Deadline for ApplicationsFebruary 20, 2026
Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)A (least hardship)
Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
Family
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeUNOPS LICA7
Target Start Date2026-03-01
Terms of ReferenceTERMS OF REFERENCE
(Individual Contractor Agreement)
Functional Title: Senior Protection Associate
Duty station: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Section/Unit: Policy and Advocacy Unit
ICA Level: Local ICA 7
ICA Type: Regular
Corresponding level: GS-7
Duration: Until 31/12/2026
1. General Background:
The UNHCR Office in Malaysia is committed to supporting the Government in establishing a national asylum system that aligns with international protection standards and promotes an inclusive refugee policy. This includes enhancing capacity-sharing initiatives in line with the Government’s vision of a nationally owned Registration and Refugee Status Determination (RSD) process. The Office is also committed to addressing statelessness in Malaysia, including on preventing and identifying situations of statelessness in Malaysia.
2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment:
The Senior Protection Associate will be part of the Policy and Advocacy Team and report to the Assistant Government Liaison Officer. The incumbent will play a key role in supporting the Capacity Sharing Programme with government authorities, contributing to the development of a national asylum system and facilitating increased governmental involvement in refugee processing. The role also includes supporting research, analysis, and awareness-raising activities on statelessness, by coordinating with the UN Country Team, and strengthening the capacity of national NGOs in case management, data collection, and community outreach.
Duties:
• Stay abreast of political, social, economic and cultural developments that have an impact on the protection environment.
• Consistently apply International and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards and codes of conduct.
• Assist in providing comments on existing and draft legislation related to PoC.
• Provide advice and guidance on protection issues to PoC; liaise with competent authorities to ensure the issuance of personal and other relevant documentation.
• Assist in conducting eligibility and status determination for PoC in compliance with UNHCR procedural standards and international protection principles.
• 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 as part of the protection strategy.
• Assist the supervisor in implementing and monitoring Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all protection/solutions activities.
• Manage individual protection cases including those on GBV and child protection. Monitor, and assist the supervisor with intervening in cases of refoulement, expulsion and other protection incidents.
• Assist in identifying durable solutions for the largest possible number of PoC through 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.
• Contribute to and facilitate a programme of results-based advocacy with sectorial and/or cluster partners.
• Facilitate effective information management through the provision of disaggregated data on PoC and their problems.
• Participate in initiatives to capacitate authorities, relevant institutions and NGOs to strengthen national protection related legislation and procedures.
• Assist the supervisor with intervening with authorities on protection issues.
• Provide assistance to the supervisor in deciding priorities for reception, interviewing and counselling for groups or individuals.
• Assist the supervisor with enforcing compliance of staff and implementing partners with global protection policies and standards of professional integrity in the delivery of protection services.
• Assist the supervisor with enforcing compliance with, and integrity of, all protection standard operating procedures.
• Recommend and prepare payments to individual cases.
• Perform other related duties as required.
3. Monitoring and Progress Controls
Through Performance Evaluation – Mid Term and Final evaluations.
4. Qualifications and Experience
a. Education (Level and area of required and/or preferred education)
4 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher
Certificates and/or Licenses: International Law; Political Science; or other relevant field.
b. Work Experience
Desirable:
Contextual Knowledge: A strong understanding of refugee and statelessness issues in Malaysia is essential. Familiarity with the operational environment in Malaysia and UNHCR Malaysia’s strategic priorities. Experience in supporting the development of national asylum systems and engaging with government counterparts in technical working groups and bilateral discussions.
Training and Capacity Building: Demonstrated ability to design and effectively deliver training for government officials, including the development of tailored training materials. Experience conducting sessions on RSD inclusion criteria, exclusion principles, cancellation/revocation procedures, international humanitarian and human rights law, interviewing techniques, credibility assessment, and legal drafting desired.
Stakeholder Engagement and Interpersonal Skills: Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trust-based relationships with government officials and other partners. Experience in engaging national authorities to support the development or enhancement of asylum systems.
Strategic Thinking and Coordination: Ability to advise on government-led registration and RSD processes, identify opportunities for engagement, and coordinate effectively with national authorities. Strong diplomatic and coordination skills are essential for institutional capacity development.
Language and Communication: Proficiency in Bahasa Malaysia is critical for effective communication with national stakeholders, including when delivering training modules. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are required for coordination with diverse partners.
Project Management: Experience in planning, implementing, monitoring, and reporting on projects. Ability to coordinate with internal units (including Programme, Administration, Supply and Protection units) and external stakeholders. Competence in comprehensive planning, including budgeting, and reporting using narrative and indicator-based formats as required by donors.
Functional Skills
IT-Computer literacy
CL-Protection & Solutions Awareness
PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators
PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework
c. Key Competencies
(Technical knowledge, skills, managerial competencies or other personal competencies relevant to the performance of the assignment. Clearly distinguish between required and desired competencies)
Core Competencies
Accountability
Communication
Organizational Awareness
Teamwork & Collaboration
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Client & Result Orientation
Managerial Competencies
Judgement and Decision Making
Empowering and Building Trust
Cross-Functional Competencies
Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
Political Awareness
Stakeholder Management
Additional Information:
This position is offered under UNOPS Local ICA contract until 31/12/2026 with the possibility of extension.
The position requires fluency in English and Malay languages.
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.
UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).
UNHCR does not sponsor work visa or work permit and applicant who is not Malaysian national should already have their status confirmed that they are able to secure a work visa at the time of the application.
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Skills
Education
Certifications
Work Experience
Other informationThis position doesn't require a functional clearance
RemoteNo