Senior Protection Associate- Contractor

<p></p><p><b>Deadline for Applications</b></p>October 10, 2025<p></p><p><b>Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)</b></p>H (no hardship)<p></p><p><b>Family Type (not applicable for home-based)</b></p><p></p>Family<p></p><p><b>Staff Member / Affiliate Type</b></p>CONTR Local Senior Level Support<p></p><p><b>Target Start Date</b></p>2025-11-01<p></p><p><b>Terms of Reference</b></p>The candidate will support the protection determination systems in Ireland as part of a quality initiative project which will involve the conduct of regular quality assurance reviews and the development and delivery of training. Among other tasks the candidate may also assist with specialized training in relation to international protection and other related duties. <br/><br/>Experience in or familiarity with the Irish asylum system will be considered an asset along with experience in refugee status <span>determination/conducting</span> quality assurance activities and an understanding of the EU framework on asylum law.<br/><br/>The successful candidate will be offered a UNHCR local individual contract. This will be an initial 2-month assignment with potential one year extension subject to performance and funding. Working modalities to be agreed but is likely to involve a mix of on-site and remote working.<br/><br/>Remuneration will be equivalent to net annual salary scale established by ICSC applicable to staff at the G7 grade in Ireland. Contractors must comply with relevant local legislation including but not limited to those relating to taxation, social security requirements, licenses and other details stipulated in the terms of their contract. Please note that it is a requirement that contractors have legal residence in Ireland.<p> </p><h2><b>Standard Job Description</b><span> </span></h2><p>Senior Protection Associate<br/><br/>Organizational Setting and Work Relationships<br/>The Senior Protection Associate reports to the Protection Officer or the Senior Protection Officer. The position may entail supervisory responsibilities for protection staff including community services, registration, resettlement and education depending on the structure of the Office. 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.<br/><br/>The Senior Protection Associate is expected to coordinate quality, timely and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern (PoC) and identify opportunities to mainstream protection methodologies and integrate protection safeguards in operational responses in all sectors. The incumbent contributes to designing a comprehensive protection strategy and represents the Office externally on protection doctrine and policy as guided by the supervisor.<br/><br/>S/he 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.<br/><br/>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.<br/><br/>Duties<br/>- Stay abreast of political, social, economic and cultural developments that have an impact on the protection environment.<br/>- Consistently apply International and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards and codes of conduct.<br/>- Assist in providing comments on existing and draft legislation related to PoC.<br/>- Provide advice and guidance on protection issues to PoC; liaise with competent authorities to ensure the issuance of personal and other relevant documentation.<br/>- Assist in conducting eligibility and status determination for PoC in compliance with UNHCR procedural standards and international protection principles.<br/>- Contribute to measures to identify, prevent and reduce statelessness.<br/>- Contribute to a country-level child protection plan as part of the protection strategy.<br/>- Contribute to a country-level education plan as part of the protection strategy.<br/>- Assist the supervisor in implementing and monitoring Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all protection/solutions activities.<br/>- Manage individual protection cases including those on