Senior Protection Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The job is posted by the UNHCR Multi-Country Office (MCO) based in Italy, which oversees operations in Italy, the Holy See, Malta, and San Marino. This organization plays a crucial role in addressing the diverse asylum systems and legal frameworks in these countries, which are situated at the crossroads of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. The UNHCR is dedicated to protecting the rights and well-being of refugees and displaced persons, ensuring that they have access to safety and assistance. The MCO operates in a region characterized by significant migration and refugee movements, particularly through the Central and Eastern Mediterranean routes. The organization is committed to upholding international protection standards and providing support to national authorities in implementing effective asylum policies. The UNHCR aims to foster a safe and inclusive environment for all individuals in need of protection, advocating for their rights and facilitating durable solutions for their situations.

Job Overview:
The Senior Protection Assistant is responsible for monitoring protection standards and operational procedures in line with international standards. This role involves providing functional protection support to information management and program staff, ensuring that persons of concern (PoC) receive timely and effective protection assistance. The incumbent will contribute to the design of a comprehensive protection strategy and engage with local authorities and partners on protection issues. A key aspect of this position is to ensure that PoC are actively involved in decision-making processes that affect their rights and access to solutions. The Senior Protection Assistant will build and maintain effective relationships with communities, local authorities, and protection partners, ensuring that the needs and voices of PoC are prioritized in all operational responses. The role requires a commitment to the core values of professionalism, integrity, and respect for diversity, as well as adherence to the regulatory framework of UNHCR.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Senior Protection Assistant include: consistently applying international and national law and relevant UN/UNHCR policies; providing counseling on protection issues to PoC; liaising with authorities for documentation issuance; supporting AGD-based programming with partners; conducting information gathering and interviews for eligibility and status determination; contributing to child protection and education plans; monitoring Standard Operating Procedures for protection activities; participating in individual protection case management; assisting in identifying durable solutions for PoC; drafting reports and updating databases; enhancing national and local protection capacities; selecting PoC for interviews; enforcing integrity in service delivery; managing risks and opportunities; and performing other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience with a High School Diploma, or 1 year of relevant work experience with a Bachelor’s degree or higher. Essential functional skills include IT literacy, knowledge of protection-related guidelines, and understanding of refugee protection principles and frameworks. The candidate should demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills, as well as the ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a High School Diploma as a minimum requirement, with a Bachelor’s degree or higher being advantageous. Relevant fields of education include International Law and Political Science, with certifications in these areas being essential for the role.

Experience:
The position requires at least 2 years of relevant experience for candidates with a High School Diploma, or 1 year of relevant experience for those with a Bachelor’s degree or higher. Experience in protection or refugee status determination (RSD) activities, particularly within the Italian context, is highly desirable and will be considered an asset.

Languages:
Proficiency in English and Italian is mandatory, with a minimum overall ability of B2 level in both languages. Knowledge of additional languages is considered a plus, particularly local languages relevant to the duty station.

Additional Notes:
This is a temporary position with a target start date of May 1, 2026, and a target end date of December 31, 202

• The role is classified at the GS5 grade level, and the incumbent will be expected to work in a family-type environment. The recruitment is subject to funding availability, and the position may involve part-time or full-time deployment to the Coordination Body on legal counseling.