Protection Associate

Deadline for Applications September 28, 2026

Hardship Level E (most hardship)

Family Type Family

Residential location (if applicable)

Grade GS6

Staff Member / Affiliate Type General Service

Reason Regular > Regular Assignment

Target Start Date 2026-09-14

Standard Job Description

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.

Desired Candidate Profile In addition to the standard duties of the Protection Associate, the incumbent will:

• Support the implementation of community-based protection and peaceful coexistence interventions in refugee settlements and host communities.

• Facilitate community engagement and mobilization activities through refugee welfare structures, community-based groups, and local leadership mechanisms.

• Support the design and implementation of social cohesion, conflict mitigation, and peacebuilding initiatives that foster positive relations among and between refugees and host communities.

• Strengthen collaboration and partnership with Refugee-Led Organizations (RLOs) to promote community ownership, participation, and localized protection responses.

• Facilitate participatory assessments, focus group discussions, community dialogues, and feedback mechanisms to identify protection risks and community priorities.

• Identify, assess, and refer Persons with Specific Needs (PSNs), including older persons, persons with disabilities, child-headed households, survivors of violence, individuals with serious medical conditions, and other vulnerable groups.

• Support coordination with local authorities, implementing partners, and community structures on protection and peaceful coexistence programming.

• Deliver awareness-raising sessions on protection, peaceful coexistence, social cohesion, accountability to affected populations, and community-based protection.

• Support capacity-building initiatives for community leaders, Refugee Welfare Councils, Refugee-Led Organizations, community volunteers, and implementing partners.

• Contribute to protection monitoring, reporting, data collection, and analysis related to community-based protection and peaceful coexistence interventions.

• Support implementation of Age, Gender, and Diversity (AGD) approaches in all protection activities.

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

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Desired languages

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Operational context

Nature of Position:

UNHCR Sub Office Yumbe oversees one of the largest refugee-hosting areas in Uganda, covering five settlements (Bidibidi, Imvepi, Lobule, Palorinya and Rhino Camp). The operation is characterized by a protracted displacement situation, reduced humanitarian funding, increasing socio-economic pressures, competition over limited resources, and evolving protection risks affecting both refugees and host populations.

Within this context, community-based protection remains a central pillar of the protection response. The operation prioritizes peaceful coexistence, social cohesion, conflict prevention and resolution, accountability to affected populations, and the empowerment of refugee and host community structures to strengthen community resilience and protection outcomes. This work is done in close liaison with relevant District Local Governments.

The incumbent will support the implementation of protection and community-based protection activities through close engagement with refugees, host communities, government counterparts, implementing partners, Refugee Led Organizations (RLOs), community leadership structures, and other stakeholders. The position requires regular field engagement to identify protection risks, support for persons with specific needs (PSNs), strengthen community structures, and promote meaningful participation of refugees in decisions affecting their lives.

The incumbent will also be expected to contribute to the design and implementation of community-based protection interventions that promote peaceful coexistence between refugee and host communities, strengthen community engagement mechanisms, support protection referrals and case management pathways, and enhance the capacity of community actors to identify and address protection concerns.

The position requires strong interpersonal, facilitation, networking, and training skills, with demonstrated ability to engage diverse community groups, including women, youth, older persons, persons with disabilities, community leaders, and refugee-led organizations. The incumbent will support activities aimed at strengthening community ownership, enhancing social cohesion, and ensuring that persons with specific needs are effectively identified, referred, and supported in accordance with UNHCR protection principles.

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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Compendium Additional Information

Functional clearance This position doesn't require a functional clearance