Senior Protection Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which was established in 195

• The organization is dedicated to protecting the rights and well-being of refugees and displaced persons worldwide. UNHCR operates in over 130 countries and employs thousands of staff members who work tirelessly to provide assistance and support to those in need. The mission of UNHCR is to ensure that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another country, and to return home voluntarily when conditions allow. The organization also works to safeguard the rights of refugees and displaced persons, ensuring they have access to essential services and support.

Job Overview:
The Senior Protection Assistant plays a crucial role in monitoring and implementing protection standards and operational procedures in line with international guidelines. This position involves providing functional protection support to information management and program staff, ensuring that persons of concern (PoC) receive timely and effective assistance. The incumbent is responsible for identifying opportunities to integrate protection methodologies into operational responses and contributes to the development of a comprehensive protection strategy. The Senior Protection Assistant also engages with local authorities and partners on protection issues, ensuring that PoC are actively involved in decisions that affect their rights and well-being. This role requires strong communication and interpersonal skills to build effective relationships with communities, local authorities, and assistance partners, all while adhering to UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity, and respect for diversity.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Senior Protection Assistant include consistently applying international and national laws, providing counseling on protection issues to PoC, and liaising with competent authorities for documentation issuance. The incumbent will support activities related to age, gender, and diversity (AGD) programming, conduct preliminary information gathering and interviews for eligibility and status determination, and contribute to measures aimed at preventing statelessness. Additionally, the Senior Protection Assistant will participate in individual protection case management, monitor and report on protection incidents, assist in identifying durable solutions for PoC, and draft reports and routine correspondence. The role also involves enhancing national and local protection capacities and ensuring integrity in the delivery of protection services by local partners. The incumbent will be expected to identify and manage risks, seek opportunities impacting objectives, and perform 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 qualifications include knowledge of law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">international law, protection-related guidelines, and refugee protection principles. Candidates should possess strong analytical and communication skills, as well as the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment. Proficiency in data analysis and reporting is also essential, along with the ability to develop and deliver training on protection issues. The ideal candidate will have experience working with governmental and non-governmental organizations in refugee or humanitarian contexts.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have a High School Diploma or a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as International Law or Political Science. Additional certifications in related areas are desirable. The educational background should provide a solid foundation in the principles of protection and human rights, as well as an understanding of the legal frameworks governing refugee protection.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 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. However, the desired candidate profile indicates that a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in protection, human rights, or related fields is preferred. Diverse field experience and previous coordination experience at the camp level or site are highly desirable, as is experience in conducting protection needs assessments and drafting reports on protection issues.

Languages:
Fluency in French is required for this position, as it is the primary language of communication in the duty station. Knowledge of Arabic is considered an asset, particularly in the context of Sudanese refugees. Additionally, knowledge of other UN languages is desirable, enhancing the candidate's ability to communicate effectively in a multicultural environment.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified under the General Service category at the GS5 grade level. It is a regular assignment with a target start date of September 1, 202

• The position is based in N'Djamena, Chad, and is subject to the hardship level U (unclassified). The role is full-time, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessments, which may include written and/or oral tests. The position does not require a functional clearance.