Job Description

June 1, 2026

E (most hardship)

Non Family

NOA

National Professional Officer

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-07-01

Assistant Durable Solutions Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Assistant Durable Solutions Officer can serve as a focal point for solutions related issues in a region, and reports to a more senior Protection, Resettlement or Durable Solutions staff. The incumbent may have supervisory responsibility for durable solutions staff.

The incumbent is relied upon to ensure the implementation of a durable solutions strategy, and to contribute to ensuring a conducive environment leading towards finding durable solutions. S/he works closely with protection and programme staff. Fostering an environment to enhance partnerships is a critical element of the work, as are activities designed to strength the involvement of refugee communities and their hosts in the design and implementation of solutions strategies.

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
- Provide counselling to refugees and other persons of concern (POC) to identify the most appropriate durable solution and to enable them to make a well-informed decision.
- Interview candidates for voluntary repatriation and prepare documentation for their return.
- Interview and prepare Resettlement Referral Forms (RRF), in line with Resettlement SOPs.
- Interview candidates for local integration and prepare the appropriate documentation for onward submission to local authorities or partners.
- Assist in updating the electronic database for resettlement, voluntary repatriation and local integration, in line with Standard Operating Procedures.
- Process documentation to ensure that POC receive the documents required for their durable solutions in a timely manner.
- Prepare statistical and ad-hoc reports to ensure accurate information is available and shared with relevant offices and partners.
- Interview and advise on the appropriate durable solution to be provided to POC. Prepare documents relating to durable solutions.
- Enter information into available database, in line with SOPs.

- 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
For P1/NOA - 1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Political Science;
Social Science;
Law;
International Relations;
or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified.

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Good knowledge of refugee issues and Human Rights doctrine. Very good reporting and writing ability.
Desirable
Diverse field experience. Knowledge of ProGress database software.

Functional Skills
*CO-Drafting and Documentation
*IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software
(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.

• Demonstrated experience in the design, coordination, and implementation of capacity-building initiatives and training for government counterparts and implementing partners, particularly in the areas of protection and solutions.
• Proven ability to tailor training content to diverse audiences and to support institutional strengthening in advancing sustainable solutions, reintegration processes, and national ownership in complex operational contexts.
• Strong experience in protection and return monitoring and analysis, including the identification of protection risks, trends, and needs, with a clear understanding of their implications for the sustainability of returns and solutions outcomes.
• Proven ability to produce high-quality analytical and narrative reports in English that effectively inform protection and solutions strategies, programming, and advocacy.
• Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced and evolving humanitarian environments, including through regular field missions, with demonstrated capacity to support area-based and multi-sectoral approaches to solutions.
• Strong interpersonal and coordination skills, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to work collaboratively with multiple stakeholders across different locations, while exercising sound judgement and professionalism.

,

,

,

,

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Nature of Position:

Under the supervision of the Senior Protection Officer, the Assistant Durable Solutions Officer (NOA), based in the Country Office in Damascus, will be part of the Protection Unit and will oversee the Capacity-Building and Analysis Team, with a particular focus on return and reintegration. The team works closely with Syrian authorities and relevant stakeholders to strengthen national capacities related to protection and durable solutions, with the objective of contributing to the establishment of conditions conducive to safe, dignified, and sustainable returns, as well as other solutions pathways, in line with UNHCR’s mandate.

The incumbent will oversee the implementation of UNHCR’s protection monitoring system as a key tool to inform protection analysis, including the assessment of protection risks, trends, and needs that affect access to and sustainability of solutions. The analysis generated will support evidence-based planning, prioritization, and implementation of UNHCR’s protection and durable solutions strategy across Syria.

The position requires regular field missions to support UNHCR operations across multiple governorates and the flexibility to undertake such missions as operationally required. Given the dynamic and fast-paced operational context in Syria, the incumbent will operate in an environment characterized by acute, complex, and evolving protection and durable solutions challenges.

Living and Working Conditions:

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CO-Drafting and Documentation, IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software

Bachelor of Arts: International Relations, Bachelor of Arts: Law, Bachelor of Arts: Political Science, Bachelor of Arts: Social Science

Certifications

Competencies

Accountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Judgement & decision making, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

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

Compendium

Additional Information

Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a written test and/or oral interview.

This position doesn't require a functional clearance