Protection Assistant

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)A (least hardship)

Family Type (not applicable for home-based)

Family

Staff Member / Affiliate TypeCONTR Local Entry and Mid-Level Support

Target Start Date2025-09-01

Deadline for ApplicationsAugust 24, 2025

Terms of ReferenceThere will be 1 (one) hire for this advertisement, subject to operational needs and requirements.

I. PROJECT DETAILS

Requesting office (hiring office): UNHCR Türkiye
Title of project: VolRep
Purpose of project (summary): To support VolRep in Türkiye

II. DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ENGAGED INDIVIDUAL CONTRACT HOLDER

a) General Background of Project or Assignment, Operational Context:

UNHCR has supported the Government of Türkiye over decades to strengthen protection and assistance mechanisms for persons in need of international protection. UNHCR continues to work in close collaboration with the Presidency of Migration Management (PMM) and other national counterparts to reinforce the national asylum system, strengthen procedural safeguards, and improve access to rights and services for persons of concern. UNHCR also maintains a strong field presence and coordinates closely with provincial stakeholders and civil society actors. As part of its protection strategy, UNHCR monitors access to procedures and rights, identifies persons with specific needs, and supports appropriate referrals and follow-up. In this context, UNHCR conducts voluntary repatriation (VolRep) monitoring interviews to inform protection analysis and ensure conditions of return are in line with international standards. The contractor will provide support to the Policy Development Unit in conducting activities related to protection monitoring, voluntary repatriation interviews, interpretation support to case management, data collection, and liaison with relevant authorities and communities. The role includes community outreach and monitoring visits to support quality protection service delivery and uphold UNHCR’s protection mandate.

b) 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

c) Purpose and Scope of Assignment:

The Individual Contractor will support the Protection Unit in monitoring, data collection, and field-based protection activities. The contractor will work closely with Field Unit colleagues and perform protection-related tasks under the guidance of their supervisor. The responsibilities include:

• Conduct voluntary repatriation and post-return monitoring interviews in line with UNHCR SOPs and confidentiality protocols.

• Provide support in identifying and referring persons with specific needs in coordination with UNHCR Field Units and partners.

• Assist in protection monitoring, data collection, and trend analysis across provinces, including follow-up on cases of concern.

• Provide functional and administrative support in protection case management, ensuring proper documentation and timely follow-up.

• Draft interview summaries, field reports, and meeting notes, and contribute to regular reporting on protection trends and observations.

• Support liaison activities with local authorities and partners, particularly in facilitating access to documentation or social services.

• Participate in missions, protection desk visits, and assessments as required by the Protection Unit.

• Observe and apply UNHCR’s protection principles, Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) approach, and relevant SOPs in all tasks.

• Ensure integrity, neutrality, and confidentiality in handling protection information and interacting with persons of concern.

• Perform other protection-related tasks as requested by the supervisor.

III. CANDIDATE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS, SELECTION CRITERIA

a) Required qualifications, language(s) and work experience:

-1 year relevant experience with a High School Diploma; or Bachelor's or equivalent or higher, particularly in the provision of operational and administrative support.

-Language: Required: English, Arabic, Turkish

-Desirable: N/A

Field of expertise, competencies:

Core Competencies

-Accountability
-Communication
-Organizational Awareness
-Teamwork & Collaboration
-Commitment to Continuous Learning
-Client & Result Orientation

Cross-Functional Competencies

-Analytical Thinking
-Political Awareness
-Stakeholder Management

Desirable:

-Knowledge of protection principles and UNHCR standards.
-Experience working with refugees and asylum-seekers.
-Minimum 1 year of former relevant experience in refugee status determination
-Interviewing and reporting skills.
-Computer literacy (Microsoft Office).
-Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

IV. EVALUATION, MONITORING, SUPERVISION

The contractor will not hold supervisory responsibilities but will operate under the direct supervision of a designated protection staff member. The contractor will work in close coordination with Field Unit colleagues and other relevant protection actors, contributing to protection monitoring, case management, voluntary repatriation interviews, and related activities.

