Refugee Protection Officer
UNHCR Kenya
Quick Take
Day-to-day, you will conduct refugee status determination interviews, assess protection risks (including SGBV and child protection), and represent UNHCR in coordination forums with government and NGO partners.
A Master's degree in Law, International Relations, or Human Rights, combined with 3+ years of hands-on refugee protection or human rights experience and solid knowledge of international refugee law.
This role offers exceptional humanitarian impact working with 500,000+ refugees under a globally respected UN agency, with an above-market salary of KES 200,000–280,000/month and strong career progression within the UN system.
Job Description
UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency, is one of the world's leading humanitarian organizations, currently providing protection and assistance to more than 500,000 refugees and asylum seekers across Kenya. In support of this critical mandate, the Agency is looking to bring on board a dedicated and experienced Refugee Protection Officer to be based at its Nairobi office.
This is a meaningful opportunity for a human rights or refugee law professional to contribute directly to the protection of some of the most vulnerable people in the region. The successful candidate will work at the intersection of legal processes, inter-agency partnerships, and community engagement to uphold the rights and dignity of displaced persons in Kenya.
- Conduct Refugee Status Determination (RSD) interviews and issue well-reasoned protection decisions in line with international and national standards
- Identify, assess, and respond to protection risks affecting persons of concern, with a particular focus on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and child protection concerns
- Build and maintain working relationships with the Government of Kenya's Department of Refugee Services (DRS), NGO partners, and community representatives
- Draft and compile protection reports, policy submissions, and briefing documents for internal and external audiences
- Represent UNHCR in inter-agency coordination meetings and forums, contributing to collective humanitarian responses
- A Master's degree in Law, International Relations, Human Rights, or a closely related discipline
- A minimum of three years of hands-on experience in refugee protection, human rights work, or a related field
- Solid understanding of international refugee law as well as Kenya's specific refugee legal and policy framework
- Prior experience working within the United Nations system is preferred; candidates should be at a P2 or P3 level equivalent
- Full professional fluency in both English and Kiswahili is required; working knowledge of French will be considered an added advantage
This position is best suited to a seasoned protection professional who is passionate about refugee and human rights issues and thrives in complex, fast-paced humanitarian environments. You should be comfortable conducting sensitive interviews, producing high-quality written outputs, and engaging diplomatically with a wide range of government and civil society stakeholders. Candidates with prior UN experience and familiarity with Kenya's refugee context will have a distinct advantage. A collaborative spirit, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to work with diverse communities are essential qualities for this role.
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their applications through the official UNHCR Kenya recruitment channels. Ensure your application clearly demonstrates how your academic background and professional experience align with the requirements listed above. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further steps in the selection process.
Requirements Breakdown
Must Have
- Master's degree in Law, International Relations, or Human Rights
- Minimum 3 years of experience in refugee protection or human rights work
- Demonstrated knowledge of international refugee law (1951 Convention) and Kenya's refugee legal framework
- Fluency in both English and Kiswahili
- Experience conducting interviews and making protection or legal determinations
Nice to Have
- Prior UN or UNHCR experience at P2/P3 level or equivalent
- Proficiency in French
- Experience working on SGBV or child protection cases in a humanitarian context
- Established networks with Kenya's Department of Refugee Services (DRS) or NGO partners
Don't meet every requirement? Tailor your CV to close the gap →
Salary Context
Above market rate for a Refugee Protection Officer in Nairobi
Protection Officers at international NGOs and UN agencies in Nairobi typically earn between KES 120,000 and 200,000 per month, making UNHCR's range of KES 200,000–280,000 notably competitive. Pay in this field is strongly influenced by the type of employer (UN versus local NGO), years of experience, and whether the role carries inter-agency or policy responsibilities.
About UNHCR Kenya
UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency, is the world's leading organisation mandated to protect refugees, asylum seekers, and stateless persons globally. In Kenya, UNHCR oversees one of Africa's most significant refugee operations, supporting over 500,000 people across urban centres like Nairobi and major camps including Kakuma and Dadaab. Working at UNHCR Kenya offers the rare combination of meaningful frontline humanitarian impact, exposure to complex multi-stakeholder operations, and a clear pathway into the broader UN career system.
Likely Interview Questions
- 1
Walk us through how you would conduct a Refugee Status Determination (RSD) interview, from preparation to decision-making — what principles guide your approach?
- 2
Describe a situation where you identified a serious protection risk, such as SGBV or child protection, in a refugee caseload. What steps did you take and what was the outcome?
- 3
How familiar are you with Kenya's refugee legal framework, including the Refugees Act and the role of the Department of Refugee Services? How have you applied this knowledge in practice?
- 4
UNHCR works closely with government, NGOs, and community representatives in inter-agency forums. Can you give an example of when you successfully navigated a complex multi-stakeholder environment to achieve a protection outcome?
- 5
Refugees and asylum seekers often come from traumatic backgrounds. How do you maintain professional boundaries and personal resilience while conducting sensitive interviews and protection assessments?
Application Tips
Tailor your CV to explicitly reference RSD experience — if you have conducted asylum or protection interviews, quantify how many cases you handled and the outcomes, as this is central to the role.
Highlight any direct engagement with Kenya's Department of Refugee Services (DRS), SGBV programming, or child protection mechanisms, as these are specifically called out in the job description and signal immediate operational readiness.
Demonstrate UN system familiarity by referencing any prior work with UN agencies, knowledge of UNHCR's ExCom conclusions, or experience writing protection reports and policy briefs — this will set you apart from candidates with NGO-only backgrounds.
Career Path
Roles that lead here
Where this leads
Skills & Keywords
Honest Assessment
Green Flags
- UNHCR is one of the most reputable employers in the humanitarian sector globally, offering strong name recognition and credibility for long-term career development in the UN system.
- The salary range of KES 200,000–280,000/month is demonstrably above the market average for protection roles in Nairobi, reflecting the seniority and complexity of the position.
- The role offers genuine multi-dimensional impact — combining legal work, inter-agency coordination, and direct protection interventions for one of the largest refugee populations in Africa.
- Clear and specific job description with well-defined responsibilities signals an organised team and a role with established processes, reducing ambiguity for the incoming officer.
Watch Out
- The role is listed as a contract rather than a fixed-term appointment, which is common in UN operations but means job security and benefit entitlements may differ from staff positions — candidates should clarify the contract type (UNOPS, consultancy, or UNHCR directly) before applying.
- The salary band is relatively wide (KES 80,000 spread), suggesting placement within the range may depend heavily on prior UN grade equivalency — candidates without formal P2/P3 classification may land at the lower end.
A Day in the Life
A typical week would begin with reviewing your active RSD caseload and preparing detailed interview guides for scheduled asylum seekers, often coordinating with interpreters and DRS officials to confirm logistics. Midweek might involve back-to-back protection interviews at the UNHCR offices, followed by drafting determination decisions and flagging urgent SGBV or child protection cases to the relevant unit for immediate response. By Friday, you would likely be preparing a protection situation report or attending an inter-agency coordination meeting where you represent UNHCR's position alongside NGO partners and government counterparts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications do I need to apply for the Refugee Protection Officer role at UNHCR Kenya?
You need a Master's degree in Law, International Relations, or Human Rights, plus at least 3 years of experience in refugee protection or human rights work. Knowledge of international refugee law and Kenya's refugee legal framework is essential.
Is the Refugee Protection Officer position at UNHCR Kenya a remote or office-based role?
The role is based in Nairobi, and given its requirement for in-person RSD interviews, government liaison, and inter-agency coordination, it is expected to be primarily office and field-based rather than remote.
How much does a Refugee Protection Officer earn at UNHCR Kenya?
The posted salary range is KES 200,000–280,000 per month, which is above the typical market rate for protection roles in Nairobi. Your placement within the range will likely depend on your years of experience and prior UN grade equivalency.
What are the career growth opportunities after working as a Refugee Protection Officer at UNHCR Kenya?
This role is equivalent to a P2/P3 UN grade, which positions you well for progression to Senior Protection Officer (P3/P4) or a Head of Sub-Office/Protection Unit role within UNHCR or other UN agencies regionally or globally.
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