Project Associate (Sports for Protection)

General Background

Malawi hosts over 60,500 refugees, asylum-seekers, and others of concern, mainly in Dzaleka Camp and its surrounding host communities. UNHCR Malawi is working very closely with the Government of Malawi to implement a government-led integrated approach that strengthens the enabling protection environment while advancing a targeted Sport for Protection initiative.

Sports for Protection remains a strategic priority as it offers an evidence-based pathway to improving social inclusion, social cohesion, and psychosocial wellbeing among refugees and host communities, particularly young people and other vulnerable groups.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

The position will oversee Protection, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Child Protection (CP), and Community-Based Protection (CBP) interventions, including Sports for Protection programming. The incumbent will work in close collaboration with the Dowa District authorities, the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports and other partners to ensure coherence in policy implementation, integrated planning, and effective coordination.

The role will further support the implementation of various projects at the field level and ensure effective, well-organized communication between UNHCR, implementing and other partners, government entities, and communities within both the settlement and surrounding host communities.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the achievemnt of core protection outcomes, including strengthening the integration of sports-based approaches within protection programming.
• Contribute to programme planning, design, monitoring, and reporting, ensuring alignment with UNHCR’s results-based management standards.
• Support the development and review of partner workplans, budgets, and monitoring tools.
• Assist in coordinating implementation across sectors.
• Conduct field monitoring to verify activity progress and collect AGD disaggregated data.
• Support community participation and strengthen feedback and complaint mechanisms.
• Contribute to data cleaning, analysis, and the preparation of monitoring reports and donor updates.
• Maintain updated M&E trackers, databases, and performance indicators.
• Provide technical assistance to implementing partners on monitoring requirements.
• Monitor the safe and inclusive participation of persons of concern in community activities.

Requirements

• Degree in a relevant field (Programme Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, Protection, etc.)
• Minimum years of experience: 3 years with High School Diploma; or 2 years with Bachelor or equivalent or higher.
• Operational knowledge and field experience with displaced populations.
• Knowledge of refugee protection.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate multi-stakeholder projects.
• Proficiency in data collection, analysis, and use of M&E tools.
• Excellent communication and reporting skills.
• Proficiency in English.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply through the UNHCR Workday portal at the link below:

Apply via UNHCR Workday

Please ensure your application is submitted by April 27, 2026.