Senior Field Assistant (UNOPS)

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

A (least hardship)FamilyUNOPS LICA52025-01-01October 24, 2024OPERATIONAL CONTEXT AND CANDIDATE PROFILE

The country context encompasses several challenges in terms of access to livelihoods and durable solution for refugees, asylum seekers and other forcibly displaced population in Brazil. After 7 years, the Venezuelan influx continues to need a humanitarian response in the northern border in which the internal relocation strategy continues to be a key pilar to foster socio economic inclusion and being an exit strategy for the Venezuelans sheltered in Roraima, bordering state with Venezuela. In parallel, Haitians, Afghans and other forcibly displaced populations continue to arrive and demand additional support to access self-sufficiency.

UNHCR Country Office is located in Brasília, overseeing the states of DF, GO, MS, MT, TO, MA, and CE, being responsible to monitor the implementation of the Livelihoods Strategy over the country. The office collaborates regularly with various partners, including federal, state, and municipal governments, UN organizations, as well as international and non-governmental organizations, while actively engaging with the private sector.

The Senior Field Assistant position, reporting to the Durable Solutions Associate, encompasses a range of responsibilities related to Livelihoods activities within the office. The incumbent will be responsible to the overall implementation of UNHCR support to the internal relocation strategy, working in close connection with relocation/durable solutions teams in the field offices to ensure a proper UNHCR support to the beneficiaries. In addition, the incumbent will promote and monitor the implementation of livelihoods projects in the Area of Responsibility (AoR), coordinating efforts with other relevant Country Office units. Key responsibilities include: Accompany the work of the internal relocation reception centers, ensuring, together with field offices, that the vacancies are properly filled in, the length of stay is in accordance with the rules and the exits are regularly monitored; providing capacity building to local actors on livelihoods issues in the AoR; preparing written reports on the AoR as needed; assisting a network of organizations focused on improving refugees' access to employment opportunities in prioritized areas aligned with livelihoods programming.

The ideal candidate should demonstrate strong stakeholder management skills, along with excellent communication, team work, interpersonal, and writing abilities. Fluency in Portuguese and working knowledge of English and Spanish are required. Experience working with refugees and migrants is an advantage.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Eligibility:

This position is advertised to internal and external 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.

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

Remuneration:

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

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered depending on relevant experience as per the requirements of the job advertisement.

Language requirements:

Fluency in Portuguese and working knowledge of English and Spanish are required.

Contract duration: from 1st January to 31st December 2025.

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.

 

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.

Required Languages

Portuguese

,

English

,

Spanish

Desired Languages

,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

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

Education

Certifications

HCR Learning Program - UNHCR

Other information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

Home-Based

No