Protection Associate

The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country.

During times of displacement, we provide critical emergency assistance in the form of clean water, sanitation and healthcare, as well as shelter, blankets, household goods and sometimes food. We also arrange transport and assistance packages for people who return home, and income-generating projects for those who resettle.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was established on December 14, 1950, by the United Nations General Assembly. Initially, it was created to help millions of Europeans displaced by World War II, with a three-year mandate to complete its work and then disband12. However, as new refugee crises emerged, its mandate was extended multiple times, and in 2003, it was made permanent

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Head of Field Unit or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Protection Associate will:

• Conduct regular field visits to monitor the protection needs of the affected population and identify individuals at risk.

• Provide support in the implementation of protection activities, including community-based protection initiatives.

• Assist in the preparation of reports, briefing notes, and other documentation related to protection activities.

• Liaise with local authorities, community leaders, and other stakeholders to ensure effective coordination and implementation of protection strategies.

• Participate in capacity-building activities for local partners and community members on protection-related topics.

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of protection cases and interventions.

• Support the development and dissemination of information materials on protection issues.

• Contribute to the planning and execution of awareness-raising campaigns on protection rights and services.

• Assist in the identification and referral of individuals in need of specialized protection services.

• Perform any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

• Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day).

• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country.

• Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.

• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.

• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers.

• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

13. Results/expected outputs:

• As an active [insert name Host Agency] team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNHCR and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:


• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment.

• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in, and capacities developed.