Assistant Community-Based Protection Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The job is posted by UNHCR, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, which was established in 195

• The organization is dedicated to protecting the rights and well-being of refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people. UNHCR operates in over 130 countries and has a workforce of more than 18,000 staff members. Its mission is to ensure that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another state, and to return home voluntarily, integrate locally, or resettle in a third country. UNHCR's work is guided by the principles of international protection and humanitarian assistance, focusing on the needs and rights of the individuals it serves.

Job Overview:
The Assistant Community-Based Protection Officer plays a crucial role within the Protection Unit of UNHCR's Country Operation. This position involves direct engagement with communities of concern to identify risks and leverage their capacities for self-protection. The incumbent will work closely with various stakeholders, including government entities, NGOs, and community members, to develop and implement community-based protection strategies. A significant aspect of this role is to maintain a strong presence in the field, fostering relationships with persons of concern (PoC) and ensuring their perspectives are integrated into protection strategies. The Assistant Community-Based Protection Officer is expected to contribute to the design and evaluation of protection programs, ensuring they are community-driven and responsive to the specific needs of diverse groups, including women, children, and marginalized populations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties of the Assistant Community-Based Protection Officer include:

• Developing strong links with community structures and understanding the protection and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security situation of PoC.
• Staying informed about political, social, and economic developments that affect the protection environment.
• Ensuring that the needs and capacities of PoC are reflected in protection strategies and operational plans.
• Supporting consultative processes with government counterparts and partners to implement integrated protection strategies.
• Providing technical guidance on community-based protection issues and overseeing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Supporting the design and evaluation of protection-centered programming.
• Promoting confidence-building and conflict resolution among PoC and host communities.
• Conducting regular field missions to maintain a protection presence and gather information on community needs.
• Contributing to the development of an Age, Gender, and Diversity (AGD)-compliant strategy. 1
• Supporting the inclusion of participatory approaches in protection strategies. 1
• Assisting in project design and budget submissions. 1
• Engaging with local authorities and negotiating on community-based protection issues. 1
• Identifying and managing risks related to protection objectives.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of one year of relevant experience with an undergraduate degree, or no experience with a graduate or doctorate degree. Essential qualifications include professional experience in community services, social work, or human rights, particularly in relation to refugees and vulnerable populations. Desirable qualifications include strong communication skills, knowledge of community engagement approaches, and competencies in forced displacement and protection issues, especially concerning gender-based violence (GBV) and child protection.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a degree in fields such as International Development, Cultural Studies, Human Rights, International Social Work, Social Science, Political Science, Anthropology, law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">International Law, or other relevant disciplines. A Bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement, with higher degrees being advantageous.

Experience:
The position requires at least one year of relevant professional experience in community services, social work, or human rights. Experience working with refugees or in humanitarian contexts is essential, as is familiarity with protection principles and community engagement strategies. The ability to synthesize complex information and provide actionable recommendations is also crucial.

Languages:
Knowledge of English is mandatory, along with proficiency in the UN working language of the duty station, which is Kurdish in this case. A good command of Arabic is desirable. Candidates are expected to demonstrate their language skills at a minimum B2 level, with proficiency in Kurdish being a requirement for this position.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as a National Professional Officer role and is temporary in nature, with a target start date of August 1, 2026, and an end date of December 31, 202

• The role is categorized under hardship level D, indicating challenging living conditions. The position is full-time and requires the incumbent to work closely with various stakeholders, including government authorities and community representatives. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply, and all applicants must demonstrate a commitment to creating a safe and respectful working environment.