Senior Protection and Solutions Coordinator

December 22, 2025

A (least hardship)

FamilyFamily

PR5

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2025-12-08

Senior Protection and Solutions Coordinator

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

In the Bureaux, the Senior Protection and Solutions Coordinator works under the direct supervision of the Head of Bureau Protection Service, the Bureau Director or Bureau Deputy Director. In the Field, the incumbent normally reports to the Representative, Assistant Representative or Deputy Representative as appropriate. The incumbent has direct supervisory responsibility for protection staff in the Area of Responsibility (AoR) and may supervise other staff.

The incumbent provides guidance to the Country Operations in the AoR on all protection/legal matters and accountabilities. These include: statelessness (in line with the campaign to End Statelessness by 2024),  Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) commitments, age, gender, diversity (AGD) and accountability to affected populations (AAP) through community-based protection, child protection, Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention and response, gender equality, disability inclusion, youth empowerment, psycho-social support  and PSEA, registration, asylum/refugee status determination, resettlement, local integration, voluntary repatriation, human rights standards integration, national legislation, judicial engagement, predictable and decisive engagement in situations of internal displacement and engagement in wider mixed movement and climate change/disaster-related displacement responses.

The incumbent provides protection oversight and guidance to other functions in the AoR, to support protection delivery to populations of concern and to promote and gain support for UNHCR’s protection agenda also externally. This includes ensuring that operational responses in all areas and sectors are shaped in a protection optic, mainstream protection methodologies and integrate protection safeguards and benchmarks.

The incumbent works in close collaboration with the Division of International Protection, Division of Resilience and Solutions, Division of Programme Support and Management and other relevant Divisions. He/she maintains close working relations with senior protection staff in all countries in the region or all offices in the country, as appropriate, as well as regional/country-based UN sister entities, other intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organisations, embassies, academic institutions and the media and represents the Organization on protection and legal matters.

In the Regional Bureaux, the incumbent is responsible for ensuring, in an effective and efficient manner which supports the Organization’s Mandate, overall quality assurance and managerial support of operations, in line with the Bureau’s 2nd line function, within the three lines of defence conceptual framework for effective control and risk management adopted by the UN system.

S/he will, further, cover the full spectrum of managerial oversight, manage performance and monitor the adherence of Country Operations to UNHCR’s rules and regulations, monitoring, identifying and addressing any emerging issues and risks as appropriate.  The incumbent also promotes a culture that is results-oriented, efficient and based on trust and pursues measures to ensure that inclusion, gender balance and diversity are taken into due consideration in staffing, resource allocation and representation at all levels throughout the AoR.

As a key custodian of the organization’s standards of conduct, s/he will proactively establish a working environment where all personnel feel safe, heard, equipped and empowered to speak up; demonstrate no tolerance for sexism, gender inequality, discrimination of any kind, abuse of power, harassment or sexual harassment; foster ongoing dialogue on those matters; take seriously all issues of inappropriate behaviour and actions reported, whether formally or informally; and seek guidance and support as necessary to ensure that appropriate follow-up is taken, working on the basis of zero tolerance for any form of misconduct.

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

• Provide guidance to the Bureau Director on all protection matters.
• Contribute towards the development of a protection and solutions strategy in the AoR consistent with UNHCR’s priorities and commitments; support regional and country programming for protection from planning to evaluation including contingency planning and advocate for adequate resource allocations.
• Stay abreast of political, social, economic and security developments that have an impact on the protection environment and protection delivery capacity and advise the senior management in the overall management of UNHCR’s operations.
• Coordinate quality, timely and effective protection responses to the needs of forcibly displaced and stateless personsin the AoR including emergency responses.
• Maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of the protection service guided by common strategic, principled and practical protection objectives, working towards increased protection impact in line with the regional strategies.
• Provide legal, technical and policy advice to Country Operations or Offices under the AoR and enforce Country Operations’ compliance with, and operationalization of, UNHCR’s global protection policies and standards, priorities and commitments.
• Coordinate a consultative process (through Country Offices in the region, if applicable) with government counterparts, partners and forcibly displaced and stateless persons to develop and implement the protection and solutions strategies at the country level. Ensure strategies address gender equality priorities, internally displaced persons, specific protection needs of women and men, children, youth and older persons, persons with disabilities, persons of diverse sexual orientation and/or gender identity, minority groups, and person living with HIV/AIDS.
• Coordinate with partners and provide oversight to specific protection areas described above.
• Advocate with authorities and stakeholders for access to and respect for the rights of forcibly displaced and stateless persons and their access to services.
• Support local integration objectives and well as efforts to promote social inclusion.
• Coordinate activities in the area of risk management related to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA), fraud, case-processing data protection, and human rights due diligence at country level, in consultation with relevant Divisions (as appropriate).
• Coordinate the design, implementation and evaluation of protection related programming with implementing and operational partners also in line with Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals.

