Senior Protection Associate (Community-Based) Job at UNHCR in Kampala, Uganda

Are you passionate about community development and refugee protection in Uganda? The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is hiring a Senior Protection Associate (Community-Based) to join their team in Kampala. This is a vital role focused on working directly with communities of concern to enhance their protection and self-reliance.

About UNHCR Uganda

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, leads international action to protect people forced to flee their homes due to conflict and persecution. In Uganda, UNHCR works with the government and partners to provide life-saving assistance and protection to refugees and asylum seekers, championing community-based approaches.

Job Summary

As a Senior Protection Associate (Community-Based), you will be a key member of the Protection Unit. You will spend significant time in the field, building networks and working directly with communities to identify protection risks and leverage their own capacities for safety and resilience. This role is central to designing and implementing community-driven protection strategies in Uganda.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Work directly with communities of concern (refugees, asylum seekers) to assess the protection risks they face.
• Support communities to develop their capacities to protect themselves, their families, and their communities.
• Build and maintain strong, constructive relationships with persons of concern to inform protection planning and programming.
• Support the design and implementation of a community-based protection strategy, ensuring it is based on thorough consultation.
• May have direct supervisory responsibility for part of the protection and/or support staff.
• Ensure the application of community-based protection standards and operational procedures at the field level.
• Coordinate effectively with other UNHCR staff, government agencies, NGO partners, and other stakeholders in Uganda.
• Spend a substantial percentage of the workday outside the office, engaging directly within communities.

Requirements and Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 years of relevant work experience in community services, social work, human rights, or related fields, preferably with an international humanitarian organisation.
• Proven experience in community-based protection, participatory approaches, and working with vulnerable populations.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and facilitation skills.
• Strong understanding of protection principles and the context of forced displacement in Uganda.
• Ability to build trust and rapport with diverse communities.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of other languages spoken by refugee communities in Uganda (e.g., Swahili, French, Kinyarwanda) is a strong asset.
• A university degree in Law, International Law, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, or a related field is desirable.

What UNHCR Offers

• A meaningful career with a leading UN agency, making a tangible difference in the lives of refugees.
• A competitive United Nations benefits package (subject to UN regulations).
• Professional development and training opportunities.
• The opportunity to work in a diverse and multicultural environment.

How to Apply: Interested candidates should submit their application through the official UNHCR recruitment portal. The application deadline is specified on the portal. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Join UNHCR Uganda and contribute to building stronger, more resilient communities.