Assistant Community-Based Protection Officer

Deadline for Applications

August 4, 2026

Grade

NOA

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

National Professional Officer

Reason

Temporary > Temporary Assignment/ Appointment

Hardship Level

D

Family Type

Non Family

Residential location (if applicable)

Target Start Date

2026-08-01

Target End Date

2026-12-31

Standard Job Description

Assistant Community-Based Protection Officer
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Assistant Community-Based Protection Officer is a member of the Protection Unit in a Country Operation and may report to the Protection Officer, Community-Based Protection Officer, or another more senior staff member in the Protection Unit. Under the overall direction of the Protection Unit, and in coordination with other UNHCR staff, government, NGO partners and other stakeholders, the Assistant Community-Based Protection Officer works directly with communities of concern to identify the risks they face and to leverage their capacities to protect themselves, their families and communities. The incumbent may have direct supervisory responsibility for part of the protection and/or support staff and supports the application of community-based protection standards, operational procedures and practices in community-based protection delivery at the field level. To fulfil this role the Assistant Community-Based Protection Officer is required to spend a substantial percentage of the workday outside the office, building and maintaining networks within communities of persons of concern (PoC). The development and maintenance of constructive relationships with PoC that measurably impact and enhance protection planning, programming and results form the core of the work of the incumbent. S/he also supports the designing of a community-based protection strategy by ensuring that it is based on consultation with PoC.

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
- Be fully informed about community structures and the protection and security situation of the PoC and develop strong links with a cross-section of members of refugee/IDP/stateless communities, using an AGD approach.
- Through relationships with PoC and network of partners stay abreast of political, social, economic and cultural developments that have an impact on the protection environment and provide advice to senior management.
- Ensure that the perspectives, capacities, needs and resources of the PoC are reflected in the protection strategy, planning processes and operations plan addressing the specific protection needs of women and men, children, youth and older persons, persons with disabilities, and marginalized groups.
- Support a consultative process with government counterparts at local levels, partners and PoC to develop and implement integrated strategies that address the key protection priorities, including, for example, child protection, education and GBV, and solutions approaches.
- Provide technical guidance and support to UNHCR and partners and implement and oversee Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on all community-based protection related issues.
- Support the design, implementation and evaluation of protection centred and solutions oriented programming with implementing and operational partners guaranteeing that community-owned activities are integrated.
- Support communities in establishing representation and coordination structures
- Promote confidence building and conflict resolution among PoC, authorities and host communities.
- Maintain protection presence through regular field missions and reports, making direct contact with PoC, host communities, local authorities and partners. In operations applying the humanitarian cluster system, contribute the development of an AGD-compliant strategy on which the response of the Protection Cluster is grounded and covers all assessed and prioritized protection needs of the affected populations.
- Support the Operation's work to fully integrate the protection strategy into the Country Operations Plan, the UN Development and Assistance Framework (UNDAF), the Humanitarian Country Team's common humanitarian action plan where applicable.
- Contribute to the Protection team's information management component which: provides disaggregated data on PoC and their problems; researches, collects and disseminates relevant protection information and good practices to enhance protection delivery and provide technical advice if necessary.
- Support the inclusion of participatory, community-based protection and AGD approaches in strategies and plans in the Country Operation.
- Support community understanding of UNHCR's commitment to deliver on accountability and quality assurance in its response.
- Support PoC to develop structures that enhance their participation and protection.
- Contribute to the design of project submissions and the budget for endorsement by the supervisor.
- Intervene with authorities on community-based protection issues.
- Negotiate with local counterparts, partners and PoC.

