Protection Associate

August 11, 2026

Grade

GS6

General Service

Reason

Temporary > Temporary Assignment/ Appointment

A (least hardship)

Family

2026-09-01

2026-11-30

Standard Job Description

Protection Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Protection Associate normally reports to the Protection Officer or the Senior Protection Officer. The incumbent monitors protection standards, operational procedures and practices in protection delivery in line with international standards and provides functional protection support to information management and programme staff.

The Protection Associate is expected to coordinate quality, timely and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern (PoC) and identify opportunities to mainstream protection methodologies and integrate protection safeguards in operational responses in all sectors. S/he contributes to designing a comprehensive protection strategy and liaises externally with authorities and partners on protection doctrine and policy as guided by the supervisor.

The Protection Associate also ensures that PoC are involved 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
- Stay abreast of political, social, economic and cultural developments that have an impact on the protection environment.
- Consistently apply International and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards and codes of conduct.
- Assist in providing comments on existing and draft legislation related to PoC.
- Provide advice on protection issues to PoC; liaise with competent authorities to ensure the issuance of personal and other relevant documentation.
- Assist in conducting eligibility and status determination for PoC.
- Contribute to measures to identify, prevent and reduce statelessness.
- Contribute to a country-level child protection plan as part of the protection strategy.
- Contribute to a country-level education plan as part of the protection strategy.
- Monitor Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all protection/solutions activities.
- Manage individual protection cases including those on GBV and child protection. Monitor, and intervene in cases of refoulement, expulsion and other protection incidents.
- Assist in identifying durable solutions for the largest possible number of PoC through voluntary repatriation, local integration and where appropriate, resettlement.
- Contribute to the design, implementation and evaluation of protection related AGD based programming with implementing and operational partners.
- Facilitate effective information management through the provision of disaggregated data on PoC and their problems.
- Participate in initiatives to capacitate authorities, relevant institutions and NGOs to strengthen national protection related legislation and procedures.
- Assist the supervisor in prioritizing PoC for interview, counselling and propose protection support for individual cases.
- Assist the supervisor with enforcing compliance of local implementing partners with global protection policies and standards of professional integrity in the delivery of protection services.
- Assit the supervisor with enforcing compliance with, and integrity of, all protection standard operating procedures.
- Submit individual payments request for PoC for approval.

- 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

Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G6 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not applicable

Certificates and/or Licenses
International Law, Political Science
or other related field
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Not specified

Desirable
Protection Learning Programme

Functional Skills
IT-Computer Literacy
PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework
PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators
(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.

Title: Protection Associate
Location: Skopje, North Macedonia
Duration: 3 months
Contract Type: Temporary Appointment
Start date: 01 September 2026

Operational Context:

UNHCR has maintained a presence in North Macedonia since 1992 and enjoys a longstanding and constructive partnership with the Government, which has consistently supported the organization's mandate, including during the 2015 refugee emergency and throughout the subsequent transition from emergency response to longer-term systems strengthening.

North Macedonia remains an important transit country along the Western Balkans route for refugees and migrants travelling in mixed movements towards Europe. While the number of asylum applications has decreased in recent years, the country continues to experience high rates of onward movement, posing challenges for the effective functioning of the asylum system and the provision of protection and assistance. At the same time, North Macedonia continues to provide temporary protection to refugees fleeing Ukraine and remains engaged in finalizing durable solutions for long-standing refugee populations, including refugees from Kosovo.

Within the framework of the UNHCR Representation for Central and South-East Europe and in line with the Regional Strategy for the Western Balkans, UNHCR supports the Government in strengthening a protection-sensitive asylum system that is aligned with international refugee law and the European Union acquis as part of the country's EU accession process. The Office works closely with national authorities, UN agencies, civil society organizations, EU institutions and other partners to improve access to territory and asylum procedures, enhance reception conditions, promote alternatives to detention, strengthen refugee inclusion and self-reliance, and advance durable solutions. UNHCR also supports national efforts to prevent and reduce statelessness through legal reform, capacity development and improved identification and data collection mechanisms.

UNHCR's interventions are implemented within the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and contribute to the implementation of the UN Common Pledge on Inclusion. The Office adopts an evidence-based approach to protection programming, relying on protection monitoring, assessments, community engagement and data analysis to identify protection risks, inform advocacy and strengthen access to rights and services for refugees, asylum-seekers, stateless persons and other persons under UNHCR's mandate.

