H (no hardship)

Family

Family

GS6

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

No

2024-12-01

January 5, 2025

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.

Operational Context

As with other countries neighboring Ukraine, Slovakia continues to receive individuals crossing its borders to flee ongoing hostilities. Since the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, the Government of Slovakia has granted Temporary Protection to more than 157,000 refugees, predominantly women and children. As of October 2024, over 128,000 individuals hold valid temporary protection status.

Slovak authorities continue to process new arrivals, providing information on asylum and temporary protection. Temporary protection status, subject to defined eligibility criteria, remains accessible to refugees from Ukraine and their families, allowing access to essential rights, including healthcare, education, accommodation, and employment. As of July 2024, temporary protection beneficiaries are also eligible for self-employment.

Under its mandate, UNHCR leads and coordinates the inter-agency refugee response to the Ukraine Situation, in alignment with the Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRP) and in collaboration with the Government. Through the Refugee Coordination Forum for Slovakia, UNHCR and humanitarian partners support the government’s response to refugee needs and promote socio-economic integration to help refugees achieve self-sustainability within Slovak society.

Local communities maintain a welcoming stance, supported by humanitarian organizations, civil society, and volunteers who provide vital assistance, including guidance on housing, transportation, and access to local services.

In 2024, the Migration Office of the Slovak Ministry of Interior registered over 120 asylum seekers as of September. UNHCR supports the Slovak Government in aligning policies and legislation with international and regional human rights standards as well as relevant EU law (including the Pact on Migration and Asylum) promoting a comprehensive refugee response through a multi-stakeholder and whole-of-society approach.

UNHCR supports government-led efforts to provide critical protection services – including legal assistance, information on services, and psychosocial support – as well as cash assistance for the most vulnerable. Key protection priorities include ensuring access to territory and asylum procedures, integrating refugees into national systems and services, protecting children, preventing and responding to gender-based violence, supporting individuals with specific needs, and mitigating risks related to trafficking and exploitation.

Language Requirements
Knowledge of English as the UN working language of the duty station and Slovak language is required.
Knowledge of the Russian or Ukrainian language is desirable.

Desirable Candidate
– Legal Background.
– Previous experience/knowledge working with refugees and mixed
populations.
– Possessing good interpersonal and communication skills.
– Good written and oral communication skills in English and Slovak
languages are required.
– Experience working in a multicultural setting.
– Completion of UN specific learning/training activities would be an asset.

Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

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

Certifications

International Law – Other, Political Science – Other

Competencies

Accountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Judgement & decision making, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Additional Information

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance