Protection Associate

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

• Its mission is to safeguard 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 dedicated to providing protection and assistance to those in need. The organization aims to ensure that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another country, and it works to promote durable solutions for refugees and displaced persons.

Job Overview:
The Protection Associate position is crucial within the UNHCR framework, as it involves monitoring and implementing protection standards and operational procedures in line with international guidelines. The incumbent will report to the Protection Officer or Senior Protection Officer and is expected to coordinate effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern (PoC). This role requires the individual to engage with communities, local authorities, and partners to ensure that protection methodologies are integrated into operational responses across various sectors. The Protection Associate will also play a key role in designing comprehensive protection strategies and ensuring that PoC are actively involved in decision-making processes that affect their rights and access to solutions.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties of the Protection Associate include staying informed about political, social, economic, and cultural developments that impact the protection environment. The incumbent will apply international and national laws, provide comments on legislation affecting PoC, and offer advice on protection issues. Responsibilities also include conducting eligibility and status determinations, contributing to child protection and education plans, monitoring Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), managing individual protection cases, and identifying durable solutions for PoC. The Protection Associate will facilitate effective information management, participate in capacity-building initiatives for authorities and NGOs, and assist in prioritizing PoC for interviews and counseling. Additionally, the role involves ensuring compliance with global protection policies and submitting payment requests for PoC.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of three years of relevant experience with a High School Diploma or two years 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, Political Science, or related fields. Functional skills required for this position include IT literacy and familiarity with refugee protection principles and guidelines. The candidate should also demonstrate competencies in accountability, client orientation, communication, negotiation, and teamwork.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a High School Diploma for candidates with three years of relevant experience or a Bachelor’s degree or higher for those with two years of relevant experience. Certificates in International Law or Political Science are essential for this role, as they provide the necessary foundation for understanding the legal frameworks surrounding refugee protection.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have at least three years of relevant experience if they hold a High School Diploma or two years of relevant experience if they possess a Bachelor’s degree or higher. Experience in community-based protection, managing high-risk situations, and processing cases of refugees with specific needs is highly desirable. Previous experience in communication and transparency, as well as community empowerment, is also beneficial for this role.

Languages:
For this position, knowledge of English is mandatory, along with the UN working language of the duty station if it is not English. For General Service jobs, proficiency in English and/or the UN working language is required. Local language proficiency is also advantageous, particularly for enhancing communication with the communities of concern.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified under the General Service category and is a regular assignment with a target start date of July 1, 202

• The role is full-time, and the incumbent will be expected to adhere to UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity, and respect for diversity. The position does not require a functional clearance, and the organization promotes a safe working environment free from harassment and discrimination.