Deadline for ApplicationsDecember 8, 2025
Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)U (unclassified)
Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
No designation
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeCONS Local
Target Start Date2025-11-28
Terms of ReferenceTERMS OF REFERENCE
Title: Senior Protection Assistant
Project: UNHCR Rwanda/2025/E12925
Duty station: Nyabiheke Field Unit, Rwanda
Section/Unit: Protection/UNHCR Rwanda
ICA Level: LICA5 (Corresponding level: G5)
Duration: From November 2025 to 31 December 2026 (renewable)
Supervisor: Assistant Protection Officer, Nyabiheke
General Background
UNHCR Rwanda, within the framework of the PRM-funded โDRCโRwanda Voluntary Returnsโ project, is implementing activities to facilitate the voluntary, safe and dignified return of Rwandan refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and to support the voluntary repatriation of Congolese refugees from Rwanda. These efforts contribute to durable solutions, peacebuilding, and social cohesion in the Great Lakes region by providing returnees with protection, transportation, reception and reintegration assistance in coordination with government counterparts and partners.
The Government of Rwanda leads the national refugee response through the Ministry of Emergency Management (MINEMA) and the Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration (DGIE), in close coordination with UNHCR. The UNHCR Representation in Rwanda consists of a Branch Office in Kigali and Field Offices in Huye, Karongi and Kirehe. FO Karongi oversees Kiziba Refugee Camp, Nkamira Transit Centre - which hosts asylum seekers from the DRC -as well as Nyarushishi and Kijote Transit Centres, which receive and accommodate Rwandan returnees.
Established in 1996, Kiziba is the oldest refugee camp in Rwanda and hosts a protracted caseload of Congolese refugees, with a population of approximately 14,000 individuals. Due to the campโs protracted nature and high expectations around resettlement as the preferred durable solution, the context remains highly sensitive and requires well-trained and experienced personnel. Rwanda maintains a comprehensive protection framework, being party to the 1951 Convention and offering refugees access to national systems, including education, health services, livelihoods, and financial inclusion in line with national refugee law.
The overall refugee situation has evolved, with the traditional protracted caseload now compounded by new arrivals driven by instability in Eastern DRC. More than 15,000 new arrivals have been recorded since late 2022. In response, Rwandaโs refugee policy continues to shift from a purely humanitarian model toward a development-oriented approach, emphasizing self-reliance, livelihoods, and social cohesion. UNHCR supports this shift by strengthening partnerships with government authorities, development actors, UN agencies and the private sector, while continuing core protection activities such as registration, RSD, resettlement, and targeted assistance to meet health, education, community development, and livelihood needs.Purpose and Scope of Assignment
Under the direct supervision of the Assistant Protection Officer and overall supervision by the Head of Protection, the incumbent will undertake the following tasks:
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.
Perform other related duties as required.
Monitoring and Progress Controls
The Senior Protection Assistant will be monitored through:
Regular supervision by the Assistant Protection Officer.
Timely submission of reports, case documentation, and data inputs.
Quality and timeliness of protection interventions, including case management and advocacy.
Contribution to protection strategy implementation and coordination efforts.
Compliance with UNHCR protection standards, SOPs, and ethical guidelines.
Achievement of agreed deliverables and performance indicators as per work plan.
All UNHCR staff members are accountable for performing their responsibilities as outlined in their job descriptions and within their delegated authorities, in line with the UNHCR regulatory framework. This framework comprises the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions, and other accountability mechanisms. In fulfilling these obligations, the incumbent must demonstrate alignment with UNHCRโs core, functional, cross-functional, and managerial competencies and contribute to a safe, inclusive, and respectful working environment that ensures protection principles are consistently applied.
Qualifications and Experience
2 years relevant experience with High school diploma
1-year relevant experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher
Key Competencies
Computer literacy
Refugee protection and frameworks
knowledge of international protection principles, refugee law, and human rights frameworks.
Drafting and communication skills.
Ability to work effectively in multicultural teams and under pressure.
Knowledge of English and/or UN working language.
Commitment to UN values, including integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity.
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
RemoteYes