Associate Durable Solutions Officer (N)

November 23, 2025

A (least hardship)

FamilyFamily

NOB

National Professional Officer

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-01-01

Associate Durable Solutions Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Associate Durable Solutions Officer can serve as a focal point for solutions related issues in a region, and reports to the Durable Solutions Officer, Protection Officer or, where appropriate, to the Senior Protection Officer or Head of Office. The incumbent may have supervisory responsibility for durable solutions staff.

The incumbent is relied upon to contribute to ensuring a conducive environment leading towards finding durable solutions. The Associate Durable Solutions Officer should participate in consultative processes within UNHCR and a broad range of partners to promote durable solutions and advance the efficiency of UNHCR's interventions. Activities to strengthen the involvement of refugee communities and their hosts in the design and implementation of solutions strategies are a critical element of the work.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties
- Implement activities in accordance with the comprehensive solutions strategy, with a view to finding durable solutions to the maximum number of PoCs.
- Participate in the planning of, and advise on opportunities for alternative solutions, including available regional and national legal frameworks.
- Participate in consultative processes within UNHCR and with a broad range of regional and national external partners to promote voluntary repatriation, local integration and resettlement.
- Meet PoC, assess their durable solutions needs and identify the most appropriate solutions for them.
- Monitor the implementation of the durable solutions strategy and provide advice for improvements.
- Analyse statistics, trends, and other documents, and draft reports.
- Interview and prepare Resettlement Referral Forms (RRF), in line with Resettlement SOPs.
- Interview candidates for local integration and prepare the appropriate documentation for onward submission to local authorities or partners, in line with Local Integration SOPs.
- Implement and contribute to the designing of national and regional comprehensive durable solutions strategies
- Engage national and local interlocutors on durable solutions issues.
- Authorize payments relating to durable solutions.

- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P2/NOB - 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Political Science;
Social Science;
Law/International Law;
Economics;
International Relations;
or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
HCR RSD Lrng Programme;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Good knowledge of refugee issues and Human Rights doctrine. Very good reporting and writing ability.
Desirable
Diverse field experience. Knowledge of ProGress database software.

Functional Skills
*CO-Drafting and Documentation
*IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Nature of the Position (Operational Context):

Over recent years, Mexico has evolved from being predominantly a country of origin and transit for refugees and asylum-seekers to becoming a significant country of destination for hundreds of thousands of individuals seeking international protection from within the region and beyond. The Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance (COMAR) has registered claims from more than one hundred nationalities. The exponential growth in the number of asylum applications - reaching a record high of over 140,000 in 2023, followed by approximately 80,000 in 2024 and around 40,000 in the first half of 2025 - continues to pose major challenges to Mexico’s asylum system. Currently, an average of 250 new asylum applications are submitted daily, mostly in Tapachula and Mexico City. UNHCR’s strategy in Mexico aims to safeguard the asylum space by strengthening the institutional capacity of COMAR and ensuring efficient processing and adjudication of claims, promoting access to alternative legal pathways for individuals with specific protection needs, and supporting regularization alternatives for those not in need of international protection, thereby safeguarding the integrity of the asylum system. Durable solutions form a central component of UNHCR’s engagement, with a particular focus on socioeconomic inclusion of asylum-seekers and refugees and on alleviating pressure on host communities, particularly in southern Mexico. Communication and awareness-raising initiatives are critical to ensure that information on asylum procedures and access to durable solutions reaches target populations effectively. Mexico is a relevant country in the regional context and is fully engaged in the MIRPS, the Chile Plan of Action, and other relevant processes. The very dynamic relations between the US and Mexico in key aspects of human mobility require continuous adaptation and flexibility.

Desired Candidate Profile:

The ideal candidate is a solutions-oriented protection professional with experience supporting refugees and other persons of concern through strategic planning and implementation of durable solutions. S/he demonstrates a strong understanding of international protection principles, refugee law, and national legal frameworks, and apply these consistently to promote voluntary repatriation, local integration, and resettlement.

Durable Solutions Strategy and Implementation: The candidate must be skilled in assessing individual and community needs to identify appropriate solutions, including through direct engagement with persons of concern. S/he must be able to contribute to the design and execution of comprehensive durable solutions strategies, ensuring alignment with UNHCR’s protection standards and operational goals.

Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination: S/he maintains effective collaboration with national and local authorities, civil society actors, and UNHCR partners to advance durable solutions. The candidate actively participates in consultative processes and promotes the inclusion of refugee communities and host populations in decision-making and implementation efforts.

Operational Support and Compliance: The candidate will monitor the implementation of solutions strategies, prepares documentation for resettlement and local integration, and contributes to data analysis and reporting. S/he ensure compliance with UNHCR’s policies, SOPs, and codes of conduct, and support capacity-building initiatives at national and regional levels.

Competencies and Skills: Strong managerial, analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills are essential. The candidate must demonstrate sound judgment, accountability, and client orientation. Familiarity with UNHCR tools such as ProGress and experience in diverse field settings are needed.

Languages and Other Requirements: Fluency in English and Spanish is essential, with demonstrated ability to draft and communicate effectively in both languages.

Living and Working Conditions:

Mexico City (CDMX) is the capital of the United Mexican States. It is a Category A, family duty station with well-developed infrastructure, services, and amenities.

• Health: Mexico City offers high-quality healthcare with numerous internationally accredited hospitals and specialized medical facilities.
• Education: A wide range of government and private schools are available. Most private institutions offer bilingual (English–Spanish) curricula, and there are several international schools following U.S., British, German, French, and Japanese systems.
• Housing: Apartments and houses are readily available, both furnished and unfurnished. Real estate agents are widely used. All international staff must obtain UN security clearance of their residences prior to signing any lease. Due to seismic activity, certain areas of the city are restricted for residential selection.
• Climate and Seismic Activity: Mexico City enjoys a generally pleasant, temperate climate, although sudden weather changes are common. Heavy rains may cause localized flooding during the rainy season. The city lies within the Circum-Pacific Seismic Belt, one of the most active seismic regions in the world. Earthquakes are frequent and can occasionally cause infrastructure damage; staff are advised to familiarize themselves with emergency and preparedness procedures upon arrival.
• Currency and Exchange: The official currency is the Mexican Peso (MXN). U.S. Dollars, Euros, and traveller’s cheques can be exchanged at authorized currency exchange offices.
• Communications: Internet and telecommunications services are reliable and widely available. Contracts are required for household and office connections.
• Transportation: Public transportation is extensive and includes buses and a subway system. For taxis, staff are strongly encouraged to use registered “taxis de sitio” or reliable ride-hailing services such as Uber.
• Security: Mexico City is classified as Security Risk Management (SRM) Level 2 – Low to Medium Risk. There is no record of direct threats against UNHCR. However, as in many large urban areas with high population density, common crime remains a concern, particularly theft, fraud, extortion, and robbery. During the first half of 2025, the Mexico City government reported that high-impact crimes (such as homicide, violent robbery, and kidnapping) had declined by up to 62% compared to previous periods. Demonstrations, marches, and blockades occur frequently on major roads, often linked to social, political, or labour issues. While generally peaceful, these events can temporarily disrupt mobility and create localized security risks. Overall, the security situation is stable and improving, with crime rates expected to continue declining through 2025, provided current prevention, intelligence, and response measures remain in place.


IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• This position is advertised internally only, i.e., applications are open to:

- Internal candidates: staff members with an indefinite or fixed-term appointment in the same category as the position advertised, staff members who, at the date of the deadline for application, are serving at the grade of the position or one grade below or above, as well as any candidates serving at higher grades who fulfill the criteria as per the job advertisement.

- Former Staff (due to post abolition under special measures): Local FTA/IND contract holders whose posts were abolished due to structural changes, and who were separated as of 01 January 2025 (last working day 31 December 2024). Other types of former staff members are considered candidates with UNHCR experience for any location. Eligibility period for application: May 2025 – June 2026 vacancies.

- Candidates with UNHCR experience at the time of application: current staff members in other categories, staff members on temporary appointment, affiliate workforce and interns with at least 1 year of service, and staff loaned/seconded. Former UNHCR locally recruited staff members who held an indefinite or fixed-term appointment (within 2 years of separation for males and 5 years for females).

• Only Mexicans or candidates holding a permanent residency in México will be considered eligible. Candidates must attach proof of permanent residency in Mexico at the time of application.

• Staff members must serve for a minimum of one year following assignment before being considered eligible to apply for another position within the same category.

• Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme or as an intern, is subject to proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, independently of contract type and duration. The selected candidate(s) will be required to provide proof of vaccination prior to recruitment.

• Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on the grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.

• Only short-listed candidates will be notified. The recruitment process might/could include a written test and/or oral interview for this job opening. No late applications will be accepted.

• UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training, or any other fees).

• This position is offered under Fixed-Term Appointment, initially for a period of 1 year.

• Remuneration: A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For more information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, please visit the portal of the Office of HR Management of United Nations. UNHCR also offers comprehensive medical insurance and pension plans.

English

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Spanish

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Nature of Position:

Living and Working Conditions:

 

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CO-Drafting and Documentation, IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software

Bachelor of Arts: Economics, Bachelor of Arts: International Law, Bachelor of Arts: International Relations, Bachelor of Arts: Law, Bachelor of Arts: Political Science, Bachelor of Arts: Social Science

Certifications

HCR RSD Learning Program - UNHCR

Competencies

Accountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Judgement & decision making, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Additional Information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance