Overview
The Senior Protection Associate supports the Protection Unit in advancing UNHCR’s protection objectives in the Philippines by leading policy and legislative monitoring, coordinating with government partners on ASEAN-related protection priorities, and supporting follow-up to national commitments under the Global Refugee Forum.
Tasks Summary
- - 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 and guidance 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 in compliance with UNHCR procedural standards and international protection principles.
- - 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.
- - Assist the supervisor in implementing and monitoring Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all protection/solutions activities.
- - Manage individual protection cases including those on GBV and child protection.
- - Monitor and assist the supervisor with intervening 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.
- - Contribute to and facilitate a programme of results-based advocacy with sectorial and/or cluster 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 with intervening with authorities on protection issues.
- - Provide assistance to the supervisor in deciding priorities for reception, interviewing and counselling for groups or individuals.
- - Assist the supervisor with enforcing compliance of staff and implementing partners with global protection policies and standards of professional integrity in the delivery of protection services.
- - Assist the supervisor with enforcing compliance with, and integrity of, all protection standard operating procedures.
- - Recommend and prepare payments to individual cases.
- - Perform other related duties as required.
Experience Requirements
- 4 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher.
- Computer skills (in MS office) including advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, data management, etc).
- Excellent oral and written communication and strong interpersonal skills.
- Strong knowledge of international and national human rights frameworks, including refugee protection, statelessness, child protection, gender based violence, and other relevant protection standards.
- Proven experience in legal and policy development, including the analysis, drafting, and review of legislation, administrative issuances, and policy instruments related to human rights and protection.
- Demonstrated ability to work closely with national Human Rights (HR) institutions, government agencies, and legislative bodies, supporting policy dialogue and institutional strengthening.
- Solid track record in drafting or contributing to bills, policies, guidelines, and technical briefs, particularly those aimed at strengthening protection systems and human rights safeguards.
- Experience in designing, facilitating, and evaluating capacity building initiatives, including training programs for government counterparts, human rights institutions, and civil society partners.
- Excellent legal research, analytical, and writing skills, with the ability to translate complex human rights issues into clear, actionable recommendations.
- Strong coordination and stakeholder engagement skills, with experience participating in inter agency mechanisms, technical working groups, or legislative consultations.
- Ability to provide high quality technical advice to senior officials, legal drafters, human rights institutions, and policy development bodies.
- Completion of trainings on protection, engaging with development partners, and similar trainings.
- Experience with UN agencies, National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), or rights based organizations is highly desirable.
Qualification Requirements
- High School Diploma or Bachelor or equivalent or higher.
- International Law; Political Science; or other relevant field.
