Senior Protection Assistant

Deadline for Applications

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

A (least hardship)

Family Type (not applicable for home-based)

Terms of Reference

The candidate should ideally have prior experience working with UNHCR in protection and case management, including providing counseling and gathering relevant information to support case assessment and decision-making.

Effective counseling requires a sound understanding of international protection principles, operational procedures, and case management standards.

The candidate will serve as the first point of entry for case referrals, conduct initial protection assessments, identify urgent needs, and support case management processes in close consultation with the supervisor, ensuring follow-up actions are implemented in line with the standard operating procedures.

The candidate should demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills in both Arabic and English and possess a solid understanding of the protection environment in the GCC, particularly in the UAE.

coordinating with a range of internal and external stakeholders, including UNHCR units, government entities, and partners, would be highly desirable.

This Vacancy is open to Emirati nationals and candidates with a valid UAE residency at the time of application.

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 persons of concern (PoC) 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 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.

G5 - 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education

Not applicable

Certificates and/or Licenses

(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Essential: Not specified.

Desirable: Not specified.

PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators

(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

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.

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*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*

Other information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance