Community-Based 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, employing more than 18,000 staff members. The organization aims to ensure that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another country, and it strives to promote durable solutions for refugees and displaced persons.

Job Overview:
The Community-Based Protection Associate plays a crucial role within the Protection Unit of UNHCR. This position involves working closely with communities of concern to identify the risks they face and to empower them to protect themselves and their families. The associate will report to the Protection Officer or Community-Based Protection Officer and will be responsible for implementing community-based protection standards and operational procedures. A significant portion of the work will be conducted outside the office, engaging directly with communities to build relationships and networks that enhance protection planning and programming. The role requires the associate to support the design of community-based protection strategies based on consultations with persons of concern (PoC), ensuring that their voices and needs are prioritized in all initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Community-Based Protection Associate include assisting functional units and senior management in integrating community-based approaches into protection strategies. The associate will maintain relationships with PoC and partners to stay informed about developments affecting the protection environment. They will work with host communities to enhance civil society involvement in protecting PoC and develop community-owned activities addressing various concerns, including social, educational, and health issues. The associate will also assist in analyzing community capacities and risks, support participatory assessments, and help plan and monitor programs with an Age, Gender, and Diversity (AGD) perspective. Additionally, they will build office capacity for community-based protection through training, support community representation structures, and ensure understanding of UNHCR's accountability commitments. The associate will also act as an interpreter, contribute to participatory analysis, and initiate AGD-sensitive interventions. They will prioritize individuals or groups for counseling and field visits, intervene with authorities on protection matters, and ensure compliance with global protection policies.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires 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 functional skills include proficiency in IT-Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), computer literacy, and knowledge of UNHCR administrative rules and procedures. The associate should also possess skills in community-based protection principles, multi-stakeholder communications, and capacity building. Desirable qualifications include completion of UNHCR learning programs and familiarity with the Management and Reporting System (MSRP).

Educational Background:
Candidates must have a High School Diploma or equivalent, with a preference for those holding a Bachelor’s degree in fields related to Development, Human Rights, law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">International Law, Social Work, Social Science, or Political Science. Certificates and licenses in these areas are considered essential for the role.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least three years of relevant experience in community-based protection or related fields. Experience in managing high-risk situations and processing cases of refugees with specific needs, including those with disabilities and older persons at risk, is highly desirable. Previous experience in communication and transparency, as well as community empowerment, will be beneficial for this role.

Languages:
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, especially in engaging with communities of concern.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified at the GS6 level and is a regular assignment with a target start date of October 1, 202

• The role is full-time and may involve working with both national and international stakeholders. The position does not require a functional clearance, and all UNHCR staff members are expected to contribute to a safe and respectful working environment.