Legal Associate – Protection Team

About the role

UNHCR is recruiting a Legal Associate for its Protection team in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The post is a 6-month assignment starting on 15 February 2027, under a UNOPS Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA-6), with the possibility of extension. The Legal Associate supports legal and policy analysis, monitoring of legislative and jurisprudential developments, preparation of legal comments and advocacy materials, organisation of capacity-building and advocacy events, and follow-up on individual cases involving legal or protection issues, with particular focus on asylum procedures, access to justice and free legal aid, and the rights of persons granted international protection.

Key responsibilities

• Monitor the development of law and doctrine and give input on emerging legislation in line with protection and humanitarian principles.
• Contribute to legal advice, position papers, guidelines and draft protection documents and policies.
• Provide inputs to selected advocacy efforts and contribute to the interpretation of law and doctrine.
• Liaise with central and local authorities, legal aid institutions, civil society organisations and other partners.
• Assist in handling individual cases and help communities of concern participate in decisions affecting them.
• Support capacity-building for local and central state authorities and contribute to project proposals and implementation.

Required profile

• Relevant legal work experience: 3 years with a high school diploma, or 2 years with a bachelor's degree or higher.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the legal and institutional framework of Bosnia and Herzegovina and of international refugee and human rights law.
• Experience in legal research and drafting, and in engaging with authorities, courts, legal aid providers and civil society.
• Fluency in English (B2) and Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian (B2); knowledge of additional languages is an asset.
• Candidates must be nationals of Bosnia and Herzegovina or hold a valid Bosnian residency and work permit.

Required skills

• MS Word for drafting and documentation.
• LE-Legal Research.
• Desirable: experience in asylum and refugee protection, free legal aid, reviewing legislation and supporting training.

What we offer

• Net salary of BAM 4,955 to 6,056 (LICA-6 range).
• Annual leave of 30 working days per year.
• Medical insurance through CIGNA.

Applications are submitted online through the UNHCR application portal; email applications are not accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, and they may be asked to take a written test and/or an interview.