Against this backdrop, the Protection Associate contributes to the implementation of UNHCR’s protection strategy by supporting protection monitoring, legal and policy analysis, case management, reporting, and coordination with national authorities and partners. The incumbent plays an important role in supporting advocacy on inclusion of refugees, supporting implementation of the UN Common Pledge 2.0 and the Government’s GRF mirror pledge. This will be done through advocacy and engagement aimed at advancing inclusion and integration policies and practices for refugees and other foreigners with regulated stay. The role also supports the delivery of protection interventions that strengthen the asylum system, promote access to social protection, foster inclusion and self-reliance, contribute towards strengthening of the multisectoral institutional capacity-building and ensure compliance with international protection standards. Furthermore, the Protection Associate contributes to evidence-based planning and programming through the use of tailored, context-specific assessments to identify protection risks, integration challenges, and service gaps, thereby informing strategies and interventions that enhance access to rights and services for all persons served by UNHCR in the country.

Desired Candidate Profile:

Essential Attributes

The ideal candidate demonstrates a good understanding of international refugee protection principles, international and national legal frameworks, and UNHCR protection standards. Experience supporting protection activities, including case management, protection monitoring, reporting, coordination with government counterparts and partners, or work with asylum seekers, refugees or other vulnerable groups is desirable.

The candidate should have good drafting, communication and organizational skills, with the ability to work effectively with colleagues, authorities and external stakeholders. Experience in collecting and analysing information, maintaining databases and preparing reports would be an asset.

The successful candidate should be proactive, adaptable and able to manage multiple tasks while maintaining attention to detail. Good computer skills, technological awareness, stakeholder engagement skills and sound judgment are important.

Desirable Attributes

• Previous experience with UNHCR/UN or any refugee related areas will be considered an asset;

• Completion of specific trainings relevant to functions of the position (completion of UNCHR mandatory learning programmes shall be considered an asset);

• Participate in initiatives to capacitate authorities, relevant institutions and NGOs to strengthen national protection related legislation and procedures;

• Innovation and creativity

Language Requirements:

• Knowledge of English (B2) as the UN working language of the duty station and Macedonian (B2) is required.

Remuneration:

In case of appointment, a competitive compensation and benefits package is offered.

NO-A salary range: NET EUR 2,347.65 - NET EUR 2,736.55

Benefits:

Annual leave: UNHCR staff members holding a temporary appointment will accrue annual leave at the rate of 1.5 working days for each full calendar months of service (i.e. 18 working days per year).

Pension system:

Staff members holding a temporary appointment of six months or longer will become participants in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF).

Health insurance plan:

Locally recruited staff members in North Macedonia will be enrolled in the Medical Insurance Plan (MIP). The coverage is also optionally available for eligible family members.

Eligibility:
This position is advertised to internal applicants and UNHCR experience applicants.

Internal Candidates: current National Professional Officer staff members holding an indefinite or fixed-term appointment who, at the date of the deadline for application, are serving in the country of the vacancy at the grade of the position or one grade below or above, as well as any candidates serving at higher grades who fulfil the criteria as per the job advertisement.

Candidates with UNHCR experience: Regardless of the category of the position, the following candidates are considered candidates with UNHCR experience: Junior Professional Officers; Temporary Appointment holders; affiliate workforce; interns; staff loaned/seconded from another UN organization/ international organization/ government entity, or former UNHCR international and local staff members who held an indefinite or fixed-term appointment (within two years of separation for males and five years females).

Staff members holding an indefinite or fixed-term appointment applying for a vacancy in a category different from their own are considered candidates with UNHCR experience.

Locally recruited staff members applying for a position two grades above their own are considered candidates with UNHCR experience.

Candidates are expected to have the right to work in North Macedonia. UNHCR does not facilitate the obtaining of the visa for recruitment. The appointment of the successful selected candidate is subject to medical clearance and satisfactory reference checks, as well as possessing valid work permit/visas if applicable.

Applications:
All applications must be submitted online in Workday. Email applications will not be accepted. Incomplete and late applications will not be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Shortlisted candidates might be required to sit for a written test and/or oral interview.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted based on the information submitted during the application. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

UNHCR is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, sexual orientation, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. UNHCR seeks to ensure that male and female employees are given equal career opportunities. 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 [email protected] or through the online complain form at https://www.unhcr.org/php/complaints.php or by confidential fax: +41 22 739 73 80.

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

English

,

Macedonian

,

,

,

Skills

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

Education

Certifications

International Law - Other, Political Science - Other

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