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 Date2025-08-01
Deadline for ApplicationsJuly 24, 2025
Terms of ReferenceI. PROJECT DETAILS
Requesting office (hiring office): UNHCR Turkiye
Title of project: VolRep
Purpose of project (summary): To support VolRep activities in Tรผrkiye.
II. DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ENGAGED INDIVIDUAL CONTRACT HOLDER
a. General Background of Project or Assignment, Operational Context:
The Government of Tรผrkiye leads the protection and assistance of refugees and asylum-seekers in the country. UNHCR Tรผrkiye complements these efforts by supporting the inclusion of refugees into national systems, increasing awareness among refugees of their rights and available services, and strengthening service accessibility and availability.
As of April 17, 2025, the Presidency of Migration Management (PMM) reports that 2,777,826 Syrians are under Temporary Protection (TP) in Tรผrkiye. The Ankara Field Unit (AFU) covers a dynamic and complex area, including many individuals under TP and International Protection (IP), as well as those who have relocated due to evolving conditions in Syria.
Since December 8, 2024, voluntary returns increased significantly. In response, UNHCR expanded its capacity to monitor the voluntariness of returns. The Ankara-based Senior Protection Assistant will play a key role in this effort by supporting voluntary return interviews and broader protection monitoring throughout the AFU Area of Responsibility (AoR).
The Senior Protection Assistant is based in Ankara and is part of the Ankara Field Unit (AFU). The incumbent will regularly travel across the AoR to conduct voluntary return interviews, monitor protection risks, facilitate access to procedures and rights, and liaise with local authorities. The position requires knowledge of Turkish law and UNHCR protection policies, as well as communication skills and cultural awareness.
The position involves direct contact with refugees and asylum-seekers, including vulnerable groups. The incumbent will conduct interviews, assess needs, and monitor field activities related to protection and voluntary repatriation. Flexibility, adaptability, and regular travel by public transport or official vehicles are required. The incumbent may be required to travel frequently to provinces in central Anatolia. Some missions may involve late hours, weekends, UN Official Holidays and night shift, or overnight travel, depending on operational needs.
The Senior Protection Assistant will maintain regular communication with persons of concern, refugee community representatives, PDMM and PDoFSS staff, and UNHCR partners. The role may include limited interaction with government officials and civil society actors.
The position is based in Ankara, a metropolitan capital city offering a relatively high standard of living. The security situation is stable, with access to healthcare, transportation, communication, and education services. Public transportation is widely available.
b. Purpose and Scope of Assignment:
โข Conduct voluntary return interviews in Ankara and AFU-covered provinces to ensure returns are voluntary, safe, and dignified.
โข Identify and assess specific needs of vulnerable returnees; coordinate with relevant authorities to ensure appropriate support.
โข Support monitoring of voluntary return operations through interviews, field visits, and reporting tools.
โข Maintain and update databases in line with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
โข Monitor registration, access to services, and referral pathways for persons of concern.
โข Follow up on individual protection cases including detention, deportation, and service access.
โข Support monitoring and coordination with PDMMs and PDoFSS to address gaps and ensure protection-sensitive service delivery.
โข Contribute to the implementation of community-based protection initiatives and support projects.
โข Perform other duties as required.
III. CANDIDATE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS, SELECTION CRITERIA
a.Required qualifications, language(s) and work experience:
-Education in International Law, Political Science, or related field is preferred.
-Minimum 2 years of relevant experience with a High School diploma, or 1 year with a university degree.
-Language Required: Excellent command of Turkish, Arabic and English (spoken and written)
-Additional knowledge of Farsi is an asset.
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:
-Proficiency in MS Office applications and relevant data entry systems.
-Problem-solving skills and organizational capabilities.
-Interpersonal skills and ability to build effective working relationships with stakeholders.
-Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information and work under pressure.
-Familiarity with UNHCR protection standards, guidelines, and refugee law.
IV. EVALUATION, MONITORING, SUPERVISION
a.Monitoring and Progress Controls
The incumbent reports to the Assistant Protection Officer and will coordinate closely with the country-level focal point for Voluntary Repatriation and the head of AFU.
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 written test and/or oral interview for this job opening. No late applications will be accepted.
External candidates should be legally present in Tรผrkiye at the time of application, recruitment and hire.
Non-Turkish citizens are required to upload their residence permits or relevant documents under the โCertificationsโ section, by selecting the type as โPersonnel Administration โ Otherโ, 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 โUNHCR - Application and Selectionโ page, at https://www.unhcr.org/how-to-apply.html.
Standard Job Description
Required Languages
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Desired Languages
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Additional Qualifications
Skills
Education
Certifications
Work Experience
Other informationThis position doesn't require a functional clearance
RemoteNo