Protection Associate

Host entity: UNHCR BEN

Volunteer type: International

Areas of expertise: Emergency preparedness, crisis response, Safety and security, Disability, other social inclusion aspects

Application deadline: 05/10/2026

Mission and objectives

UNHCR’ mission is to ensure the international protection and seek durable solutions for asylum seekers and refugees even and stateless persons. UNHCR objectives in the operational context are: 1- strengthening the national asylum system, including building national capacity to respond to emergencies, strengthening RSD procedures, and guaranteeing rights; 2- ensuring the socio-economic and legal inclusion of refugees and stateless persons in national development systems and programs; 3- promoting solutions

Assignment context

The context is marked by a continuous influx of asylum seekers from Burkina Faso, Niger and Nigeria. UNHCR estimated the refugee and asylum-seeking population at 42.973 at the end of March 2026, including 13.974 asylum seekers awaiting registration. 56% of this population are women and 75% women and children, Due to the worsening security context in the north, the number of internally displaced persons has more than doubled these last three years, to reach more than 30.000 people. Increasing attacks on soldiers and civilians are more and more registered.
The operational context is also the one of a strong legal framework but with limited implementation capacity. With the support of WHR of The World Bank through the COSO Project, the Ministry of the Interior, with UNHCR support, will proceed on the biometric registration and documentation of the asylum seekers waiting for such services.
As around 90% of our refugee population is based in the northern part of the country. Our focus is to develop strategies to make community-based protection effective in the north within a logic of strengthening local protection structures with the involvement and participation of refugees in these structures.
The incumbent will support the operation to broaden access to the territory and to asylum procedures. He will also contribute to strengthen the local social protection units where asylum seekers and refugees are referred to seek protection and assistance.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Inter-agency coordination Associate, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

- 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 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.
- Contribute to measures to identify, prevent and reduce statelessness.
- Contribute to a regional-level child protection plan as part of the protection strategy.
- Contribute to a regional -level education plan as part of the protection strategy.
- Monitor Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all protection/solutions activities.
- Manage individual protection cases including those on GBV and child protection.
- Monitor, and intervene 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.
- 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 in prioritizing PoC for interview, counselling and propose protection support for individual cases.
- Assist the supervisor with enforcing compliance of local implementing partners with glob-al 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.
- Perform other related duties as required

During the first month of the assignment, the UN Volunteer will work closely with his/her direct supervisor to finalize an agreed-upon work plan. The work plan should outline key objectives and activities and include regular check ins with the supervisor to review progress and receive performance feedback.

Skills and experience

Demonstrated interest and/or experience (ideally one year) in
• Human rights’ law and Refugee, IDP, and statelessness persons protection
• Interviewing skills
• Durable solutions
• Complementary pathways
• Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded;

Skills in:
• Interviewing
• Reporting
• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) based programming
• Community-based protection
• IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software
• Database Management

Competencies and values

Accountability
Adaptability and Flexibility
Building Trust
Client Orientation
Commitment and Motivation
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Communication
Ethics and Values
Integrity
Judgement and Decision-making
Planning and Organizing
Professionalism
Respect for Diversity
Self-Management
Technological Awareness
Working in Teams

Living conditions

Here are the key takeaways for an international staff member heading to Benin:
Overview
Cotonou is the largest city and economic hub of Benin, concentrating the deep-water port, the international airport, the Dantokpa market (the largest in West Africa), most businesses, NGOs, embassies, and international schools. Most of Benin's small expat population lives in Cotonou, and the experience is described as pleasant and adventurous — multifaceted in culture, with great food and a strong music scene.
Housing
The preferred expat neighborhoods include Haie Vive (restaurants, bars, shops), Fidjrossè and Fidjrossè-Plage (near the sea), Cocotiers, Aïbatin, Agla, Mènontin, Zogbo, and the areas around Place de l'Étoile Rouge. Most expats live in the Haie Vive neighborhood, valued for its walking proximity to shopping, restaurants, and social venues. Rent for a modest one-bedroom apartment in safe residential zones runs $250–$500/month, rising to $800–$1,400/month for modern furnished apartments in expat-preferred neighborhoods. Properties often include security services (24/7 guards, cameras), amenities like pools and generators, and internet solutions including fiber and Starlink. Rentals are often negotiable.
Cost of Living
Cotonou has a cost of living index of around 40/100 (with New York City = 100), making it relatively affordable for those earning international salaries.
Key expenses to budget for Healthcare (For serious conditions, medical evacuation to Accra or Abidjan is standard practice, so comprehensive insurance including evacuation coverage is essential) ; Schooling (Annual fees at international schools can range between 3 and 4.5 million CFA francs (several thousand dollars per year) — often as significant a budget item as housing for families) ; Transport (Uber and Yango operate in Cotonou with short-journey fares of $1.50–$5).
Safety
Both Cotonou and Porto-Novo have notable rates of crime, particularly robbery, so precautions are needed. That said, Benin is considered one of the safer countries in Africa, especially compared to its neighbor Nigeria. Expats generally manage risk by staying in established neighborhoods with gated housing and private security.
Social & Practical Life
The main expat networks are largely digital — InterNations organizes monthly events and thematic groups, while Expat.com and WhatsApp/Facebook networks provide practical support. Social life tends to revolve around restaurants and bars in Haie Vive, sports clubs, cultural venues like the Fondation Zinsou, and occasional festivals.
The climate is tropical — hot and humid for most of the year, with temperatures averaging around 27.5°C at the hottest (February–April) and rarely dropping much lower otherwise. French is the working language, so at least basic French is a significant advantage.

Conditions of Service

The Conditions of Service, available here: https://explore.unv.org/cos, outline the policies and rules governing UN Volunteer assignments. Full information on entitlements at the duty station can be accessed here: https://app.unv.org/calculator.

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.