The posting
Deadline for Applications
November 18, 2026
Hardship Level
B
Family Type
Family
Residential location (if applicable)
Grade
GS5
Staff Member / Affiliate Type
General Service
Reason
Regular > Regular Assignment
Target Start Date
2027-02-01
Standard Job Description
Senior Community-Based Protection Assistant
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships The Senior Community-Based Protection Assistant is a member of the Protection Unit and may report to the Protection Officer, Community-Based Protection Officer, or another more senior staff member in the Protection Unit. Under the overall direction of the Protection Unit, and in coordination with other UNHCR staff, government, NGO partners and other stakeholders, the Senior Community-Based Protection Assistant works directly with communities of concern to identify the risks they face and to leverage their capacities to protect themselves, their families and communities. The incumbent supports the application of community-based protection standards, operational procedures and practices in community-based protection delivery at the field level. To fulfil this role, the Senior Community-Based Protection Assistant is required to spend a substantial percentage of the workday outside the office, building and maintaining networks within communities of persons of concern (PoC). The development and maintenance of constructive relationships with PoC that measurably impact and enhance protection planning, programming and results, form the core of the work of the incumbent. S/he also supports the designing of a community-based protection strategy by ensuring that it is based on consultation with PoC.
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 - Assist functional units, the Multi-Functional Team (MFT) and senior management to integrate participatory and community-based approaches in the overall protection strategy. - Through relationships with PoC and network of partners, stay abreast of political, social, economic and cultural developments that have an impact on the protection environment and provide advice to the protection team. Understand the perspectives, capacities, needs and resources of the PoC and advise the protection team accordingly, highlighting the specific protection needs of women and men, children, youth and older persons, persons with disabilities, marginalized groups. - Assist in initiatives with host communities to involve national civil society groups in the protection of PoC. - Support implementing and operational partners as well as displaced and local communities to develop community-owned activities to address, where applicable, the social, educational, psycho-social, cultural, health, organisational and livelihood concerns as well as child protection and prevention and response to GBV. - Assist in the analysis that identifies the capacities of communities of concern and risks they face. - Support participatory assessments by multifunctional teams and ongoing consultation with PoC. - Support efforts to build the office capacity for community-based protection. - Support communities in establishing representation and coordination structures. - Ensure community understanding of UNHCR's commitment to deliver on accountability and quality assurance in its response. - Collect data for monitoring of programmes and budgets from an AGD perspective. - Draft and type routine correspondence, documents and reports and maintain up-to-date filing systems. - Act as an interpreter in exchange of routine information, contribute to related liaison activities and respond directly to routine queries. - Assist in the enforcement of participatory AGD sensitive analysis as an essential basis for all of UNHCR's work. - Initiate AGD sensitive interventions at the appropriate level on community-based protection issues and to respond to protection concerns and incidents within the office and with persons and communities of concern based on agreed parameters. - Identify and recommend which individuals or groups to prioritize for counselling and field visits based on agreed criteria. - Enforce compliance of implementing partners with global protection policies and standards of professional integrity in the delivery of protection services.
- 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 G5- 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher
Field(s) of Education Not applicable.
Certificates and/or Licenses Development, Human Rights, International Law Social Work, Social Science, Political Science, (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience Essential Not specified.
Desirable UNHCR learning programmes (PLP). Knowledge of MSRP.
Functional Skills UN-UN/UNHCR Administrative Rules, Regulations and Procedures *IT-Computer Literacy IT-Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) PR-Community-based Protection - Principles and methodologies CL-Multi-stakeholder Communications with Partners, Government & Community (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.
Desired Candidate Profile
Essential Attributes • Demonstrated experience working directly with communities and institutions using a community-based protection approach. • Experience working with asylum-seekers, refugees, stateless persons, migrants or other forcibly displaced populations. • Experience supporting participatory assessments, community outreach activities and engagement with communities of concern. • Experience coordinating and liaising with government institutions, NGOs, community organizations and other stakeholders in the protection environment. • Knowledge of English and Spanish sufficient to communicate effectively with communities, partners and stakeholders.
Desirable Attributes • Academic background in Social Work, Human Rights, Law, Social Sciences, Sociology or Political Science. • Completion of UNHCR Community-Based Protection learning programmes or other relevant protection-related training. • Experience conducting border monitoring activities and identifying protection needs of newly arrived populations. • Experience supporting protection interventions related to child protection, prevention and response to GBV, psychosocial support and community-based solutions. • Knowledge of UNHCR systems and processes, including case-management/reporting system.
As this position is based in Upala, Costa Rica, candidates residing in Upala and surrounding communities are strongly encouraged to apply. Familiarity with the local context, stakeholders, service providers, and communities in Upala and the Northern Border Region, as well as previous work experience in the area, would be considered an asset.
ELIGIBILITY: Candidates must be Costa Rican or have a valid work permit, and be present in Costa Rica at the time of application, recruitment, and hiring.
In accordance with the Recruitment and Assignments Policy (RAP) (PL/2025/03), this vacancy is advertised internally for: - Current staff holding FTA or Indefinite appointments. - Current (at the time of application) Temporary Appointment holders, affiliates (UNOPS, UNV, etc.) and interns. - Former UNHCR staff members (GS / NPO) who held an indefinite or fixed-term appointment (within two years of separation for males and five years for females)
UNHCR’s workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, and opinions. We seek to sustain and strengthen this diversity and to ensure equal opportunities, as well as an inclusive working environment, for our entire workforce. Joining us means living, sharing, and promoting these core values of inclusion, diversity, and gender equality.
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.
UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).
Applicants are required to include ALL work experience history, with all requested details, as this information will be used as the basis for determining the final salary offer.
At the United Nations, we are committed to the inclusion and participation of all people. If you have special needs or require assistance to apply, please contact [email protected]
Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a test and/or interview. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified. No late applications will be accepted.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
Spanish
,
,
Desired languages
English
,
,
Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
Nature of Position:
Living and Working Conditions:
Additional Qualifications
Skills
CL-Multi-stakeholder Communications with Partners, Government & Community, IT-Computer Literacy, IT-Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), PR-Community-based Protection - Principles and methodologies, UN-UN/UNHCR Administrative Rules, Regulations and Procedures
Education
Certifications
Community Development/Social Work - Other, Development Studies - Other, Human Rights - Other, International Law - Other, Political Science - Other, Social Sciences - Other
Work Experience
Competencies
Accountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Organizational awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration
UNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Compendium
Additional Information
Functional clearance
This position doesn't require a functional clearance
