MidFull TimeENAfrica
Deadline for Applications
May 21, 2026Hardship Level
DFamily Type
Non Family with Residential LocationResidential location (if applicable)
Maputo, MozambiqueGrade
GS6Staff Member / Affiliate Type
General ServiceReason
Regular > Regular AssignmentTarget Start Date
2026-06-15Standard Job Description
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.
Desired Candidate Profile
EssentialRequired languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
English,
Portuguese,
Desired languages
,
,
Operational context
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is an international organization with the mandate to assist persons in need of international protection, asylum seekers, refugees, statelessness, and internally displaced persons. The UNHCR operation in Mozambique has its main office in Maputo, Field office in Nampula, Sub-Office in Pemba and Field units in Cabo Delgado. The working language in the UNHCR offices in Mozambique is English.
The Protection Associate position based in Pemba, provides protection and technical support across Cabo Delgado and Nampula Provinces, which together constitute the core displacement-affected region of Northern Mozambique. These provinces host large numbers of IDPs, returnees and vulnerable host communities affected by ongoing insecurity, secondary displacement, family separation, gender-based violence, loss of civil documentation, housing, land and property disputes, and limited access to essential services and justice mechanisms. The position plays a critical role in ensuring that UNHCR’s protection mandate is effectively implemented in the field across this highly dynamic and operationally challenging environment.
The Protection Associate reports to the Senior Protection Cluster Coordination Officer and works within the framework of UNHCR. The incumbent provides technical and coordination support to ensure that protection responses across Cabo Delgado and Nampula Provinces are strategic, coherent and aligned with international standards and national frameworks. The role includes direct engagement with government in the affected areas, as well as with national and international partners delivering protection, legal, psychosocial and community-based services.
The position is based in Pemba, the capital of Cabo Delgado Province, in the north of Mozambique. Pemba is a D, Non-Family duty-station.
Mozambique has a total population of about 29 million people and Maputo is its capital city. The total area of Mozambique is 799,380 Km square from North to South. It is tropical, hot and humid. The hottest and wettest months are December to February, when the average daily minimum temperatures are around 22 °c and the average daily highs of 30 °c. The rainy season is between October and April. Winters (June to August) are mild with the average daily temperature ranging from 13 °C to 24 °C.
Cabo Delgado is bordering Tanzania, with a population of over 2.2 million individuals according to the 2017 census. The province, considered one of the poorest in the country, was hit by cyclone Kenneth in April 2019 and Cyclone CHIDO in December 2024, which affected several villages, causing material damage and the displacement of many residents. The province has also been targeted by armed groups that have been attacking local villages since October 2017. Communication and transport services are available at various costs. The housing market is healthy but quite expensive (from US$ 800 to US$ 1,500 per month). Pemba has several supermarkets and one international airport. The metical is the local currency and exchange rate stands at USD 1 equivalent to about 63.25 meticais (MZN) as per April 2026. Pemba has several health facilities including ISOS clinic, CLIDIS private clinic and the Provincial hospital. There is a wide range of Banks and ATMs to meet financial needs. Credit/debit cards are accepted in most places.
UNDSS-cleared hotels are available, with the rates differing depending on the availability and season. MOSS compliant apartments are available.
The current operational circumstances require frequently long working hours. This is a stressful work context, making a capacity for self-care critical.
According to the security level system, Cabo Delgado is at level 4. Crime in Pemba and villages outside of the capital is concerning and UN personnel must remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings. Traffic accidents are common in Mozambique due to the poor condition of the roads and poor driving and vehicle standards.
Additional Qualifications
Skills
Education
Certifications
International Law - Other, Political Science - OtherWork Experience
Competencies
Accountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Judgement & decision making, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaborationUNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Additional Information
Functional clearance
This position doesn't require a functional clearance
