Senior Field Assistant

Unhcr; Brasília; Presencial; BRL 80.000 - 120.000; Tempo integral

Resumo da oferta

An international organization for refugees seeks a field professional in Brasília, Brazil. This position involves supporting operational programs for refugees and forcibly displaced persons, coordinating protection responses, and implementing assistance strategies. Candidates should possess experience in working with vulnerable populations and demonstrate strong communication skills. Knowledge of Spanish and experience with UNHCR tools like proGres is a plus. A competitive remuneration package is offered for this 6-month position.

Serviços

Competitive compensation and benefits package

Diversity and inclusion initiatives

Qualificações

• Demonstrated experience in working directly with refugees and other forcibly displaced people.
• Experience in data collection and analysis.
• Experience in cash assistance provision is considered an asset.

Responsabilidades

• Support the operational delivery of assistance programs.
• Provide protection response including counseling and assistance.
• Coordinate and provide technical support to protection networks.

Conhecimentos

Direct work with refugees

Counseling and assistance

Coordination with protection networks

Data collection and analysis

Strong communication skills

Ability to work in dynamic environments

Knowledge of Spanish

Ferramentas

proGres

Descrição da oferta de emprego

Description

and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Desired Candidate Profile

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

• 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.

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 :

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 or through the online complain form at or by confidential fax : [phone].

Functional Clearance

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level)

English

Desired languages

Spanish

Additional Qualifications

CL-Multi‑stakeholder Communications with Partners, Government & Community, CO‑Drafting and Documentation, IT‑Computer LiteracyHCR Learning Program - UNHCR

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