Senior Community-Based Protection Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting is for a position within the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), an organization established in 1950 with the mission to protect the rights and well-being of refugees. UNHCR operates in over 130 countries and has a workforce of more than 18,000 employees. The organization is dedicated to ensuring that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another country, and it strives to safeguard the rights of refugees and displaced persons worldwide.

Job Overview:
The Senior Community-Based Protection Assistant is a vital member of the Protection Unit within UNHCR, tasked with working closely with communities of concern to identify risks and leverage their capacities for self-protection. This role requires a significant amount of time spent outside the office, engaging with communities to build and maintain networks that enhance protection planning and programming. The incumbent will support the application of community-based protection standards and operational procedures, ensuring that strategies are developed in consultation with persons of concern (PoC). The position emphasizes the importance of constructive relationships with PoC, which are essential for effective protection outcomes. The Senior Community-Based Protection Assistant will also be responsible for collecting data, drafting reports, and ensuring community understanding of UNHCR's commitment to accountability and quality assurance in its response.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties of the Senior Community-Based Protection Assistant include assisting functional units and senior management in integrating community-based approaches into the overall protection strategy. The incumbent will maintain relationships with PoC and partners to stay informed about developments affecting the protection environment. They will support initiatives involving national civil society groups, assist in community-owned activities addressing various concerns, and conduct participatory assessments. The role also involves supporting the establishment of representation and coordination structures within communities, ensuring compliance with global protection policies, and identifying individuals or groups for prioritization in counseling and field visits. The Assistant will also be responsible for monitoring programs and budgets, drafting correspondence, and acting as an interpreter when necessary. Additionally, they will initiate AGD-sensitive interventions and manage risks impacting objectives in their area of responsibility.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess 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 knowledge of UN/UNHCR administrative rules and procedures, computer literacy, and community-based protection principles. Candidates should also demonstrate strong communication, negotiation, and organizational skills, as well as experience in community or social work. Familiarity with UNHCR learning programs and knowledge of the Management and Reporting System (MSRP) is desirable.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a High School Diploma as a minimum, with a Bachelor’s degree or higher being advantageous. Relevant fields of education include Development, Human Rights, law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">International Law, Social Work, Social Science, and Political Science. Certifications in these areas are considered essential for the role.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have at least 2 years of relevant experience for those with a High School Diploma, or 1 year of relevant experience for those with a Bachelor’s degree or higher. Experience working with UNHCR or other international public sector organizations is considered an added advantage, as is experience in community and social work.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, along with proficiency in the UN working language of the duty station if it is not English. For General Service jobs, knowledge of English and/or the UN working language is required. Additionally, knowledge of local languages such as Romanian and Russian is highly desirable, with an expected overall ability of at least B2 level in these languages.

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

• It is classified at the GS5 level and is open to both internal and external candidates. Candidates must have Moldovan citizenship or the legal status necessary to work in Moldova. The position offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, with an annual net salary ranging from MDL 328,620 to MDL 383,390, depending on relevant experience. UNHCR promotes diversity and inclusion in its workforce and encourages applications from all qualified candidates without discrimination.