Protection Officer. This position may involve supervisory responsibilities for protection staff, including those focused on community-based protection, registration, resettlement, and education. The incumbent is expected to provide functional protection guidance on various legal matters and accountabilities, including statelessness, gender-based violence (GBV), child protection, and the integration of human rights standards. The Assistant Protection Officer will coordinate timely and effective protection responses, ensuring that operational responses in all sectors mainstream protection methodologies and integrate protection safeguards. The role also involves engaging with communities of concern to ensure their meaningful participation in decisions that affect them, contributing to the design of comprehensive protection strategies, and representing the organization externally on protection doctrine and policy.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Assistant Protection Officer is responsible for a wide range of duties, including staying informed about political, social, economic, and cultural developments that impact the protection environment. The incumbent must consistently apply international and national law, provide legal advice to PoC, conduct eligibility and status determinations, and promote measures to prevent statelessness. The role includes contributing to child protection and education plans, implementing and monitoring standard operating procedures for protection activities, managing individual protection cases, and recommending durable solutions for PoC. The Assistant Protection Officer will also facilitate effective information management, assist in capacity-building initiatives, and intervene with authorities on protection issues. Additionally, the incumbent will support the supervisor in prioritizing reception and counseling for individuals, enforce compliance with global protection policies, and perform other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Assistant Protection Officer position must possess a minimum of one year of relevant experience with an undergraduate degree, or no experience with a graduate or doctorate degree. Essential qualifications include knowledge of international refugee and human rights law, as well as the ability to apply relevant legal principles. Functional skills required for the position include protection-related guidelines, project management, human rights standards, and knowledge of gender-based violence coordination. Candidates should also demonstrate strong drafting and documentation skills, as well as the ability to assess the status and rights of internally displaced persons (IDPs).

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a degree in Law, International Law, Political Science, or a related field. A Bachelor of Arts in any of these disciplines is essential, while advanced degrees may be preferred for candidates with no prior experience. The educational qualifications should provide a solid foundation in legal principles and human rights standards relevant to the protection of refugees and displaced persons.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have at least one year of relevant experience in the field of refugee protection, humanitarian aid, social work, or community development. Experience working in field settings is highly desirable, as is familiarity with the challenges faced by refugees and displaced persons. Candidates should demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and the ability to engage effectively with various stakeholders, including local authorities, NGOs, and the refugee community.

Languages:
For this position, knowledge of English is mandatory, along with proficiency in the UN working language of the duty station, which is Turkish in this case. Fluency in Turkish is essential for effective communication, while knowledge of Farsi is considered desirable. Candidates should possess strong written and verbal skills in both English and Turkish to ensure effective reporting and advocacy for the refugee community.

Additional Notes:
This position is a temporary assignment with a duration of three months, with the possibility of extension. The role is classified as a National Professional Officer (NOA) and is expected to be full-time. The recruitment process will include reference checks and integrity clearance, and candidates must be legally present in Turkey at the time of application. Non-Turkish citizens are required to provide valid residence permits. The UNHCR does not charge any fees during the recruitment process, and only shortlisted candidates will be notified. The working environment is not considered particularly challenging, and all relevant details have been outlined in the job description.