Deadline for Applications March 26, 2026 Hardship Level E (most hardship) Family Type Non Family with Residential LocationDanger Pay Residential location (if applicable) Nairobi (CO), Kenya Grade GS6 Staff Member / Affiliate Type General Service Reason Regular > Regular Assignment Target Start Date 2026-04-01 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 UNHCR South Sudan will contribute to UNCT-HCT outcome on pathways to reduce protracted displacement by accelerating the South Sudan Durable Solutions Strategy and Plan of Action, launched in October 2024, relevant Durable Solutions actors with lead of government aims to help Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), returnees, refugees, and host communities achieve safe, dignified, and sustainable solutions. This is in line with strategic direction of High Commissioners Plan of Action. In addition, evolving political and security dynamics, the 2025 humanitarian landscape in South Sudan has been increasingly complex, due to political and security developments with increased conflicts that triggered new displacements in East and Western Equatoria, Upper Nile and Jonglei that require UNHCR as Protection lead agency in IDP context to respond. However, due to funding constraints, UNHCR reduced its operational footprints in Torit, Yei. Wau and Bor and re-focused on having a mobile protection team to enable strategic rapid response from Juba. The Protection position will be part of the mobile team. – Support in operationalization of national durable solutions strategy and UNHCR contribution as Durable Solutions Champion to UNCT-HCT outcome on Durable Solutions. – Engage national and local interlocutors on durable solutions issues including at Durable Solutions Working Group – Monitor the implementation of the durable solutions strategy, identify challenges and report on achievements. – Act as a focal point for Durable Solutions with support of Protection Officer to ensure follow with National Technical Committee including data management, exploring possibilities widen partnerships to serve solutions-related needs – Serve as focal point on durable solutions-related issues for the Communication with Communities to ensure metrics, reporting and strengthened two-way messaging around. – Participate in consultative processes within UNHCR and with a broad range of regional and national external partners to promote all durable solutions. – Ensure close linkages with staff that oversee data and information production to deliver fact-based advocacy and support for durable solutions. – Promote the involvement of persons of concern in transition projects, peacebuilding and development initiatives. All the shortlisted candidates will be subjected for Competency Based Interviews Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level): , , Desired languages , , Operational context Occupational Safety and Health Considerations: Nature of Position: Living and Working Conditions: 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 UNHCR Salary Calculator https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales Compendium…