JOB DESCRIPTION

Deadline for Applications

December 14, 2025

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

A (least hardship)

Family Type (not applicable for home-based)

Family

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

UNOPS LICA6

Target Start Date

2025-12-03

Terms of Reference

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• This position is advertised to internal applicants. Only Mexicans or candidates holding a permanent residency or valid work permit in México will be considered eligible (attach the corresponding document in the application).

• Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme or as an intern, is subject to proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, independently of contract type and duration. The selected candidate(s) will be required to provide proof of vaccination prior to recruitment.

• Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on the grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.

• Only short-listed candidates will be notified. The recruitment process might/could include a written test and/or oral interview for this job opening. No late applications will be accepted.

• UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training, or any other fees).

• This position is offered under UNOPS Local ICA contract until 30/06/2025 with possibility of extension.

• Remuneration: A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For more information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, please visit the portal of the Office of HR Management of United Nations. UNHCR also offers comprehensive medical insurance and pension plans.

1. General Background
(Brief description of the national, sector-specific or other relevant context in which the individual contractor will operate)

In 2019, the Mexican state recognized the problem of forced internal displacement. Through this recognition, the Mexican government requested UNHCR to provide technical assistance and advice for developing a national law framework on prevention and response to internal displacement, and the identification of coordinated response actions.

UNHCR assumed the co-coordination of the UN and international actors working group on internal displacement and undertook a strategy based on the following pillars: i) Technical assistance and advice for developing laws on policies on internal displacement; ii) Capacity building: strengthening capacities on internal displacement and international standards; iii) Protection coordination: promoting a coordinated UN support and local mechanisms; and iv) Information management: developing an evidence-based approach.

UNHCR is currently working in priority states. In the case of Chiapas, it is the first state to enact legislation on internal displacement (2012), being one of the five states in Mexico that have regulations on this matter. Recent academic and civil society reports identify Chiapas as the state with the highest number of internally displaced persons in the country.

2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment
(Concise and detailed description of activities, tasks, and responsibilities to be undertaken, including expected travel, if applicable)

Under the overall supervision of the Assistant Government Liaison Officer, the Protection Associate will be required to:

• 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.
• Provide technical assistance for the development of the legal framework, regulatory and public policy instruments and comprehensive attention routes on internal displacement and their implementation.
• Provide advice on protection issues to IDPs and persons for whom we work; liaise with competent authorities to ensure the issuance of personal and other relevant documentation.
• Collaborate and facilitate capacity building sessions.
• Assist in GBV and PSEA UNHCR strategy.
• Assist in Community-Based Protection activities and peaceful co-existence projects and assisting in the follow-up of the UNHCR ‘partner in the field.
• Assist the supervisor with enforcing local mechanisms and partners.
• Assist the supervisor with enforcing compliance with, and integrity of, all protection standard operating procedures.
• Participate in the coordination work team meetings and present reports.
• Share information concerning mixed movements and information needs of potential asylum seekers or refugees in the area of responsibility.
• Any other activity that may be required within the framework of the Collaboration Agreement between UNHCR and the State Government and to promote its follow-up.
• Perform other related duties as required.

3. Monitoring and Progress Controls
(Clear description of measurable outputs, milestones, key performance indicators and/or reporting requirements which will enable performance monitoring)

• Initial report detailing the tasks and the methodology to be used to carry them out.
• Contribute to a local-level protection plan for IDPs as part of the protection strategy.
• Monitor Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all protection/solutions activities.
• Contribute to the design, implementation and evaluation of protection related AGD based programming with implementing and operational partners.
• Meetings notes.

4. Qualifications and Experience
(List the required education, work experience, expertise and competencies of the individual contractor. The listed education and experience should correspond with the level at which the contract is offered.)

a. Education (Level and area of required and/or preferred education)

• Completed high school or its equivalent with certificate / training in Law, International Law, Political Science, Social Work, Anthropology, Social Communication, Community-based Education or other related area.
• Desirable: Advanced command of the spoken and written English language (Writing skills in Spanish and English) B2.

b. Work Experience
(List number of years and area of required work experience. Clearly distinguish between required experience and experience which could be an asset.)

• Minimum 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher.
• Desirable: UNHCR experience
• Desirable: Protection Learning Programme
• Desirable: Knowledge in Mexican public policies and forced displacement context in Mexico; and previous experience at the mentioned state, or in communitarian work and capacity building.

c. Key Competencies
(Technical knowledge, skills, managerial competencies, or other personal competencies relevant to the performance of the assignment. Clearly distinguish between required and desired competencies)

Functional Skills
T-Computer Literacy
CL-Protection & Solutions Awareness
PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators
PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Core Competencies
Accountability
Communication
Organizational Awareness
Teamwork & Collaboration
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies
Judgement and Decision Making

Cross-Functional Competencies
Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
Political Awareness
Stakeholder Management

Standard Job Description

Required Languages

,

,

Desired Languages

,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

Certifications

Work Experience

Other information

This position doesn”t require a functional clearance

Remote

No