Job Description

July 6, 2026

Grade

GS7

General Service

Reason

Temporary > Temporary Assignment/ Appointment

A (least hardship)

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2026-07-01

2026-12-31

Standard Job Description

Senior Protection Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
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.

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.

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.

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 and guidance 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 in compliance with UNHCR procedural standards and international protection principles.
- 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.
- Assist the supervisor in implementing and monitoring Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all protection/solutions activities.
- Manage individual protection cases including those on GBV and child protection. Monitor, and assist the supervisor with intervening 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.
- Contribute to and facilitate a programme of results-based advocacy with sectorial and/or cluster 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 with intervening with authorities on protection issues.
- Provide assistance to the supervisor in deciding priorities for reception, interviewing and counselling for groups or individuals.
- Assist the supervisor with enforcing compliance of staff and implementing partners with global protection policies and standards of professional integrity in the delivery of protection services.
- Assist the supervisor with enforcing compliance with, and integrity of, all protection standard operating procedures.
- Recommend and prepare payments to individual cases.

- 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 G7 - 4 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 relevant field.
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Not specified.

Desirable
RSD-Resettlement LP and/or Protection Learning Programme

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

***THIS POSITION WILL BE BASED IN CULIACAN, SINALOA***

Nature of the Position (Operational Context):

Over recent years, Mexico has evolved from being predominantly a country of origin and transit for refugees and asylum-seekers to becoming a significant country of destination for hundreds of thousands of individuals seeking international protection from within the region and beyond. At the same time, internal displacement has become an increasingly visible and complex protection phenomenon within the country. In Mexico, people are forced to flee their communities for a wide range of interconnected reasons, mainly driven by violence perpetrated by organized crime groups. Although there are no official figures on internal displacement in Mexico, the 2025 Survey on Victimization and Perception of Public Safety (ENVIPE), published by Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), estimated that at least 248,360 households were forced to leave their place of residence to protect themselves from crime and insecurity in 2024. UNHCR needs assessments with internally displaced people (IDPs) point to food, legal assistance, documentation, information on rights, and access to protection mechanisms as key needs. UNHCR Mexico has been strengthening its response to internal displacement through protection monitoring, legal and public policy development, capacity-building, information management, support to registration and profiling processes, advocacy, and the promotion of durable solutions. This work requires close coordination with authorities, human rights institutions, civil society organizations, academia, UN agencies, and affected communities. Since 2022 UNHCR has been supporting the strengthening of institutional responses and the capacities of diverse stakeholders in Sinaloa. The Senior Protection Associate (IDP) will support the implementation and consolidation of UNHCR’s internal displacement strategy in Sinaloa and contribute to the effective delivery of protection responses in a complex and evolving environment. The position requires strong technical knowledge of internal displacement, protection and human rights frameworks, and the capacity to translate these into operational support, legal and policy inputs, capacity-building initiatives, and solutions-oriented responses. The role requires strong engagement with communities, authorities, and partners to strengthen protection coordination and community-based approaches, provide technical guidance, support coordination efforts, and contribute to the strengthening responses to internal displacement in Sinaloa. Given the complexity and sensitivity of internal displacement dynamics in Sinaloa, the incumbent should demonstrate sound judgment, political awareness, strong diplomacy skills, and the ability to adapt protection responses to diverse legal, social, political, and operational contexts.

Desired Candidate Profile:

The ideal candidate is a protection professional with demonstrated experience in internal displacement contexts and a strong understanding of the international, national and local protection frameworks applicable to internally displaced people (IDPs) in Mexico. The incumbent will contribute to the implementation of UNHCR’s protection mandate through the delivery of quality protection interventions, protection mainstreaming, legal and policy engagement, community-based approaches, and support for durable solutions, in line with UNHCR policies, international standards, and the evolving protection environment in the country.

Protection Expertise and Legal Knowledge
The candidate must possess a solid understanding of international protection principles related to internal displacement, international human rights law, and relevant state-level legislation, policies, and institutional frameworks affecting IDPs. Proven experience in legal and policy analysis, the development of technical guidance, and support to draft laws, regulations, or public policy instruments related to internal displacement, as well as their implementation is highly desirable. Familiarity with protection monitoring, registration and profiling processes, community-based protection, AGD-based programming, child protection, gender-based violence, housing land and property issues, and education-related protection interventions is an asset.

Operational and Coordination Skills
The successful candidate will demonstrate strong operational capacity to support, coordinate, and help supervise protection responses focused on internal displacement in Sinaloa. This includes experience in supporting multi-state or decentralized responses, contributing to strategic planning, promoting coherence in implementation, and translating policy and protection standards into practical tools and field-level guidance. Experience in emergency response, information management, inter-institutional coordination mechanisms, and durable solutions planning is highly desirable.

The candidate is expected to demonstrate strong programme management skills, including the ability to identify gaps, develop practical solutions, and contribute to the design and implementation of community-based interventions in close coordination with local authorities, partners, and relevant stakeholders, under the guidance of the UNHCR office in Mexico City

Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement
The successful candidate should have proven experience engaging with authorities, civil society organizations, academia, and affected communities to strengthen protection frameworks and responses related to internal displacement in Mexico.

Capacity Building and Communication
Strong communication, drafting, and interpersonal skills are required to provide accurate protection guidance to stakeholders, support meaningful participation of internally displaced communities in decisions affecting their rights, and deliver effective training and capacity-building initiatives. The candidate should be able to communicate complex legal and protection concepts clearly to a wide range of audiences, including authorities, civil society actors, and affected populations.

Teamwork, Supervision and Integrity
The ideal candidate will be a collaborative team player who upholds the highest standards of professional integrity and accountability. Experience working in multicultural environments and adhering to UNHCR’s Code of Conduct is essential. The incumbent must be able to work under pressure, prioritize competing demands, and contribute to a coordinated team response.

Languages and Other Requirements
Fluency in English and Spanish is essential, with demonstrated ability to draft and communicate effectively in both languages. Knowledge of the protection environment in Mexico and prior experience working on internal displacement, legal and policy development, as well as familiarity with the context of the state of Sinaloa would be a strong asset. Experience in coordinating and liaising with government authorities and institutional stakeholders is highly desirable, as well as a basic understanding of security management in complex operational environments. The incumbent should be able to maintain effective coordination with local authorities and security counterparts, identify risks that may affect organizational activities and UNHCR personnel, support the implementation of preventive measures, and contribute to the safe delivery of operations through the timely exchange of information with the Security Unit in Mexico City, basic security analysis, and adherence to established security procedures.

Living and Working Conditions

Culiacán Rosales is the capital city of the State of Sinaloa and serves as the state's principal administrative, commercial, and economic center. Located in northwestern Mexico, the city is an important hub for agriculture, commerce, industry, and transportation, with road and air connections to major cities throughout the country.
• Health: The city has a broad network of public and private hospitals providing primary, specialized, and emergency healthcare services. Several medical facilities offer advanced diagnostic and treatment capabilities. For highly specialized medical procedures, travel to larger national medical centers may occasionally be required.
• Education: Culiacán offers a wide range of public and private educational institutions, including universities, technical colleges, and primary and secondary schools. Several private schools provide bilingual (Spanish-English) education and international academic programs.
• Housing: Furnished and unfurnished houses and apartments are available for rent in various residential areas. International UNHCR personnel must obtain approval from United Nations security for the selected residence before signing any lease agreement.
• Entertainment: The city offers a variety of cultural, recreational, and sporting activities, including theaters, museums, shopping centers, restaurants, cinemas, and seasonal festivals. Outdoor activities are also available in nearby coastal and rural areas.
• Weather: Culiacán has a warm semi-arid climate characterized by hot summers and mild winters. Temperatures generally range between 12°C and 38°C throughout the year, although temperatures above 40°C may occur during the summer months. The rainy season typically extends from June through September.
• Currency and Exchange: The Mexican Peso (MXN) is the official currency. Banks, ATMs, and currency exchange services are widely available throughout the city. Major credit and debit cards are generally accepted in commercial establishments.
• Communications: Mobile phone and internet services are widely available and reliable throughout the city. Major telecommunications providers offer residential and business connectivity, including fiber-optic internet services in most urban areas.
• Transportation: Public transportation, taxis, and ride-hailing services are available. Personnel are strongly encouraged to use authorized taxi services (“taxis de sitio”) or reliable ride-hailing platforms. Road travel within and outside the city should be planned in advance and conducted in accordance with security recommendations and approved procedures.
• Security: Culiacán is in a security environment affected by the presence and activities of organized criminal groups. Within the framework of the United Nations Security Risk Management (SRM) system, Sinaloa continues to present security risks associated with organized crime, armed confrontations, vehicle theft, extortion, kidnapping, roadblocks, and other high-impact security incidents.
• At present, no direct threats against UNHCR have been identified. However, personnel and operations may be indirectly affected by the prevailing security environment. Security incidents may occur with little or no warning and can impact mobility, public services, and access to certain areas. Periodic confrontations between criminal groups and security forces may result in temporary road closures, increased security deployments, or localized restrictions on movement.
• Security Measures: Due to the prevailing security environment in Sinaloa and the potential for violent incidents related to organized crime, UNHCR personnel must always maintain a high level of situational awareness, strictly adhere to personal security measures, and comply with the procedures established under the Security Risk Management (SRM) framework. All activities and movements should be carefully planned and, whenever possible, conducted during daylight hours, using only primary routes, authorized means of transportation, and mobility options that have been previously assessed from a security perspective. Personnel must continuously monitor the local security situation, remain informed of incidents that may affect mobility or operations, and comply without exception with recommendations, restrictions, and directives issued by the relevant authorities and the Security Unit. Furthermore, personnel should be prepared for itinerary changes, travel cancellations, or the implementation of contingency measures whenever required by the security situation.

Important Information for Applicants:

• Eligibility – Internal Advertisement Only, i.e., applications are open to:

- Internal candidates: staff members with an indefinite or fixed-term appointment in the same category as the position advertised, staff members who, at the date of the deadline for application, are serving at the grade of the position or one grade below or above, as well as any candidates serving at higher grades who fulfil the criteria as per the job advertisement.
- Former Staff (due to post abolition under special measures): Local FTA/IND contract holders whose posts were abolished due to structural changes, and who were separated as of 01 January 2025 (last working day 31 December 2024). Other types of former staff members are considered candidates with UNHCR experience for any location. Eligibility period for application: May 2025 – June 2026 vacancies.
- Candidates with UNHCR experience at the time of application: current staff members in other categories, staff members on temporary appointment, affiliate workforce and interns with at least 1 year of service, and staff loaned/seconded. Former UNHCR locally recruited staff members who held an indefinite or fixed-term appointment (within 2 years of separation for males and 5 years for females).
- External candidates all other candidates who are not in the above groups. Former International staff/Former TA/AWF will be considered external when applying for any positions/category.

• Nationality / Right to Work Requirement: Only Mexican nationals or candidates holding permanent residency or valid work permit in Mexico are eligible (Candidates must attach proof of permanent residency or valid work permit in Mexico at the time of application). Failure to do so will result in disqualification.

• Selection Process: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a written test and/or oral interview. UNHCR does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.

• Application Requirements: Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their Workday Career Profile is accurate and fully updated prior to applying. The evaluation will be based solely on the information provided in the application. Once submitted, applications cannot be modified. Candidates under consideration may be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided.

• Diversity and Inclusion: UNHCR is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce and strongly encourages applications from qualified candidates regardless of gender, nationality, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, or disability status. All applications are treated with the strictest confidentiality, and UNHCR is committed to providing equal career opportunities for all staff.

• Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA): UNHCR maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA). SEA constitutes serious misconduct and may result in disciplinary action, including dismissal. Concerns or suspicions can be reported confidentially to: inspector@unhcr.org or at https://www.unhcr.org/php/complaints.php or by confidential fax: +41 22 739 73 80.

• Educational Requirements: UNHCR recognizes only qualifications obtained from institutions accredited in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), maintained by the International Association of Universities (IAU) and UNESCO. The database is available at: WHED portal.at http://www.whed.net/. For candidates under consideration, degrees verification will be conducted also through the SEP portal.

Selection Process: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a written test and/or oral interview. UNHCR does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

Spanish

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English

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Skills

IT-Computer Literacy, PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators, PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework

Education

Certifications

International Law - Other, Political Science - Other

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