Job Description

August 19, 2026

H (no hardship)

Family

GS6

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-09-01

Protection Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Protection Associate normally reports to the Protection Officer or the Senior Protection Officer. 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 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. S/he contributes to designing a comprehensive protection strategy and liaises externally with authorities and partners on protection doctrine and policy as guided by the supervisor.

The Protection Associate 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
- Stay abreast of political, social, economic and cultural developments that have an impact on the protection environment.
- Consistently apply International and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards and codes of conduct.
- Assist in providing comments on existing and draft legislation related to PoC.
- Provide advice on protection issues to PoC; liaise with competent authorities to ensure the issuance of personal and other relevant documentation.
- Assist in conducting eligibility and status determination for PoC.
- 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 as part of the protection strategy.
- Monitor Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all protection/solutions activities.
- Manage individual protection cases including those on GBV and child protection. Monitor, and intervene in cases of refoulement, expulsion and other protection incidents.
- Assist in identifying durable solutions for the largest possible number of PoC through 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.
- Facilitate effective information management through the provision of disaggregated data on PoC and their problems.
- Participate in initiatives to capacitate authorities, relevant institutions and NGOs to strengthen national protection related legislation and procedures.
- Assist the supervisor in prioritizing PoC for interview, counselling and propose protection support for individual cases.
- Assist the supervisor with enforcing compliance of local implementing partners with global protection policies and standards of professional integrity in the delivery of protection services.
- Assit the supervisor with enforcing compliance with, and integrity of, all protection standard operating procedures.
- Submit individual payments request for PoC for approval.

- 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
For G6 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not applicable

Certificates and/or Licenses
International Law, Political Science
or other related field
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Not specified

Desirable
Protection Learning Programme

Functional Skills
IT-Computer Literacy
PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework
PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators
(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.

• A solid understanding of the legal framework for refugee protection in Greece and deep knowledge of the national and local protection environment are essential.
• Experience working in the field with refugees from diverse backgrounds, as well as experience in refugee integration, will be considered an asset.
• The incumbent must have strong communication, planning, and coordination skills.
• Fluency in English and Greek is required.
• Language skills in Arabic or Farsi will be considered an asset.
• As the staff needs to drive to the work location (Samos CCAC), a valid driving license is also required.

Greek

,

English

,

Arabic

,

Farsi

,

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

Greece hosts some 170,000 asylum-seekers and refugees, based on official data as of June 2026. During the first half of 2026, around 19,500 people arrived in the country, including 15,000 by sea. UNHCR supports the Government through legal and technical expertise and operational engagement to strengthen the country's asylum, reception and inclusion systems. Through its advocacy role, UNHCR supports efforts to strengthen protection safeguards and ensure consistency with international refugee and human rights law, including in the implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum. UNHCR’s priorities in Greece include ensuring access to international protection, supporting vulnerable asylum-seekers and refugees – including children – and promoting durable solutions and inclusion opportunities for refugees. Through its Country Office in Athens and field presence across Greece, UNHCR provides asylum-seekers and refugees with information on procedures, rights and obligations; identifies protection risks; and facilitates referrals to appropriate services, including legal assistance and employability support delivered through partners. UNHCR also works with national and local authorities, the private sector, civil society organizations and refugee communities to address needs, advance protection and livelihood initiatives and raise awareness about refugees.

Samos is one of Greece's principal sea entry points for asylum-seekers arriving through the Eastern Aegean route. New arrivals undergo screening, and asylum procedures at the Samos Closed Controlled Access Centre (CCAC) in Zervou. The Centre hosts a culturally and linguistically diverse population, which fluctuates according to arrival trends and transfer movements, and the two most common spoken languages are Arabic and Farsi.

The Protection Associate in Samos reports to the Assistant Field Officer (Field Coordinator for the Aegean Islands), based in Lesvos. The incumbent is primarily based at the Samos CCAC and may work remotely on a partial basis, subject to operational needs and coordination with the supervisor. The Protection Associate serves as UNHCR’s focal point on Samos and supports the implementation of relevant protection activities aimed at ensuring access to territory and asylum, fair and efficient asylum procedures, adequate reception conditions, and access to information for newly arriving asylum-seekers and refugees. The position contributes to the identification and referral of individuals with specific needs – including children, survivors of violence, persons with disabilities, older persons, and individuals facing heightened protection risks, promotes community-based protection and integration initiatives, and supports coordinated protection interventions in line with UNHCR’s mandate, policies, and operational priorities. The Protection Associate maintains regular engagement with relevant stakeholders, including national authorities, EU agencies, (i)NGOs and community representatives, organizes and delivers capacity-building activities for partners and relevant stakeholders on international protection principles, UNHCR standards, and protection-sensitive approaches, and contributes to protection monitoring, data collection, reporting, and advocacy

Living and Working Conditions:

Samos is the ninth largest island in Greece located in the eastern Aegean Sea. The capital of Samos is Vathy town. Samos is a family duty station, classified as H by ICSC. Samos International Airport, also known as Aristarchos Airport, serves the island with domestic and some international flights. The island has three ports as well, Vathy, Pythagoreio, and Karlovasi, at least two of which are well-connected by regular ferry services. Public transportation, primarily in the form of buses, is available and medical facilities are well-developed and easily accessible. Public educational institutions at all levels are available, but no international schools are based on the island. The climate can be described as Mediterranean, with hot and dry summers and mild and rainy winters. In accordance with UNDSS security risk assessment, the whole Greek operation is classified as Security Level 2 (low). Security Clearance is required for travelling in the country. For more detailed information please consult the continuously updated living conditions booklet on Intranet.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CL-Multi-stakeholder Communications with Partners, Government & Community, CO-Reporting skills, DV-Light Vehicle Driving, PS-Public Relations, RCM - Protection coordination, SO-Advocacy

Certifications

International Law - Other, Political Science - Other

Durable Solutions, Office Context: Field

Competencies

Accountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Judgement & decision making, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Additional Information

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a written test and will have to undergo an oral interview.

This position doesn't require a functional clearance