Senior Field 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 and to ensure that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another state. UNHCR operates in over 130 countries, employing more than 18,000 staff members. The organization is dedicated to providing protection and assistance to refugees, internally displaced persons, and stateless individuals, working to find durable solutions to their plight.

Job Overview:
The Senior Field Assistant position is a critical role within UNHCR, primarily supervised by a (Senior) Field Officer or Associate. This position involves a variety of functions related to field activities, including monitoring the implementation of UNHCR programs, assisting in administrative tasks, and acting as an interpreter during exchanges of routine information. The incumbent will maintain regular contact with local authorities, implementing partners, and the refugee community, ensuring effective communication and coordination. The role requires a proactive approach to identifying and managing risks while supporting the delivery of protection-sensitive and community-centered interventions across refugee camps. The Senior Field Assistant will contribute to emergency preparedness and response activities, camp coordination, and community engagement, playing a vital role in maintaining UNHCR's field presence and ensuring that critical assistance reaches the most vulnerable populations.

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

• Monitoring the implementation of UNHCR programs, including the delivery of assistance items and infrastructure monitoring.
• Assisting in administrative tasks such as report preparation and supporting authorized personnel during field missions.
• Acting as an interpreter for routine information exchanges and contributing to liaison activities.
• Collecting relevant data and information for UNHCR and reporting to the supervisor.
• Maintaining regular contact with local authorities and implementing partners as directed.
• Assisting in the reception, registration, and provision of assistance to persons of concern.
• Following up on the situation of persons of concern in camps and reporting accordingly.
• Liaising with local authority counterparts, partners, and populations of concern.
• Directing unresolved incidents and problems to the supervisor. 1
• Supporting risk identification and management, ensuring decision-making is risk-based. 1
• Performing other related duties as required.

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

• 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.
• Essential functional skills include IT-Computer Literacy, CO-Drafting and Documentation, and CL-Multi-stakeholder Communications with Partners, Government & Community.
• Demonstrated experience in Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) activities, including contingency planning and emergency response coordination.
• Experience in Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) or other field-based coordination roles within humanitarian operations.
• Proven ability to work effectively with government counterparts, humanitarian partners, and diverse stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and coordination skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for the Senior Field Assistant position includes a High School Diploma as a minimum, with a Bachelor’s degree or higher being advantageous. Relevant fields of education include Business Administration, Law, or Political Science. Completion of UNHCR learning programs or specific training relevant to the functions of the position is desirable.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience for candidates with a High School Diploma, or 1 year of relevant experience for those with a Bachelor’s degree or higher. Experience working with UN agencies, international NGOs, or national NGOs in humanitarian, development, displacement, refugee, or emergency response contexts is essential. Candidates should also have demonstrated experience in emergency preparedness and response activities, camp coordination, and field-based coordination roles.

Languages:
For this position, knowledge of English is mandatory, along with the UN working language of the duty station if it is not English. For General Service jobs, knowledge of English and/or the UN working language of the duty station is required. Knowledge of the local language, such as Rohingya or Chittagonian, is considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
The Senior Field Assistant position is classified under the General Service grade GS5 and is a regular assignment. The target start date for this position is November 1, 202

• The role is family-oriented, and the operational context is highly dynamic, requiring the incumbent to adapt to rapidly changing operational priorities. The position does not require a functional clearance, and candidates are expected to contribute to a safe and empowering working environment, demonstrating no tolerance for inappropriate conduct.