Deadline for Applications
December 29, 2025
Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)
U (unclassified)
Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
No designation
Staff Member / Affiliate Type
UNOPS LICA5
2026-02-01
Title: UNOPS Senior Protection Assistant
Project: UNHCR
Duty station: Esmeraldas, Ecuador
Section/Unit: UNHCR Protection Unit
Contract/Level: Local Support, LICA 5
Duration: From 01 February –30 April 2026
Supervisor: Luz Arpi, Head of Field Unit Esmeraldas
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 nongov-ernmental organizations and local communities. The operation is coordinated at the national level by the Country Office in Quito. In addition, UNHCR has Field Offices in Guayaquil and Tulcán, and Field Units in Esmeraldas, Manta, and Lago Agrio.
Ecuador is a destination and transit country for persons in need of international protection. Over the past two dec-ades 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 deep-ened 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.
Esmeraldas is a province located in northwestern Ecuador bordering southern Colombia. The province suffers from entrenched economic and security challenges, and residents often lack access to basic services.
The UNHCR Field Office in Esmeraldas opened in 2008 to protect Colombian refugees fleeing to the northern bor-der province of Ecuador, mainly from southern Nariño. Colombian refugees continue to flee to Esmeraldas due to the complex security situation created by territorial disputes in southern Nariño.
The population of Venezuelan refugees and asylum seekers has also steadily increased in Esmeraldas as Ecua-dor has become both a major destination as well as a transit country for Venezuelans in need of international pro-tection.
The operation of UNHCR in Ecuador has a multiyear Protection Strategy and Solutions, which encompasses the dimensions of the legal, economic and social protection of refugees in Ecuador and which have a decisive role the approaches to gender, ethnicity, and age and other diversities.
The attached Vacancy Announcement is issued to hire a Senior Protection Assistant for the Field Unit of Esmeral-das.
2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment
The Senior Protection Assistant normally reports to a more senior Protection colleague. 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 Assistant provides quality, timely and effective protection support to persons of concern (PoC) and identifies opportunities to mainstream protection methodologies and safeguards in operational respons-es. S/he contributes to designing a comprehensive protection strategy and may liaise externally with local authori-ties and partners on protection issues as guided by the supervisor.
The Senior Protection Assistant 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 accountabil-ity 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 professional-ism, integrity and respect for diversity.
3. Duties
- 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 part-ners.
- Conduct preliminary information gathering and interviews in support of eligibility, status determination, du-rable 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 appro-priate, 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
4. Qualifications and Experience
a. Years of Experience
- 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bache-lor or equivalent or higher
a. Field(s) of Education
- Not applicable.
b. Certificates and/or Licenses
- International Law, Political Science
c. Relevant Job Experience
Essential
- Not specified
Desirable
- Not specified
d. Functional Skills
- IT-Computer Literacy
- CL-Protection & Solutions Awareness
-
PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators
- PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework
e. Language Requirements
- Knowledge of English is desirable
5. Competency Requirements
a. Core Competencies
- Accountability
- Communication
- Organizational Awareness
- Teamwork & Collaboration
- Commitment to Continuous Learning
- Client & Result Orientation
b. Managerial Competencies:
- Not specified
c. Cross-Functional Competencies
- Analytical Thinking
- Political Awareness
- Stakeholder Management
5. Submission of applications
A. English Desirable. Level intermediate.
B. Shortlisted candidates may sit a technical test.
A) 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 coun-try.
B) If recommended, the candidate must submit a current and updated RUC Unique Taxpayer Registry and a voluntary contribution certificate to the Ecuadorian Institute of Social Secu-rity IESS. Voluntary IESS securities will be covered by the staff member. The salary of-fered is in net terms.
C) If you wish to be considered for this vacancy, please submit your application according to the following instructions:
i. CANDIDATES WITH ACCESS TO THE WORKDAY: In order to apply, you must first create your profile in the WORKDAY system.
ii. EXTERNAL CANIDATES: Candidates who do NOT have access to the WORKDAY system should submit their application through UNHCR's official site for applications:
https://www.unhcr.org/careers.html WHEN CREATING A CANDIDATE PROFILE IN WORKDAY, PLEASE USE CAPSLOCKS FOR LAST NAME AND NO SPECIAL CHARACTERS (Ñ OR ACCENTS)
CVs WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED BY EMAIL. ONLY THOSE APPLICATIONS SENT THROUGH THE SYSTEM WILL BE CONSIDERED.
NOTE
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, pro-cessing, training or any other fees).
Standard Job Description
Senior Protection Assistant
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Protection Assistant normally reports to a more senior Protection colleague. 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 Assistant provides quality, timely and effective protection support to persons of concern (PoC) and identifies opportunities to mainstream protection methodologies and safeguards in operational responses. S/he contributes to designing a comprehensive protection strategy and may liaise externally with local authorities and partners on protection issues as guided by the supervisor.
The Senior Protection Assistant 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
- 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.
- 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
G5 - 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher
Field(s) of Education
Not applicable
Certificates and/or Licenses
International Law;
Political Science;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential: Not specified.
Desirable: Not specified.
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.
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
International Law - Other, Political Science - Other
Other information
This position doesn't require a functional clearance
Remote
No