Associate Field Officer (Protection)

Organizational Context

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) leads and coordinates international action to protect refugees and resolve their problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees, ensuring they can exercise their right to seek asylum and find safe refuge. The assignment is within UNHCR's Protection Unit in Serbia, operating in a dynamic environment requiring alignment with international legal frameworks and UNHCR standards to deliver timely and responsive protection interventions.

Job Purpose

The Associate Field Officer (Protection) will support the delivery and strengthening of protection interventions at the field level within UNHCR's Protection Unit in Serbia. This role involves contributing to the design, implementation, and refinement of the protection strategy, ensuring it is evidence-based, participatory, and grounded in the needs of affected populations. A key focus is integrating an Age, Gender, and Diversity (AGD) perspective to ensure inclusive and equitable interventions. The position requires building strong relationships with persons of concern, authorities, and partners to coordinate protection programs and enhance outcomes, while promoting community-based and rights-based approaches and supporting capacity development of national staff and partners.

Responsibilities

The Associate Field Officer (Protection) will monitor the protection environment, advising senior management on political, social, and cultural developments. They will support needs assessments and planning through consultations with government counterparts, partners, and persons of concern. Key duties include facilitating responses to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and other specific protection needs, managing individual protection cases (including SGBV and child protection), and monitoring operations management standards. The role involves maintaining a protection presence through field missions, reporting on protection, security, and safety, and facilitating AGD-based programs. The officer will support community representation and coordination structures, promote confidence-building, and provide guidance on protection issues, ensuring access to legal assistance. They will contribute to developing education plans, intervening in protection incidents, assessing resettlement needs, and supporting data management for monitoring and evaluation. Capacity building of local partners and civil society is also a responsibility.

Work Experience

Three years of relevant work experience in a protection capacity with refugees or other persons of concern is required. Field experience is essential. Knowledge of UN policies and procedures, as well as UNHCR policies and guidelines, is desirable. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and internet browsing is necessary.

Skills

Core competencies include Accountability, Adaptability and Flexibility, Commitment to Continuous Learning, Communication, Integrity, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity, and Working in Teams. Expertise in Legal affairs, Security, and protection is required.

Explore related opportunities