Senior Protection Assistant

January 11, 2026

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

D

FamilyUNOPS LICA5

2026-02-011. General Background

The Senior Protection Assistant normally reports to a more senior Protection colleague. 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 Senior Protection Assistant provides quality, timely and effective protection support to the people we work for and identifies opportunities to mainstream protection methodologies and safeguards in operational responses. S/he contributes to designing a comprehensive protection strategy and may liaise externally with local authorities and partners on protection issues as guided by the supervisor.

The Senior Protection Assistant also ensures that the people we work for 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.

2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment
     
- Consistently apply International and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards and codes of conduct.
- Provide counselling on protection issues to PoC; liaise with competent authorities to ensure the issuance of personal and other relevant documentation.
- Support activities in protection related AGD based programming with implementing and operational partners.
- Conduct preliminary information gathering and interviews in support of eligibility, status determination, durable solutions and social needs assessment.
- 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 for PoC as part of the protection strategy.
- Monitor Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all protection/solutions activities.
- Participate in individual protection case management including cases of GBV and child protection. Monitor and report on cases of refoulement, expulsion and other protection incidents.
- Assist in identifying durable solutions for PoC in 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.
- Draft reports, routine correspondence, update relevant databases and compiling statistics within the Area of Responsibility (AoR).
- Contribute to initiatives to enhance national and local protection capacities.
- Select PoC for preliminary interviews and decide which relevant information to share.
- Enforce integrity in the delivery of protection services by local implementing partners.
- Perform other related duties as required.

In addition, the Senior Protection Assistant will perform the following specific responsibilities within the Area of Responsibility (AoR):
• Contribute to the development of local child protection and GbV plans as part of the broader protection strategy.
• Promote specific activities with an AGD approach to enhance the unit´s protection response for this population.
• Facilitate community-based protection initiatives and activities to strengthen accountability to affected populations linked to the current CEPROD strategy.
• Provide technical support to enhance local protection capacities, including delivering trainings to community leaders, authorities, partners and other stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate records, update databases, and prepare routine reports and statistics within the AoR.
• Ensure compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and integrity in protection service delivery for all activities and specially one specific partner assigned at the beginning of the year.

3. Monitoring and Progress Controls
     
Performance will be monitored through measurable outputs, milestones, and reporting requirements agreed upon at the start of the assignment. Key indicators include:
• Workplan Development:
A detailed workplan will be prepared at the beginning of the contract between the incumbent and the supervisor, outlining key activities, timelines, and expected deliverables.
• Milestones and Outputs:
o Local Protection Plans: Draft and submit contributions to local child protection and GBV workplans within the first two months.
o AGD Activities: Implement at least two AGD-sensitive activities per quarter and document outcomes.
o Community-Based Initiatives: Organize and report on at least one community-based protection activity per month.
o Capacity-Building: Deliver a minimum of four technical training sessions for community leaders, authorities, partners, and stakeholders during the contract period.
o Data and Reporting: Maintain updated records and submit monthly statistical reports and narrative summaries on protection activities.
o Compliance: Ensure 100% adherence to SOPs and integrity standards in all protection interventions.
• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):
o Timely submission of reports and updates to the IEM.
o Number and quality of AGD-sensitive activities implemented.
o Number of community-based initiatives and trainings conducted.
o Evidence of compliance with SOPs and integrity standards.
• Reporting Requirements:
o By-monthly check-ins with the supervisor to review progress and address challenges.
o Final report at the end of the contract detailing outputs, lessons learned, and recommendations.

4. Qualifications and Experience

a. Education (Level and area of required and/or preferred education)
     
Preferred education: Bachelor’s degree in Law, International Law, Political Science or other related fields.


b. Work Experience
     
Essential
• Minimum 4 years of relevant experience in protection, humanitarian assistance, or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience in case management, community-based protection, and liaising with authorities and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience facilitating access to civil documentation and legal identity for UNHCR´s prioritized groups.
Desirable
• Previous experience working with UNHCR, UN agencies, or international NGOs.
• Working knowledge of English
• Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools.

c. Key Competencies

Technical knowledge:
•   Knowledge of international protection standards and national legal frameworks.
• Deep knowledge of child protection and GbV national legal frameworks.
• Extensive knowledge of AGD (Age, Gender, Diversity) approaches and protection principles.
Core Competencies
Accountability
Communication
Organizational Awareness
Teamwork & Collaboration
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Client & Result Orientation

Cross-Functional Competencies
Analytical Thinking
Political Awareness
Stakeholder Management

d. Travel requirements
Contractor may be required to travel 20% of the time to locations other than their assigned work location.

 

Standard Job Description

Required Languages

Spanish

,

English

,

Desired Languages

,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

Certifications

Other information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

Remote

No