Protection Associate

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

H (no hardship)FamilyUNOPS LICA62025-01-01November 8, 2024*The position is a UNOPS Local Individual Contractor Agreement Level 6 position being advertised in replacement capacity from January to October 2025.
*The position is open to nationals and those who have the legal status to work in Japan.


Background:
Japan is party to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol since 1981. There is no comprehensive and dedicated asylum law nor a refugee protection agency independent of immigration authorities. The management of asylum issues including refugee status determination (RSD) comes almost exclusively under the Immigration Services Agency (ISA), a semi-independent body operating under the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). Japan has an assistance framework refugees, asylum seekers and others in need of international protection primarily based on the Cabinet decisions. Japan is party to neither of the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons nor the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, and does not have a statelessness determination procedure in place. Statelessness and nationality related matters fall under the responsibility of the MoJ and the ISA under the relevant national legislation. In the recent years, the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act governing asylum related matters and the Nationality Act governing nationality related matters were amended and came into force respectively.

UNHCR’s main role in the domestic context of Japan is to support the efforts made by the Government of Japan (GoJ) and other national actors in providing protection and solutions to displaced and stateless persons, advocate and promote the realization of their rights in line with the international standards through introduction or change of related laws, policies and schemes. UNHCR Japan considers it important that relevant national actors, such as civil society organizations, academic/educational institutions, corporate sector, municipalities, and other key service providers as well as displaced and stateless persons themselves (especially youth), enhance their engagement and participation, so that the overall national capacity in protecting and supporting them shall be further strengthened.

As a member of the Protection Unit, the incumbent will specifically be engaged in the issues relating to the adequate protection of, solutions and assistance for displaced and stateless persons in Japan, through close and constructive collaboration with the relevant stakeholders including the MOJ and the ISA. Within the complex and rapidly evolving context, UNHCR Japan developed its Multi-Year Strategy 2025-2029, outlining its priorities towards the enhancement of well-being of forcibly displaced and stateless persons and Japan’s active contributions to resolving the global displacement and statelessness situations, under a whole-of-society approach enshrined in the 2018 Global Compact on Refugees. Accordingly the incumbent is expected to contribute to the implementation of the Japan Strategy as well as UNHCR’s global strategies and guidance as relevant.


Purpose and Scope of Assignment:
Under the overall guidance of the Senior Protection Officer, the Protection Associate will be expected to:

1.　Conduct legal and policy advocacy work towards relevant national stakeholders’ enhanced engagement in and delivery of domestic protection, durable solutions and integration assistance for displaced and stateless persons, in line with the international protection principles/standards and the 2018 Global Compact on Refugees;

2.　Provide technical and coordination support to relevant national stakeholders to improve the quality and efficiency of national RSD processing, particularly in close collaboration with the Immigration Services Agency under the framework of the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) signed in July 2021;

3.   Provide timely support to and liaise with civil society and other related actors (including the partnership management of the formal project partner organization) in terms of efficient and effective delivery of protection, solutions and assistance for displaced and stateless persons as appropriate/necessary;

4.   Contribute to the development and delivery of effective messaging on the global displacements and statelessness agenda (including the recently-launched Global Alliance to End Statelessness) in close collaboration with Communications and External Relations Unit as relevant, in order to change the narrative about displaced and stateless persons in Japan;

5.   Provide general administrative and logistical support for Protection Unit, including but not limited to communication and coordination with the other units of UNHCR Japan and various stakeholders, provision of technical supervision of Protection Unit interns, and participation in internal and external events and lectures; and

6.   Perform other duties as required.


Monitoring and Progress Controls:

1. Advocacy work and technical guidance delivered towards achieving the overall objectives of the office, with a view to further develop the capacity of relevant domestic stakeholders. 

2. Protection and solutions elements of UNHCR Japan’s multi-year strategy 2025-2029 are appropriately reflected, and activities are carried out according to the strategy.

3. Activities under the partnership agreements (i.e. MoC and Project Partnership Agreement) are supported towards successful implementation and continuation. Future strategy discussions are held, strategic plans are developed and implemented with relevant stakeholders.

4. On all the areas of the incumbent's responsibility, timely report and/or documentation of high quality is prepared and shared as necessary/appropriate.

5. Required administrative and logistical support is provided for effective and efficient delivery of overall work of Protection Unit and for various events and initiatives organized by the office.


Qualifications and Experience:
a. Education

Completion of Bachelor’s degree. Training and further qualifications in any of the following is an asset: international law, international relations or other related fields.

b. Work Experience
     
Essential: Minimum two years of previous job experience relevant to the function of the position or related fields.
Desirable: Experience in working within a multicultural environment is preferable.

c. Key Competencies

Core competencies: Accountability, Communication, Organizational Awareness, Teamwork & Collaboration, Commitment to Continuous Learning, and Client & Result Orientation

Cross-functional competencies: Analytical Thinking, Stakeholder Management, Planning & Organizing, Change Capability & Adaptability
     
Language skills: Proficiency in English and Japanese, in both oral and written, is required.

 

Standard Job Description

Required Languages

Japanese

,

English

,

Desired Languages

,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Accountability, Adaptability, Analytical Thinking, Change Capability, Client Orientation, Communication, Continuing Learning, Individual Planning, Organizing, Political Awareness, Results-Oriented, Stakeholder Management, Team Collaboration, Teamwork

Education

Bachelor of Arts (BA) (Required), Bachelor of Science (BS) (Required)

Certifications

Protection

Other information

The position is only open to nationals or those who already hold a legal status in Japan to engage in employment in Japan.This position doesn't require a functional clearance

Home-Based

No