The posting
Deadline for Applications
November 19, 2026
Hardship Level
A (least hardship)
Family Type
Family
Residential location (if applicable)
Grade
GS5
Staff Member / Affiliate Type
General Service
Reason
Regular > Regular Assignment
Target Start Date
2027-01-01
Standard Job Description
Senior Protection Assistant
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships The Senior Protection Assistant normally reports to a more senior Protection colleague. 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 Assistant provides quality, timely and effective protection support to persons of concern (PoC) and identifies opportunities to mainstream protection methodologies and safeguards in operational responses. S/he contributes to designing a comprehensive protection strategy and may liaise externally with local authorities and partners on protection issues as guided by the supervisor.
The Senior Protection Assistant 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 - Consistently apply International and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards and codes of conduct. - Provide counselling on protection issues to PoC; liaise with competent authorities to ensure the issuance of personal and other relevant documentation. - Support activities in protection related AGD based programming with implementing and operational partners. - Conduct preliminary information gathering and interviews in support of eligibility, status determination, durable solutions and social needs assessment. - 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 for PoC as part of the protection strategy. - Monitor Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all protection/solutions activities. - Participate in individual protection case management including cases of GBV and child protection. Monitor and report on cases of refoulement, expulsion and other protection incidents. - Assist in identifying durable solutions for PoC in 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. - Draft reports, routine correspondence, update relevant databases and compiling statistics within the Area of Responsibility (AoR). - Contribute to initiatives to enhance national and local protection capacities. - Select PoC for preliminary interviews and decide which relevant information to share. - Enforce integrity in the delivery of protection services by local implementing partners.
- 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 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 International Law; Political Science; (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience Essential: Not specified. Desirable: Not specified.
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.
Desired Candidate Profile
• Demonstrated professional experience supporting Refugee Status Determination (RSD) and/or Statelessness Status Determination (SSD) procedures in Brazil, including case review, legal analysis, interviewing, and procedural guidance. Previous experience with UNHCR will be considered an asset.
• Proven experience working with government institutions and other key stakeholders involved in asylum, statelessness, migration, documentation, and protection processes, including CONARE, the Federal Police, the justice sector, civil society organizations, and legal service providers.
• Experience designing, organizing, and facilitating capacity-building activities, workshops, and training sessions on refugee protection, International Refugee Law, RSD procedures, statelessness, and related protection topics for government counterparts, partners, and other stakeholders.
• Strong analytical skills, including experience collecting, monitoring, interpreting, and reporting data related to asylum, statelessness, and protection trends, as well as translating findings into practical recommendations to support operational and strategic decision-making.
• Excellent drafting and communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, concise, and high-quality legal analyses, technical guidance, reports, briefing notes, and other written products for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to build constructive working relationships, facilitate dialogue, and foster collaboration among government authorities, civil society organizations, UN agencies, and other partners in complex and multi-stakeholder environments.
• Proven commitment to age, gender, and diversity approaches, with experience working effectively with refugees, asylum-seekers, stateless persons, and other populations with specific protection needs, including women, children, LGBTIQ+ individuals, persons with disabilities, older persons, and Indigenous communities.
• Fluency in Portuguese and English, both written and spoken, is required. Working knowledge of Spanish is highly desirable.
• Ability to adapt to evolving operational environments, identify emerging protection challenges, and contribute to practical, protection-oriented, and solutions-focused responses.
• Previous participation in UNHCR Protection Learning Programmes or equivalent professional training in areas such as RSD, Country of Origin Information (COI), interviewing techniques, child protection, statelessness, and other specialized protection areas will be considered assets.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
Portuguese
,
English
,
Desired languages
,
,
Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel.
Nature of Position:
Brazil hosts an expansive and diverse refugee population, with over 1 million individuals requiring international protection. The country serves as a vital entry point for refugees primarily from Venezuela, entering through the state of Roraima, and from countries such as Afghanistan, Haiti, Syria, and Ukraine, arriving via humanitarian visas through São Paulo international airport. There has been a notable increase in the number of Cuban asylum-seekers, highlighting Brazil's evolving refugee demographics.
UNHCR collaborates closely with the Brazilian government alongside civil society, academia, private sector, and development actors, to facilitate access to basic rights and promote socio-economic integration for refugees. This includes bolstering national and local policies for receiving, protecting, and integrating refugees and other individuals in need of protection. UNHCR's protection efforts extend across the country, targeting vulnerable groups such as survivors of gender-based violence, indigenous populations, and unaccompanied children.
Despite Brazil's robust legal framework granting refugees equal rights and unrestricted access to public services, practical challenges remain. Refugees face barriers such as language differences, limited local service capacity, and status-specific impediments affecting their full economic participation. National strategies like Operation Welcome address these challenges, setting standards for reception and assistance, and facilitating relocation across Brazil to foster integration, particularly for the Venezuelan population.
