Job Description

May 31, 2026

E (most hardship)

Non Family

NOB

National Professional Officer

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-07-01

Associate Field Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Associate Field Officer is normally supervised by the Senior Field Coordinator or Field Officer or Head of Sub-Office/Field Office depending on the structure of the Office. S/he may receive indirect guidance from other sections and units relevant to the country/regional programme(s). UNHCR Manual, programme and protection objectives, Operations Plans, UN and UNHCR financial/budgetary rules and regulations will guide the work of the incumbent.
The incumbent may supervise some support staff. S/he has daily contacts with staff in the various field offices and with the functional units at the Country/Regional Office. S/he also has close liaison with a range of local civilian and military authorities and counterparts in NGOs and UN agencies to discuss matters of common interest.

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
- Identify vulnerable groups or individuals who may need special attention or special arrangements and make recommendations on the needs of different groups of refugees.
- Assess protection and assistance needs of refugees and asylum-seekers in the region and monitor implementation of refugee assistance programmes.
- In co-ordination with implementing partners, handle the reception, registration and provision of assistance to persons of concern to UNHCR.
- Provide inputs for project submissions and periodic narrative and financial reports for the annual programme.
- Develop and maintain relations with local authorities ensuring smooth negotiations in all aspects of UNHCR's mandate for the benefit of refugees.
- Monitor the security situation in the area and intervene as appropriate with the local authorities.
- Submit recommendation for protection interventions to the designated officer.
- Negotiate with local authority counterparts, partners and populations of concern.
- Approve expenditures within the DOAP.

- 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 P2/NOB - 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Law, Political Sciences or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
UNHCR Operations Management Learning Programme.
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Field experience.

Desirable
Knowledge of refugee law.
Good knowledge of UNHCR's programmes.

Functional Skills
IT-Computer Literacy
PG-UNHCR's Programmes
(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.

1. Knowledge of the local context in Deir ez-Zor, including the socio-economic situation.
2. Experience managing teams.
3. Previous experience in managing Shelter/NFI or CCCM sector.
4. Experience managing programs with UN agencies and/or NGOs.
5. Experience of managing relationships with different levels of local authorities, UN agencies and accredited INGO/NGOs, including UNHCR partners.
6. Experience in coordinating/managing relations with multiple stakeholders.
7. Previous experience of managing livelihood, shelter, NFI and rehabilitation programmes.

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

UNHCR opened a Field Unit in Deir ez-Zor in September 2021 following the establishment of a UN humanitarian hub in Deir ez-Zor city. The position is envisaged to lead the on-the-ground response to increasing returns of IDPs and refugees. Most of the population in Deir ez-Zor consists of returnees. Its activities are coordinated with the relevant authorities and line departments in the governorate, as well as with humanitarian partners at the UN hubs in Deir ez-Zor.

UNHCR provides humanitarian assistance and protection services, core relief items, and shelter assistance to the returnees, IDPs, and affected host communities. UNHCR’s protection assistance includes strengthening community engagement, providing livelihood support, improving access to basic services, and supporting legal clinics, civil registries, and HLP to improve access to documentation. UNHCR also provides core relief items and shelter assistance, and repairs socio-economic infrastructure. In the context of increased returns, the field office's efforts are focused on reintegration support for returnees. Deir ez-Zor is among the preferred/intended destinations. The field office in Deir ez-Zor will, hence, be responsible for leading the UNHCR response to returns in the Deir ez-Zor governorate. In this regard, the incumbent will, under the supervision of the Head of Field Office and with guidance from the functional units in the sub-office and country office, carry out UNHCR activities in the governorate. These include responsibilities related to the coordination of the Shelter/NFI and CCCM sectors led by UNHCR, as well as the design, implementation, and monitoring of activities under the UNHCR mandate and within the purview of UNHCR responsibilities in the inter-agency cooperation context. Within this sensitive and volatile operation, the incumbent will need to establish good working relations with all stakeholders. The incumbent will negotiate with internal and external stakeholders to effectively coordinate UNHCR-led sectors.

The position requires supervisory skills, as she/he will be required to supervise all the other staff in the field unit, which includes Shelter, NFI & livelihood assistance. She/he should be able to engage successfully with different levels of local authorities, UN agencies and accredited INGO/NGOs, including UNHCR partners, on issues concerning persons of concern.

In a very polarised, sectarian, and political working environment, the incumbent will also have to contribute to strengthening the team spirit while maintaining the UNHCR protection agenda in all situations. Within the incumbent's roles, there is also an element of capacity building for implementing and operational partners. It is critical that the incumbent understands the emergency context and is willing to work under emergency conditions and pressure.

Living and Working Conditions:

The UNHCR office is located in the UN Hub in Deir ez-Zor, hosting UN agencies present in the governorate. The Hub contains office space, meeting rooms, a recreational area, a gym, a backyard, a garden, and a rooftop terrace. The second floor in the Hub is allocated for the accommodation of international staff and contains bedrooms, bathrooms, and a kitchen.
The national colleagues have the option to use the approved hotels or rent their own apartments.
Official travel is by armoured vehicles, and there are security requirements for the movements of UN staff.

The Internet is available at the hub, but citywide coverage is unreliable. There are often prolonged internet disruptions, and the city's electricity supply is unpredictable. Roads are generally paved, and public transportation is available between sub-districts. Weather conditions in winter can be cold, and it is very important for staff to have appropriate clothing and heating to maintain good health.

The present situation in North East Syria and in the area is complex, and the outlook is uncertain. This creates ongoing pressure at work and in daily life, as priorities are frequently upended by other urgent, ad hoc tasks. The incumbent should be prepared to work under very challenging conditions and manage stressful situations.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

IT-Computer Literacy, PG-UNHCR's Programmes

Bachelor of Arts: Law, Bachelor of Arts: Political Science

Certifications

Programme Management (PM) 1 - UNHCR

Competencies

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

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

Compendium

Additional Information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance