Deadline for Applications
December 16, 2025
Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)
A (least hardship)
Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
Family
Staff Member / Affiliate Type
UNOPS LICA6
2026-01-01
Position details:
Title: Project Associate
Location: Podgorica, Montenegro
Type of Contract: UNOPS Local Individual Contractor
Grade: UNOPS LICA-6
Tentative starting date: 01 January 2025
Duration of contract: 6 months
1. General Background
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is United Nations agency with global mandate to lead and coordinate international protection of refugees, forcibly displaced and stateless persons. Its primary purpose is protecting rights and building a better future for people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution.
Since 1992, UNHCR had been helping the Montenegrin Government to respond to the needs of people in need of international and temporary protection and stateless persons/persons at risk of statelessness and to build its systems to align it with international standards in the area of asylum and statelessness.
In 2026, some of the main priorities of UNHCR in Montenegro will be: 1) Extension of temporary protection (TP) status for Ukrainian refugees, currently valid until March 2026, and smooth access to re-registration procedure for all TP holders still in the country; 2) access to asylum procedures for people arriving to Montenegro in mix migratory context; 3) timely identification of vulnerable people in need for international protection and their referral to relevant procedures; 4) further improvements of stateless related procedures and reduction of persons at risk of statelessness, and 5) further improvements of national legislation and practices in the areas of asylum and statelessness.
Under the supervision of the Assistant Protection Officer, the Project Associate will contribute to the enhancement of UNHCR’s programme in Montenegro, implementation of activities agreed between UNHCR and the Government of Montenegro, designed to contribute to Montenegro’s progress in the EU accession process and well as the country’s efforts to implement activities within the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) and other strategic documents.
As of September 2025, UNHCR Montenegro is administratively attached to the Representation for Central and South-East Europe in Budapest, Hungary. UNHCR maintains a protection presence in Montenegro to ensure timely responses and long-term solutions for thousands of forcibly displaced and stateless individuals. Montenegro is a country with one of the largest Ukrainian refugee populations in the world, per capita. At the same time, Montenegro, as part of the Western Balkan route, continues to receive thousands of refugees and migrants each year. Montenegro also hosts several hundred individuals at risk of statelessness, many of whom face limited access to basic rights.
2. Purpose of assignment
Through its work, the Project Associate is expected to support the Assistant Protection Officer to implement all activities of UNHCR Montenegro planned for 2026, and to secure timely preparation of meetings, capacity building activities and internal protection reports, as well as to deliver capacity building activities, as appropriate and agreed with its supervisor.
Through regular field presence, adapted to the context, the Project Associate is expected to secure that the voice of forcibly displaced and stateless persons is heard, and their main concerns are addressed by UNHCR Montenegro.
Special emphasis will be placed on close monitoring of UNHCR guiding and policy documents, primarily those related to transition from stand-alone Representation to the Representation for Central and South-East Europe, to ensure that all activities are undertaken with full respect of internal UNHCR procedures.
3. Scope of assignment
Under the supervision of the Assistant Protection Officer, the Project Associate will perform the following duties:
- Through regular contact with line state institutions systematically collect and process data on forcibly displaced and stateless persons;
- Undertake periodical field visits to the most relevant border areas to interview forcibly displaced persons and monitor practices of the border police and other line institutions;
- Undertake periodical field visits to reception centres in Bozaj and Spuz and monitor practices and activities in these facilities;
- Support capacity building activities for partners and state institutions, as appropriate;
- Monitor partner activities;
- Provide support in all areas related to administrative formalities, including financial documents;
- Liaise with Administration, Finance and Programme units to reconcile data and respond to queries;
- Initiate procurement requests and monitor delivery status, ensuring proper documentation is retained;
- Support vendor liaison and assist with contract preparation for routine purchases;
- Perform other related duties as required.
4. Desired candidate profile:
The Project Associate is a member of the Protection team and reports to the Assistant Protection Officer.
The Project Associate supports the Assistant Protection Officer in implementing all planned activities for 2026 during the transition to the new operational modality. Specifically, the Project Associate will play a key role in systematic collection and processing of statistical data from State institutions, conducting field activities with forcibly displaced and stateless persons, supporting capacity-building initiatives for partners and State institutions, as appropriate, and monitoring partner activities.
Under the supervision of the Assistant Protection Officer, the Project Associate will liaise with colleagues in Administration, Finance and Programme units at the Representation in Budapest on all matters related to the implementation of UNHCR Montenegro’s activities. The Project Associate will also monitor developments in UNHCR administrative and financial procedures relevant to the functioning of UNHCR Montenegro.
To perform these duties effectively, the Project Associate must demonstrate excellent knowledge of UNHCR policies and internal procedures, strong communication skills, high levels of accountability and reliability, and ability to manage multiple tasks under tight deadlines.
Experience in communicating with refugees through participatory assessments. Ability to communicate in Russian, Turkish, or Spanish—the primary languages spoken by refugees in Montenegro—is highly desirable.
The Project Associate should be a dynamic team player with a proactive and solution-oriented approach to work. A valid driver’s license and excellent driving skills are required.
5. Language requirements:
- Proficiency in English (B2 level) as well as Montenegrin (native level) is essential for this position.
- Knowledge of Russian, Turkish or Spanish is desirable.
6. Minimum Qualifications
For LICA-6 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher
Field of education:
- International Law, Political Science or other related field is desirable.
Functional Skills:
- EX-Field experience
- EX-Experience with Inter/Non-Governmental Organization (INGO/NGO)
- IT-Computer Literacy
Core Competencies
- Accountability
- Communication
- Organizational Awareness
- Teamwork & Collaboration
- Commitment to Continuous Learning
- Client & Result Orientation
Cross-Functional Competencies
- Planning and Organizing
- Stakeholder Management
- Analytical Thinking
Essential Job Experience:
- Experience in working with forcibly displaced and stateless persons. Knowledge of refugee protection principles and framework. Knowledge of UNHCR’s internal administrative and financial procedures. Experience in working in partnership with CSOs, UN organizations, and government authorities.
Desirable job experience:
- Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of the position.
7. Remuneration:
In case of a successful application, a competitive compensation and benefits package is offered.
LICA-6 monthly salary range: EUR 2,707 - EUR 3,113
UNOPS Local Individual Contract holders shall be responsible for paying any tax levied by their Government or other entities on their UNOPS earnings. UNHCR undertakes no liability for taxes payable by the UNOPS Local Individual Contract on payments made under the individual contract. The UNOPS Local Individual Contract holder will not be reimbursed such taxes or granted any other benefit, payment or subsidy which is not expressly provided for in the contract under which he/she is engaged.
Benefits:
Annual leave: UNOPS Local Individual Contract holders will accrue annual leave at the rate of 2.5 working days for each full calendar months of service (i.e. 30 working days per year).
Paid sick leave: 2 days of certified sick leave per month up to a maximum balance of 24 days, plus 6 uncertified sick days per year; depending on tenure, fee protection for longer periods of certified sick leave.
Paid parental leave: Up to 26 weeks for eligible parents who give birth and 16 weeks for other eligible parents.
Health insurance plan: according to UNOPS Medical Corporate Plan, including medical and dental insurance.
Provident fund scheme: UNOPS Local Individual Contract holders on contracts of at least 3 months will join the UNOPS provident fund by contributing through deduction of their monthly fee.
8. Applications:
All applications must be submitted online in Workday. Email applications will not be accepted. Incomplete and late applications will not be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Shortlisted candidates might be required to sit for a written test and/or oral interview.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted based on the information submitted during the application. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.
UNHCR is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, sexual orientation, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. UNHCR seeks to ensure that male and female employees are given equal career opportunities. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.
UNHCR has a zero-tolerance policy against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA). SEA is unacceptable behavior and prohibited conduct for UNHCR personnel. It constitutes acts of serious misconduct and is therefore grounds for disciplinary measures, including dismissal.
Any concerns or suspicions about a possible case of SEA should be reported immediately to the Inspector General’s Office (IGO) at inspector@unhcr.org or through the online complain form at https://www.unhcr.org/php/complaints.php or by confidential fax: +41 22 739 73 80.
Standard Job Description
Required Languages
English
,
Montenegrin
,
Desired Languages
Turkish
,
Russian
,
Spanish
Additional Qualifications
Skills
Education
Certifications
Other information
This position doesn't require a functional clearance
Remote
No