Senior Protection Assistant

Deadline for Applications

November 15, 2025

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

A (least hardship

Family Type (not applicable for home-based)

Family

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

UNOPS LICA

Target Start Date

Terms of Reference

General Background and Operational Context

Under the mandate entrusted by the UN General Assembly, UNHCR is the UN agency tasked to work with States to protect and assist in finding durable solutions for asylum seekers, refugees, and stateless persons. As a State Party to the Refugee and Stateless Conventions, the Philippines has a generally favorable protection environment for asylum seekers, refugees, and stateless persons. UNHCR in the Philippines works with authorities, duty bearers, other stakeholders, and the people it works with and for, to ensure that asylum seekers, refugees, stateless persons, and populations at risk of statelessness have access to protection mechanisms, assistance and services, and durable solutions that would allow them to rebuild their lives in safety and dignity.

Functional State inter-agency mechanisms utilizing a whole-of-government approach, as well as assistance from complementary service providers, have allowed for continued access of People with and for whom UNHCR works to protective services. Moreover, the political will of the Philippine Government and interest of other stakeholders, such as CSOs and the academe, also provide opportunities to ensure a protective environment for People with and for whom UNHCR works. While the Philippines has a generally favourable protection environment for refugees, asylum-seekers, stateless persons or those at risk of statelessness, and IDPs, issues around access to asylum, documentation and coordination, access to services and information, local integration and meaningful community participation, safety and security, and access to viable and sustainable solutions continue to prevent the enjoyment of the rights among the People with and for whom UNHCR works.

Given these developments, UNHCR is expected to continuously provide technical support to the Philippine Government in upholding its commitment to the Refugee and Statelessness Conventions. The incumbent will be expected to provide support to the team's activities. The Senior Protection Assistant provides quality, timely and effective protection support to refugees, asylum-seekers, persons who are stateless or at risk of statelessness, and IDPs and identifies opportunities to mainstream protection methodologies and safeguards in operational responses.

The Senior Protection Assistant plays a key role in developing a comprehensive protection strategy and liaising with local authorities and partners on protection issues, particularly those related to access to asylum at ports of entry and detention facilities, as guided by the supervisor. The incumbent ensures that refugees, asylum-seekers, stateless persons or those at risk of statelessness, and internally displaced persons (IDPs) are actively involved in decisions affecting their rights and solutions to their challenges by fostering strong relationships with communities, local authorities, and protection partners. Additionally, the role involves monitoring protection standards and operational practices to ensure alignment with international norms, while providing functional support to information management and programme staff. Prior experience with the United Nations or other international humanitarian organizations is desirable. The General Protection Assistant is also expected to support reinstated activities related to statelessness and contribute to policy-related responsibilities, including coordination efforts on ASEAN-related matters.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

Given these developments, UNHCR is expected to continuously provide technical support to the Philippine Government in upholding its commitment to the Refugee and Statelessness Conventions. The incumbent will be expected to provide support to the team's activities. The Senior Protection Assistant provides quality, timely and effective protection support to refugees, asylum-seekers, persons who are stateless or at risk of statelessness, and IDPs and identifies opportunities to mainstream protection methodologies and safeguards in operational responses.

The Senior Protection Assistant plays a key role in developing a comprehensive protection strategy and liaising with local authorities and partners on protection issues, particularly those related to access to asylum at ports of entry and detention facilities, as guided by the supervisor. The incumbent ensures that refugees, asylum-seekers, stateless persons or those at risk of statelessness, and internally displaced persons (IDPs) are actively involved in decisions affecting their rights and solutions to their challenges by fostering strong relationships with communities, local authorities, and protection partners. Additionally, the role involves monitoring protection standards and operational practices to ensure alignment with international norms, while providing functional support to information management and programme staff. Prior experience with the United Nations or other international humanitarian organizations is desirable. The General Protection Assistant is also expected to support reinstated activities related to statelessness and contribute to policy-related responsibilities, including coordination efforts on ASEAN-related matters.

Duties and Responsibilities

- Ensure consistent application of international and national laws, as well as UN/UNHCR and IASC policies, standards, and codes of conduct.
- Provide protection counselling to refugees, asylum-seekers, persons who are stateless or at risk of statelessness, and IDPs and coordinate with authorities for issuance of personal and legal documentation.
- Close monitoring of protection concerns of asylum seekers at ports of entry and in detention facilities.
- Referral of accelerated cases to relevant agencies, and facilitation of asylum seekers' access to courts and administrative or judicial remedies
- Support protection-related Age, Gender, and Diversity (AGD) programming with implementing and operational partners.
- Conduct initial interviews and gather information to support eligibility assessments, durable solutions, and social needs evaluations.
- Contribute to efforts aimed at preventing and reducing statelessness, including active support for UNHCR-led initiatives on birth registration and activities related to the implementation and awareness of foundling law.
- Monitor and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for protection and solutions activities.
- Engage in individual case management, including Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and child protection cases; monitor and report incidents such as refoulement and expulsion.
- Assist in identifying and facilitating durable solutions including voluntary repatriation, local integration, and resettlement.
- Draft reports, routine correspondence, update databases, and compile statistics within the Area of Responsibility (AoR).
- Collect data and other information relevant to UNHCR and report to the supervisor accordingly.
- Keep regular contacts with local authorities and project partners as requested by supervisor.
- In coordination with project partners, assist in the reception, registration and provision of assistance to stateless persons and populations at risk of statelessness.
- Liaise with local authority counterparts, partners and the populations we work for and with.
- Participate in initiatives to capacitate authorities, relevant institutions and NGOs to strengthen national protection related legislation and procedures.
- Take part in advocacy activities to ensure inclusion and meaningful participation of the populations we work for and with.
- Contribute to initiatives that strengthen national and local protection capacities.
- Ensure integrity and accountability in protection service delivery by project partners.
- Perform other related duties as required.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

The position will be reporting to the Assistant Administrative Officer for overall supervision and guidance.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

For G5 - 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1-year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher.
A high school or university education in community development, political science, social work, international relations, law, or any other subject that relates to the post.

Desirable Qualifications

Prior experience with the United Nations or other international humanitarian organizations is desirable.
At least 1–2 years of relevant experience in protection-related work, especially with refugees, asylum seekers, or stateless persons. Experience with UNHCR or its partners is a strong asset.
Experience and background in Philippine law, particularly in areas relevant to asylum, immigration, or human rights.

Functional Skills

IT-Computer Literacy
PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators
PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework

Key Competencies

Accountability
Communication
Organizational Awareness
Teamwork & Collaboration
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Client & Result Orientation
Analytical Thinking
Planning and Organizing
Stakeholder Management

Language Requirements

For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a written test and/or oral interview. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing, or any other fees).
UNHCR strongly encourages qualified female applicants for this position.

UNHCR seeks to ensure that male and female employees are given equal career opportunities. UNHCR is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

UNHCR has a zero-tolerance policy against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA). SEA is unacceptable behavior and prohibited conduct for UNHCR personnel. It constitutes acts of serious misconduct and is therefore grounds for disciplinary measures, including dismissal. Any concerns or suspicions about a possible case of SEA should be reported immediately to the Inspector General's Office (IGO) at through the online complain form at or by confidential fax: Standard Job Description Required Languages

,

,

Desired Languages Tagalog

,

English

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

Bachelor's, High school diploma

Certifications

Work Experience

Other information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

Remote

No

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