Protection Assistant

November 19, 2026

U (unclassified)

No designation

GS4

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2027-01-01

Protection Assistant

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Protection Assistant normally reports to a more senior Protection colleague. The incumbent provides functional and administrative support to the protection unit on protection related liaison, correspondence, monitoring, case management and reporting activities.

The Protection Assistant also supports the protection unit in designing a comprehensive protection strategy and in providing quality, timely and effective protection responses to persons of concern (PoC). S/he may liaise externally with local authorities and partners on correspondence and/or protection issues as guided by the supervisor.

The Protection Assistant also facilitates the involvement of PoC in making decisions that affect them, whether in accessing their rights or in identifying appropriate solutions to their problems. To achieve this, the incumbent will need to build and maintain effective interfaces with communities of concern, local authorities and protection and assistance partners.

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.

Duties
- Consistently apply International and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards and codes of conduct.
- Observe and respect protection related Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Provide functional and administrative support in all protection related AGD based programming with implementing and operational partners.
- Provide functional and administrative support in implementing participatory approaches, needs assessments, monitoring, reporting and case management.
- Support assessments on durable solutions through voluntary repatriation, local integration and where appropriate, resettlement.
- Facilitate liaison with competent authorities for the issuance of personal and other relevant documents.
- Assist in drafting reports, routine correspondence, updating relevant databases and compiling statistics within the Area of Responsibility (AoR).
- Select PoC for preliminary interviews and decide which relevant information to share.
- Enforce integrity in the delivery of protection services by local implementing partners.

- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G4 - 1 year relevant experience with High School Diploma; or Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not applicable

Certificates and/or Licenses
Protection
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential: Not specified.
Desirable: Not specified.

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

Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

The ideal candidate should have previous experience working with individuals and communities in vulnerable situations, including through NGOs, government institutions, civil society organizations, community-based initiatives, or humanitarian and social assistance programmes. Previous experience within UNHCR or the UN system will be considered an asset.

Experience in field-based activities, access to communities and territories, protection monitoring, individual case management, registration, documentation, and data management is highly desirable. Experience in collecting, organizing, analyzing, and reporting protection monitoring data, as well as identifying protection risks, specific needs, and appropriate referral pathways, would be considered an asset.

Experience working with Indigenous populations, refugees, migrants, and local communities is particularly valued, especially in activities involving community engagement, participatory approaches, community-based protection, and collaboration with community leaders and local organizations. Familiarity with the specific protection challenges faced by Indigenous communities and culturally sensitive approaches to humanitarian assistance would be an advantage.

The candidate should demonstrate good communication, analytical, and organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to engage effectively with local authorities, partner organizations, and diverse communities. Familiarity with national asylum and migration procedures, human rights principles, and protection-related information management tools would be considered an asset.

Proficiency in Portuguese, English, and Spanish is mandatory, given the operational context and the need for effective communication with diverse populations and stakeholders.

English

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Portuguese

,

Spanish

,

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel.

Nature of Position:

Brazil hosts an expansive and diverse refugee population, more than 1 Million individuals requiring international protection. The country serves as a vital entry point for refugees primarily from Venezuela, entering through the state of Roraima, and from countries such as Afghanistan, Haiti, Syria, and Ukraine, arriving via humanitarian visas through São Paulo international airport. There has been a notable increase in the number of Cuban asylum-seekers, highlighting Brazil's evolving refugee demographics.

UNHCR collaborates closely with the Brazilian government alongside civil society, academia, private sector, and development actors, to facilitate access to basic rights and promote socio-economic integration for refugees. This includes bolstering national and local policies for receiving, protecting, and integrating refugees and other individuals in need of protection. UNHCR's protection efforts extend across the country, targeting vulnerable groups such as survivors of gender-based violence, indigenous populations, and unaccompanied children.

Despite Brazil's robust legal framework granting refugees equal rights and unrestricted access to public services, practical challenges remain. Refugees face barriers such as language differences, limited local service capacity, and status-specific impediments affecting their full economic participation. National strategies like Operation Welcome address these challenges, setting standards for reception and assistance, and facilitating relocation across Brazil to foster integration, particularly for the Venezuelan population.

