Protection Associate

March 22, 2026

Grade

GS6

General Service

Reason

Temporary > Temporary Assignment/ Appointment

H (no hardship)

Family

2026-04-01

2026-09-30

Standard Job Description

Protection Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Protection Associate normally reports to the Protection Officer or the Senior Protection Officer. The incumbent monitors protection standards, operational procedures and practices in protection delivery in line with international standards and provides functional protection support to information management and programme staff.

The Protection Associate is expected to coordinate quality, timely and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern (PoC) and identify opportunities to mainstream protection methodologies and integrate protection safeguards in operational responses in all sectors. S/he contributes to designing a comprehensive protection strategy and liaises externally with authorities and partners on protection doctrine and policy as guided by the supervisor.

The Protection Associate also ensures that PoC are involved in making decisions that affect them, whether in accessing their rights or in identifying appropriate solutions to their problems. To achieve this, the incumbent will need to build and maintain effective interfaces with communities of concern, local authorities and protection and assistance partners.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties
- Stay abreast of political, social, economic and cultural developments that have an impact on the protection environment.
- Consistently apply International and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards and codes of conduct.
- Assist in providing comments on existing and draft legislation related to PoC.
- Provide advice on protection issues to PoC; liaise with competent authorities to ensure the issuance of personal and other relevant documentation.
- Assist in conducting eligibility and status determination for PoC.
- Contribute to measures to identify, prevent and reduce statelessness.
- Contribute to a country-level child protection plan as part of the protection strategy.
- Contribute to a country-level education plan as part of the protection strategy.
- Monitor Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all protection/solutions activities.
- Manage individual protection cases including those on GBV and child protection. Monitor, and intervene in cases of refoulement, expulsion and other protection incidents.
- Assist in identifying durable solutions for the largest possible number of PoC through voluntary repatriation, local integration and where appropriate, resettlement.
- Contribute to the design, implementation and evaluation of protection related AGD based programming with implementing and operational partners.
- Facilitate effective information management through the provision of disaggregated data on PoC and their problems.
- Participate in initiatives to capacitate authorities, relevant institutions and NGOs to strengthen national protection related legislation and procedures.
- Assist the supervisor in prioritizing PoC for interview, counselling and propose protection support for individual cases.
- Assist the supervisor with enforcing compliance of local implementing partners with global protection policies and standards of professional integrity in the delivery of protection services.
- Assit the supervisor with enforcing compliance with, and integrity of, all protection standard operating procedures.
- Submit individual payments request for PoC for approval.

- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G6 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not applicable

Certificates and/or Licenses
International Law, Political Science
or other related field
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Not specified

Desirable
Protection Learning Programme

Functional Skills
IT-Computer Literacy
PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework
PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

1. Operational Context

Since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, more than 176,000 refugees from Ukraine have applied for temporary protection in Slovakia. As of November 2025, Slovakia hosts 139,000 refugees from Ukraine, among them 80% are women and children, as well as refugees with specific needs such as older persons and persons with disabilities. Slovakia also hosts 1,200 refugees of diverse nationalities.

UNHCR has been active in Slovakia since 1994, supporting the national authorities on refugee-related issues. In line with its international protection mandate, supervisory role over the 1951 Refugee Convention, and expertise in International Refugee Law, UNHCR contributes to legislative and policy development by providing expert analysis, formulating recommendations and legal opinions, and supporting strategic litigation where indicated. These efforts aim to strengthen advocacy and deliver technical expertise that reinforces Slovakia’s legal protection framework. This includes promoting fair and efficient procedures related to international protection; improving access to national social protection services; and facilitating socio-economic inclusion. Slovakia’s implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum is also a strategic priority within the larger asylum system of the European Union.

UNHCR monitors the implementation of temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees in Slovakia, advising on legal safeguards, promoting rights-based procedures, and strengthening access to legal counselling. It provides technical guidance to the authorities and supports pathways to inclusion and durable solutions. Despite progress, some refugees still face certain barriers to inclusion, legal obstacles to services, and protection risks for vulnerable groups.

As the UN-mandated agency for refugee protection, UNHCR supports the Government-led response and coordination to strengthen the national response, ensure complementarity and sustainability, and prevent duplication. UNHCR works closely with relevant sister UN agencies and NGO partners in this regard. In doing so, UNHCR aims to safeguard asylum space, promote inclusive policies, and ensure that the voices of refugees continue to inform decisions that affect their lives.

2. Nature of the Position

The position will be based in Bratislava and have a roving function, primarily between Bratislava and Košice. The incumbent will liaise with Slovak officials, NGO partners and other external stakeholders in both locations to support the operation in completing a transition from the current National Office to a much-reduced workforce presence on 1 March 2026. The incumbent will report to the 1 April to the Deputy Representative of MCO Poland.

The Protection Associate will focus on handing over inter-agency coordination and protection monitoring to national actors and laying the foundation for the UNHCR presence in Bratislava to undertake and participate in selected priority activities and external engagement in line with the transition plan. This includes undertaking protection-related capacity building, technical support and awareness-raising activities for the actors who will take over tasks from UNHCR.
The incumbent is expected to have a good understanding of the context in Slovakia, including in the capital city of Bratislava and Kosice. The role requires a high degree of mobility and the ability to work independently at times, but under the overall guidance of the Deputy Representative of MCO Poland.

3. Desired Candidate Profile

The incumbent is required to be mature and experienced to be able to facilitate coordination and engage with government interlocutors, NGOs and other external stakeholders. The ability to analyse context, frame protection risks, and propose strategic responses is essential. Strong analytical skills are essential, along with strategic thinking skills. Given the roving nature of the position, the incumbent must be flexible and adaptable, ready to take on a wide range of tasks.

Desirable qualifications and skills include:

• ability to stay abreast of political, legal, and socio-economic developments impacting the protection environment and UNHCR’s work during a transition period;
• negotiation skills to maintain operational space with government counterparts and other stakeholders, working under the guidance of, and the support of, MCO Poland;
• relevant experience in field-based and policy-driven protection work;
• understanding of international, EU, and national laws, and UNHCR standards;
• knowledge of referral pathways to national social protection services in Slovakia;
• capacity to work independently with a high degree of initiative, proactivity, and flexibility;
• proven experience in delivering UNHCR training on protection.

4. Language Requirements

Knowledge of English (B2) as the UN working language of the duty station and Slovak (C1) is required.

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

English

,

Slovak

,

,

,

Skills

IT-Computer Literacy, PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators, PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework

Education

Certifications

International Law - Other, Political Science - Other

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