Description
and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.
Desired Candidate Profile
The UNHCR Multi-Country Office (MCO) based in Italy oversees operations in Italy, the Holy See, Malta, and San Marino—countries situated at the crossroads of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, and characterized by diverse asylum systems, distinct legal frameworks, and varying capacities for refugee protection.
This sub region plays a pivotal role in migration and refugee movements to Europe, particularly through the Central and Eastern Mediterranean routes. Irregular arrivals by sea and land, secondary movements, and complex protection needs place continued pressure on national asylum and reception systems. Although the number of arrivals fluctuates, the centrality of these countries in broader European migration dynamics remains constant.
Italy and Malta, in particular, continue to serve as primary entry points to the EU for persons seeking international protection. Their geographic proximity to North Africa positions Italy as a key actor in search and rescue (SAR) activities and in receiving persons rescued at sea.
San Marino and the Vatican City, though not primary asylum destinations, are engaged partners in refugee protection through political advocacy, moral leadership, and resettlement or complementary pathways, especially under community sponsorship and humanitarian corridors supported by faith-based organizations.
In Italy, the RSD system, from the access phase to second instance, is facing historical challenges in ensuring fairness and efficiency of the procedure, while preserving its integrity and safeguarding timely access to status recognition and inclusion for people in need of international protection. The EU Pact on Migration and Asylum will become applicable as of 12 June 2026.
In this context, the incumbent, under the supervision of the Protection Associate, will contribute to MCO Italy’s support to national authorities in the protection-sensitive implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum. In particular, s/he will be responsible for quality assurance, in the context of the project aimed at the establishment and roll out of a quality and harmonized system of legal counseling, during the administrative phase of the procedure, in line with the Pact. The incumbent will, notably, be tasked, in close coordination with the Senior Protection Assistant – Capacity Building, with setting up and running a helpdesk, in order to provide support and expert advice on specific topics or particularly complex cases to legal counselors throughout the territory, in order to contribute to consistent provision of the service, in line with the expected quality standards. S/he will also be responsible for the development of a complaint mechanism and of a system of collection and analysis of feedback from asylum seekers who will benefit from the legal counseling service, in view of the elaboration of targeted recommendations for further actions. The incumbent will be tasked with the development of quality monitoring tools, and with planning and performing regular quality monitoring missions, which will take place starting from the second year of implementation of the project, with the support of two dedicated additional resources (quality experts). S/he will oversee the elaboration of detailed and effective quality monitoring reports, with the aim of developing targeted recommendations for follow-up actions. The incumbent will also contribute to the development of SOPs on legal counseling, under the responsibility of the Protection Associate. The above-mentioned activities will be performed in the context of the dedicated Coordination Body on legal counseling, established at central level, in close collaboration with relevant authorities and with a fully inclusive approach, entailing the involvement of relevant actors, in line with their specific expertise, such as other UN agencies, EU agencies, civil society, competent ministries or administrations at the central or local level. In order to perform the above-mentioned activities, the incumbent may be deployed part-time or full-time to the premises where the Coordination Body on legal counseling will be located.
This recruitment is subject to funding.
Desired Candidate Profile (DCP)
MCO Italy is looking for a solid candidate with a proactive and positive attitude, proven knowledge of international and EU refugee law - and notably the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum - and of the Italian asylum system, as well as proven experience in the design and implementation of quality assurance/quality monitoring tools and activities. The candidate must be proficient in Italian and English and have excellent drafting skills in both languages. The candidate should possess strong interpersonal, communication and team-building skills. Previous experience in protection or RSD activities in Italy would be an asset.
Functional Clearance
This position doesn't require a functional clearance
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level)
Italian
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English
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Desired languages
,
,
Additional Qualifications
IT-Computer Literacy, PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators, PR-Refugee Protection Principles and FrameworkInternational Law - Other, Political Science - Other
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