For positions in Bureaux

• Work with Country Offices in identifying and taking up opportunities to influence legislative, institutional and judicial processes in relation to asylum/RSD, statelessness and internal displacement; ensure quality comments are provided on draft legislation and policies and to Human Rights mechanisms; draft/review judicial interventions and engage with legal and judicial institutions as relevant.
• Guide and support Country Operations in the development of strategies to build and further develop national asylum/RSD systems with a view to ensuring their fairness, efficiency, adaptability and integrity.
• Support Country Operations and ensure they meet their complementary pathways objectives and resettlement quotas.

• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level

For P5 - 12 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 11 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 10 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education

Law;                                                    International Law;                                             Political Science;

International Humanitarian Law;       International Refugee Law;                              International Relations;             or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses

Management Learning Programme;

(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Minimum 8 years of previous work experience in progressively responsible functions in an organisation or institution with a protection mandate, preferably within the UN. Thorough knowledge of International refugee law and its application; ability to analyse and advocate for the application of relevant international and regional legal instruments for the benefits of the persons under UNHCR's mandate.

Desirable

Solid UNHCR experience from both the Field (including Hardship Duty stations) and Headquarters/Regional entities. Proven track record in emergency preparedness, response and management. Proficiency in local language(s) in the given region. Knowledge of additional UN languages.

Functional Skills

*PR-Developing Strategic Protection Framework;

*PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators;

*LE-International Refugee Law;

*PR-Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD);

*PR-Gender Based Violence (GBV) Coordination

*PR-Comprehensive Solutions Framework;

PR-Gender Equality;

PR-Refugee Coordination Model;

ER-Inter-Agency Coordination;

PR-Human Rights Doctrine/Standards;

PR-International Humanitarian Law;

LE-Judicial engagement;

PR-Climate change and disaster related displacement;

(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.

Competency Requirements

All jobs at UNHCR require six core competencies and may also require managerial competencies and/or cross-functional competencies. The six core competencies are listed below.

Core Competencies

Accountability

Communication

Organizational Awareness

Teamwork & Collaboration

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies

Empowering and Building Trust

Judgement and Decision Making

Leadership

Managing Performance

Managing Resources

Strategic Planning and Vision

Cross-Functional Competencies

Planning and Organizing

Policy Development and Research

Political Awareness

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.

• The primary competencies required are experience in managing a diverse Protection team and in developing Protection strategies and support to country operations.
• Knowledge of and experience in applying UNHCR’s global Protection policies and standards in country operation contexts. Experience in the Middle East and North Africa Region would be an asset.
• Broad technical skills in and demonstrated experience in managing Protection teams that cover in case processing, legal and field protection, as listed above.
• Excellent skills and demonstrated experience in drafting of protection policy papers and guidance.
• Experience in representing UNHCR to external stakeholders on protection issues.

