Associate Protection Officer at UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency

, , Thailand -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

25 Mar, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

25 Dec, 25

Experience

2 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

International Refugee Law, Human Rights Law, International Humanitarian Law, Case Processing, Eligibility Interviews, Fraud Prevention, Capacity Building, Legal Drafting, Analytical Skills, Communication Skills, Training, Protection Principles, Crisis Management, Team Collaboration, Cultural Awareness, Data Analysis

Industry

International Affairs

Description

Deadline for Applications January 7, 2026 Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based) A (least hardship) Family Type (not applicable for home-based) Family Staff Member / Affiliate Type UNOPS IICA1 Target Start Date 2026-02-01 Terms of Reference 1. General Background The Associate Protection Officer at UNHCR’s Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific (RBAP), under the overall guidance of the Senior Protection Officer, provides functional protection and solutions support and oversight to country operations in the Asia-Pacific region on international protection standards and operational procedures and practices. The Associate Protection Officer has a direct and specific focus on case processing – particularly refugee status determination (RSD) under UNHCR’s mandate, and preventing, identifying, and responding to fraud and corruption in the context of protection processes, in line with the obligations and requirements set forth in the RSD Procedural Standards and the 2024 Policy and Administration Instruction on Addressing Fraud Committed by Forcibly Displaced and Stateless Persons. Priority areas of support to case processing include RSD, resettlement, complementary pathways, local integration, voluntary repatriation. S/he provides advice and guidance on legal, procedural, operational and strategic support to ensure integrity of individual case processing in the region. The Associate Protection Officer supports RBAP and country operations’ activities in these areas, which includes first line responsibilities in countries which fall under RBAP’s direct purview, maintaining close contact and coordination with other protection, assistance and solutions functional units and relevant partners, with a view of ensuring the requisite support is provided to coordinated approaches in the area of case processing, especially mandate RSD, and anti-fraud initiatives as relating to protection processes. The incumbent contributes to building the overall capacity of country operations in the region in the priority areas of case processing and integrity, by providing advice and support to staff engaged in related activities, monitoring trends and conducting training and other capacity-development/strengthening activities to promote consistency in case processing, especially RSD, and integrity related procedures and decision-making. S/he contributes to developing and enhancing regional and global standards and policies, as necessary. 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. 2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment - Stay abreast of legal, political, security, social, economic and cultural developments that have an impact on the protection environment in the region, including developments relevant to mandate RSD and national asylum/RSD systems, as applicable. - Support country operations in the region to ensure compliance of staff and implementing partners with global protection policies and standards of professional integrity, and related protection standard operating procedures, in the delivery of protection services including: UNHCR’s Handbook on the Procedures and Criteria for Determining Refugee Status Under UNHCR’s Mandate (RSD Handbook), Guidelines on International Protection (GIPs), Procedural Standards for Refugee Status Determination under UNHCR's Mandate (RSD SOPs) and Aide-Memoire and Glossary of case processing terms and concepts applicable to RSD under UNHCR's mandate (RSD Glossary), 2024 Policy framework (Policy) on Addressing Fraud Committed by Forcibly Displaced and Stateless Persons and related Administrative Instructions. - Working closely with senior protection colleagues in RBAP, provide prompt and accurate advice, guidance and operational support on issues concerning protection oversight, management of individual case processing, including RSD adjudication, fraud risk identification, prevention and response. - In close coordination with AFFPs and focal points in country operations, identify any areas of systemic weakness, vulnerability and risk of potential fraud committed by forcibly displaced and stateless persons. - Conduct eligibility interviews, draft RSD Assessment Forms and provide quality review of RSD Assessment Forms including for complex/sensitive cases, including cases which require exclusion analysis, in compliance with UNHCR procedural standards and international protection principles. - Provide capacity building, coaching and training on the inclusion criteria; principles/procedures related to exclusion; cancellation/revocation; international humanitarian law; human rights law; interviewing techniques and credibility assessment/establishing the facts; and legal drafting. - Support country operations in the development of case processing and RSD strategies and ensure full and effective integration into the country level protection and solution strategy. - Assist with developing/enhancing regional and global RSD standards and policies, as required. - Provide support to country operation in the region in the design and implementation of operation-specific SOPs for all aspects of case processing activities in line with relevant standards/policies, including UNHCR's AGD policy, ensuring the prioritisation of persons with specific needs. - Monitor trends and systematically compile statistics related to case processing. Analyse key indicators of the quality and efficiency of decision-making in individual case processing to assess capacity and resource requirements of operations in the region. - Evaluate and contribute to projecting staffing and financial needs in country operations in the region using the relevant Staffing Benchmarks, and support allocation of appropriate human, material and financial resources. - Conduct support missions, as required. - Assess training needs in country operations and assist managers to provide coaching/capacity building for UNHCR staff under their supervision, in coordination with DIPS, as appropriate. - Maintain and manage a consultative process with operations and other stakeholders in the region. - Perform other related duties as required. 3. Monitoring and Progress Controls • Quality, timely, and effective protection support is provided to country operations in line with relevant UNHCR protection standards and principles. • Protection issues and incidents requiring UNHCR’s interventions are identified in a timely manner and necessary responses are taken. • Regional compliance positively assessed (against RSD Handbook, GIPs, RSD SOPs, RSD Glossary, AGD policy, 2024 Fraud Policy/Admin Instructions). • Implementation of effective capacity-building programs at regional and country operation level, based on quality review and participant knowledge assessments. • Optimization of regional reporting mechanisms and trends monitoring reports, supporting data-driven decision-making across operations. 4. Qualifications and Experience a. Education (Level and area of required and/or preferred education) Three years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree in the field(s) of International Refugee Law, International Human Rights Law, International Humanitarian Law, International Criminal Law, Political Sciences or other relevant field. Certificates and/or Licenses Specific learning programmes such as RSD LP, Management Learning Programme, Integrity Learning Programme, Interviewing for Protection Learning Programme (or Interview Learning Programme) and other UNHCR Learning Programmes relevant to RSD and Integrity. 