Deadline for Applications
September 3, 2025
Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)
A (least hardship)
Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
Family
Staff Member / Affiliate Type
UNOPS LICA4
2025-09-01
TERMS OF REFERENCE
(Individual Contractor Agreement)
Title: Protection Assistant
Project: UNHCR – Protection of Refugees in Ecuador
Duty station: Quito, Ecuador
Section/Unit: Protection
Contract/Level: Local Support, LICA 4
Duration: From September 1st to 31 December 2025
Supervisor: Protection Assistant Officer – Juan Rivadeneira
1. General Background
UNHCR in Ecuador aims to deliver protection, assistance and solutions to a variety displaced people such as asylum-seekers and refugees in partnership and close collaboration with national authorities as well as non-governmental organizations and local communities. The operation is coordinated at the national level by the Country Office in Quito. In addition, UNHCR has Field Units in Guayaquil, Esmeraldas, Manta, Tulcán, and Lago Agrio.
Ecuador is a destination and transit country for persons in need of international protection. Over the past two decades Ecuador has been hosting more than 78,000 recognized refugees (historical number, of which the majority are Colombians) and has become a main destination and transit country for Venezuelan refugees and migrants. Ecuador receives the fifth largest number of Venezuelans after Colombia, Peru, Chile and Brazil, with just over 440,000.
Since 2023, the increasing insecurity across Ecuador has had a significant social and economic impact, affecting refugees, migrants and locals alike and mining UNHCR’s protection and inclusion strategy. This downturn deepened human rights gaps which will adversely affect refugees and migrants, the vast majority of whom work in the informal sector, lack a social safety net and cannot cover their basic needs, such as rent and food and are prone to discriminatory attitudes.
The attached Vacancy Announcement is issued to hire a Protection Assistant for the Protection Unit in the Country Office.
2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment
The Protection Assistant normally reports to a more Senior Protection colleague. The incumbent provides functional and administrative support to the protection unit on protection related liaison, correspondence, monitoring, case management and reporting activities.
The Protection Assistant also supports the protection unit in designing a comprehensive protection strategy and in providing quality, timely and effective protection responses to persons of concern (PoC). S/he may liaise externally with local authorities and partners on correspondence and/or protection issues as guided by the supervisor.
The Protection Assistant also facilitates the involvement of PoC in making decisions that affect them, whether in accessing their rights or in identifying appropriate solutions to their problems. The incumbent is also required to build and maintain effective dialogue with communities, local authorities, partners and other humanitarian counterparts.
Duties:
- Assist in the identification of protection cases, including people with specific needs, and refer them promptly to specialized actors or relevant services.
- Ensure the accurate and timely registration of individuals of concern within the proGres database.
- Assist and conduct continuous registration and enrollment interviews when required in accordance with registration standards and guidance.
- Provide adequate information to asylum seekers, refugees, stateless persons, and others in need of international protection, in a dignified and respectful way in accordance with humanitarian principles, providing orientation on available services, rights, and referral mechanisms.
- Conduct protection interviews when necessary to provide the best assistance to prioritized cases and liaise with protection staff and/or actors in the delivery of assistance as needed.
- Contribute to the maintenance and updating of databases related to protection, including individual cases, legal documentation, or population records.
- Act as focal point for UNHCR national helpline by ensuring adequate monitoring and follow-up to all communications received, liaising with field colleagues and producing relevant periodic reports.
- Perform other protection-related tasks assigned by the supervisor, according to the operational needs of the Unit.
- Collaborate with protection staff and/or partners in the delivery of assistance and programming.
- Perform other protection-related tasks assigned by the supervisor, according to the operational needs of the Unit.
3. Monitoring and Progress Controls
- Compliance and reporting of weekly and monthly monitoring activities.
- Case management, using the ProGres database.
- Reports on field visits and activities to strengthen protection networks.
- File notes of relevant meetings, workshops and events.
- Preparation of reports.
- Periodic entry of the cases attended in the ProGres database.
