Protection Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is an international organization established to lead and coordinate international action to protect and assist refugees, asylum-seekers, stateless persons, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and returnees. UNHCR's mission is to safeguard the rights and well-being of these vulnerable populations and to seek durable solutions to their displacement. The organization operates globally, with a significant presence in Mozambique, where it has a Country Office in Maputo, a Sub-Office in Pemba, and Field Offices in Nampula, Mueda, and Mocímboa da Praia. UNHCR's operations in Mozambique are focused on addressing the acute and complex protection needs arising from ongoing conflict and climate-related displacement, which has resulted in large-scale displacement and significant humanitarian challenges.

Job Overview:
The Protection Officer (P-3) position, based in Pemba, Mozambique, is critical for providing protection leadership and technical support across Cabo Delgado and Nampula Provinces. These regions are significantly affected by ongoing insecurity and displacement, hosting large numbers of IDPs, returnees, and vulnerable host communities. The Protection Officer is responsible for ensuring that UNHCR's protection mandate is effectively implemented in this challenging environment. This includes engaging with government authorities, national and international partners, and local communities to develop and monitor comprehensive protection strategies that address the needs of displaced populations. The role requires a strong understanding of international protection standards and the ability to provide technical guidance and support to partners and stakeholders involved in protection interventions.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Protection Officer will undertake a variety of duties, including:

• Developing and implementing area-based protection strategies for Cabo Delgado and Nampula, ensuring alignment with UNHCR policies and national frameworks.
• Providing technical leadership and guidance to UNHCR protection teams and partners on international protection standards and community-based protection approaches.
• Monitoring and supporting the implementation of protection activities by UNHCR partners, ensuring adherence to protection principles and quality standards.
• Conducting field visits to assess the quality and effectiveness of protection interventions and providing corrective support as needed.
• Engaging with government authorities and partners to strengthen protection responses and access to rights for affected populations.
• Supporting emergency response operations during sudden-onset displacement or crises, ensuring that protection considerations are integrated from the outset.
• Contributing to project management, including planning, implementation, and reporting of protection programs.
• Conducting regular field missions to displacement sites and host communities to provide on-site protection support and monitor the situation.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of 4 years of relevant professional experience in protection, including refugee protection, internal displacement, human rights, or humanitarian response. Substantial field-based experience in complex or emergency settings is essential. Candidates should demonstrate experience in implementing, monitoring, and ensuring the quality of protection programs, as well as engaging with government authorities and humanitarian actors. Knowledge of core protection principles, including Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD), Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP), and Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) is required. Experience in community-based protection approaches and the ability to provide technical guidance to partners is also necessary.

Educational Background:
The position requires an undergraduate degree in a relevant field such as Law, International Law, International Refugee Law, International Human Rights Law, International Humanitarian Law, Refugee and Forced Migration Studies, Political Sciences, or a related discipline. A graduate degree or doctorate in a relevant field is preferred and may reduce the required years of experience.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 4 years of relevant professional experience for those with an undergraduate degree, 5 years for those with a graduate degree, or 6 years for those with a doctorate. Experience should include substantial field-based work in protection, emergency response operations, and engagement with government authorities and humanitarian actors.

Languages:
Knowledge of English and/or the UN working language of the duty station is mandatory, in addition to English. Proficiency in Portuguese is essential for this position, given the location and the communities served.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as a regular Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) with a duration from May 1, 2026, to December 31, 202

• The role is based in Pemba, Mozambique, and is not remote. The position is categorized under the UNOPS IICA2 level, and the successful candidate will report to the Senior Protection coordination-officer" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Cluster Coordination Officer.