Deadline for Applications March 12, 2026 Hardship Level D Family Type Family Residential location (if applicable) Grade GS6 Staff Member / Affiliate Type General Service Reason Regular > Regular Assignment Target Start Date 2026-05-01 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 The Protection Associate (G6) works under the supervision of the Head of Office and will work in close coordination with the Assistant Durable Solutions Officer and the Community-Based Protection Associate. As part of the Kaoma Field Office team, the Protection Associate assists the office in implementing all aspects of UNHCRs protection mandate, such as prevention and response to protection issues, providing advice, and working with competent authorities to promote an enabling protection environment for forcibly displaced people and those at risk of statelessness. The incumbent will be responsible for providing protection assistance to refugees, former refugees, and asylum-seekers in the Mayukwayukwa settlement and nearby areas in Zambia. The Government of the Republic of Zambia has, in January 2024, launched a National Refugee Policy and Implementation Plan which includes important commitments towards local long-term solutions for refugees and Angolan and Rwandan former refugees in Zambia. These commitments were already reflected in Zambia’s pledges during the 2023 Global Refugee Forum to support the implementation of the Global Compact on Refugees. Working in collaboration with a diverse range of partners, particularly government agencies and development actors in Zambia, the Protection Associate contributes to UNHCRs support to the government to implement the Refugee Policy. This includes leveraging UNHCRs convening capacity to engage new partners, guiding government actions, and fostering collaboration with a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including refugee communities and leaders, local municipal authorities, NGOs and civil society. By focusing on sustainable responses, the Protection Associate will contribute to the development and implementation of strategies that enhance the resilience and self-reliance of forcibly displaced persons, while promoting their long-term inclusion in accessing national services and opportunities. The incumbent will also actively engage in fostering social cohesion between forcibly displaced persons and their host communities. The Protection Associate will undertake a range of operational activities, including conducting vulnerability and protection needs assessments, facilitating protection consultations with partners, supporting detention monitoring, conducting eligibility and status determination interviews, and intervening in cases of refoulement, expulsion, and other protection incidents. A key responsibility of this role is to identify and address protection gaps and needs, pinpoint individuals with specific protection requirements, and recommend tailored protection interventions in collaboration with colleagues and partners. This includes actively supporting child protection efforts, conducting Best Interest Assessments (BIAs) for children, and participating in initiatives aimed at strengthening national protection legislation and procedures. Furthermore, the Protection Associate will play a crucial role in promoting that forcibly displaced persons are meaningfully involved in decision-making processes that affect their lives and future possibilities. The incumbent will also lead efforts to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), support the…