Job Description

Deadline for Applications

December 17, 2025

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

A (least hardship)

Family Type (not applicable for home-based)

Family

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

UNOPS IICA1

Target Start Date

2025-11-18

Terms of Reference

TERMS OF REFERENCE
(Individual Contractor Agreement)

Title: Associate Protection Officer
Project: UNHCR Rwanda/2025/E12925
Duty station: Kigali Office, Rwanda
Section/Unit: Protection/UNHCR Rwanda
ICA Level: IICA1 Corresponding to P2
Duration: from 1 November 2025 to Nov- Dec 2026 (Renewable)
Supervisor: Protection Officer, Kigali

General Background

UNHCR Rwanda, within the framework of the PRM-funded “DRC–Rwanda Voluntary Returns” project, is implementing activities to facilitate the voluntary, safe and dignified return of Rwandan refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and to support the voluntary repatriation of Congolese refugees from Rwanda. These efforts contribute to durable solutions, peacebuilding, and social cohesion in the Great Lakes region by providing returnees with protection, transportation, reception and reintegration assistance in coordination with government counterparts and partners.
The Government of Rwanda leads the national refugee response through the Ministry of Emergency Management (MINEMA) and the Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration (DGIE), in close coordination with UNHCR. The UNHCR Representation in Rwanda consists of a Branch Office in Kigali and Field Offices in Huye, Karongi and Kirehe. FO Karongi oversees Kiziba Refugee Camp, Nkamira Transit Centre - which hosts asylum seekers from the DRC -as well as Nyarushishi and Kijote Transit Centres, which receive and accommodate Rwandan returnees.
Established in 1996, Kiziba is the oldest refugee camp in Rwanda and hosts a protracted caseload of Congolese refugees, with a population of approximately 14,000 individuals. Due to the camp’s protracted nature and high expectations around resettlement as the preferred durable solution, the context remains highly sensitive and requires well-trained and experienced personnel. Rwanda maintains a comprehensive protection framework, being party to the 1951 Convention and offering refugees access to national systems, including education, health services, livelihoods, and financial inclusion in line with national refugee law.
The overall refugee situation has evolved, with the traditional protracted caseload now compounded by new arrivals driven by instability in Eastern DRC. More than 15,000 new arrivals have been recorded since late 2022. In response, Rwanda’s refugee policy continues to shift from a purely humanitarian model toward a development-oriented approach, emphasizing self-reliance, livelihoods, and social cohesion. UNHCR supports this shift by strengthening partnerships with government authorities, development actors, UN agencies and the private sector, while continuing core protection activities such as registration, RSD, resettlement, and targeted assistance to meet health, education, community development, and livelihood needs.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

Under the direct supervision of the Protection Officer and overall supervision by the Head of Protection, the incumbent will undertake the following tasks:
• Provide legal advice and guidance on protection issues to returnees, refugees ,and asylum seekers.
• Promote community-based protection approaches and support capacity-building initiatives for communities and individuals to assert their rights.
• Provide guidance on International and National laws and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards, and codes of conduct.
• Monitor political, social, and economic developments that have an impact on the protection of the environment.
• Conduct RSD interviews for specific cases in compliance with procedural standards and international protection principles.
• Assess individual cases and identify suitable durable solutions.
• Monitor, and intervene in cases of refoulement, deportation and expulsion and other protection incidents through maintenance of working relations with governments and other partners.
• Contribute and participate in the design, implementation, and evaluation of protection related AGD based programming with partners.
• Contribute to capacity-building development of partners and refugees.
• Draft funding proposals and reports.
• Map out different leadership structures and existing groups and support their initiatives
• Organize regular meetings with refugee community and refugee leaders in Kigali and Nyamata
• Work closely with partners and ensure that community outreach interventions are planned and executed
• Conduct outreach in the refugee communities and identify their Protection issues and seek solutions.
• Work closely with Partners and ensure that PSNs (including persons living with disabilities) are supported.
• Participate in planning meetings and support development and review of Partnership Agreements and budgets.
• Support risk management activities related to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA), fraud, data protection, and human rights due diligence.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

The Associate Protection Officer will be monitored through:
• Regular supervision by the Protection Officer.
• Timely submission of reports, case documentation, and data inputs.
• Quality and timeliness of protection interventions, including case management and advocacy.
• Contribution to protection strategy implementation and coordination efforts.
• Compliance with UNHCR protection standards, SOPs, and ethical guidelines.
• Achievement of agreed deliverables and performance indicators as per work plan.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable for performing their responsibilities as outlined in their job descriptions and within their delegated authorities, in line with the UNHCR regulatory framework. This framework comprises the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions, and other accountability mechanisms. In fulfilling these obligations, the incumbent must demonstrate alignment with UNHCR’s core, functional, cross-functional, and managerial competencies and contribute to a safe, inclusive, and respectful working environment that ensures protection principles are consistently applied.

Qualifications and Experience

a. Education
• University degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in Law, Political Science, International Human Rights Law, Social Sciences, or related field.
• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) is desirable and may substitute for some years of experience.
b. Work Experience
• Minimum 2 years (with Master’s) or 3 years (with Bachelor’s) of relevant professional experience in refugee protection, human rights or humanitarian work and ability to apply relevant legal principles.
• Demonstrated experience in casework or case management, preferably in a refugee or returnee context.
• Field experience working with displaced populations, refugees, returnees or asylum seekers is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with UNHCR mandate and regional context is an asset.
c. Key Competencies
• Strong knowledge of international protection principles, refugee law, and human rights frameworks.
• Excellent analytical, drafting, and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in multicultural teams and under pressure.
• Demonstrated ability to manage protection cases and coordinate with stakeholders including Government authorities.
• Proficiency in data management and reporting tools.
• Fluency in English required; knowledge of French is an asset.
• Commitment to UN values, including integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity.