Protection Assistant at United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) – Mauritania


Protection Assistant at United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) – Mauritania

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Protection Assistant at United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) – Mauritania REMOTE POSSIBLE

Recruiter: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

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About United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is part of the United Nations system, working to promote international cooperation and address global challenges. As a UN entity, it contributes to the organization’s mission of maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations, and promoting international cooperation in solving international problems and encouraging respect for human rights.

Job Summary

This position offers an opportunity to contribute to administrative management within United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)’s important work in international cooperation and sustainable development. Working in Mauritania, you will collaborate with international colleagues and partners to address global challenges and promote sustainable development. This role provides an excellent opportunity for professional growth while making a meaningful contribution to international cooperation and global peace and security.

Full Job Description

Deadline for Applications March 15, 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 LICA4 Target Start Date 2026-04-01 Terms of Reference Termes de reference en piece jointe. Standard Job Description Protection Assistant Organizational Setting and Work Relationships The Protection Assistant normally reports to a more senior Protection colleague. The incumbent provides functional and administrative support to the protection unit on protection related liaison, correspondence, monitoring, case management and reporting activities. The Protection Assistant also supports the protection unit in designing a comprehensive protection strategy and in providing quality, timely and effective protection responses to persons of concern (PoC). S/he may liaise externally with local authorities and partners on correspondence and/or protection issues as guided by the supervisor. The Protection Assistant also facilitates the involvement of PoC 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 – Consistently apply International and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards and codes of conduct. – Observe and respect protection related Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). – Provide functional and administrative support in all protection related AGD based programming with implementing and operational partners. – Provide functional and administrative support in implementing participatory approaches, needs assessments, monitoring, reporting and case management. – Support assessments on durable solutions through voluntary repatriation, local integration and where appropriate, resettlement. – Facilitate liaison with competent authorities for the issuance of personal and other relevant documents. – Assist in drafting reports, routine correspondence, updating relevant databases and compiling statistics within the Area of Responsibility (AoR). – Select PoC for preliminary interviews and decide which relevant information to share. – Enforce integrity in the delivery of protection services by local implementing partners. – 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 Years of Experience / Degree Level For G4 – 1 year relevant experience with High School Diploma; or Bachelor or equivalent or higher Field(s) of Education Not applicable Certificates and/or Licenses Protection (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential) Relevant Job Experience Essential: Not specified.Desirable: Not specified. Functional Skills PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework IT-Computer Literacy (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. Required Languages , , Desired Languages , , Additional Qualifications Skills IT-Computer Literacy, PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators, PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework Education Certifications HCR Learning Program – UNHCR, HCR Protection Induction Prog – UNHCR Work Experience Other information This position doesn’t require a functional clearance Remote No If you are a former UNHCR international staff member who held a fixed-term or indefinite appointment, you can apply to regular positions in the international professional category as candidate with UNHCR-experience (within 2 years following separation for males and 5 years for females). To apply to vacancies, please create a new account (Sign In on the top left corner >> Create account) or sign into your account, if you have already registered via the external career site. Once successfully registered/signed in, you can start filling in your data and apply for vacancies. If you are former UNHCR locally recruited staff member who held a fixed-term or indefinite appointment, you can apply to regular positions in your staff category as candidate with UNHCR-experience (within 2 years following separation for males and 5 years for females). To apply to vacancies, please create a new account (Sign In on the top left corner >> Create account) or sign into your account, if you have already registered via the external career site. Once successfully registered/signed in, you can start filling in your data and apply for vacancies. If you do not fall under any of the above categories, please use the External Career site for applying to vacancies. Technical notes: Once you fill in your basic personal information (employee ID, birth date, name, email address), Workday will identify you as prior personnel and merge your employee account with your external applicant account. If you were notified about unsuccessful application, please follow the steps described in the message. While you will not see the list of your employee-time applications in your external account, you will be duly notified if any action is required from your side and/or when the recruitment process is completed. In case you would like to update your name, address or phone number or you face any technical difficulties when applying, please write to recruitmentcase@unhcr.org. Please note that UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing or training). Read about how to avoid scams and fraudulent job offers. Please note that applications are only accepted via the online recruitment platform. CVs and/or application requests sent via email will not be answered, reviewed nor…

Key Details

  • Job Title: Protection Assistant
  • Grade: G-4
  • Location: Bassikounou (Remote work possible)
  • Department: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
  • Contract Type: General Service Staff
  • Salary Range:$35,000.0 – $47,000.0 USD annually

Qualifications

  • Not specified in the official posting

Skills

  • Not specified in the official posting

Benefits

  • Competitive compensation package
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Comprehensive health and wellness benefits
  • Inclusive and collaborative work environment

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the official UN careers portal. Female candidates and candidates from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.