JOB DESCRIPTION

Deadline for Applications

September 12, 2025

Hardship Level

A (least hardship)

Family Type

Family

Family Type

Family

Residential location (if applicable)

Grade

NOA

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

National Professional Officer

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Target Start Date

2025-09-29

Standard Job Description

Assistant Protection Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Assistant 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 Assistant Protection Officer is expected to coordinate quality, timely and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern (PoC), 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 PoC 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 them. 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.
– 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 legal advice and guidance on protection issues to PoC; liaise with competent authorities to ensure the issuance of personal and other relevant documentation.
– Conduct eligibility and status determination for PoC 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.
– Contribute to a country-level education plan as part of the protection strategy.
– Provide inputs for the development of protection policies and standards within the AoR.
– Implement and 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.
– Recommend durable solutions for the largest possible number of PoC 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 PoC.
– Contribute to the design, implementation and evaluation of protection related AGD based programming with implementing and operational partners.
– Contribute to and facilitate a programme of results-based advocacy with sectorial and/or cluster partners.
– Contribute to and facilitate effective information management through the provision of disaggregated data on populations of concern and their problems.
– Assist capacity-building initiatives for communities and individuals to assert their rights.
– Participate in initiatives to capacitate authorities, relevant institutions and NGOs to strengthen national protection related legislation and procedures.
– Intervene with authorities on protection issues.
– Assist the supervisor in deciding priorities for reception, interviewing and counselling for groups or individuals.
– Assist the supervisor in enforcing 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 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
Law,

International Law,

Political Sciences
or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified;

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Knowledge of International Refugee and Human Rights Law and ability to apply the relevant legal principles

Desirable
Not specified.

Functional Skills
*PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators
*PR-Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD)
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
PR-Gender Based Violence (GBV) Coordination
(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

• Contextual and legal knowledge on principles and procedures pertaining to detention, deportation, temporary/ international protection regimes; registration procedures and practices including but not limited to birth registration in Turkey as well as legal framework on principles.
• Experience in managing diverse teams, fostering collaboration, and promoting a positive work environment.
• Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and lead teams through transitions.
• Experience in working with diverse national authorities, including but not limited to PDMM, PDFSS, AFAD, Governorates, and municipalities, among others.
• Proven skills in advocacy on refugee related matters and negotiation with local counterparts.
• Experience in working on refugee protection, field protection, case management and coordination.
• Ability to work in a diverse working environment.
• Ability to engage in internal and external communication and ability to engage other stakeholders on the matters relevant to the work of UNHCR.
• Ability to develop and implement strategic plans that align with UNHCR’s goals and objectives.
• Demonstrated drafting skills and ability to analyze information received from multiple sources.
• Bachelor’s in law; International Law; Political Science and International Relations; Social Sciences such as Social Services, Sociology, Psychology or any other relevant department
• Professional experience in the areas of refugee protection, internal displacement, human rights, or international humanitarian law, coordination, including in the field working directly with the refugees, and managerial skills.
• Knowledge of the region and operational context in Türkiye.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Turkish.

Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme or as an intern is subject to successful reference checks, and integrity clearances.

PLEASE DO NOT USE TURKISH CHARACTERS IN YOUR NAME & SURNAME INFORMATION.

Staff members should serve for a minimum of one year following assignment before being considered eligible to apply for another position within the same category. This requirement is waived in respect of staff members whose position is being changed or whose assignment/appointment through the joint staff/management review body is in a replacement capacity.

UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).
Only short-listed candidates will be notified. The recruitment process might include written test and/or oral interview for this job opening. No late applications will be accepted.

External candidates should be legally present in Türkiye at the time of application, recruitment, and hire.

Non-Turkish citizens are required to upload their residence permits or relevant documents under the ‘Certifications’ section, by selecting the type ‘Personnel Administration – Other’, to be considered for this job opening. Applications by non-Turkish citizens will NOT be considered if a valid residence permit is not attached to the application.

The minimum educational requirement for this position is a completed university degree.

For further information on how to apply, please visit the ‘UNHCR – Application and Selection’ page, at https://www.unhcr.org/how-to-apply.html.

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

,

,

Desired languages

,

,

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel.

Nature of Position:

The Assistant Protection Officer works under the supervision and in coordination with the Associate Field Officer/Head of Adana Field Unit and provides support to the UNHCR Field Unit’s understanding and implementation of the legal frameworks related to refugee protection. The Assistant Protection Officer will directly supervise several national staff at G5 or G6 level and thus will perform a managerial role.

The Assistant Protection Officer will assist the supervisor in the collection of comprehensive data on the border and registration/return situation by networking and engagement with local authorities, civil society, and refugees, as well as legal actors. The incumbent will follow up individual cases mainly identified during VolRep interviews and report on the trends of these cases, with the concerned staff members. The incumbent is expected to contribute to the design of the strategies, including proposals for legal interventions/activities in line with the strategic protection priorities.

