Senior Durable Solutions Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is UNHCR, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, which was established in 195

• Its mission is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees, to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another state, and to return home voluntarily. UNHCR operates in over 130 countries and has a workforce of more than 18,000 staff members. The organization is dedicated to ensuring that refugees and displaced persons are protected and supported in their quest for durable solutions to their plight, including voluntary repatriation, local integration, or resettlement to a third country. UNHCR's work is guided by the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence, and it collaborates with governments, NGOs, and other stakeholders to achieve its objectives.

Job Overview:
The Senior Durable Solutions Assistant plays a crucial role in implementing UNHCR's durable solutions strategy, which aims to provide refugees and other persons of concern with sustainable solutions to their displacement. This position requires the incumbent to work closely with Durable Solutions Associates or Officers, contributing to the development of partnerships that enhance the involvement of refugee communities and their hosts in the design and implementation of solutions strategies. The role involves providing counseling to refugees regarding their durable solutions needs, conducting interviews for voluntary repatriation and local integration, and preparing necessary documentation in accordance with established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The Senior Durable Solutions Assistant is also responsible for maintaining accurate records in electronic databases, preparing statistical reports, and ensuring timely processing of documentation for persons of concern. This position is essential for fostering an environment that supports the integration of refugees into host communities and enhances their overall well-being.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Senior Durable Solutions Assistant include:

• Providing counseling to refugees and other persons of concern about their durable solutions needs.
• Conducting interviews with candidates for voluntary repatriation and preparing the necessary documentation for their return, in accordance with Voluntary Repatriation SOPs.
• Interviewing candidates for local integration and preparing appropriate documentation for submission to local authorities or partners, in line with Local Integration SOPs.
• Participating in the identification of resettlement needs of refugees, in accordance with Resettlement SOPs.
• Assisting in updating the electronic database for resettlement, voluntary repatriation, and local integration, in compliance with Standard Operating Procedures.
• Processing documentation to ensure that persons of concern receive the required documents for their durable solutions in a timely manner.
• Preparing statistical and ad-hoc reports to ensure accurate information is available and shared with relevant offices and partners.
• Advising on the appropriate durable solution to be provided to persons of concern.
• Entering information into available databases, in line with SOPs. 1
• Supporting the identification and management of risks and seeking opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. 1
• Raising risks, issues, and concerns to a supervisor or relevant functional colleagues. 1
• Performing other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Senior Durable Solutions Assistant position include:

• For G5 level: A minimum of 2 years of relevant experience with a High School Diploma; or 1 year of relevant work experience with a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent or higher.
• Essential functional skills include database management and proficiency in Microsoft Office productivity software.
• Candidates must demonstrate a commitment to UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity, and respect for diversity.
• Knowledge of refugee law and UNHCR’s programs is desirable, as well as familiarity with private sector diversity and inclusion policies, corporate social responsibility, and environmental, social, and governance patterns.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a High School Diploma as a minimum qualification. A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent higher education is preferred, particularly for candidates with less than two years of relevant experience. No specific field of education is mandated, but relevant certifications such as the HCR Protection Induction Program are essential for the role.

Experience:
The level of experience needed for the Senior Durable Solutions Assistant position includes a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience for candidates with a High School Diploma, or 1 year of relevant work experience for those with a Bachelor’s degree or higher. Experience in interviewing and diverse field experience is considered desirable, as it enhances the candidate's ability to effectively engage with refugees and other persons of concern.

Languages:
The mandatory language requirements for this position include proficiency in English and the UN working language of the duty station, which is Portuguese in this case. Knowledge of Spanish is considered a good-to-have skill, as it may facilitate communication with a broader range of persons of concern.

Additional Notes:
This position is a temporary assignment with a duration of 6 months, starting from January 1, 2026, and ending on June 30, 2026, without expectations of renewal. The position is classified at the GS5 level, and 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. The role is full-time, and UNHCR offers a competitive compensation and benefits package. All applications must be submitted online through Workday, and email applications will not be accepted. UNHCR is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages all candidates to apply, irrespective of gender, nationality, sexual orientation, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities.