Senior Field Assistant

December 23, 2025

Grade

GS5

General Service

Reason

Temporary > Temporary Assignment/ Appointment

A (least hardship)

Family

2026-01-01

2026-06-30

Standard Job Description

Senior Field Assistant

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Field Assistant is normally supervised by the (Senior) Field Officer/Associate and performs a variety of functions related to Field activities within the office. The supervisor defines work processes and provides regular advice and guidance.
The incumbent keeps frequent internal contacts with staff members in the same duty station to exchange information and with the external contacts generally with officials of national and international institutions, leaders of the refugee community, local population and/or Implementing Partners (IPs) on routine subject matters under the direction of the supervisor.

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
- Assist in monitoring the implementation of UNHCR programme including the delivery of all assistance items and monitoring of infrastructure.
- Assist in administrative tasks as required such as preparation of reports and meeting authorized personnel and assisting them during field missions.
- Act as interpreter in the exchange of routine information, contribute to related liaison activities and respond directly to routine queries.
- Collect data and other information relevant to UNHCR and report to the supervisor accordingly.
- Keep regular contacts with local authorities and implementing partners as requested by supervisor.
- In coordination with implementing partners, assist in the reception, registration and provision of assistance to persons of concern to UNHCR.
- Follow up, on a regular basis, the overall situation of persons of concern in camps and other areas where they have been accommodated and report accordingly.
- Liaise with local authority counterparts, partners and populations of concern.
- Direct incidents and problems to the supervisor when they cannot be resolved at their level.

- 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
G5 - 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not applicable

Certificates and/or Licenses
Business Administration Law Political Science
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Not specified

Desirable
Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of the position.

Functional Skills
*IT-Computer Literacy
CO-Drafting and Documentation
CL-Multi-stakeholder Communications with Partners, Government & Community
(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 position duration is 6 months without expectations of renewal - from 01 Janury 2026 to 30 June 2026.

Operational Context:
Brazil has developed a progressive and inclusive framework for protecting refugees and forcibly displaced persons, ensuring access to rights such as freedom of movement, formal employment, education, healthcare, and social assistance. As of December 2024, Brazil hosted 824,661 individuals from over 100 nationalities, with Venezuelans forming the majority. Of these, 153,614 have been recognized as refugees—92% of them Venezuelan.
Brazil is a regional leader in refugee protection, applying the broader Cartagena Declaration definition through prima facie recognition for those fleeing serious human rights violations. This includes individuals from Venezuela, Afghanistan, Syria, and others. The National Committee for Refugees (CONARE) also protects people persecuted for sexual orientation, gender identity, and women at risk of female genital mutilation. Brazil is modernizing its refugee status determination (RSD) process with advanced digital tools.
Humanitarian visas and temporary residence permits are available for nationals from Afghanistan, Haiti, Syria, and Ukraine. Venezuelans may also apply for temporary residence if not seeking asylum.
Since 2018, “Operation Welcome” has supported Venezuelans with reception, documentation, shelter, and voluntary relocation. Over 148,657 have been relocated to nearly 1,000 cities. A new plan also targets Haitian integration.
Following the 2021 humanitarian visa policy for Afghans, over 13,100 visas have been issued, with more than 12,000 arrivals. In April 2025, Brazil launched a community sponsorship program for Afghan integration, with similar plans for Haitians.
UNHCR prioritizes climate action, including refugee inclusion in disaster preparedness and green job opportunities, especially for indigenous communities. It also supports Brazil’s response to climate emergencies like the 2025 floods in Rio Grande do Sul.
UNHCR Brazil operates from its Country Office in Brasília and several field locations across São Paulo, Rio Grande do Sul, Roraima, Amazonas, and Pará. The field support unit based at the Country Office level supports the operational response provided by UNHCR at national level. UNHCR Brazil seeks to recruit a field professional with the capacity to support the operational delivery of assistance programs within the Protection and Solutions Strategy, and to adjust to emerging challenges. UNHCR seeks an individual committed to humanitarian principles and functionally relevant work experience in operational protection and solutions response, including cash assistance. The candidate should have experience in the delivery of direct protection services, identification of profiles at risk and case management, coordination and technical support to protection networks, in using databases, collecting and analyzing data and have adaptability to work under pressure. Team spirit as well as result orientated performance is also required.

Desired Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate UNHCR seeks for the position should possess the following qualifications and experience:
• Demonstrated experience in working directly with refugees and other forcibly displaced people, in activities such as registration, provision of protection response, including counselling and assistance, case management etc.
• Experience in coordination with local protection networks.
• Experiences in using UNHCR corporate tools such as proGres is considered an asset.
• Experience in data collection and analysis.
• Experience in provision of cash assistance in protection response is considered an asset.
• Strong communication and facilitation skills.
• Skilled in developing assistance-related information.
• Capacity to work in dynamic environments, respond to emerging demands, and contribute to innovative solutions.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and communication.
• Knowledge of Spanish is considered an asset for the position.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Eligibility:

This position is advertised to internal applicants and UNHCR experience applicants. Candidates must be legally present in Brazil at the time of application, recruitment and hire. Only Brazilian citizens or candidates legally present in Brazil will be considered eligible.

Internal candidates:

Candidates: comprises current GS staff members holding an indefinite or fixed-term appointment who, at the date of the deadline for application, are serving in the country of the vacancy 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. 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.

Candidates with UNHCR experience:

UNHCR experience candidates are current staff members in other categories (GS/FS/NPO), Junior Professional Officers, staff members on temporary appointment, affiliate workforce, interns, staff loaned/seconded from another UN organization/international organization/government entity, as well as former UNHCR staff members who held an indefinite or fixed-term appointment (within 2 years of separation for males and 5 years for females).

Remuneration:

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, please visit the portal of the International Civil Service Commission and please refer to the relevant category / grade level at: http://icsc.un.org

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

Applications:

All applications must be submitted online in Workday. Email applications will not be accepted. Incomplete and late applications will not be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates might be required to sit for a written test and/or oral interview.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted based on the information submitted during the application. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

UNHCR is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, sexual orientation, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. UNHCR seeks to ensure that male and female employees are given equal career opportunities. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

UNHCR has a zero-tolerance policy against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA). SEA is unacceptable behavior and prohibited conduct for UNHCR personnel. It constitutes acts of serious misconduct and is therefore grounds for disciplinary measures, including dismissal. Any concerns or suspicions about a possible case of SEA should be reported immediately to the Inspector General’s Office (IGO) at inspector@unhcr.org or through the online complain form at https://www.unhcr.org/php/complaints.php or by confidential fax: +41 22 739 73 80.

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

English

,

,

Spanish

,

,

Skills

CL-Multi-stakeholder Communications with Partners, Government & Community, CO-Drafting and Documentation, IT-Computer Literacy

Education

Certifications

HCR Learning Program - UNHCR

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