,

,

,

,

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

Reporting to and in close collaboration with the Deputy Director and Head of the MENA Protection Service (MPS), the Senior Protection and Solutions Coordinator supervises the full range of Protection functions in MPS that support and oversee protection responses across MENA operations. This includes:

Regional protection management and strategy, protection staffing, 3RP, country protection strategies, access to safety/Protection from Refoulement, accountability to affected people, age, gender and diversity, asylum legislation, national asylum systems, border monitoring, child protection, civil documentation and birth registration, civilian character of asylum, community-based protection, public protection advocacy, communication with communities, multi-year protection programming, counter-terrorism and non-state agents, detention, education, housing, land and property, Human Rights Law, International Humanitarian Law, humanitarian-development nexus, humanitarian negotiation, internally displaced persons, legal protection issues, LGBTIQ+, mental health and psychosocial support, minority rights, mixed movements, protection budgets, Palestinian refugees and UNRWA, protection evidence and integrated rights-based approaches, PSEA, risk register, GBV and gender equality, social protection, statelessness, trafficking, UN Accountability Mechanisms (IICISyria, IIIM, BOI), urban refugees, climate change, youth and No Lost Generation, and inter-agency and civil society engagement.

The incumbent also oversees case processing functions, including refugee status determination, registration, country of origin information, resettlement, complementary pathways, in-country processing, integrity and anti-fraud, data and proGres, registration and identity management, individual case management, and data protection.

The incumbent provides protection oversight and guidance to other functional units and plays a central role in ensuring that operational responses across the MENA region are shaped through a strong protection lens. This includes strengthening protection mainstreaming across all sectors, supporting the integration of protection safeguards, and ensuring meaningful participation of persons and communities of concern in decisions that affect them.

The incumbent leads and coordinates a diverse protection team, guiding strategic planning processes and contributing to multi-year protection strategies. The role also involves drafting policy and concept notes, engaging in internal and external protection advocacy, and representing UNHCR’s protection priorities with authorities, partners, donors and stakeholders across the region. The incumbent works in complex environments requiring close collaboration with multi-functional teams, operational coordination, and engagement with communities, civil society, and inter-agency platforms.

Living and Working Conditions:

Jordan has a total population of 9.4 million people. Amman houses 42% of Jordan’s population, 4.008 million, making it the populous city in the country. Amman is categorized as (A) duty station. Several International airlines operate daily flights from Amman (Queen Alia International Airport). The local currency is the Jordanian Dinar and the exchange rate is fixed and equivalent to ( 1 JOD=0.71 USD), Money traders and good local banking system are available.

Jordan is visa free for UNLP holders; however appointed staff must obtain a residency permit. Residency permits and other local protocol remain a challenge due to governmental procedures, subject to frequent changes. The process of obtaining residency in Jordan may vary depending on nationality of applicant, type of contract offered and its length. 

Staff members assigned to Amman are residing in private accommodation. Rent in Amman can vary depending on the size of the property itself, number of bedrooms and the area of Amman in which it is located. Renting a 3-bedroom apartment can range from 1100 – 2500 USD per month.

Food and other commodities are widely available in the local shops and markets.

Amman tends to have a Mediterranean climate; summers are mildly hot, winter usually starts around the end of November and continues until mid-March, there is occasional snowfall.

The medium for teaching in international schools is English, however there are a few French language schools as well. There is a plethora of institutions for children of all ages from pre-school to high school as well universities.

The majority of international educational institutions are in Amman.

Amman is the home to many top-end hospitals and clinics. Due to Jordanian healthcare’s international appeal, nearly all doctors and many support staff speak English. Healthcare here is also very accessible and affordable.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CL-Human Rights Doctrine/Standards, CL-International Humanitarian Law, PR-RSD - Principles and Procedures, operational arrangements/assistance

Juris Doctor (JD): Law

Certifications

HCR Management Learning Program - UNHCR

Annual Budget OL in Operation/Office, Number of Persons of Concern Served, Number of Workforce in Operation/Work Setting, Workforce to Supervise, Working with Persons of Concern: Asylum Seekers, Working with Persons of Concern: Internally Displaced Persons, Working with Persons of Concern: Others of Concern, Working with Persons of Concern: Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: Returned IDPs, Working with Persons of Concern: Returned Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: Stateless

Competencies

Accountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Policy research & development, Political awareness, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Flash Vacancy Notice

Additional Information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance