Job Description

Deadline for Applications

February 21, 2026

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

E (most hardship)

Family Type (not applicable for home-based)

Non Family with Residential Location

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

UNOPS LICA5

Target Start Date

2026-03-15

Terms of Reference

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 Refugees and Asylum Seekers 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 Refugees and Asylum Seekers 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 personnels 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, the personnels are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR’s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment

- Consistently apply International and National Law, as well as relevant UN/UNHCR and IASC policies, standards, and codes of conduct.
- Provide counselling on protection issues to Refugees and Asylum Seekers and liaise with competent authorities to support the issuance of personal and other relevant documentation.
- Conduct Best Interest Assessments (BIAs) and support Best Interest Determinations (BIDs) in line with UNHCR’s BIP Guidelines to identify and address the protection needs of children at risk.
- Enter, update, and maintain accurate child protection case information in the proGres CP module, ensuring data integrity, confidentiality, and timely reporting.
- Work closely with the case management team to ensure child protection cases are prioritized and managed using a rights based and survivor centered approach.
- Support Child-Friendly Spaces (CFS) by providing technical guidance on child protection standards, monitoring activities, and strengthening referral pathways between CFS and case management.
- Engage with children, families, and caregivers to gather relevant information and ensure the child’s views are considered in all decisions that affect their well being.
- Facilitate referrals to specialized services for children requiring additional support (e.g., psychosocial services, family tracing and reunification, alternative care arrangements).
- Participate in BIP panel discussions and contribute to recommendations for durable solutions and child protection interventions.
- Maintain accurate and confidential case files, ensuring full compliance with UNHCR’s data protection principles and child safeguarding standards.
- Conduct home visits to assess living conditions, protection risks, and the specific needs of children and their families, with particular attention to unaccompanied and separated children (UASC), children at risk, and survivors of violence or neglect.
- Conduct preliminary information gathering and interviews in support of eligibility, status determination, durable solutions, and social needs assessments.
- Contribute to measures aimed at identifying, preventing, and reducing statelessness.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of the country level child protection plan as part of the broader protection strategy.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of the country level education plan for Refugees and Asylum Seekers as part of the protection strategy.
- Monitor adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all protection and solution-related activities.
- Participate in individual protection case management, including cases involving GBV and child protection; monitor and report incidents of refoulement, expulsion, or other protection violations.
- Assist in identifying durable solutions for Refugees and Asylum Seekers, including voluntary repatriation, local integration, and, where appropriate, resettlement.
- Contribute to the design, implementation, and evaluation of protection related Age, Gender, and Diversity (AGD) based programming with implementing and operational partners.
- Draft reports, routine correspondence, update relevant databases, and compile statistics within the Area of Responsibility (AoR).
- Contribute to initiatives aimed at strengthening national and local protection capacities.
- Select Refugees and Asylum Seekers for preliminary interviews and determine what relevant information should be shared.
- Promote and enforce integrity in the delivery of protection services by local implementing partners.
- Participate on a rotational basis in activities within the Child Friendly Space (CFS), including both structured and unstructured activities.
- Staff to support the crowd control at the gate of the main office and ensure that protection cases are seen and supported.
- The incumbent is expected to contribute to the child protection data clean up on ProGres in coordination with the head of unit and the registration team.

Planning and Implementation:

- Engage children, youth, and communities in the implementation of child protection activities; provide information on available child protection services and monitor/report on needs and emerging issues to inform the operational response.
- Conduct Best Interests Procedures (BIP) for individual children at heightened risk and prepare Best Interests Determination (BID) reports when required.
- Participate in BIP Case Conferences and BID Panels and draft all associated documentation as needed.
- Implement child protection SOPs and ensure effective and up to date referral pathways to key services.
- Store, maintain, and regularly update children’s case files in UNHCR databases in accordance with UNHCR data protection and case management standards.
- Engage children, youth, and community members in identifying and designing community-based child protection activities.
- Monitor and support appropriate care arrangements for unaccompanied and separated children (UASC) and facilitate referrals to ICRC or other relevant partners for the establishment or restoration of family linkages.
- Regularly report on emerging protection concerns raised by children, youth, and communities, and support the drafting of reports and preparation of data for the Protection Unit/Section.
- Provide functional guidance to UNHCR and partner staff engaged in child protection activities.

Partnership, Coordination, and Capacity Building:

- Assist in inter agency child protection coordination and information management activities, as required.
- Provide technical support and monitoring to child protection partners to ensure quality programming and adherence to standards.
- Support the design and implementation of learning and capacity building activities for UNHCR staff, partner organizations, and communities.
- Perform other related duties as required.

3. Monitoring and Progress Controls

- Reporting and Performance Evaluation
• The incumbent will be required to submit weekly and/or monthly performance reports to the Head of Unit, in accordance with established reporting timelines.
• Additional reports may be requested on an ad hoc basis, depending on operational needs.
- Reporting Schedule:

The incumbent is expected to provide weekly/monthly updates to the Head of Unit, outlining progress, challenges, and key activities undertaken.

- Final Evaluation:

A comprehensive end of assignment evaluation will be conducted by the Supervisor to assess overall performance and achievements.

4. Qualifications and Experience

a. Education

- Highschool diploma or bachelor’s degree or equivalent/higher.

Certificates and/or Licenses

- International Law
- Political Science

b. Work Experience

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

c. Key Competencies

Functional Skills
IT – Computer Literacy
CL – Protection & Solutions Awareness
PR – Protection related guidelines, standards, and indicators
PR – Refugee Protection Principles and Framework

Language Requirements
Knowledge of English and/or the UN working language of the duty station.

Core Competencies

- Accountability
- Communication
- Organizational Awareness
- Teamwork & Collaboration
- Commitment to Continuous Learning
- Client & Result Orientation

- Cross Functional Competencies

Analytical Thinking

Desired Candidate Profile:
- Experience in Child Protection case management and Best Interest Procedures with UNHCR would be an asset.
- Understanding of UNHCR reporting and assistance systems, including RAIS and V4, is an asset.
- Experience in psychological first aid and psychosocial support within Child Protection contexts is desirable.

In line with our commitment to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment, female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.