Associate Protection Officer (Community-Based)

Update

Morocco hosts a diverse population of refugees and asylum-seekers within a mixed-movement context, with evolving asylum procedures and increasing demand for protection services. Ensuring access to accurate, timely and understandable information, as well as meaningful participation of persons of concern, is essential to protection delivery and is a core component of UNHCR’s accountability to affected populations (AAP).

In line with UNHCR’s global commitments on AAP, Communication with Communities (CwC), and Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD), UNHCR Morocco is strengthening structured approaches to community engagement, access to information, and feedback mechanisms. This includes enhancing two-way communication, addressing misinformation, and ensuring that communication strategies are protection-sensitive and inclusive.The assignment offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the design and operationalization of a structured communication strategy and community engagement model in a complex and evolving asylum environment.
The UN Volunteer Associate will be embedded within the Community-Based Protection unit and will work closely with protection teams (registration, RSD, protection), national partners, and refugee communities. The role combines protection analysis and delivery, community engagement, and operational planning, offering strong learning opportunities in humanitarian protection systems and field-based implementation.

Under the direct supervision of the Protection Officer (CBP), the UN Volunteer Associate will:

• Support the development and operationalization of a Communication with Communities (CwC) strategy aligned with UNHCR’s AAP and CBP frameworks, including mapping of communication needs, risks, and barriers across different population groups.
• Assist in the design of a detailed operational communication plan for refugees and asylum-seekers, including key messages, communication channels (HELP, SMS, community outreach, partners), and feedback mechanisms.
• Assist in mapping community structures and communication channels, including outreach volunteers, community leaders, and partner networks, ensuring inclusion of women, youth, and vulnerable groups.
• Support the strengthening of feedback and complaint mechanisms, including analysis of trends from reception, hotlines, HELP platform, and partner referrals.
• Contribute to the development and review of information materials (multilingual, accessible formats) related to registration, RSD, documentation, rights, and services.
• Participate in coordination with implementing partners to ensure consistent, accurate, and protection-sensitive messaging.
• Support community consultations and focus group discussions to inform communication strategies and identify protection risks and information gaps.
• Assist in monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of communication approaches, including identifying misinformation risks and proposing mitigation measures.
• Contribute to internal guidance and SOPs related to communication with communities and community engagement.

By the end of the assignment, the UN Volunteer will have contributed to:
• Strengthened communication with communities approaches within the operation
• A practical communication plan supporting outreach and information provision
• Improved access to clear and consistent information for refugees and asylum-seekers
• Enhanced use of feedback from communities to inform protection activities
• Increased coordination with partners on communication and outreach

The assignment will provide the UN Volunteer with practical experience in applying UNHCR protection frameworks, including AAP, AGD and community-based protection, while contributing to strengthening access to information and community engagement in a complex mixed-movement context.

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.