June 10, 2026

H (no hardship)

Family

GS6

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-06-22

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 UNHCR's 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 incumbent is required to be able to facilitate coordination and engage with government interlocutors, NGOs and other external stakeholders. The ability to analyse context, frame protection risks, and propose strategic responses is essential. Strong analytical skills are essential, along with strategic thinking skills.

Desirable qualifications and skills include:

• understanding of international, EU, and national laws, and UNHCR standards;
• previous experience in the field of migration and asylum, on protection and/or legal issues;
• ability to stay abreast of political, legal, and socio-economic developments impacting the protection environment and UNHCR’s work;
• coordination and negotiation skills to maintain operational space with government counterparts and other stakeholders, working under the guidance of and the support of MCO Poland;
• relevant experience in field-based and policy-driven protection work;
• strong drafting skills;
• ability to work harmoniously and effectively as part of a team in multicultural settings;
• proactive, positive, open-minded, and willing to learn;
• a degree in Law favourable.

Eligibility

GS category:
This position is open to applications from internal and external candidates, provided that requirements regarding professional experience, academic qualifications, language, etc. are fulfilled. A break of minimum 31 days is required before a staff member who currently holds a Fixed Term or Indefinite Appointment may be rehired on a Temporary Appointment. This requirement is waived if the staff member is selected for a Temporary Appointment in another duty station.

TO THE ATTENTION OF EXTERNAL CANDIDATES:
External Candidates must meet the essential minimum requirements of the position and must have either Czech citizenship or the legal status necessary to work in the Czech Republic.
Your application will NOT be considered if;
- The residence/work permit is not submitted (for non-Czech candidates)

TO THE ATTENTION OF ALL CANDIDATES:
Your application will NOT be considered if the application form is not duly filled.

Additional Information
UNHCR’s workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. We seek to sustain and strengthen this diversity and to ensure equal opportunities, as well as an inclusive working environment, for our entire workforce. Joining us means living, sharing and promoting these core values of inclusion, diversity and gender equality.

Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on the grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.
UNHCR reserves the right to retain applications and consider external candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNHCR at the same grade or lower level and with similar job descriptions, experience, and educational requirements for the appointment of a shorter duration (Temporary Appointment).

UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).

Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a test. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified. No late applications will be accepted.

Remuneration & Benefits

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. The monthly gross salary is between CZK 62,822 and CZK 77,480, depending on relevant experience, dependency status and language proficiency. The net amount may vary depending on entitlements and deductions applicable. The deductions include a mandatory medical insurance deduction and contribution to the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund, while the entitlements may include dependency allowance. For more information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, please visit the portal of the Office of HR Management of United Nations.

UNHCR also offers comprehensive medical insurance and pension plans.

English

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Czech

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for specific duty stations, please visit this link: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel.

Nature of Position:

UNHCR has been present in the Czech Republic since 1991, supporting the national authorities on refugee-related issues. In line with its international protection mandate, supervisory role over the 1951 Refugee Convention, and expertise in International Refugee Law, UNHCR contributes to legislative and policy development by providing expert analysis, formulating recommendations and legal opinions, and supporting strategic litigation where indicated. These efforts aim to strengthen advocacy and deliver technical expertise that reinforces the Czech Republic’s legal protection framework. This includes promoting fair and efficient procedures related to international protection; improving access to national social protection services; and facilitating socio-economic inclusion.

Since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, more than 600,000 refugees from Ukraine have applied and were granted temporary protection in the Czech Republic. As of December 2025, the Czech Republic hosts 397,000 refugees from Ukraine under Temporary Protection, with an increase of arrivals registered since August 2025. While the Czech Republic has no EU external border, except for the Prague International Airport, it is the third largest country hosting refugees from Ukraine, due in part to a large pre-existing Ukrainian diaspora and a strong job market, amongst other factors.

As the UN-mandated agency for refugee protection, UNHCR supports the Government-led response and coordination to strengthen the national response, ensure complementarity and sustainability. UNHCR works closely with relevant sister UN agencies and NGO and RLO partners in this regard. In doing so, UNHCR aims to safeguard asylum space, promote inclusive policies, and ensure that the voices of refugees continue to inform decisions that affect their lives.

The position will be based in Prague and report to the Assistant Integration Officer (NOA).

The Protection Associate will closely monitor and share legal and policy developments related to temporary protection, which impact the ability of refugees from Ukraine to access protection and rights, as well as in relation to the transition from temporary protection to other legal regimes.

The incumbent will supervise United Nations Volunteers (UNVs) whose primary tasks are to support the Ukrainian Consultation and Community Centre (UCCC) in Prague, a one-stop facility jointly established by the Governments of the Czech Republic and Ukraine, managed by the International Centre for Migration and Policy Development (ICMPD), to provide refugees from Ukraine with information on integration in the Czech Republic and return to Ukraine. The work involves coordinating UNHCR’s engagement and support to the UCCC. S/he will prepare workplans with UNVs and coordinate activities with UCCC focal points.

The Protection Associate will be responsible for the design and implementation of the Communication with Communities (CwC) strategy, with tailored approaches for Ukrainian refugees, across the country. This includes engaging with refugees through digital and innovative approaches, including digital participatory assessment, maintaining communication with Refugee-led Organizations (RLOs); developing or updating information material including UNHCR Czechia HELP website and Ukraine is Home Czechia page; regularly review and update Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for UNHCR’s Regional Contact Centre (RCC).

The Protection Associate will liaise externally with government interlocutors, institutional bodies, NGO partners, and Refugee-Led Organizations (RLOs), and participate in relevant meetings/fora, including the monthly platform of Ukrainian organizations coordinated by the Office of the Government.

The incumbent will share weekly reports of UNHCR’s support to the UCCC and contribute to UNHCR monthly Ukraine Situation Report. In addition, s/he will compile and share participatory assessment reports.

The incumbent will contribute to the other protection-related activities of the office, provide inputs on protection reports and other documents.

UNHCR National Office in the Czech Republic operates under the Multi-Country-Office (MCO) Poland, which covers three countries (Poland, Czech Republic, and Slovakia).

Living and Working Conditions:

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Certifications

International Law - Other, Political Science - Other

Competencies

Accountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Judgement & decision making, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Additional Information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance