Community-Based Protection Associate

March 10, 2026

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

B

FamilyUNOPS LICA6

2026-04-011. General Background

The Community-Based Protection Associate is a member of the Protection Unit, supporting protection delivery for clients through participatory, AGD-sensitive approaches. The contractor will work under UNHCR Nairobi to strengthen community structures, enhance participation, and contribute to protection analysis in collaboration with partners and communities. The contractor will work under the supervision of the Associate Community-Based Protection Officer in the Protection Unit under the overall direction of the Protection Unit. In coordination with other UNHCR staff, government, NGO partners and other stakeholders, the Community-Based Protection Associate works directly with communities of concern to identify the risks they face and to leverage their capacities to protect themselves, their families and communities, and supports the application of community-based protection standards, operational procedures and practices in community-based protection delivery at the field level. To fulfil this role, the Community-Based Protection Associate is required to spend a substantial percentage of the workday outside the office, building and maintaining networks within communities of clients. The development and maintenance of constructive relationships with clients that measurably impact and enhance protection planning, programming and results, form the core of the work of the incumbent. S/he also supports the design and implementation of a community-based protection strategy by ensuring that it is based on consultation with FSDPs (Forcibly Displaced Persons), host communities and partners.

2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment
The contractor will support the integration of community-based protection methodologies across the operation. Duties include:
Assist functional units, the Multi-Functional Team (MFT) and senior management to integrate participatory and community-based approaches in the overall protection strategy and operational procedures.

• Understand the perspectives, capacities, needs and resources of the FSDPs and advise the protection team, accordingly, highlighting the specific protection needs of women and men, children, youth and older persons, persons with disabilities, marginalized groups.
• Work closely with host communities to identify opportunities for national inclusion of refugees and support advocacy for refugees and asylum seekers in improving protection.
• Maintaining networks with communities and building communication channels and the feedback and complaints mechanism within the communities, including Whatsapp groups, committees, etc.
• Work with implementing and operational partners as well as with displaced and local communities to develop community-owned activities to address, where applicable, the social, educational, psycho-social, cultural, health, organizational and livelihood concerns as well as child protection and prevention and response to GBV.
• Support participatory assessments by multifunctional teams and ongoing consultation with FSDPs and assist in the analysis that identifies the capacities of communities of concern and risks they face.
• Organizing and supporting community engagements, dialogues and community-led initiatives.
• Strengthening community leadership structures, support communities in establishing representation and coordination structures to identify and monitor protection risks and build resilience.
• Ensure community understanding of UNHCR's commitment to deliver on accountability and quality assurance in its response.
• Identify and select which individuals or groups to prioritize for counselling and field visits based on agreed criteria.
• Coordination of technical working group meetings and maintenance of partnership and intervene with authorities on protection.
• Assist in planning and monitoring of programmes and budgets, with an AGD perspective
• Contribute to the enforcement of participatory AGD sensitive analysis as an essential basis for all UNHCR’s work.
• Build capacity for community-based protection through training and establishing systems for community mobilization and participation of FSDPs.
• Initiate AGD sensitive interventions at the appropriate level on community-based protection issues and to respond to protection concerns and incidents within the office, with external interlocutors, groups and individuals based on agreed parameters.
• Enforce compliance of implementing partners with global protection policies and standards of professional integrity in the delivery of protection services.
• Support office logistics.
• Protection counselling, case management and individual support for clients.
• Reporting and documentation of activities, dialogues and communication materials.
• Conduct regular field visits and engagement with communities, partners, and authorities.
Perform other protection related and ad hoc duties as required.

3. Monitoring and Progress Controls
Performance will be monitored through delivery of weekly and annual activity reports, documentation of community consultations and dialogues, participation in protection monitoring exercises, quality of support to AGD-sensitive programming, and feedback from FSDPs. Key performance indicators include: Number of community engagement activities; number of refugees and host communities consulted and engaged; number of working group meetings organized; contribution to participatory assessment and protection analysis; numbers of protection counselling and case management; contribution to reporting and monitoring exercise; and support to CBP strategy, etc.

4. Qualifications and Experience
a. Education
For LICA6/G6 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher
b. Work Experience
Required – experience in community engagement, protection, social work, or related field. Desirable – experience with UNHCR procedures, partner coordination, and AGD methodologies.
c. Key Competencies
Required:
• Accountability: Takes ownership of responsibilities and delivers on commitments.
• Strong communication skills: Communicates in clearly and respectful way, and tailors messages appropriately for different audiences.
• Teamwork and collaboration: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise. Places team agenda before personal agenda.
• Commitment to continuous learning: Actively seeks opportunities to expand knowledge and skills. Applies new learning to improve performance.
• Client and results orientation: Focuses on delivering high-quality services to FSDPs and partners. Strives for timely, effective, and measurable outcomes.
• Stakeholder engagement: Builds constructive relationships with communities, partners, and authorities. Encourages inclusive participation and transparent communication.
• Planning and organizing: Sets clear priorities and manage time effectively. Anticipates risks and adjusts plans when necessary.
• Community mobilization: Engages communities in identifying needs and solutions. Strengthens community participation and ownership.
• Conflict resolution: Identifies sources of tension and facilitates constructive dialogue. Maintains calm and impartiality in challenging situations.
• Political awareness: Recognizes political sensitivities affecting operations. Navigates complex environments with discretion and neutrality.
• Languages: Fluency in English and Kiswahili
• Multi-stakeholder Communications and engagements with Partners, Government & Community and experience with coordinating with Implementing Partners
(Governmt/INGO/NGO/Corporate)
• Experience in Participatory Assessments: Facilitates inclusive community assessments using AGD-sensitive methods. Ensures findings inform protection and program planning.

Desired:
• Judgement and decision-making: Makes sound decisions based on evidence and situational analysis. Balances risks and priorities responsibly.
• Results-based management: Applies RBM principles to plan, monitor, and evaluate activities. Uses data to guide decisions and improve outcomes.
• Strong reporting and research skill: Gathers and analyses information accurately. Produces concise, well-structured reports to support decision-making.

Functional Skills

*IT-MS Office Applications
*IT-Computer Literacy
IT-Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
UN-UN/UNHCR Administrative Rules, Regulations and Procedures
UN-UN/UNHCR Financial Rules and Regulations and Procedures
PR-Community-based Protection
PR-Community-based Protection - Principles and methodologies
TR-Capacity Building

 

Standard Job Description

Required Languages

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Desired Languages

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Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

Certifications

Other information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

Remote

No