Protection Associate

Organizational Context

The UNHCR Protection Associate operates within the organizational setting, reporting to the Protection Officer or Senior Protection Officer. The role focuses on monitoring protection standards and providing functional support to information management and programme staff, ensuring effective protection responses for populations of concern (PoC) and integrating protection safeguards across all operational sectors.

Job Purpose

The Protection Associate is responsible for coordinating timely and effective protection responses to meet the needs of populations of concern (PoC). This involves identifying opportunities to mainstream protection methodologies and integrate protection safeguards into all operational sectors. The incumbent contributes to the development of a comprehensive protection strategy and engages with authorities and partners on protection doctrine and policy, as directed by the supervisor. A key aspect of the role is ensuring PoC participation in decisions affecting them, whether related to accessing rights or finding solutions to their problems. This requires building and maintaining effective relationships with communities of concern, local authorities, and protection and assistance partners to ensure their voices are heard and their rights are upheld.

Responsibilities

The Protection Associate is tasked with staying informed about political, social, economic, and cultural developments impacting the protection environment. They must consistently apply International and National Law, along with applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policies, standards, and codes of conduct. This includes assisting in reviewing existing and draft legislation related to PoC and providing advice on protection issues. The role involves assisting in eligibility and status determination for PoC, contributing to efforts to identify, prevent, and reduce statelessness, and supporting country-level child protection and education plans. Monitoring Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all protection and solutions activities is crucial, as is managing individual protection cases, including those involving GBV and child protection. The incumbent will monitor and intervene in cases of refoulement, expulsion, and other protection incidents. Assisting in identifying durable solutions for PoC through voluntary repatriation, local integration, and resettlement is also a key responsibility. Contributing to the design, implementation, and evaluation of AGD-based protection programming with partners, and facilitating effective information management through disaggregated data on PoC are essential. The role includes participating in initiatives to strengthen national protection legislation and procedures with authorities and NGOs, and assisting the supervisor in prioritizing PoC for interviews and proposing protection support. Enforcing compliance of local implementing partners with global protection policies and standards, and ensuring integrity of all protection SOPs are also part of the duties. Submitting individual payment requests for PoC for approval and supporting risk management are also required.

Work Experience

3 years of relevant experience with a High School Diploma, or 2 years of relevant experience with a Bachelor's degree or higher.

Skills

International Law Political Science IT-Computer Literacy PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators

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