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.) Essential Advanced demonstrated knowledge of international protection principles and the international legal framework. Professional experience in the area of refugee protection, internal displacement, human rights or international humanitarian law. Direct working experience in RSD case processing and solid experience conducting eligibility and protection-related interviews (in person and remotely), analysing and drafting assessments on the protection situation and needs of refugees and asylum-seekers, and in respect of their eligibility for refugee status and/or prioritization for resettlement consideration Good knowledge of International Refugee and Human Rights Law and ability to apply the relevant legal principles. working directly with procedures and principles related to adjudicating individual asylum claims in RSD procedures. In-depth knowledge of International Refugee Law, International Human Rights Law, International Humanitarian Law and International Criminal Law and ability to apply relevant legal principles in the RSD context, including exclusion decision-making. Thorough knowledge of the "Procedural Standards for RSD under UNHCR's Mandate" and other guidelines and standards governing UNHCR's mandate RSD activities. Experience in counselling asylum-seekers and individual case management. Experience in interviewing refugees and asylum-seekers in the context of RSD and resettlement. Experience and demonstrated skills in trainng and capacity development in RSD eligibility criteria and procedures, and international refugee law. Direct working experience with UNHCR in the application of UNHCR procedures and guidance related to fraud committed by refugees, particularly as relating to the implementation and operationalization of UNHCR’s 2024 Policy on Addressing Fraud Committed by Persons of Concern. Excellent research and analytical skills. Excellent oral communication and written drafting skills. Desirable Experience in protection case management functions, including registration or resettlement, is highly desirable. Knowledge of application of UNHCR’s broader risk management framework. Experience in using and thus a strong understanding of UNHCR’s case management systems and software (proGres, PRIMES, etc.) is highly desirable. Experience as a decision-maker in UNHCR or Government RSD procedures is highly desirable. Experience in providing legal representation to asylum seekers in UNHCR or Government RSD procedures. Experience in supervising a team. Completion of the RSD Learning Programme and other UNHCR Learning Programmes relevant to RSD. Training and coaching experience. Experience in working with vulnerable or traumatized individuals. Field experience, including in working directly with communities. Knowledge of or prior work experience with refugee populations in Asia and the Pacific. Good IT skills including database management skills. c. Key Competencies Functional Skills *PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators *LE-International Refugee Law *PR-Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) PR-Gender Based Violence (GBV) Coordination MG-Projects management PR-PR-Human Rights Doctrine/Standards PR-International Humanitarian Law PR-RSD Principles & Procedures, operational arrangements/assistance PR-Protection and mixed-movements PR-Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Operations & IDPs Status/Rights/Obligation PR-Climate change and disaster related displacement PR-Community-based Protection MS-Drafting, Documentation, Data Presentation EX-Field Experience Language Requirements Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English. Core Competencies: Accountability Communication Organizational Awareness Teamwork & Collaboration Commitment to Continuous Learning Client & Result Orientation Managerial Competencies: Judgement and Decision Making Empowering and Building Trust Cross-Functional Competencies: Analytical Thinking Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Political Awareness Planning and Organizing Policy Development and Research 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 Important notice: Please note that UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing or training). Read about how to avoid scams and fraudulent job offers. Please note that applications are only accepted via the UNHCR online recruitment platform. CVs and/or application requests sent via email will not be answered, reviewed nor considered. For external applicants: We would like to call your attention on the eligibility of International Professional (P) category: According to our Recruitment and Assignments Policy, P staff members will not normally serve in the country of their nationality, and the first regular appointment in the P category must be outside the staff member's country of nationality. In practical terms this means that you are not eligible to apply for International Professional vacancies advertised in the country where you are national of. In case of technical difficulties when applying, external applicants (not current UNHCR workforce members) can write to recruitmentcase@unhcr.org. For former UNHCR Colleagues: Former UNHCR employees who are on mandatory break-in service or have separated from UNHCR after 1 October 2022 should create an account through this platform. Once you fill in your basic personal information (employee ID, birth date, name, email address), Workday will identify you as prior personnel and merge your employee account with your external applicant account. The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, takes the lead in protecting people forced to flee wars and persecution around the world, providing life-saving aid including shelter, food and water to ensure their basic safety, rights and dignity. With 18,879 women and men working in 137 countries, we work tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of 89.3 million forcibly displaced people worldwide. Our dedicated and professional staff work around the clock in roles including legal protection, community services, public affairs, health and more. Despite the challenges they can face, our staff are proud to work for UNHCR and determined to make a positive impact. Why a career with UNHCR? Our dedicated staff work to protect and assist people fleeing conflict and persecution at a time when global forced displacement is at a record high. Our colleagues bring a wide range of specialized skills, including expertise in legal protection, administration, community services, public affairs, health and other disciplines. Disability inclusion If you are a person with a disability and you expect you may face challenges during the recruitment process, you can indicate it in your application form. There are options to select any health conditions you may have and outline any necessary adjustments related to disabilities during the recruitment phases. Providing this information is optional. It will be treated as strictly confidential and used only for the purpose of finding out how to better assist you during the recruitment process. Adjustments for candidates with disabilities will be provided as best as possible and as needed upon request. All candidates will be assessed based on meeting the requirements for each vacancy in relation to experience, skills, and education.

Responsibilities

The Associate Protection Officer provides functional protection and solutions support to country operations in the Asia-Pacific region, focusing on refugee status determination and preventing fraud in protection processes. They also contribute to capacity building and the development of regional and global standards and policies.