Protection Associate

unhcr; Turkey; On-site; TRY 156,000 - 223,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Protection-focused role

Job summary

UNHCR Türkiye seeks a Protection Associate to support the Protection Unit in implementing core protection functions, including case interventions, monitoring, data analysis and drafting of guidance notes. You will coordinate with partners, field units and public institutions to ensure safe and effective case processing.

You will also contribute to child protection, GBV prevention and response, and other protection interventions, while preparing analytical briefs and internal guidance to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Law, Political Science, International Relations, Social Sciences or related field.
• Excellent knowledge of Turkish and fluency in English.
• Minimum 2 years of relevant professional experience in protection, asylum, migration management, or related areas.
• Strong drafting skills and data reporting.
• Ability to work in a team and strong interpersonal skills.
• Negotiation and conflict resolution abilities.

Responsibilities

• Support the Protection Unit in implementing core protection functions including case interventions, protection monitoring, data analysis, and drafting of guidance notes.
• Coordinate with partners, field units and public institutions to ensure effective case processing and protection interventions.
• Contribute to child protection, GBV prevention and response, and other protection interventions.
• Prepare protection reports, analytical briefs, and internal guidance to strengthen coordination and informed decision‑making at country level.

Skills

Research & analytical thinking

Planning & organizing

Stakeholder management

Data collection & reporting

Drafting skills

Accountability

Results orientation

Negotiation

Communication skills

Teamwork

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Law/Intl Relations

Job description

Deadline for Applications

September 22, 2026

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

A (least hardship)

Family Type (not applicable for home-based)

Family

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

CONTR Local Entry and Mid-Level Support

Target Start Date

2026-10-01

Terms of Reference

During the past 60 years, UNHCR and the Government of Türkiye have been working together in close partnership. 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.

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations To view occupational safety and health considerations for specific duty stations, please visit this link: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Purpose and Scope of Assignment: The Protection Associate will support the Protection Unit in the implementation of core protection functions, including individual case interventions, protection monitoring, data and information analysis, and drafting of guidance notes. The incumbent will contribute to the Unit's efforts to standardize and enhance the quality of protection responses, including those delivered by UNHCR partners.

S/he will be part of the team engaged in case processing and protection interventions, providing technical guidance to partners on individual cases and coordinating closely with technical and field units as well as public institutions.

The incumbent will also support the Unit's work in child protection, gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response, and other specific protection interventions. S/he will contribute to the continuous improvement of case processing mechanisms, oversee the quality and compliance of protection responses implemented by partners, and provide internal reporting on identified gaps and areas requiring improvement.

As part of a team reviewing protection interventions, the incumbent will ensure compliance with applicable protection standards and procedures. The role requires close liaison with field units, partners, and relevant stakeholders to ensure that all steps in individual case processing are completed, referrals and protection interventions are carried out effectively, and appropriate follow-up is conducted to ensure resolution of cases.

The Protection Associate will contribute to evidence-based protection planning by consolidating and analysing thematic and operational data, including data related to persons with specific needs and other risk profiles. The position requires prior experience in contributing to protection monitoring frameworks and drafting analytical inputs for reporting, as well as a strong understanding of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) principles to support results- and impact-based reporting and performance tracking. The incumbent will require to support the preparation and review of protection reports, analytical briefs, strategy documents, internal guidance and tools aimed at strengthening coordination and informed decision-making at country level.

Required qualifications, language(s) and work experience:

• Bachelor's or equivalent or higher in Law, Political Science, International Relations, Social Sciences or a related field.

Required/mandatory:

• Research and Analytical Thinking
• Planning and Organizing
• Stakeholder Management
• Data collection, compilation and reporting
• Strong drafting skills
• Accountability
• Client & results orientation
• Commitment to continuous learning
• Judgement and decision making
• Negotiation and conflict resolution
• Organizational awareness
• Stakeholder management
• Excellent knowledge of Turkish and fluency in English
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• 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.

Minimum years of work experience

Minimum 2 years of relevant professional experience in protection, asylum, migration management, or related areas.

Language

Required: Turkish mother tongue and excellent command of English

Desirable: Any other UN language (C1)

Monitoring and Progress Controls

The incumbent will receive guidance from the Senior Protection Officer in the ope