Senior Protection Associate

February 8 2026

A (least hardship)

FamilyFamily

GS7

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

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 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.

Nature of the Position (Operational Context):

Over recent years Mexico has evolved from being predominantly a country of origin and transit for refugees and asylum-seekers to becoming a significant country of destination for hundreds of thousands of individuals seeking international protection from within the region and beyond. The Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance (COMAR) has registered claims from more than one hundred nationalities. The exponential growth in the number of asylum applications - reaching a record high of over 140000 in 2023 followed by approximately 80000 in 2024 and around 40000 in the first half of 2025 - continues to pose major challenges to Mexicos asylum system. Currently an average of 250 new asylum applications are submitted daily mostly in Tapachula Mexico City Monterrey and Tijuana. UNHCRs strategy in Mexico aims to safeguard the asylum space by strengthening the institutional capacity of COMAR and ensuring efficient processing and adjudication of claims promoting access to alternative legal pathways for individuals with specific protection needs and supporting regularization alternatives for those not in need of international protection thereby safeguarding the integrity of the asylum system. Durable solutions form a central component of UNHCRs engagement with a particular focus on socioeconomic inclusion of asylum-seekers and refugees and on alleviating pressure on host communities. Communication and awareness-raising initiatives are critical to ensure that information on asylum procedures and access to durable solutions reaches target populations effectively. Mexico is a relevant country in the regional context and is fully engaged in the MIRPS the Chile Plan of Action and other relevant processes. The very dynamic relations between the US and Mexico in key aspects of human mobility require continuous adaptation and flexibility. The Office in Tijuana covers UNHCRs intervention in Baja California and Sonora focusing on the identification of forcibly displaced people supporting their access to rights services and fostering their local integration in coordination with state and local authorities and the humanitarian actors present at local level.

Desired Candidate Profile:

The ideal candidate is a protection-focused professional with a strong understanding of international and national legal frameworks and demonstrated experience in delivering protection services in complex operational contexts. The incumbent will bring a combination of legal expertise case management skills and strategic thinking to support UNHCRs protection mandate in Mexico.

Protection Expertise and Legal Knowledge: The candidate must have a solid grasp of international protection principles refugee law and national legislation affecting persons of concern (PoC). Experience in conducting eligibility and status determination procedures managing individual protection casesincluding GBV and child protectionand advising on documentation and legal matters is essential. Familiarity with statelessness reduction strategies and AGD-based programming is highly desirable.

Operational and Case Management Skills: The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to manage protection cases with sensitivity and professionalism ensuring compliance with UNHCRs procedural standards and SOPs. Experience in monitoring protection incidents intervening in cases of refoulement or expulsion and identifying durable solutions such as voluntary repatriation local integration and resettlement is required.

Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement: The candidate should be capable of contributing to advocacy efforts and engaging with authorities institutions and NGOs to strengthen protection frameworks and procedures. Experience in capacity-building initiatives and results-based advocacy with sectoral or cluster partners is an asset.

Communication and Information Management: Strong communication skills are needed to provide guidance to PoC and liaise with competent authorities. The candidate should be able to facilitate effective information management through the use of disaggregated data and contribute to shaping protection narratives that uphold UNHCRs values.

Teamwork and Integrity: The ideal candidate will be a collaborative team player who upholds the highest standards of professional integrity. Experience working in multicultural environments and adhering to UNHCRs Code of Conduct is essential. The incumbent must be able to work under pressure prioritize tasks and maintain a high level of accountability.

Languages and Other Requirements:
Fluency in English and Spanish is essential with demonstrated ability to draft and communicate effectively in both languages.

Important Information for Applicants:

Eligibility Internal Advertisement Only i.e. applications are open to:
- Internal candidates: staff members with an indefinite or fixed-term appointment in the same category as the position advertised staff members who at the date of the deadline for application are serving at the grade of the position or one grade below or above as well as any candidates serving at higher grades who fulfil the criteria as per the job advertisement.
- Former Staff (due to post abolition under special measures): Local FTA/IND contract holders whose posts were abolished due to structural changes and who were separated as of 01 January 2025 (last working day 31 December 2024). Other types of former staff members are considered candidates with UNHCR experience for any location. Eligibility period for application: May 2025 June 2026 vacancies.
- Candidates with UNHCR experience at the time of application: current staff members in other categories staff members on temporary appointment affiliate workforce and interns with at least 1 year of service and staff loaned/seconded. Former UNHCR locally recruited staff members who held an indefinite or fixed-term appointment (within 2 years of separation for males and 5 years for females).
- External candidates all other candidates who are not in the above groups. Former International staff/Former TA/AWF will be considered external when applying for any positions/category
Nationality / Right to Work Requirement: Only Mexican nationals or candidates holding permanent residency in Mexico are eligible. Applicants must attach proof of permanent residency at the time of application. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.
Mobility and Eligibility for Application: Staff members must normally serve a minimum of one year in their current assignment before applying for another position within the same category unless their post has been abolished.
Selection Process: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates will be required to sit for a written test and/or oral interview. UNHCR does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.
Application Requirements: Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their Workday Career Profile is accurate and fully updated prior to applying. The evaluation will be based solely on the information provided in the application. Once submitted applications cannot be modified. Candidates under serious consideration may be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided.
Diversity and Inclusion: UNHCR is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce and strongly encourages applications from qualified candidates regardless of gender nationality sexual orientation religion ethnicity or disability status. All applications are treated with the strictest confidentiality and UNHCR is committed to providing equal career opportunities for all staff.

Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA): UNHCR maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA). SEA constitutes serious misconduct and may result in disciplinary action including dismissal. Concerns or suspicions can be reported confidentially to: or at or by confidential fax:.
Educational Requirements: UNHCR recognizes only qualifications obtained from institutions accredited in the World Higher Education Database (WHED) maintained by the International Association of Universities (IAU) and UNESCO. The database is available at: WHED A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. This includes salary allowances (where applicable) comprehensive medical insurance and participation in the UN pension scheme. Further details are available via the UN Office of Human Resources Management.

Spanish

English

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Nature of Position:

Living and Working Conditions:

Additional Qualifications

Skills

IT-Computer Literacy PR-Protection-related guidelines standards and indicators PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework

Certifications

International Law - Other Political Science - Other

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

Additional Information

This position doesnt require a functional clearance