Deadline for Applications March 10, 2026 Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based) B Family Type (not applicable for home-based) Family Staff Member / Affiliate Type UNOPS LICA6 Target Start Date 2026-04-01 Terms of Reference Operational Context The Field Unit of Irbid supports the refugee response for about 80,000 refugees, mostly Syrians, living in host communities across Irbid, Ajloun and Jerash Governorate. The Field Unit reports to the Sub- Office Mafraq and operates with strong technical support from the Country Office (CO) to implement the operational response. The Field Unit Irbid (FU) consist of 4 staff, including this position, with the responsibility of maintaining the collaboration and coordination with the implementing and operational partners as well as the local authorities and local organizations network. The FU will also ensure the regular contact with refugees to identify needs, trends and provide counselling. Under the supervision of the Assistant Field Officer, the Protection Associate will support the implementation of protection in the entire area of coverage of FU Irbid that include protection assessment, implementation of community activities and community engagement. The incumbent will also support the implementation of quality, timely and effective protection responses by UNHCR and implementing partners in coordination with the other UNHCR offices as well as report on the needs of refugees, monitor access to protection services and assistance, and maintain a strong network and coordination with the local actors. This incumbent will also support the transition and continuity of the response after the reduction of the UNHCR footprint in Irbid The operational environment is dynamic, with a mix of office-based and field-based tasks within urban, rural, and camp settings to be implemented within a small team with the support of other UNHCR offices. Desirable Candidate Profile Strong experience in implementing protection responses including protection case management and community-based protection – Experience in coordination and engagement with local actors – Experience in outreach, counselling and AAP. – Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a multi-functional team under sometimes challenging conditions. – Excellent proficiency in speaking and writing in both English and Arabic language is essential. – Knowledge of the operational context is an asset – Relevant UNHCR experience in protection and case management. 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…