Protection Associate
UNHCR
About UNHCR
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution.
We lead international action to protect refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people.
Our vision is a world where every person forced to flee can build a better future.
Formally known as the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR was established by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1950 in the aftermath of the Second World War to help the millions of people who had lost their homes.
Today, UNHCR works in 136 countries. We provide life-saving assistance, including shelter, food, water and medical care for people forced to flee conflict and persecution, many of whom have nobody left to turn to. We defend their right to reach safety and help them find a place to call home so they can rebuild their lives. Long term, we work with countries to improve and monitor refugee and asylum laws and policies, ensuring human rights are upheld.
In everything we do UNHCR considers refugees and those forced to flee as partners, putting those most affected at the centre of planning and decision-making.
Job Description
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.
Nature of Position: The Protection Associate will provide support to the Protection Team in Rwamwanja Field Office, where the position is located and reports to the Team Leader. The incumbent monitors protection standards, operational procedures and practices in protection delivery in line with international standards and national legal frameworks and policies and provides functional protection support. Based on the fact that Rwamwanja is a receiving settlement, the incumbent will need to have emergency response experience.
Living and Working Conditions: Rwamwanja field office is about 104 km from Mbarara and 226 km from Kampala. FO Rwamwanja is a non-family duty station; staff are expected to reside at the staff accommodation provided by the office.
Location: Rwamwanja, Uganda
Hardship Level: E (most hardship)
Family Type: Non Family with Residential Location
Residential Location (if applicable): Kampala, Uganda
Grade: GS6
Staff Member / Affiliate Type: General Service
Reason: Regular > Regular Assignment
Target Start Date: 2026-04-01
Deadline for Applications: February 19, 2026
Responsibilities
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.
Assist 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.
Requirements
For G6 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher.
International Law, Political Science or other related field.
Protection Learning Programme.
IT-Computer Literacy
PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework
PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English. Expected Overall ability is at least B2 level.
Accountability
Client & results orientation
Commitment to continuous learning
Communication
Judgement & decision making
Negotiation & conflict resolution
Organizational awareness
Stakeholder management
Teamwork & collaboration
How to Apply
Click the apply button.
Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a written test and/or oral interview.
UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process.
Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member is subject to proof of vaccination against COVID-19.
Applications are only accepted via the online recruitment platform.
Note: 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.