- 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 P1/NOA - 1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
International Development, Cultural Studies, Human Rights,
International Social Work, Social Science, Political Science,
Anthropology, International Law

or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Some professional working experience.in the areas of community services, social work (e.g., gender, GBV programs, women's empowerment and protection, work with refugees) or/and human rights or related tasks in government, NGO or international organisation.
Desirable
Proven communication skills, both oral and written. Demonstrated knowledge of community communication and engagement approaches. Understanding of and demonstrated competencies in forced displacement and protection, particularly GBV prevention and response, child protection, education, gender equality, and the application of the Age, Gender and Diversity Policy.
Functional Skills
PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework
IT-Computer Literacy
DM-Database Management
PR-Coordination in Forced Displacement situations
PR-Child Protection Prevention and Response Programming
PR-Gender Equality
PR-Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD)
PR-Gender Based Violence (GBV) prevention programming
PR-Gender Based Violence (GBV) response programming
(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

a. Operational Context:

After more than three decades of political turmoil and armed conflict that profoundly affected its population, Iraq is gradually emerging into a period of relative stability. The country is making progress towards sustainable development, including efforts to resolve protracted displacement. Iraq continues to host significant numbers of refugees and asylum-seekers and pursues an inclusive policy that enables their access to national services. Despite these advances, substantial humanitarian and development needs persist.

As of the end of 2025, Iraq generously hosts more than 348,600 refugees and asylum-seekers, of whom 88 per cent are Syrian nationals. Approximately 80 per cent of this population resides in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). While most refugees and asylum-seekers live in urban and peri-urban areas, around 30 per cent continue to reside in nine refugee camps nationwide. Iraq also continues to have large numbers of internally displaced people (IDPs), including some 102,000 IDPs who live in IDP camps.

In this evolving context, UNHCR in Iraq has transitioned from a humanitarian response to an approach that increasingly supports development-oriented solutions. UNHCR works closely with the Government of Iraq and partners to support refugees and asylum-seekers in accessing protection, public services such as education and healthcare, and economic opportunities, while also advancing durable solutions for both refugees and IDPs.

Accordingly, UNHCR’s Multi-Year Strategy (2025–2029) envisions that forcibly displaced populations in Iraq will have enhanced access to legal protection, inclusive and quality basic and protection services within national systems and improved economic opportunities.

b. Desired Candidate Profile:

- Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential for this role, as the incumbent will be expected to build trust and maintain effective relationships with refugee communities, often in complex and sensitive environments.

- Demonstrated experience in engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, including humanitarian/development partners, government authorities, and community representatives is crucial to ensure coordinated and inclusive protection responses.

- The ability to monitor, assess, and interpret protection trends and risks is vital. The incumbent should be capable of synthesizing complex information and translating it into concise reports and actionable recommendations. A proactive approach to identifying protection gaps and proposing practical, context-appropriate solutions is key to success in this position.

- In addition, strong managerial competencies are required, particularly in leading teams, coordination of protection activities, and ensuring accountability.

- Experience in designing and delivering training or capacity-building initiatives for staff and partners is also highly desirable, as it contributes to strengthening the overall protection response and sustainability of interventions.

c. Instructions for applicants:

- When completing the application, candidates are required to list all of their language skills – including their mother tongue. The three broad levels are A1/A2 ("Basic User"), B1/B2 ("Independent User"), and C1/C2 ("Proficient User").

- Shortlisted candidates might be required to undergo a written test.

- Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Kurdish Language is required.

Functional Clearance

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level)

English

,

,

Desired languages

Arabic

,

Kurdish

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

DM-Database Management, IT-Computer Literacy, PR-Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD), PR-Child Protection Prevention and Response Programming, PR-Coordination in Forced Displacement situations, PR-Gender Based Violence (GBV) prevention programming, PR-Gender Based Violence (GBV) response programming, PR-Gender Equality, PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework

Education

Bachelor of Arts: Anthropology, Bachelor of Arts: Cultural Studies, Bachelor of Arts: Human Rights, Bachelor of Arts: International Development, Bachelor of Arts: International Law, Bachelor of Arts: International Social Work, Bachelor of Arts: Political Science, Bachelor of Arts: Social Science

Certifications

Work Experience

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

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