Postúlate en Kit Empleo: kitempleo.cl/empleo/1cnx02

**Deadline for Applications**

diciembre 30, 2025

**Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)**

A (least hardship)

**Family Type (not applicable for home-based)**

Family

**Staff Member / Affiliate Type**

UNOPS LICA5

**Target Start Date**

2026-02-01

**Terms of Reference**

The UNHCR operation in Chile comprises approximately 25 personnel, including national and international staff and affiliates. The National Office (NO) is located in Santiago de Chile and operates under the Multi-Country Office (MCO) based in Buenos Aires, Argentina, which also covers Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Chile has become a key destination for forcibly displaced populations in Latin America, currently hosting 1.6 million foreigners—8.8% of the total population—according to the 2024 Census. The country ranks second in the region in terms of foreign-born population, after Costa Rica. The majority of refugees and migrants in Chile are Venezuelan (41.6%), followed by Peruvians, Colombians, Haitians, and Bolivians. Chile also provides protection to individuals fleeing conflict and persecution from countries such as Palestine, Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine.
As of December 2024, over 677,922 individuals are considered forcibly displaced in Chile, including more than 660,420 people in need of international protection, 13,366 asylum seekers, and 2,448 recognized refugees. UNHCR works closely with government institutions, civil society, municipalities, refugee-led organizations, and the private sector to ensure access to protection, humanitarian assistance, and durable solutions.
The country has recently experienced a rise in negative public perception regarding human mobility, leading to increased discrimination, violence, and exploitation against people forced to flee.



In regions with high concentrations of refugees and migrants—such as the north and the metropolitan area—host communities face challenges in accessing public services, which has exacerbated tensions and hindered peaceful coexistence.
Chile is currently navigating a complex scenario in terms of human mobility, marked by increased cross-border movements, asylum requests, and integration challenges. The incoming administration will implement policies focused on order, control, and enforcement of migration regulations, which creates a critical need for effective coordination between national institutions and international organizations to ensure compliance with international standards and human rights obligations.
Within this context, the Senior Protection Assistant will work under the direct supervision of the Assistant Protection Officer and will focus primarily on legal protection and case management functions. The incumbent will support the follow up on individual cases and provide timely responses to queries from persons of concern. Responsibilities include assisting in the analysis of complex cases, preparing legal summaries, and ensuring accurate documentation in line with UNHCR standards.
The incumbent will also follow up on the activities implemented by partners to ensure access to rights and services, including those carried out through legal recourses.
The role also involves supporting capacity-building activities for partners and local institutions,



contributing to training sessions on protection, asylum and statelessness procedures, and maintaining effective referral pathways for individuals with specific needs. The Senior Protection Assistant will liaise with government counterparts, legal aid partners, and civil society organizations to facilitate access to rights and services, while ensuring compliance with national legislation and international protection frameworks.
Strong attention to detail, legal knowledge, and the ability to manage sensitive information are essential for this position. The incumbent must demonstrate cultural sensitivity, organizational skills, and the capacity to work under pressure in a dynamic environment where protection needs intersect with migration governance and humanitarian response.

**Standard Job Description**:
Senior Protection Assistant

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Protection Assistant normally reports to a more senior Protection colleague. The incumbent monitors protection standards, operational procedures and practices in protection delivery in line with international standards and provides functional protection support to information management and programme staff.

The Senior Protection Assistant provides quality, timely and effective protection support to persons of concern (PoC) and identifies opportunities to mainstream protection methodologies and safeguards in operational responses. S/he contributes to designing a comprehensive protection strategy and may liaise externally with local authorities and partners on protection issues as guided by the supervisor.

The Senior Protection Assistant also ensures that PoC are involved in making decisions that affect them, whether in

Postúlate en Kit Empleo: kitempleo.cl/empleo/1cnx02

📌 Senior Protection Assistant Unops Lica5 (Santiago)
🏢 United Nations High Commissioner For Refugees (Unhcr)
📍 Santiago