- Provide weekly and monthly statistics on registration, enrollment, protection and assistances
4. Qualifications and Experience
a. Education
- University Degree (4 years) in Law, Social Sciences, Social Work, Psychology or any other related field.
b. Work Experience
- 1-year relevant experience with High School Diploma; or Bachelor or equivalent or higher
- Work experience in case management.
- Work experience with social organizations, public sector institutions and / or international organizations will be an advantage.
- Experience with the refugee population or groups in a situation of vulnerability.
c. Language Requirements
- Knowledge of Spanish language is mandatory. Knowledge of English language is desirable.
d. Key Competencies
- Ability to work in difficult conditions and under stress.
- Ability to work within an international and multicultural environment.
- Ability to work with individuals in vulnerable situations.
- Willingness to work in emergency situations.
- Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information in a professional manner.
- Availability to mobilize at the community level and other cities.
- Computer skills: Word, Excel, internet, powerpoint, Kobo.
Functional Skills
- IT-Computer Literacy
- CL-Protection & Solutions Awareness
-
PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators
- PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework
Core Competencies
- Accountability
- Communication
- Organizational Awareness
- Teamwork & Collaboration
- Commitment to Continuous Learning
- Client & Result Orientation
Cross-Functional Competencies
- Analytical Thinking
- Political Awareness
- Stakeholder Management
5. Submission of applications
A. English Desirable. (B2 Level)
B. The shortlisted candidates may sit a technical examination.
C. Foreign candidates, to be considered eligible for this position, must have a temporary or permanent residence in Ecuador that allows them to carry out work activities in the country.
D. If selected, the candidate must submit a current and updated RUC Unique Taxpayer Registry. The salary offered is in net terms.
E. If you wish to be considered for this vacancy, please submit your application according to the following instructions:
- CANDIDATES WITH ACCESS TO THE WORKDAY: In order to apply, you must first create your profile in the WORKDAY system.
- EXTERNAL CANDIDATES:
Candidates who do NOT have access to the WORKDAY system must submit their application through UNHCR's official site for applications:
https://www.unhcr.org/careers.htmlNOTE
UNHCR is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, color or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.
UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).
If you are a person with a disability and need additional assistance during the application and/or recruitment process, please contact us by email: ecuquhr@unhcr.org
CVs WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED BY EMAIL. ONLY THOSE APPLICATIONS SENT BY THE SYSTEM WILL BE CONSIDERED.
Standard Job Description
Protection Assistant
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Protection Assistant normally reports to a more senior Protection colleague. The incumbent provides functional and administrative support to the protection unit on protection related liaison, correspondence, monitoring, case management and reporting activities.
The Protection Assistant also supports the protection unit in designing a comprehensive protection strategy and in providing quality, timely and effective protection responses to persons of concern (PoC). S/he may liaise externally with local authorities and partners on correspondence and/or protection issues as guided by the supervisor.
The Protection Assistant also facilitates the involvement of PoC 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
- Consistently apply International and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards and codes of conduct.
- Observe and respect protection related Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Provide functional and administrative support in all protection related AGD based programming with implementing and operational partners.
- Provide functional and administrative support in implementing participatory approaches, needs assessments, monitoring, reporting and case management.
- Support assessments on durable solutions through voluntary repatriation, local integration and where appropriate, resettlement.
- Facilitate liaison with competent authorities for the issuance of personal and other relevant documents.
- Assist in drafting reports, routine correspondence, updating relevant databases and compiling statistics within the Area of Responsibility (AoR).
- Select PoC for preliminary interviews and decide which relevant information to share.
- Enforce integrity in the delivery of protection services by local implementing partners.
- 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
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G4 - 1 year relevant experience with High School Diploma; or Bachelor or equivalent or higher
Field(s) of Education
Not applicable
Certificates and/or Licenses
Protection
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential: Not specified.
Desirable: Not specified.
Functional Skills
PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators
PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework
IT-Computer Literacy
(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.
Required Languages
,
,
Desired Languages
,
,
Additional Qualifications
Skills
IT-Computer Literacy,
PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators, PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework
Education
Certifications
HCR Learning Program - UNHCR, HCR Protection Induction Prog - UNHCR
Other information
This position doesn't require a functional clearance
Remote
No