Deadline for ApplicationsFebruary 8, 2026
Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)H (no hardship)
Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
Family
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeCONTR International Junior Level Professional
Target Start Date2026-02-01
Terms of ReferenceI. DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ENGAGED INDIVIDUAL CONTRACT HOLDER
1. General Background of Project or Assignment, Operational Context
The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) is a Warsaw-based, independent EU body with a legal personality as well as operational and budgetary autonomy. The mission of Frontex is to support EU Member States by promoting, coordinating and implementing European border management in line with the EU acquis, Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU and the concept of Integrated Border Management. Frontexโs main areas of activity include monitoring, intelligence gathering and analysis of the situation at the EU external borders; planning, coordination, implementation and evaluation of joint operations at the EU external borders (sea, land and air), assisting Member States in carrying out returns, and the development of common training standards and specialist tools to provide common training to border guards across the EU. UNHCR has a Letter of Intent with Frontex that is implemented, under the lead of the UNHCR Regional Representation for EU Affairs, through a dedicated Liaison Office based in Warsaw.
UNHCR is also a member of the Frontex Consultative Forum on Fundamental Rights and has played a leading role in it over the past years as a co-Chair. The Forum was established to promote transparency and respect for Fundamental Rights in Frontex activities. Comprised of twelve relevant European and International Fundamental Rights organizations, this body serves as a knowledge and expertise resource that advises Frontex Management Board as well as the Executive Director in all Fundamental Rights matters, offering strategic advice on how Frontex can structurally improve respect for Fundamental Rights in its various activities.
2. Occupational Safety and Health Considerations
To view occupational safety and health considerations for specific duty stations, please visit this link: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
Specific Occupational Safety and Health Considerations to this assignment (if applicable): n/a
3. Purpose and Scope of Assignment
Under the direct supervision of the Snr Policy Officer at MCO Belgium, the Associate Liaison Officer will provide support to UNHCR's liaison activities with particular focus on information management and analysis, policy recommendations, legal and technical advice.
Specific tasks include:
โข Keeping abreast of and providing regular updates on relevant policies, research and developments of potential relevance to the work of UNHCR and Frontex.
โข Assisting in establishing and maintaining work relations with Frontex officials including the Fundamental Rights Officer and Fundamental Rights Monitors, the European Commission, the European Parliament, NGOs, academics and other partners involved in Frontex activities.
โข Supporting the development of tools and strategies to advance bilateral cooperation and promote UNHCRโs protection priorities in the area of border and mixed-movement management.
โข Supporting the timely gathering and transfer of knowledge, expertise and information from UNHCR to Frontex and vice versa, including to UNHCR Country Offices and the Regional Bureau, with particular focus on risk analysis, respect for fundamental rights at borders, statistics and information management.
โข Contributing to the development and implementation of training tools and methodologies in areas of relevance to UNHCR (including international protection, access, returns, protection sensitive border management and non-refoulment).
โข Acting as alternate member of the Consultative Forum on Fundamental Rights, supporting the CF Secretariat in the organization of periodic meetings and missions as well as by drafting speaking points, summaries, briefing notes and recommendations.
โข Providing other support to the advancement of UNHCR priorities and goals as well as the day-to-day work of the Office as required by the supervisor.
II. CANDIDATE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS, SELECTION CRITERIA
4. Required qualifications, language(s) and work experience
Academic background in international relations/EU and International Law
Solid knowledge of EU legislation, particularly in relation to asylum and migration
Excellent analytical and drafting skills
Excellent knowledge of English
Working knowledge of another EU/UN language is an asset
5. Minimum years of work experience
Three years of experience relevant to refugee protection work with Undergraduate degree (or 2 years with Graduate degree), preferably in an international capacity.
III. EVALUATION, MONITORING, SUPERVISION
6. Monitoring and Progress Controls
The contractor will work as part of the Liaison Office Team. Output will include:
โข Advocacy on better protection for asylum seekers, refugees, stateless persons, including vulnerable persons, through the implementation of the Pact by Frontex.
โข Advocacy on inclusion of provisions in the forthcoming revision of the Frontex Regulation that will strengthen the coordination of border management and obligations to respect, protect, and promote fundamental rights across all Frontex operations.
โข Legal and policy material about mixed movement, including Frontex documents, EU legislation and other relevant documents analysed and distributed broadly within UNHCR.
โข UNHCR input into the Consultative Forum on Fundamental Rights recommendations and observations provided to ensure access to territory and asylum procedures, as well as safeguarding the rights of persons in need of protection, persons with vulnerabilities, and stateless persons
โข UNHCR protection input into Frontex training material provided.
โข Briefings on Frontex and the EU migration policy provided.
โข Input into PLUS policy documents and analysis provided.
Standard Job Description
Required Languages
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,
Desired Languages
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,
Additional Qualifications
SkillsCL-Multi-stakeholder Communications with Partners, Government & Community, CO-Drafting and Documentation, SO-Networking, TR-Training and Capacity Building of Governments and/or national programs
EducationBachelor of Arts: Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts: Economics, Bachelor of Arts: Law, Bachelor of Arts: Political Science
Certifications
Work Experience
Other informationThis position doesn't require a functional clearance
RemoteNo