JOB DESCRIPTION

B

Family

Family

PR2

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2025-07-23

August 8, 2025

Associate Protection Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Associate Protection Officer reports to the Protection Officer or the Senior Protection Officer. Depending on the size and structure of the Office, the incumbent may have supervisory responsibility for protection staff, including community-based protection registration, resettlement and education. S/he provides functional protection guidance to information management and programme staff on all protection/legal matters and accountabilities. These include: statelessness (in line with the campaign to End Statelessness by 2024), Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) commitments, age, gender, diversity (AGD) and accountability to affected populations (AAP) through community-based protection, Child protection, Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention and response, gender equality, disability inclusion, youth empowerment, psycho-social support and PSEA, registration, asylum/refugee status determination, resettlement, local integration, voluntary repatriation, human rights standards integration, national legislation, judicial engagement, predictable and decisive engagement in situations of internal displacement and engagement in wider mixed movement and climate change/disaster-related displacement responses. S/he supervises protection standards, operational procedures and practices in protection delivery in line with international standards.

The Associate Protection Officer is expected to coordinate quality, timely and effective protection responses to the needs of forcibly displaced and stateless persons, ensuring that operational responses in all sectors mainstream protection methodologies and integrate protection safeguards. The incumbent contributes to the design of a comprehensive protection strategy and represents the organization externally on protection doctrine and policy as guided by the supervisor. S/he also ensures that forcibly displaced and stateless persons are meaningfully engaged in the decisions that affect them and support programme design and adaptations that are influenced by the concerns, priorities and capacities of forcibly displaced and stateless persons. To achieve this, the incumbent will need to build and maintain effective interfaces with communities of concern, authorities, protection and assistance partners as well as a broader network of stakeholders who can contribute to enhancing protection.

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.
– Promote International and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards and codes of conduct.
– Foster their consistent and coherent interpretation and application through mainstreaming in all sectors and /or in clusters in applicable operations.
– Assist in providing comments on existing and draft legislation related to forcibly displaced and stateless persons.
– Provide legal advice and guidance on protection issues to forcibly displaced and stateless persons; liaise with competent authorities to ensure the issuance of personal and other relevant documentation.
– Conduct eligibility and status determination for forcibly displaced and stateless persons in compliance with UNHCR procedural standards and international protection principles.
– Promote and contribute to measures to identify, prevent and reduce statelessness.
– Contribute to a country-level child protection plan as part of the protection strategy to ensure programmes use a child protection systems approach.
– Contribute to a country-level education plan.
– Implement and oversee Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all protection/solutions activities which integrate AGD sensitive procedures.
– Oversee and manage individual protection cases, including those on GBV and child protection. Monitor, and intervene in cases of refoulement, expulsion and other protection incidents through working relations with governments and other partners.
– Recommend durable solutions for the largest possible number of forcibly displaced and stateless persons through voluntary repatriation, local integration and where appropriate, resettlement.
– Assess resettlement needs and apply priorities for the resettlement of individuals and groups of refugees and other forcibly displaced and stateless persons.
– Participate in the organisation and implementation of participatory assessments and methodologies throughout the operations management cycle and promote AGD sensitive programming with implementing and operational partners.
– Contribute to and facilitate a programme of results-based advocacy through a consultative process with sectorial and/or cluster partners.
– Facilitate effective information management through the provision of disaggregated data on populations of concern and their problems.
– Promote and integrate community-based approaches to protection and contribute to capacity-building initiatives for communities and individuals to assert their rights.
– Support activities in the area of risk management related to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, fraud, case-processing, data protection, and human rights due diligence at country level.
– Participate in initiatives to capacitate national authorities, relevant institutions and NGOs to strengthen national protection related legislation and procedures.
– Intervene with authorities on protection issues.
– Negotiate locally on behalf of UNHCR.
– Decide priorities for reception, interviewing and counselling for groups or individuals.
– Enforce compliance of staff and implementing partners with global protection policies and standards of professional integrity in the delivery of protection services.
– Enforce compliance with, and integrity of, all protection standard operating procedures.

– 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 P2/NOB – 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Law, International Law, Political Sciences or other relevant field

Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified.
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Professional experience in the area of refugee protection, internal displacement, human rights or international humanitarian law. Good knowledge of International Refugee and Human Rights Law and ability to apply the relevant legal principles.
Desirable
Field experience, including in working directly with communities. Good IT skills including database management skills.

Functional Skills
*PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators
*PR-Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD)
PR-Gender Based Violence (GBV) Coordination
MG-Project Management
PR-Human Rights Doctrine/Standards
PR-International Humanitarian Law
PR-Assessment of IDPs Status, Rights, Obligation
PR-Climate change and disaster related displacement
CO-Drafting and Documentation
(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.

The ideal candidate must have demonstrated experience in refugee protection, with a sound understanding of asylum systems, legal frameworks, and durable solutions. They should be familiar with the functioning of national social protection systems and have experience working at the intersection of humanitarian and development action. The role requires someone who can effectively support legal and policy reform processes, constructively engage government counterparts, and help drive inclusion efforts for forcibly displaced populations.