The incumbent will also play a role in inter-agency coordination, providing support across the South-East operation as necessary, bringing together various actors in the protection sector, organizing workshops and joint events to strengthen collaboration among NGOs, international organizations, and public institutions, and conducting ad hoc meetings with key public institutions to address urgent protection concerns.

The Assistant Protection Officer is expected to support Adana FU in liaising with PDMMs, PDFSS, Bar Associations, Removal Centres, Civil Registry offices and other state actors for advocacy on legal and protection matters. The current situation may require late working hours, overnight missions, and weekend work if/when needed. Hence the incumbent should demonstrate adaptability and flexibility.

Additional Duties

• Monitor the Voluntary Return Interviews at the assigned Border Crossing Points or Provincial Migration Management offices in the AoR as needed.
• Attend and represent Adana FU at IACU meetings in the AoR.
• Assume the role of Officer in Charge in the absence of the Head of Field Unit.
• Support coordination with government counterparts and other relevant authorities.
• Support the coordination, organize and facilitate inter-agency meetings, work and cooperate with focal points, sectoral groups, and ad-hoc task forces on specific issues.
• Provide inputs to development of common funding criteria, resource mobilization and prioritization within the Protection Sector for inclusion in Consolidated Appeals and pooled funds processes.
• Draft reports and prepare advocacy statements on behalf of the Adana FU for clearance by Senior management.

Living and Working Conditions:

The Government of Türkiye leads the protection of and assistance to refugees and asylum-seekers in the country. UNHCR Türkiye complements the work of the Government by supporting the inclusion of refugees into the national system, making the services known to refugees and strengthening their availability and accessibility.

To enhance the efficiency and focus of its refugee response, UNHCR Türkiye has established field offices, including the Gaziantep Sub Office in Southeast Türkiye, to manage overall operational responsibilities. The UNHCR presence in Southeast Türkiye consists of a Sub-Office in Gaziantep and three Field Units located in Adana, Gaziantep, and Şanlıurfa, covering 11 provinces: Mersin, Adana, Hatay, Osmaniye, Kahramanmaraş, Gaziantep, Kilis, Malatya, Adıyaman, Şanlıurfa, and Mardin. These provinces host more than 1.4 million Syrian refugees under temporary protection, alongside individuals of other nationalities requiring international protection.

Through its Sub-Office in Gaziantep and three Field Units, UNHCR ensures that individuals in need of international protection can access essential social services and support systems in Türkiye. Additionally, the organization safeguards the voluntary nature of refugee returns to their country of origin.

On 6 February, two major earthquakes of 7.7 and 7.5 magnitude in Kahramanmaraş Province impacted eleven provinces in Türkiye’s southeast region and neighboring Syria. Numerous aftershocks, including deadly ones, have continuously impacted the situation in the region. Earthquake resulted with a very high number of casualties, and has triggered population movement, including refugees, to other areas in Turkiye that were not affected by this disaster. Due to the impact of the earthquake, population movement has particularly occurred from Hatay to Adana, leading to a decrease in the housing stock in Adana. The Field Unit’s office is located in the city center and has a central location in terms of transportation, accessible by all public transport vehicles. The banking system in Adana adheres to national standards and, in terms of education, hosts Turkey”s most established and renowned universities. Additionally, it has a very extensive and accessible healthcare system. Staff members and their families have access to numerous and easily reachable hospitals.

After December 8, 2024, a growing number of the nearly 1.7 million refugees in Southeast Türkiye began returning to their homes voluntarily in larger numbers than before. In response to this increase in returns, UNHCR has shifted its focus to monitoring voluntary refugee returns. Since December 9, 2024, UNHCR has expanded its capacity to monitor the voluntariness of these returns. Adana Field Unit attends voluntary return interviews in three border crossings (Cilvegozu, Zeytindali and Yayladagi Border Crossings in Hatay) as well as Adana, Mersin and Hatay PDMM Offices.

Proximity to the Syrian border has led to a sensitive security in South-eastern Turkey since the Syrian conflict began. However, the level of general criminality is low. The current security levels in Southeast Turkiye is Level 2, with some parts of the AoR (10 Km distance from the border area, plus Reyhanli and Mardin in the east) at Level 4. There are no known direct threats towards the United Nations and its staff in the area, but vigilance and awareness are required in the changing security environment. Due to the relatively recent developments at the border areas (increasing number of Voluntary Return cases at the border gates in Hatay), the UN staff in Adana FU are advised to increase their precaution measures in general. Area Security plans and Security levels are being updated.

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

Education

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

Certifications

Work Experience

Competencies

Accountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Judgement & decision making, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

UNHCR Salary Calculator

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

Compendium

Additional Information

Functional clearance

This position doesn”t require a functional clearance