Senior Durable Solutions Associate

January 22, 2026

A (least hardship)

FamilyFamily

GS7

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-04-01

Senior Durable Solutions Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Durable Solutions Associate reports to a Durable Solutions or a Protection Officer. The incumbent may have supervisory responsibility for durable solutions support staff.

The incumbent is relied upon to ensure the implementation of a durable solutions strategy. S/he works closely with protection and programme staff. Fostering an environment to enhance partnerships is a critical element of the work, as are activities designed to strengthen the involvement of refugee communities and their hosts in the design and implementation of solutions strategies.

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
- Provide counselling to refugees and other persons of concern (POC) to identify the most appropriate durable solution and to enable them to make a well-informed decision.
- Implement and follow-through the country's repatriation programme in all protection, administrative and logistical aspects, and liaise with the appropriate entities (external and internal) to ensure full coordination of movements and adherence to protection guidelines.
- 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.
- Liaise and contribute to discussions on durable solutions, with local authorities, host populations and partners.
- Assist in updating the electronic database for resettlement, voluntary repatriation and local integration, in line with Standard Operating Procedures.
- Process documentation to ensure that POC receive the documents required for their durable solutions in a timely manner.
- Prepare statistical and ad-hoc reports to ensure accurate information is available and shared with relevant offices and partners.
- Interview and decide on the appropriate durable solution to be provided to POC.
- When counselling POC, decide on the content of information and advice to be shared.
- Enter information into available database, in line with SOPs.
- Draft and submit reports 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 G7 - 4 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not applicable.

Certificates and/or Licenses
HCR Protection Induction Prog;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Not specified.
Desirable
Diverse field experience. Experience in Interviewing.

Functional Skills
DM-Database Management
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.

The UNHCR operation in Chile comprises approximately 17 personnel, including national and international staff and affiliates. The National Office (NO) is located in Santiago de Chile and operates under the Multi-Country Office (MCO) based in Buenos Aires, Argentina, which also covers Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

Chile has become a key destination for forcibly displaced populations in Latin America, currently hosting 1.6 million foreigners—8.8% of the total population—according to the 2024 Census. The country ranks second in the region in terms of foreign-born population, after Costa Rica. Most refugees and migrants in Chile are Venezuelan (41.6%), followed by Peruvians, Colombians, Haitians, and Bolivians. Chile also provides protection to individuals fleeing conflict and persecution from countries such as Palestine, Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine.

As of December 2024, over 677,922 individuals are considered forcibly displaced in Chile, including more than 660,420 people in need of international protection, 13,366 asylum seekers, and 2,448 recognized refugees. UNHCR works closely with government institutions, civil society, municipalities, refugee-led organizations, and the private sector to ensure access to protection, humanitarian assistance, and durable solutions.

The country has recently experienced a rise in negative public perception regarding human mobility, leading to increased discrimination, violence, and exploitation against people forced to flee. In regions with high concentrations of refugees and migrants—such as the north and the metropolitan area—host communities face challenges in accessing public services, which has exacerbated tensions and hindered peaceful coexistence.
Chile is currently navigating a complex scenario in terms of human mobility, marked by increased cross-border movements, asylum requests, and integration challenges. The incoming administration will implement policies focused on order, control, and enforcement of migration regulations, which creates a critical need for effective coordination between national institutions and international organizations to ensure compliance with international standards and human rights obligations.

Within this context, the Senior Durable Solutions Associate will work under the direct supervision of the Protection Officer and will lead the Solutions team.
The position requires demonstrated experience engaging with national public institutions, development actors such as IFIs and development agencies, as well as private sector stakeholders including chambers of commerce and related entities. The incumbent must possess solid knowledge of the specific needs and opportunities related to the socioeconomic inclusion of refugees and their access to rights.
Experience in designing and implementing strategies that facilitate refugees’ and migrants’ access to formal employment and self-employment is highly desirable. Familiarity with the main barriers to financial inclusion faced by refugees and migrants, and the ability to identify and promote solutions to reduce these gaps, will be considered a strong asset.
The Senior Durable Solutions Associate will monitor and follow up on partner activities to ensure effective access to rights and services. The role also includes supporting capacity-building initiatives for partners and local institutions, contributing to training sessions on protection, solutions, and development. In addition, the incumbent will liaise with government counterparts, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to strengthen coordination and ensure compliance with national legislation and international protection frameworks.
Strong reporting skills, proven ability to coordinate and work effectively in teams, and experience in building trust and collaborative relationships are essential. Previous direct engagement with government and partners is an advantage. A thorough understanding of UNHCR’s protection mandate, durable solutions framework, and humanitarian and inter-agency coordination mechanisms is required.


Desirable Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate has solid experience engaging with national authorities, development actors, and private sector stakeholders to advance durable solutions. S/he possesses strong knowledge of refugees’ socioeconomic inclusion needs, including access to rights, employment pathways, and financial inclusion. Experience designing strategies that promote formal employment and self-employment for refugees and migrants is highly desirable.
The candidate has demonstrated ability to monitor partner activities, support capacity-building initiatives, and deliver trainings on protection and solutions. S/he excels at coordination, relationship-building, and maintaining constructive dialogue with government, civil society, and partners.
Strong reporting and analytical skills are required, alongside a thorough understanding of UNHCR’s protection mandate, durable solutions framework, and inter-agency coordination mechanisms. Prior direct engagement with government counterparts and partners, as well as innovation capacity are considered an asset.

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

DM-Database Management, IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software

Certifications

HCR Protection Induction Prog - UNHCR

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Judgement & decision making, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaboration

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

Compendium

Additional Information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance