Protection Associate

H (no hardship)

FamilyFamily

GS6

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

June 20 2025

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 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 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.

The successful candidate must have demonstrated experience which meets the nature of position including in RSD RST and case management. Excellent drafting and analytical skills are also essential. As the role is cross-cutting the successful candidate should be flexible in his/her approach and be able to adapt to shifting priorities and areas of work be a self-starter problem-solver and strong team player able to coordinate well across teams and with external stakeholders.

Remuneration:

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries allowances and benefits please visit the portal of the International Civil Service Commission at:

No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a written test and/or oral interview. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application interview processing or any other fees).

UNHCR strongly encourages qualified female applicants for this position. UNHCR seeks to ensure that male and female employees are given equal career opportunities. UNHCR is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender nationality and culture. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

UNHCR has a zero-tolerance policy against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA). SEA is unacceptable behavior and prohibited conduct for UNHCR personnel. It constitutes acts of serious misconduct and is therefore grounds for disciplinary measures including dismissal. Any concerns or suspicions about a possible case of SEA should be reported immediately to the Inspector Generals Office (IGO) at through the online complain form at or by confidential fax:.

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

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

UNHCRs Multi-Country Office (MCO) Representation in Canberra Australia is responsible for the promotion of refugee protection and solutions in Australia New Zealand and the wider Pacific (Cook Islands Federated States of Micronesia Fiji Kiribati Marshall Islands Nauru Niue Palau Papua New Guinea Samoa Solomon Islands Tonga Tuvalu and Vanuatu). Australia and New Zealand have established asylum systems and well-established resettlement programmes. Both States provide funding for UNHCR global programmes and are important strategic partners at global and regional levels. The Pacific Island Countries face significant challenges due to under-developed or non-existent asylum systems and which are on the front lines of climate-induced displacement.

UNHCR MCO engages with a diverse range of stakeholders including government non-governmental organizations civil society other UN agencies the international community private sector donors as well as forcibly displaced and stateless persons (FDSPs) and refugee-led organizations to protect the rights of FDSPs assist in the development of asylum systems facilitate FDSPs access to essential services and support the pursuit of durable solutions.

The UNHCR MCO consists of approximately 12-15 personnel based in Canberra Australia. The Protection Associate (G6) reports to the Senior Protection Officer within the Pacific Operations and Solutions Unit and contributes to the implementation of a protection and durable solutions strategy. S/he will work closely and maintain efficient collaboration within the Pacific Operations and Solutions Unit as well as with the Legal Protection Unit within the MCO.

The Protection Associates primary role is to support the case-management of FDSPs in accordance with standard operating procures and guidelines. The Protection Associate is expected to:

1 conduct RSD RST and CBI interviews and assessments; 2 conduct counselling for FDSPs; 3 deliver trainings to capacitate government and non-government officials in the Pacific Island Countries; and 4 implement strategic advocacy responsibilities across the region which includes supporting the expansion and development of Australia and New Zealands incoming resettlement and complementary pathways programmes.

The role of the Protection Associate may involve supervisory responsibilities coaching and training of junior staff and assisting in implementing organizational objectives and priorities.

Living and Working Conditions:

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 Judgement & decision making Negotiation & conflict resolution Organizational awareness Stakeholder management Teamwork & collaboration

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Additional Information

This position doesnt require a functional clearance