Senior Protection Assistant

Deadline for Applications

July 18, 2026

Grade

GS5

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

General Service

Reason

Temporary > Temporary Assignment/ Appointment

Hardship Level

A (least hardship)

Family Type

Family

Residential location (if applicable)

Target Start Date

2026-09-01

Target End Date

2027-02-28

Standard Job Description

Senior Protection Assistant
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Protection Assistant normally reports to a more senior Protection colleague. 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 Senior Protection Assistant provides quality, timely and effective protection support to persons of concern (PoC) and identifies opportunities to mainstream protection methodologies and safeguards in operational responses. S/he contributes to designing a comprehensive protection strategy and may liaise externally with local authorities and partners on protection issues as guided by the supervisor.
The Senior Protection Assistant 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
- Consistently apply International and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards and codes of conduct.
- Provide counselling on protection issues to PoC; liaise with competent authorities to ensure the issuance of personal and other relevant documentation.
- Support activities in protection related AGD based programming with implementing and operational partners.
- Conduct preliminary information gathering and interviews in support of eligibility, status determination, durable solutions and social needs assessment.
- 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 for PoC as part of the protection strategy.
- Monitor Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all protection/solutions activities.
- Participate in individual protection case management including cases of GBV and child protection. Monitor and report on cases of refoulement, expulsion and other protection incidents.
- Assist in identifying durable solutions for PoC in 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.
- Draft reports, routine correspondence, update relevant databases and compiling statistics within the Area of Responsibility (AoR).
- Contribute to initiatives to enhance national and local protection capacities.
- Select PoC for preliminary interviews and decide which relevant information to share.
- Enforce integrity in the delivery of protection services by local implementing partners.

- 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
G5 - 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher
Field(s) of Education
Not applicable
Certificates and/or Licenses
International Law;
Political Science;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential: Not specified.
Desirable: Not specified.
Functional Skills
IT-Computer Literacy
PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators
PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework
(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

UNHCR's work in Belarus is multifold. Alongside support to the Government and cooperation with national counterparts to strengthen the protection environment and asylum system, UNHCR contributes to the legal and social inclusion of refugees from Ukraine and other countries, asylum-seekers, and stateless persons.

The activities in Belarus require a combination of protection analysis, engagement with state authorities, coordination with partners, and support to individual cases, including persons with specific needs. In a small operation, these functions involve both strategic engagement and day to day operational follow-up, requiring consistent and well-organized support.

Working under the supervision of the Protection Officer, the Senior Protection Assistant will provide functional, administrative, and operational support to the protection unit, contributing to the effective delivery of protection activities and ensuring continuity of core protection functions. The incumbent will support information management, reporting processes, coordination with partners and authorities, and follow-up on individual protection cases, including through close collaboration with UNHCR’s legal partner.

The position will assist in compiling and organizing protection data and statistics received from authorities, partners, and internal systems, and in preparing draft protection notes, situation updates, and reporting inputs. The incumbent will support the preparation of inputs for periodic and ad hoc reporting, including statistical exercises, ensuring accuracy and timeliness of information.

The position requires strong organizational and communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work in a structured and proactive manner. The incumbent will interact with a wide range of counterparts, including authorities, partners, and forcibly displaced persons, and must be able to operate effectively in a dynamic and evolving environment.

________________________________________

Desired Candidate Profile

• University degree in Law, International Law, Political Science, or a related field;

• Relevant work experience in protection, legal, or human rights areas;

• Previous experience working with refugees, asylum-seekers, or stateless persons is an asset;

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including drafting in English and Russian;

• Strong organizational and analytical skills, with attention to detail;

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse stakeholders, including authorities and partners;

• Proven ability to work effectively in a team in a multicultural environment;

• Solid computer skills, including MS Office applications and basic data management tools.

Candidates must be legally present in Belarus at the time of application, recruitment and hire.

This position is open to applications from internal and external candidates, provided that requirements regarding professional experience, academic qualifications, language, etc. are fulfilled.

This is temporary position for 6 months.

Remuneration:

In case of appointment, a competitive compensation and benefits package is offered.

Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a test. No late applications will be accepted.

UNHCR is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).

NOTE: An individual whose mother, father, son, daughter, brother or sister is a staff member of UNHCR, including a Temporary Appointment holder or a member of Affiliate Workforce, is not eligible to apply.

Functional Clearance

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

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

,

,

Desired languages

,

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Additional Qualifications

Skills

IT-Computer Literacy, PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators, PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework

Education

Certifications

International Law - Other, Political Science - Other

Work Experience

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