Assistant Protection Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was established on December 14, 1950, by the UN General Assembly. Its mission is to lead and coordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. UNHCR's primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees, ensuring that everyone forced to flee can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State. The organization operates in multiple countries, including Zambia, Malawi, and Zimbabwe, and has a significant presence in various regions to support displaced populations. UNHCR is committed to promoting durable solutions for refugees, including voluntary repatriation, local integration, and resettlement in third countries. As of March 31, 2026, UNHCR oversees 195,839 forcibly displaced persons across Zambia, Malawi, and Zimbabwe, with a focus on integrating economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection into its operations.

Job Overview:
The Assistant Protection Officer plays a crucial role in supporting UNHCR's protection mandate, which includes preventing and responding to protection risks faced by forcibly displaced persons in Zambia. Reporting to the Protection Officer or Senior Protection Officer, the incumbent may supervise protection staff and provide guidance on protection/legal matters. The position involves coordinating timely and effective protection responses, ensuring that operational responses mainstream protection methodologies and integrate safeguards. The Assistant Protection Officer is expected to engage with communities of concern, authorities, and partners to enhance protection and support the design of comprehensive protection strategies. The role also emphasizes the importance of community engagement, ensuring that populations of concern are meaningfully involved in decisions affecting them, and that their needs and priorities are addressed in program design and implementation.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Assistant Protection Officer's duties include staying informed about political, social, economic, and cultural developments impacting the protection environment, applying international and national law, and providing legal advice to populations of concern. The incumbent will conduct eligibility and status determinations, promote measures to prevent statelessness, and contribute to child protection and education plans. Responsibilities also include managing individual protection cases, recommending durable solutions, and facilitating effective information management. The Assistant Protection Officer will assist in capacity-building initiatives, intervene with authorities on protection issues, and ensure compliance with global protection policies. Additionally, the role involves supporting the identification and management of risks, contributing to advocacy efforts, and performing other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong understanding of International Refugee and Human Rights Law, with the ability to apply relevant legal principles. Essential functional skills include knowledge of protection-related guidelines, project management, and gender-based violence coordination. The ideal candidate should demonstrate experience in drafting and documentation, as well as familiarity with climate change and disaster-related displacement. Strong organizational, planning, and coordination skills are necessary, along with the ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders, including government agencies and community organizations.

Educational Background:
A minimum of an undergraduate degree in Law, International Law, Political Science, or a related field is required. Candidates with a graduate or doctorate degree may be considered with no prior experience. The educational background should provide a solid foundation in legal principles and frameworks relevant to refugee protection and human rights.

Experience:
The position requires at least one year of relevant experience for candidates with an undergraduate degree. Those with a graduate degree may apply with no prior experience. Experience working in protection or related fields, particularly in rural or low-resource settings, is highly desirable. Candidates should demonstrate a strong understanding of protection risks and the ability to engage effectively with vulnerable populations.

Languages:
Knowledge of English is mandatory, along with proficiency in the UN working language of the duty station if it is not English. For national professional jobs, knowledge of the local language is also required. Candidates should possess at least a B2 level in the required languages, with strong communication skills in both oral and written forms.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as a National Professional Officer role, with a regular assignment expected to start on June 1, 202

• The Assistant Protection Officer will work full-time and may be required to participate in written tests or oral interviews as part of the selection process. The role emphasizes the importance of creating a safe and empowering work environment, with a commitment to preventing sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment, and discrimination. UNHCR offers competitive compensation and benefits, and the position is open to both national and international candidates.