Senior Protection Assistant

H (no hardship)

FamilyFamily

GS5

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

June 11 2025

Senior Protection Assistant

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
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 persons of concern (PoC) 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 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 UNHCRs core values of professionalism integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties
- 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.

- 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
G5 - 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not applicable

Certificates and/or Licenses
International Law;
Political Science;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential: Not specified.
Desirable: Not specified.

Functional Skills
IT-Computer Literacy
PR-Protection-related guidelines standards and indicators
PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework
(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.

MCO Italy is looking for a solid candidate with proven expertise on the international EU and Italian refugee and human rights law and RSD procedure in Italy. The candidate must be proficient in Italian and English and have excellent drafting skills in both languages. The candidate should have the ability to think and execute strategically and possess strong legal and analytical skills. Previous experience in RSD or in other protection fields would be an asset.

Additional Information:

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in Italy.

English is the official working language of UNHCR in Italy. Only applications fully completed in English will be considered.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Assessment of short-listed candidates might comprise of both an interview and a written test.

UNHCR is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability gender identity marital or civil partnership status race color or ethnic and national origins religion or belief or sexual orientation. UNHCR has a ZERO TOLERANCE policy on sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harassment. Successful candidates will be subject to mandatory UN Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment clearance check prior to receiving an offer.

UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application interview meeting processing training or any other fees).

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

In case of any queries please contact the Italy HR Team at

English

Italian

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

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

of Position:

The UNHCR Multi-Country Office (MCO) based in Italy oversees operations in Italy San Marino the Vatican City Malta and Cypruscountries situated at the nexus of Europe North Africa and the Middle East and characterized by varied asylum landscapes distinct legal frameworks and differing capacities for refugee protection.

This sub-region plays a pivotal role in migration and refugee movements into Europe particularly through the Central and Eastern Mediterranean routes. Irregular arrivals by sea and land secondary movements and complex protection needs place continued pressure on national asylum and reception systems. While numbers fluctuate the centrality of these countries to European migration dynamics remains consistent.

Italy and Malta in particular remain among the primary entry points to the EU for persons seeking international protection. Their geographic proximity to North Africa renders Italy a key actor in search and rescue (SAR) efforts and for Italy in receiving persons rescued at sea. Cyprus facing a growing number of asylum claims relative to its population and capacity has become a significant point of concern due to overcrowded reception facilities and the need for strengthened asylum procedures.

San Marino and the Vatican City though not primary asylum destinations are engaged partners in refugee protection through political advocacy moral leadership and resettlement or complementary pathways especially under community sponsorship and humanitarian corridors supported by faith-based organizations.

In Italy the number of asylum applications lodged rose in 2024 to the record number of nearly 159.000. The RSD system from the access phase to second instance is facing historical challenges in ensuring fairness and efficiency of the procedure notably in view of the forthcoming application of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum.

In this context under the supervision of the RSD Associate the incumbent based in Bari will contribute to the development and implementation of MCO Italys activities aimed at enhancing State capacity in RSD. Notably s/he will act as focal point for the Territorial Commissions and Sections in his/her area of responsibility and take part in the selection introduction and coaching of independent experts on international protection and human rights designated by UNHCR. S/he will represent UNHCR and liaise with local authorities (e.g. Specialized Divisions of Civil Courts Questure Prefectures municipalities) civil society organizations and other relevant interlocutors thus contributing to the monitoring and alert system of the fairness of the asylum procedure from access to second instance.

The incumbent will also contribute to the design and implementation of MCO Italys judicial engagement strategy through targeted interventions for the judiciary and the legal community at large - at the local and central level including proposals aimed at enhancing judicial efficiency while preserving fairness. S/he will analyze and report on national and international case-law and judicial trends in the asylum and related fields. S/he will perform complex legal analyses when requested and support the Office in the identification of suitable cases for strategic litigation. Consistently with UNHCR capacity development planning and priorities s/he will design and conduct training for decision makers at first and second instance the legal community at large and other relevant interlocutors on legal and case law research as well as other RSD-related topics.

Within the Law and Policy activities of MCO Italy the incumbent will contribute to the analysis of new legislation and development of relevant recommendations including through the drafting of legal and policy documents and submissions of confidential information to human rights monitoring bodies.

Living and Working Conditions:

Italy has a strong UN presence (more than 10 Agencies Programmes and Funds totaling more than 6000 staff) and is offering high standard of living conditions and relatively high cost of living.

There is no RC System hence no formal inter-agency coordination system other than the DO for Security related matters. FAO leads the UN team and collaborates closely with Rome based WFP and IFAD HQ.

The Italian authorities will issue a visa and residence permit to UNHCR international staff members. Before arriving at a new duty station finding an accommodation will be a priority. There are some limited facilities to access Duty Free privileges. Buying a new vehicle is a lengthy process while buying second hand is even more complex. The public transport system is relatively reliable and most colleagues have elected to reside in the office neighborhood.

A valid driving license issued by a European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) member state is automatically accepted in all other member states. People with EU/EEA-issued drivers license who take up residence in Italy are not required to exchange it for an Italian license.

Holders of a standard driving license issued from a non-EU/EEA country may drive in Italy using the foreign license for up to one year after obtaining residency.

Medical care is up to international standards.

UN International expatriates are covered by the medical insurance provided from their workplace. No additional medical coverage is required. A list of English-speaking doctors can be provided upon request by the FAO Medical Services.

Concerning the school system the academic year in Italy is from September to June. Generally schools have long waiting lists and it is advisable to register your child at school as soon as possible. You should also find out about the specific admission requirements at the school. Transfer certificates from previous schools and academic records are usually required. Contracts are made between the school and private individuals regarding payments of school fees.

This means any deposits and commitments to pay fees are your responsibility and not the UNs.

Additional Qualifications

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

Work Experience

Competencies

Accountability Analytical thinking Client & results orientation Commitment to continuous learning Communication Organizational awareness Political awareness Stakeholder management Teamwork & collaboration

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Additional Information

This position doesnt require a functional clearance