Special attention is required for indigenous refugees from Venezuela, who experience significant socio-economic integration obstacles. Tailored initiatives are essential to support their transition from emergency shelters while respecting cultural rights.

With the recent influx of Afghan refugees, particularly following the humanitarian visa policy, the local systems in São Paulo are adapting to manage increased arrivals and new community dynamics. Similarly, the growing Cuban refugee population poses challenges requiring UNHCR's continued support in documentation and integration.

The Multi-Year Multi-Partner Strategy for Brazil (2026–2029) aims to enhance local integration as a priority, leveraging Brazil's leadership in refugee protection to fortify access to rights through the forthcoming National Policy on Migration, Asylum, and Statelessness. However, challenges such as housing precarity, organized crime vulnerabilities, and socio-economic barriers for women and girls remain significant obstacles that need addressing to ensure successful integration.

UNHCR's vision is that by 2029, forcibly displaced and stateless people in Brazil will enjoy a safe, inclusive, and sustainable environment, with fully protected rights and pathways to self-reliance and societal integration.

Pacaraima, located in the state of Roraima along the Brazil–Venezuela border, is one of the main entry points for refugees and migrants arriving in Brazil. The municipality is characterized by a dynamic cross-border environment, mixed population movements, diverse protection needs, and a significant presence of Indigenous refugee and migrant populations, both in urban areas and in Indigenous host communities. Refugees and migrants account for approximately 36% of Pacaraima's total population, highlighting the significant demographic and socioeconomic impact of cross-border movements on the municipality and the importance of inclusive public policies and sustainable protection responses.

 

Since 2018, the Brazilian Federal Government has led Operation Welcome (Operação Acolhida), a coordinated humanitarian response established to address the arrival of Venezuelan refugees and migrants. UNHCR has been a key partner in this response, providing technical and operational support to government institutions and working alongside UN agencies, civil society organizations, and other humanitarian actors.

 

After several years of implementation, Operation Welcome is undergoing a gradual transition from an emergency-oriented humanitarian response towards a more sustainable, solutions-focused approach. This evolving context places increasing emphasis on strengthening public institutions, integrating protection responses into national and local public policies, promoting access to rights and services, and reinforcing the capacity of government authorities and local organizations to ensure long-term protection and inclusion. UNHCR has been actively contributing to this transition, advocating for sustainable protection mechanisms, institutional ownership, and durable solutions for refugees and migrants.

 

Within this framework, UNHCR's Field Unit in Pacaraima plays an important role in supporting the coordination of protection and documentation services at the border, conducting protection monitoring, identifying and referring individuals with specific protection needs, and maintaining close engagement with government authorities, humanitarian partners, and communities. The operation also works closely with Indigenous communities, refugee-led organizations, and local stakeholders, promoting community-based protection, participatory approaches, localization, and community empowerment.

 

The Protection Assistant will be part of UNHCR's core staff team in Pacaraima, supporting protection activities across the area of responsibility. The position will involve field-based protection monitoring, registration and documentation support, individual case management, data collection and management, and the preparation of protection monitoring reports. The incumbent will also contribute to community engagement activities and support the identification of protection risks, needs, and trends to inform operational planning and evidence-based advocacy.

 

Given the operational environment and the ongoing transition of the humanitarian response, the position requires adaptability, cultural sensitivity, teamwork, and strong interpersonal and organizational skills. Regular field visits, including to Indigenous communities and other locations within the area of responsibility, are expected.

Living and Working Conditions:

Pacaraima is a small town with very basic services and limited infrastructure. Living conditions are relatively simple, with a restricted range of commercial, healthcare, educational, and leisure facilities compared to larger urban centers. Boa Vista, the capital of the state of Roraima, is approximately 3.5 hours away and offers quality services and infrastructure, including a domestic airport, shopping centers, specialized healthcare facilities, and a wider range of accommodation and recreational options. Housing is available in the town of Pacaraima, as well as accommodation within the military base of Operation Welcome. Due to its remote location and border context, residents should be prepared for a less urban lifestyle and may need to travel to Boa Vista to access certain goods, services, and amenities.
 

Additional Qualifications

Skills

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

Certifications

HCR Learning Program - UNHCR, HCR Protection Induction Prog - UNHCR

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Organizational awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Additional Information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance