Associate Community-Based Protection Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, which is mandated to lead and coordinate international action to protect refugees, asylum-seekers, stateless persons, and other persons of concern. UNHCR's mission is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees and to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another state. Established in 1950, UNHCR operates in over 130 countries and has a workforce of more than 18,000 staff members. The organization is committed to the principles of international refugee and human rights law, and it emphasizes accountability to affected populations, age, gender, and diversity (AGD) mainstreaming, and community-based protection approaches. In Rwanda, UNHCR collaborates closely with the government, UN agencies, civil society organizations, and refugee and host communities to provide protection and assistance to refugees and asylum-seekers, particularly those from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi. The Huye Field Office, located in the Southern Province of Rwanda, plays a crucial role in implementing community-based protection strategies and ensuring the well-being of refugees in the area.

Job Overview:
The Associate Community-Based Protection Officer will be based in Huye and will work under the supervision of the Head of Field Office or a designated Protection Officer. This position is integral to the implementation of UNHCR's community-based protection strategy, which focuses on engaging directly with communities, supporting outreach and participatory assessments, and contributing to the identification, analysis, and response to protection risks. The role aims to strengthen protection outcomes through locally grounded, inclusive, and people-centered approaches while promoting social cohesion between refugees and host communities. The UN Volunteer will contribute to enhancing community engagement, strengthening protection networks, and ensuring that the voices and capacities of refugees and host communities meaningfully inform UNHCR programming and advocacy at the field level. The assignment will also involve regular interaction with various stakeholders, including government counterparts, NGOs, community leaders, and other local actors, to address protection concerns and promote accountability to affected populations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Associate Community-Based Protection Officer include supporting the implementation of UNHCR’s Community-Based Protection (CBP) strategy at the field level, ensuring meaningful participation of refugees and host communities in protection interventions. The officer will conduct community outreach, protection monitoring, and participatory assessments to identify and analyze protection risks, capacities, and priorities, with particular attention to age, gender, and diversity (AGD). They will assist in establishing and strengthening community-based protection structures, including refugee committees, women and youth groups, and protection focal points. The officer will also support prevention and response activities related to gender-based violence (GBV), child protection, and other protection risks, including awareness-raising and community sensitization. Additionally, the officer will contribute to protection mainstreaming across all sectors by collaborating closely with UNHCR units and implementing partners, participate in coordination meetings, support the collection and analysis of protection data, and promote accountability to affected populations by supporting feedback and complaint mechanisms. The officer will monitor protection activities implemented by partners in the field and provide feedback to supervisors, as well as perform any other protection-related duties as required by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Development Studies, Law, Human Rights, Sociology, Psychology, International Relations, or a related field. A Master’s degree is not required. Candidates should demonstrate a strong interest and/or experience in protection, community development, social services, humanitarian assistance, or related areas. Experience working with vulnerable populations, community groups, or grassroots organizations is considered an asset. Prior experience in refugee, displacement, or emergency contexts is desirable but not mandatory. Skills in basic understanding of community-based approaches, protection principles, and humanitarian values are essential. Candidates should also possess the ability to engage respectfully with people from diverse cultural, social, and ethnic backgrounds, and have a willingness to conduct community outreach, field monitoring, and participatory activities. Basic skills in data collection, documentation, and reporting are required, along with familiarity with referral mechanisms and coordination with service providers. Proficiency in standard office software (Word, Excel, email) is also necessary.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Social Work, Development Studies, Law, Human Rights, Sociology, Psychology, International Relations, or a related discipline. The educational background should provide a solid foundation for understanding the complexities of community-based protection and the challenges faced by forcibly displaced and stateless persons. A Master’s degree is not a requirement for this position, making it accessible to recent graduates and young professionals.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 0 months of relevant experience, as defined by the funding partner. However, candidates with demonstrated interest and/or experience (up to two years) in protection, community development, social services, humanitarian assistance, or related areas will be preferred. Experience working with vulnerable populations, community groups, or grassroots organizations is an asset, and prior experience in refugee, displacement, or emergency contexts is desirable but not required. Candidates should also have experience with health information systems and the provision of quality-assured medicines and medical supplies. Previous volunteer experience or exposure to another culture through studies, volunteer work, or internships would be highly regarded.

Languages:
The mandatory language for this position is English, with a requirement for working knowledge and fluency. French is considered a desirable language, but it is not mandatory. Proficiency in both languages will enhance communication and engagement with diverse communities and stakeholders in the field.

Additional Notes:
The position is categorized as a Family Duty Station, and the duration of the assignment is 12 months, with a possibility of extension based on funding partner support. The expected start date for the assignment is October 12, 202

• The Huye Field Office is located in a region with low security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security risks (Level 1), and staff members are expected to reside in rented accommodations, as UNHCR does not provide housing. The living conditions in Huye include access to private clinics, a referral hospital, and limited educational facilities for staff's children. Public transportation is available, and the local market offers necessary items, including imported goods. The Conditions of Service outline the policies and rules governing UN Volunteer assignments, and the organization is committed to inclusivity and diversity in its recruitment process.