Progress will be monitored through regular reporting, timely completion of assigned tasks, participation in coordination meetings, and quality assurance of collected data and documentation. The contractor is expected to apply UNHCR’s protection principles, AGD approach, and relevant Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) consistently throughout the assignment. Performance will be assessed based on the accuracy, timeliness, and quality of outputs, as well as the contractor’s adherence to professional standards and responsiveness to guidance provided by the supervisor.

a) Monitoring and Progress Controls:

The performance of the Individual Contractor will be monitored and evaluated by the supervisor on the basis of the following elements:

• Submission of regular activity reports outlining the number of voluntary repatriation and monitoring interviews conducted, types of protection interventions supported, and key observations or trends.
• Accuracy and timeliness of data entry into relevant protection databases and tools (e.g., proGres, VolRep tools).
• Timely submission of interview forms, checklists, and referral follow-up updates in line with SOPs.
• Active participation in regular protection team meetings, debriefings, and field visits as required.
• Responsiveness to ad hoc requests for support in protection case management, reporting, and liaison with authorities and partners.
• Adherence to UNHCR protection standards, AGD approach, Code of Conduct, and applicable Standard Operating Procedures.
• Supervisor’s regular review of outputs and performance, with feedback provided on an ongoing basis and formal review at contract end.

Individual Contractor Agreements

Definition:

Individual contractor is an individual engaged by UNHCR under a contract of limited duration to provide skills or knowledge for the performance of a specific task or piece of work and engaged under an individual contract issued directly by UNHCR. They are neither staff members of UNHCR under the Staff Regulations and Rules, nor Officials for the purpose of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations of 13 February 1946.

Contract Duration/Renewal:

Any extension of an individual contract is subject to operational needs, satisfactory service, and availability of funds. There is no expectation of renewal or conversion of the individual contract beyond its expiry date.

Working Hours:

40 hours per week, inclusive of mandatory night shifts, possibility of work on weekends and official holidays as part of the assigned schedule.

Leave Entitlements:

Annual leave at the rate of two and a half working days per month.
Sick leave at the rate of two working days for each month of service.

Medical Coverage:

Cigna Health Insurance, also available optionally for eligible dependents, subject to additional contribution rates.

Remuneration:

Remuneration at the level of the vacancy (G4 level or G5 level as applicable) based on the International Civil Services Commission (ICSC) salary scale.

Legal Requirements:

Individual Contractors must comply with relevant local legislation, including but not limited to those relating to taxation, social security requirements, licenses, work permits and visas, and other details stipulated in the terms of their contract. UNHCR undertakes no liability for taxes and social security contributions, duties, or other contributions payable by the individual contract holder on payments made under the individual contract. The individual contract holders will not be reimbursed such taxes or granted any other benefit, payment, or subsidy which is not expressly provided for in the contract under which they are engaged. UNHCR may require the individual contract holder to provide evidence within a reasonable time that they have registered for and are paying applicable taxation and social security to the relevant national authorities.

Important to note: The Individual Contractor shall be responsible for paying any tax levied by his/her Government or other entities on his/her UNHCR earnings. Under no circumstances shall UNHCR be responsible for paying or reimbursing such taxes.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Clearances and ID Cards:

Applications of non-Turkish candidates are subject to MFA clearance before any offer can be made. For cleared candidates who are recruited, MFA ID card applications will be processed while the issuance lies within the authority of the MFA.

Important to note: Once the MFA ID is issued, the time spent under an Individual Contract no longer counts toward eligibility for Turkish citizenship.

Application Requirements:
Applicants must ensure:

-To apply for the vacancies timely through Workday. No late applications are accepted.
-To reflect their previous experience, language skills (including the mother tongue), and other assets in their Workday applicant profiles, duly. Shortlisting is done based on the information provided in the applications only
-To attach their valid residence permits (both sides visible) in case they are non-Turkish nationals.

PLEASE DO NOT USE TURKISH CHARACTERS IN YOUR NAME & SURNAME INFORMATION.

Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme or as an intern is subject to successful reference checks and integrity clearance.

UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, processing, training, or any other fees).

Only short-listed candidates will be notified. The recruitment process might include a written test and/or oral interview for this job opening. No late applications will be accepted.

External candidates should be legally present in Türkiye at the time of application, recruitment, and hire.

Non-Turkish citizens are required to upload their residence permits or relevant documents under the ‘Certifications’ section, by selecting the type as ‘Personnel Administration – Other’, in order to be considered for this job opening. Applications by non-Turkish citizens will NOT be considered if a valid residence permit is not attached to the application.

For further information on how to apply, please visit the ‘UNHCR - Application and Selection’ page at https://www.unhcr.org/how-to-apply.html.

Standard Job Description

Required Languages Arabic

,English

,Turkish

Desired Languages

,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

Certifications

Work Experience

Other informationThis position doesn't require a functional clearance

RemoteNo