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 Senior Level Support
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 Institutions 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.
Voluntary returns to Syria have continued to show an upward trend in Türkiye as of 9 December 2024. In response to this development, UNHCR and PMM cooperated to ensure returns take place in voluntary, safe, dignified and orderly manner. To this end, a project is being implemented within the funding provided by the EU. . The project aims to strengthen the integrity of voluntary return procedures by ensuring that appropriate procedural safeguards are in place, to enhance the mechanisms that guarantee the voluntariness of returns, and to support Syrians who choose to return so that the process is conducted in a safe, dignified, and rights-respecting manner in line with international standards.
Within this framework, the Senior Legal Associate will play a key role by contributing specialized legal expertise during the implementation of the project activities. The incumbent will provide substantive input on protection principles, voluntary return safeguards, and civil-law-related matters. The Senior Legal Associate will be expected to support reporting and assessing the project activities engage with partners and stakeholders, follow up on operational matters, and participate in logistical arrangements required for the efficient delivery and timely implementation of project activities.
Purpose and Scope of Assignment:
The Senior Legal Associate will be engaged in the implementation of a series of activities aimed at enhancing the quality and effectiveness of voluntary return procedures and related legal safeguards, under the EU-funded project being implemented with PMM.
The Senior Legal Associate will serve as a member of the Protection Response and Policy Development Unit and report to the Assistant Legal Officer, under the overall supervision and oversight of the Senior Protection Officer, Head of Unit. S/he will contribute to the work of the Unit in implementing the project and supporting UNHCR’s activities in the overall voluntary return proceduresis expected to:
• Support the Unit in effective and timely implementation of the project activities, through provision of legal expertise, delivery of training, preparation of materials, monitoring, reporting of activities and analysing impact of activities.
• Assist in drafting of position papers, SOPs, and guidelines on key legal and operational issues related to voluntary return.,
• Contribute to advocacy efforts aimed at ensuring the correct interpretation and application of domestic and international law, UNHCR doctrine, and protection standards.
• Support the translation of legal and policy documents
• Assist the Unit in monitoring and reporting on the implementation of voluntary return procedures in the field.
• Support the Unit in advocacy efforts and individual level case interventions.
• Monitor and brief the Office on relevant legislative and judicial developments, contributing to informed operational and policy responses.
• Support the implementation of project activities in collaboration with the relevant units in the UNHCR office and with the beneficiary,
• Perform other related duties as required.
Monitoring and Progress Controls:
The individual contract holder’s performance will be assessed based on the timely, accurate, and satisfactory delivery of all assigned outputs and tasks, including legal analysis notes, reporting products, and other agreed deliverables. Progress and performance will be monitored through output-based reviews, completion of agreed milestones, and ad hoc coordination with the supervising unit, with particular attention to quality, adherence to deadlines, and responsiveness to feedback.
The incumbent will receive guidance from the Senior Protection Officer in the operation and will be under the direct supervision of the Assistant Legal Officer. UNHCR Manual, Operations Plans, UN, and UNHCR financial/budgetary rules and regulations will guide the work of the Senior Legal Associate. 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 sciences and law.
For IC7 - 4 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher.
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