The candidate must have a solid grasp of and practical experience in handling protection risks facing urban refugees and persons with specific needs, especially those encountering barriers to accessing national services, is expected. The candidate should have demonstrated strong analytical and drafting skills, particularly for protection analysis, policy briefs, and advocacy products. They will also need to have demonstrated experience in working across sectors and build partnerships with government ministries, civil society, UN agencies, and development actors. Experience promoting the inclusion of forcibly displaced persons in public services or national social protection programmes will be an advantage. Inter-agency and government coordination and negotiation experience is required. Experience in protection capacity building for national authorities and team members is an important skill. Experience in developing and running consultative processes at the national level will be viewed as an asset.

The incumbent must understand and be able to use risk-based approaches to protection work, particularly fraud mitigation and prevention. S/he will be required to report suspicions of fraud, exploitation, as well as document suspected or reported incidents of fraud by clients, colleagues, partners, or third parties.

The incumbent must demonstrate the ability to make timely and sound decisions in rapidly changing situations, the ability to uphold the highest ethical standards, and exhibit a high level of awareness of and respect for cultural diversity and be able to work effectively in a multi-cultural and multiethnic environment.

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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:

The Associate Protection Officer works under the supervision of the Senior Protection Officer and in close coordination with the Protection Teams in Field Offices. S/he will support UNHCR Zambia’s efforts to strengthen the protection environment and advance durable solutions for forcibly displaced and stateless persons, in line with the 2025–2028 Multi-Year Strategy and with UNHCR’s protection mandate. Based in Lusaka, the incumbent will work closely with national authorities, particularly the Office of the Commissioner for Refugees (COR), and with key ministries such as Community Development and Social Services, to promote the inclusion of forcibly displaced populations (FDPs) in national social protection systems.

The role focuses on supporting legal and policy reform, strengthening asylum systems, and promoting access to documentation and essential services including social protection, health, and education. The Government of the Republic of Zambia has, in November 2023, issued a National Refugee Policy and Implementation Plan which includes important commitments towards local long-term solutions for refugees and former refugees in Zambia.  These commitments are reflected in Zambia’s pledges during the 2023 Global Refugee Forum (GRF) to support the implementation of the Global Compact on Refugees. to the incumbent will support the operationalization of the National Refugee Policy and the Government’s 2023 GRF pledges, including those relating to residence permits and local integration. Focusing on sustainable responses, the Associate Protection Officer will contribute to the development and implementation of strategies that enhance the resilience and self-reliance of forcibly displaced persons, while promoting their long-term inclusion in accessing national services and opportunities.

The Associate Protection Officer will contribute to the development of the strategic directions needed in protection and solutions, legal and policy engagement, and evidence-based advocacy to address implementation gaps and promote inclusive, government-led responses. The incumbent will also support protection monitoring and capacity building, with a focus on age, gender, and diversity (AGD) approaches and inclusive service delivery. The incumbent’s work will include building and maintaining an effective interface/coordination approach with refugees and asylum seekers and raising awareness among refugees on their rights as well as duties in Zambia.

The incumbent will also lead efforts to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), support the strengthening of Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) including through training for staff and partners, and support efforts to further enhance outreach counselling initiatives jointly with partners.

The role demands coordination of quality, timely, and effective solutions-focused responses to the needs of forcibly displaced populations but also the integration of protection safeguards across all operational sectors. S/he is expected to monitor and elevate protection standards, operational procedures, and practices in protection delivery in line with international standards. S/he contributes to the coordination of the design, implementation, and evaluation of protection related programming with implementing and operational partners.

Living and Working Conditions:

Lusaka is the capital of Zambia, a country heading towards middle-income country status. Zambia is an English speaking country. Shops are well stocked and all basic commodities can be found it the various supermarkets and malls around town. Imported goods tend to be available but more expensive. Health facilities, international schools, banking services are available in Lusaka. Finding accommodation meeting MORRS standard is possible, either in stand-alone house or in apartment or town house in housing complexes. Domestic flights are costly but available. The local airline, Proflight and Mahogany operates flights to larger towns in the country. Zambia is a vast country and road travel can take days, given the distances and at time the road conditions. Zambia is peaceful with minimal security threats. There have been no restrictions on travel within Zambia. There have been no curfews or restricted movements within Lusaka or elsewhere. There have been no reported cases of serious incidents involving UNHCR staff members in the past.  Like in other duty stations, staff members are advised not to be complacent and be vigilant. International staff members are expected to have security guards from a recognized/recommended security company at their residences. For more information please visit: http://www.zambiatourism.com.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CO-Drafting and Documentation, MG-Project Management, PR-Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD), PR-Assessment of IDPs Status, Rights, Obligation, PR-Climate change and disaster related displacement, PR-Gender Based Violence (GBV) Coordination, PR-Human Rights Doctrine/Standards, PR-International Humanitarian Law, PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators

Bachelor of Arts: International Law, Bachelor of Arts: Law, Bachelor of Arts: Political Science

Certifications

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaboration

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

Compendium

Add. 2 to the Bi-Annual 2025 Compendium – Part B

Additional Information

This position doesn”t require a functional clearance