Deadline for ApplicationsJanuary 25, 2026
Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)E (most hardship)
Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
Non Family with Residential Location
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeUNOPS LICA7
Target Start Date2026-03-02
Terms of ReferenceThis is a national position offered under a National UNOPS contract at the level of LICA 7. Candidates applying to the position must be nationals of Haiti or non-Haitian residing in the country must have a valid work and residency permit attached to the application. Candidates must comply with all eligibility requirements for employment in line with the prevailing legislative prerequisites in the country.
The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.
Levels of language knowledge:
A1-beginner,
A2-elementary,
B1-lower intermediate,
B2-upper intermediate,
C1-advanced/proficient,
C2-fluent
Candidates may be required to sit for a written test.
I - Key responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Protection Officer, the Senior Protection Associate supports the implementation of the operationโs protection strategy through robust engagement with protection partners. The Senior Protection Associateโs contributions to inter-agency protection activities will demonstrate UNHCRโs partnership approach and value added in Haiti.
a. Support to the Protection Cluster
UNHCR has been providing ad hoc support to the OHCHR-led HPC. In 2026, this support will be intensified and systematized through the task-based deployment of the Senior Protection Associate to the HPC. Specific tasks will be discussed and agreed upon on a monthly basis between UNHCR and the HPC. These tasks will be implemented under the lead of the HPC coordinator and will aim at increasing the HPCโs capacities to coordinate a quality protection response. These tasks will build on UNHCRโs expertise including in the field of protection monitoring.
On a need-basis, these tasks will include:
- Facilitating the preparation of HPC information management products in liaison with HPC partners and Information Management units;
- Supporting the organisation of monthly and ad-hoc HPC meetings and their follow-up;
- Facilitating the implementation of a protection monitoring at the border under the umbrella of the HPC;
- Participating in HPC-led capacity-building initiatives for authorities, relevant institutions and NGOs to strengthen protection responses.
b. Coordination of the WFP-UNHCR inter-agency complaints and feedback mechanism
In 2024, UNHCR partnered with WFP to build and launch an inter-agency complaint and feedback mechanisms using a CERF allocation. As of January 2026, 15 organisations, including 8 local NGOs, participate in the pilot. With the pilot expected to come to an end in June 2026, UNHCR intends to strengthen the role of the HPC in the oversight of the mechanism to ensure sustainability.
On a need-basis, these tasks will include:
- Facilitating the capacity-building of the 15 participating organisations and their focal points;
- Coordinating community engagement activities implemented by participating organisations to ensure cross-fertilization and consistency;
- Reviewing existing Standard Operating Procedures as required;
- Providing briefings on the mechanism as required;
- Facilitating reporting on the mechanism as required.
II - Education, work experience and key competencies
Work Experience preferably in fields of law, international relations, social work and/or information management. A previous work experience with the UN and/or a protection NGO would be an asset. Previous reporting and information management activities would be an asset.
Standard Job Description
Senior Protection Associate
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Protection Associate reports to the Protection Officer or the Senior Protection Officer. The position may entail supervisory responsibilities for protection staff including community services, registration, resettlement and education depending on the structure of the Office. 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 Senior 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. The incumbent contributes to designing a comprehensive protection strategy and represents the Office externally on protection doctrine and policy as guided by the supervisor.
S/he 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 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.
- 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 G7 - 4 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 relevant field.
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Not specified.
Desirable
RSD-Resettlement LP and/or Protection Learning Programme
Functional Skills
IT-Computer Literacy
PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators
PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework
(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.
Required Languages English
,French
,
Desired Languages
,
,
Additional Qualifications
SkillsCommunication, Computer Literacy, PR-Protection mainstreaming, PR-Protection Technical Guidelines and Standards, Stakeholder Management, Teamwork
EducationBachelor's (Required)
CertificationsN/A - N/A, Political Science - Other
Work ExperienceCommunications, Information Management, RCM - Protection coordination
Other informationThis position doesn't require a functional clearance
RemoteNo