Assistant Protection Officer

Deadline for ApplicationsJanuary 4, 2026

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)A (least hardship)

Family Type (not applicable for home-based)

Family

Staff Member / Affiliate TypeCONTR Local Professional Level

Target Start Date2026-01-01

Terms of ReferenceGeneral Background of Project or Assignment, Operational Context:

During the past 60 years, UNHCR and the Turkish State’s institutios have been working together in close partnership in international protection field. In 2013, Türkiye adopted a new legislation, the Law on Foreigners and International Protection (LFIP) and established a central civilian authority in charge of procedures for foreigners. As the main partner of the Turkish State in the field of international protection, UNHCR Türkiye provides support to the Presidency of Migration Management (PMM) and the relevant national institutions.

UNHCR Representation in Türkiye operates through a Country Office based in Ankara, and through sub-offices and field offices in Gaziantep, Istanbul, Izmir, and Ankara, as well as field units.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment:

The Assistant Protection Officer will fully engage in implementation of a series of activities foreseen to improve quality and efficiency of national asylum procedures, under the EU funded project, “Supporting Türkiye’s International and Temporary Protection Processes”. UNHCR is the implementing agency of the project which aims to enhance quality and efficiency international protection procedures, provide technical and operational support to PDMMs and PMM while supporting improved access to protection and services. To achieve this, the project focuses on increasing the technical capacity of PMM staff through providing trainings, workshops, preparing guidelines/SOPs as well as offering technical support through field visits and other quality assurance activities.

The Assistant Protection Officer will serve as a member of the Protection Unit and report to the Associate Protection Officer, under the overall supervision and oversight of the Senior Protection Officer, Head of Unit. S/he is to contribute to the work of the Unit in implementing the \"International Protection\" component (Objective 2) of the Project and is expected to:

• Act as the focal point for quality assurance in international protection status determination procedures and contribute to desk reviews, legal analyses, and thematic research, including identifying gaps, proposing solutions, and ensuring that findings inform project activities and outputs for improvement of efficiency and quality of status determination interviews and decisions.

• Provide support in the design and delivery of capacity-development activities, including the development of training materials, facilitation of sessions, and quality review of outputs.

• Draft, review, and refine legal and analytical documents to be developed under the Project, ensuring their alignment with international protection principles, national legislation, and UNHCR policies.

• Undertake missions as required, deliver reports incorporating gaps, challenges and proposed actions.

• Monitor project implementation, identifying challenges and timely solutions to ensure effective implementation of the project.

• Support strategic planning, sequencing, and prioritization of activities under Objective 2, contributing to project-level monitoring, reporting, and operational decision-making.

• Ensure effective communication and follow-up with national authorities, experts, and other stakeholders involved in the implementation of project activities.

• Perform other duties as required.

Monitoring and Progress Controls:

The incumbent will receive guidance from the Senior Protection Officer in the operation and will be under the direct supervision of the Associate Protection Officer. UNHCR Manual, Operations Plans, UN, and UNHCR financial/budgetary rules and regulations will guide the work of the Assistant Protection Officer. S/he is expected to stay abreast of the challenges posed to the region by the political context, the UN and humanitarian reform, and institutional developments. A performance evaluation will be completed covering the duration of the contract.

Required qualifications, language(s) and work experience:

Education: Bachelor's or equivalent or higher in Political Science, Law, or related field.

For IC8 - 1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate degree

Language:

Required: Turkish and English
Desirable: Any other UN language

Field of expertise, competencies:

Required/mandatory:

-Research and Analytical Thinking
-Planning and Organizing
-Stakeholder Management
-Managing Resources
-Excellent knowledge of Turkish and fluency in English
-Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team

Desirable:

-Knowledge of other UN languages is an asset.
-Knowledge of International Refugee Law and Human Rights Law and ability to apply the relevant legal principles.
-Completion of the UNHCR Learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of the position.
-Good knowledge of UNHCR financial rules, procedures and processes.
-Good computer skills
-Prior exposure to UNHCR refugee operations and functions relating to office administration and programme activities.

PLEASE DO NOT USE TURKISH CHARACTERS IN YOUR NAME & SURNAME INFORMATION.

Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme or as an intern is subject to successful reference checks and integrity clearance.

UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, processing, training, or any other fees).

Only short-listed candidates will be notified. The recruitment process might include a written test and/or oral interview for this job opening. No late applications will be accepted.

External candidates should be legally present in Türkiye at the time of application, recruitment, and hire.

Non-Turkish citizens are required to upload their residence permits or relevant documents under the ‘Certifications’ section, by selecting the type as ‘Personnel Administration – Other’, in order to be considered for this job opening.

Applications by non-Turkish citizens will NOT be considered if a valid residence permit is not attached to the application.

For further information on how to apply, please visit the ‘UNHCR - Application and Selection’ page at https://www.unhcr.org/how-to-apply.html.

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Other informationThis position doesn't require a functional clearance

RemoteNo