Associate Field Officer (Protection)

Job Posting Organization:
The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and coordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees, ensuring that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with options to return home voluntarily, integrate locally, or resettle in a third country. The UNHCR operates globally, with a mission to protect those who are forced to flee due to persecution, conflict, or violence, and works in numerous countries to provide assistance and support to refugees and displaced persons.

Job Overview:
The UN Volunteer will be embedded within the Protection Unit of the National Office and will support the overall delivery and strengthening of protection interventions at the field level, under the supervision of the Head of National Office. The assignment is situated within a dynamic operational context, where effective protection responses require close alignment with international and national legal frameworks, as well as UNHCR’s protection standards, policies, and priorities. The Volunteer will contribute to ensuring that protection delivery is consistent, timely, and responsive to the evolving needs of persons of concern. A central component of the assignment is to support the design, implementation, and continuous refinement of the Office’s protection strategy. This includes contributing to evidence-based planning processes by ensuring that strategies are informed by participatory assessments and grounded in the actual needs, risks, and capacities of affected populations. The Volunteer will help integrate a strong Age, Gender, and Diversity (AGD) perspective across all aspects of the response, ensuring that protection interventions are inclusive, equitable, and tailored to different groups, including women, children, older persons, and persons with specific needs. Building and maintaining strong working relationships will be a key aspect of the assignment. The Volunteer will engage regularly with persons of concern, government authorities, implementing and operational partners, and other relevant stakeholders. Through these interactions, the Volunteer will support the coordinated implementation of protection programmes and contribute to strengthening partnerships that enhance protection outcomes. Daily contact with communities will also help ensure that their voices are heard and reflected in programme design and implementation. The assignment further includes supporting the application of community-based and rights-based approaches to protection, promoting the meaningful participation of persons of concern in decisions that affect their lives. This will reinforce accountability to affected populations and ensure that UNHCR’s interventions remain people-centred and responsive. The Volunteer will also contribute to capacity development efforts by providing on-the-job support, coaching, and mentoring to national staff and partners, including implementing partners, thereby strengthening local ownership and sustainability of protection responses. Throughout the assignment, the Volunteer will ensure that AGD principles are systematically applied, integrated, and documented across all activities. In addition, the Volunteer will contribute to reporting and documentation, including capturing achievements related to the assignment and promoting the value of volunteerism in development and humanitarian contexts. This includes reflecting on contributions made, capacities strengthened, and community engagement supported during the course of the assignment.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Under the direct supervision of the Head of National Office, the Associate Field Officer (Protection) will undertake the following tasks: Stay abreast of political, social, economic and cultural developments that have an impact on the protection environment and provide advice to senior management; Support UNHCR’s consultative process with local government counterparts, partners and persons of concern for effective needs assessment and planning; Facilitate UNHCR’s responses in addressing Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) priorities and other specific protection needs of women and men, children, youth and older persons, persons with disabilities, marginalized groups such as persons with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities; Manage individual protection cases including those on SGBV and child protection; Monitor the integrity of UNHCR operations management standards and procedures in the Area of Responsibility (AoR) and facilitate the respect of deadlines; Maintain protection presence through regular field missions and reports, making direct contact with persons of concern, host communities, local authorities and partners; Monitor and report on the protection, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security and safety situation of persons of concern; Facilitate and monitor programmes on an Age, Gender, Diversity (AGD) basis to address identified protection needs; Support communities in establishing representation and coordination structures. Promote confidence building and conflict resolution among populations of concern, authorities and host communities; Provide advice and guidance on protection issues to internal and external interlocutors; ensure legal assistance is accessible to persons of concern; liaise with competent authorities to ensure the issuance of personal and other relevant documents and services to persons of concern; Contribute in developing and implementing an education plan for the AoR as part of the protection strategy; Intervene in cases of expulsion, arbitrary deprivation of nationality, and other protection incidents through close working relations with governments and other partners; Assess resettlement needs and apply priorities for the resettlement of individuals and groups of refugees and other persons of concern; Support the effective systematization and management of data to enhance monitoring, response and evaluation mechanisms; Contribute to initiatives to build the capacity of local partners and civil society through training and other initiatives to protect persons of concern.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a strong understanding of protection principles and frameworks, as well as the ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders. Candidates should possess excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and demonstrate a commitment to the values of the UNHCR. The ability to analyze complex situations and provide sound advice is essential. Additionally, candidates should have experience in community engagement and capacity building, particularly in relation to vulnerable populations. Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks effectively are also required.

Educational Background:
Candidates should have a degree in social sciences, international relations, law, or a related field. A postgraduate degree in a relevant area would be an advantage. Training in protection-related topics, such as human rights, refugee law, or gender-based violence, is highly desirable.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 2-3 years of relevant experience in protection, humanitarian work, or related fields. Experience working with refugees or displaced populations, as well as familiarity with the UN system and humanitarian principles, is highly valued. Previous experience in a field-based role is also beneficial, as it demonstrates the ability to work in challenging environments and engage with affected communities.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, while knowledge of Serbian is highly desirable. Additional languages relevant to the local context or the populations served would be considered an asset, as they can enhance communication and engagement with diverse groups.

Additional Notes:
The position is classified as a full-time role, and the successful candidate will be expected to work in a dynamic and sometimes challenging environment. The role may involve travel within the country to various field locations. The UNHCR offers a competitive compensation package, including benefits such as health insurance and opportunities for professional development. The organization is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, and encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds.