Senior Protection Assistant

Deadline for Applications September 15, 2026 Grade GS5 Staff Member / Affiliate Type General Service Reason Temporary > Temporary Assignment/ Appointment Hardship Level H (no hardship) Family Type Family

Standard Job Description

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.

Desired Candidate Profile

The position is established in response to the exceptional protection situation in Ceuta following the mass arrivals of July 2026, when an estimated 80,000 persons entered the Spanish city. While the majority have since returned to Morocco, approximately 10,000 individuals remain, including around 2,000 children and a significant number of persons who may be in need of international protection, particularly nationals of countries such as Sudan, Mali, Chad, Eritrea, Somalia and Yemen, as well as unaccompanied and separated children, survivors of gender-based violence, and LGBTIQ+ persons. Furthermore, the mass entry has triggered a highly sensitive political environment and has contributed to xenophobic rhetoric and heightened tension among the local population in Ceuta which is one of the two EU external land borders with Africa. This has increased challenges to access asylum and heightened the risk of pushbacks and potential refoulement. The post aims to ensure a sustained UNHCR presence on the ground to support the protection response in a rapidly evolving operational environment. In addition to the duties described in the standard Job Description, the incumbent will: Maintain a continuous field presence in Ceuta to monitor developments and emerging protection concerns affecting refugees, asylum-seekers and other displaced populations. Serve as UNHCR’s focal point in Ceuta, ensuring regular engagement with local institutions, humanitarian actors and community stakeholders. Monitor the protection situation of populations remaining in informal settlements, emergency accommodation facilities and other reception sites. Support the identification of trends, challenges and operational gaps related to the ongoing response, including issues affecting children and individuals with specific protection needs. Contribute to maintaining UNHCR’s operational visibility and support evidence-based advocacy with national and local authorities through regular field observations and analysis. Monitor access to territory and asylum procedures and identify potential protection risks, including risks of refoulement and rights violations at the border. Support coordination and information-sharing with relevant governmental, civil society and humanitarian actors involved in the response. The incumbent will report to the Protection Associate in Madrid, and work in close coordination with the Protection Unit in Madrid. No direct supervisory responsibilities are envisaged. Previous experience in emergency, border or mixed movement contexts, as well as the ability to build effective working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and operate independently in a challenging environment, would be highly desirable. Given the dynamic and high-profile nature of the operational context, the position requires a high degree of flexibility, sound judgement, resilience, initiative and discretion.

Functional Clearance

This position doesn't require a functional clearance Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level) Spanish , English , Desired languages French , Arabic , 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 UNHCR Salary Calculator Other information

The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.

Disability inclusion If you are a person with a disability and you expect you may face challenges during the recruitment process, you can indicate it in your application form. There are options to select any health conditions you may have and outline any necessary adjustments related to disabilities during the recruitment phases. Providing this information is optional. It will be treated as strictly confidential and used only for the purpose of finding out how to better assist you during the recruitment process. Adjustments for candidates with disabilities will be provided as best as possible and as needed upon request. All candidates will be assessed based on meeting the requirements for each vacancy in relation to experience, skills, and education.