Senior Protection Associate

A (least hardship)

FamilyFamily

GS7

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

June 18 2025

Senior Protection Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Protection Associate reports to the Protection Officer or the Senior Protection Officer. The position may entail supervisory responsibilities for protection staff including community services registration resettlement and education depending on the structure of the Office. 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 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. The incumbent contributes to designing a comprehensive protection strategy and represents the Office externally on protection doctrine and policy as guided by the supervisor.

S/he 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
- 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 and guidance 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 in compliance with UNHCR procedural standards and international protection principles.
- 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.
- Assist the supervisor in implementing and monitoring Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all protection/solutions activities.
- Manage individual protection cases including those on GBV and child protection. Monitor and assist the supervisor with intervening 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.
- Contribute to and facilitate a programme of results-based advocacy with sectorial and/or cluster 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 with intervening with authorities on protection issues.
- Provide assistance to the supervisor in deciding priorities for reception interviewing and counselling for groups or individuals.
- Assist the supervisor with enforcing compliance of staff and implementing partners with global protection policies and standards of professional integrity in the delivery of protection services.
- Assist the supervisor with enforcing compliance with and integrity of all protection standard operating procedures.
- Recommend and prepare payments to individual cases.

- 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 G7 - 4 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 relevant field.
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Not specified.

Desirable
RSD-Resettlement LP and/or Protection Learning Programme

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.

-Proven experience in implementing community-based protection (CBP) activities including community engagement outreach and empowerment initiatives.
-Prior experience working with persons with disabilities and youth ensuring inclusive protection responses tailored to their specific needs.
-Demonstrated ability to coordinate effectively with partners including NGOs government entities and community-based organizations.
-Practical knowledge of Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) principles and the participatory assessment cycle with experience applying both in operational contexts.
-Experience in designing protection messages and communicating effectively with refugees through accessible and culturally appropriate channels.
-Hands-on experience in identifying and delivering cash assistance to the most vulnerable refugees while maintaining close coordination with the Cash-Based Interventions (CBI) Unit to ensure a protection-sensitive approach.

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

The Security Level for Amman and the rest of the country is assessed at Level 1 (MINIMAL) except the northeast Jordanian Syrian border area where it is assessed at Level 3 (MODERATE). Road traffic accidents remain a pertinent risk to staff. Vehicle travel is difficult at certain times due to adverse weather conditions low visibility and/or heavy traffic.

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

Community Engagement and Empowerment: Facilitate participatory assessments and community consultations to identify protection risks and capacities. Support community-led initiatives that enhance protection and social cohesion. Promote the inclusion of marginalized groups.

Protection Mainstreaming: Ensure that protection principles (safety dignity non-discrimination participation and accountability) are integrated across sectors and programmes.

Capacity Building: Strengthen the capacity of community-based structures (e.g. protection committees youth groups womens networks). Train community members on community-based protection principles and participatory approaches.

Coordination and Partnerships: Coordinate with national authorities UN agencies NGOs and civil society to support community protection mechanisms. Advocate for policies and services that reflect the rights and needs of communities of concern.

Data Collection and Analysis: Collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative data from communities to inform protection strategies and response planning. Contribute to protection monitoring needs assessments and accountability mechanisms (including feedback and complaint systems).

Living and Working Conditions:

Amman: Jordan has a total population of 9.4 million people. Amman houses 42% of Jordans population 4.008 million making it the populous city in the country. Amman is categorized as (A) duty station.

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 fromUSD per month.

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 healthcares international appeal nearly all doctors and many support staff speak English. Healthcare here is also very accessible and affordable.

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 Client & results orientation Commitment to continuous learning Communication Empowering & building trust Judgement & decision making Negotiation & conflict resolution Organizational awareness Political awareness Stakeholder management Teamwork & collaboration

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Additional Information

This position doesnt require a functional clearance