Special attention is required for indigenous refugees from Venezuela, who experience significant socio-economic integration obstacles. Tailored initiatives are essential to support their transition from emergency shelters while respecting cultural rights.
With the recent influx of Afghan refugees, particularly following the humanitarian visa policy, the local systems in São Paulo are adapting to manage increased arrivals and new community dynamics. Similarly, the growing Cuban refugee population poses challenges requiring UNHCR's continued support in documentation and integration.
The Multi-Year Multi-Partner Strategy for Brazil (2026–2029) aims to enhance local integration as a priority, leveraging Brazil's leadership in refugee protection to fortify access to rights through the forthcoming National Policy on Migration, Asylum, and Statelessness. However, challenges such as housing precarity, organized crime vulnerabilities, and socio-economic barriers for women and girls remain significant obstacles that need addressing to ensure successful integration.
UNHCR's vision is that by 2029, forcibly displaced and stateless people in Brazil will enjoy a safe, inclusive, and sustainable environment, with fully protected rights and pathways to self-reliance and societal integration.
The Senior Protection Assistant supports the delivery of timely, effective, and rights-based protection responses for refugees, asylum-seekers, forcibly displaced and stateless persons in Brazil. Working under the guidance of the supervisor, the incumbent contributes to the implementation of UNHCR's protection strategy, with a particular focus on strengthening national asylum and statelessness procedures, promoting access to rights and documentation, and supporting the integration of protection safeguards across operational activities.
Based in Brasília, the Senior Protection Assistant plays an important role in UNHCR's technical cooperation with the Brazilian Government, such as the National Committee for Refugees (CONARE), as well as other relevant government institutions, justice system actors, and civil society organizations. The incumbent supports institutional dialogue, provides technical inputs on refugee protection legislation and procedures, and contributes to capacity-building initiatives aimed at strengthening national protection systems.
As a member of the Protection Team, the incumbent supports activities related to documentation, national RSD and Statelessness Status Determination (SSD) procedures, in close coordination with the relevant authorities. Responsibilities include conducting Country of Origin Information (COI) and legal research; preparing technical analyses, reports, and correspondence; maintaining relevant information repositories and guidance materials; and compiling and analyzing RSD-related data and trends to inform operational planning and technical recommendations. The incumbent may also provide information and counselling to asylum-seekers and refugees regarding applicable procedures, rights, and obligations, as well as interpretation or translation support when required and within their language competencies.
The Senior Protection Assistant further contributes to the identification of protection gaps and emerging risks, supporting the development of practical responses in coordination with government counterparts and partners. The incumbent also promotes the meaningful participation of refugees, asylum-seekers, and stateless persons in processes and decisions affecting their rights and access to protection, ensuring that age, gender, and diversity considerations are integrated into relevant activities.
Living and Working Conditions:
Brasília, the capital of Brazil, is classified as A family duty station and offers a high standard of living compared to many locations in the region. As the seat of the Federal Government and host to numerous embassies, international organizations, and UN agencies, the city provides a stable and professional working environment.
The city has well-developed infrastructure, including reliable utilities, internet connectivity, public transportation, and access to a wide range of commercial and banking services. Housing is readily available, with options ranging from apartments in the city center to family homes in residential neighborhoods. Rental prices vary depending on location and size but are generally higher in central areas.
Brasília offers high-quality healthcare through both public and private facilities. Several internationally recognized hospitals and medical centers are available, and a wide range of specialists can be accessed. International and bilingual schools are also available, making the city suitable for staff members relocating with family.
The security situation is generally stable. As in any large urban center, standard security precautions are recommended, particularly regarding personal belongings and movement in certain areas after dark. However, Brasília is considered safer than many other major Brazilian metropolitan areas.
The climate is tropical savanna, characterized by a dry season from May to September and a rainy season from October to April. Temperatures remain generally mild throughout the year, typically ranging between 15°C and 30°C.
The working environment is professional and multicultural, with frequent interaction among government institutions, diplomatic missions, international organizations, civil society, and development partners. English, Portuguese, and Spanish are commonly used within the international community.
Brasília offers a good quality of life, with extensive green spaces, recreational facilities, cultural events, restaurants, and sports opportunities. The city's unique architecture, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, contributes to a pleasant living environment and a strong sense of community among expatriates and national staff.
Overall, Brasília provides comfortable living conditions, reliable services, quality healthcare and education, and a conducive environment for both professional and family life.
Additional Qualifications
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
Work Experience
Competencies
Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration
UNHCR Salary Calculator
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Compendium
Additional Information
Functional clearance
This position doesn't require a functional clearance
