Job Description

Deadline for Applications

October 12, 2026

Hardship Level

D

Family Type

Family

Residential location (if applicable)

Grade

GS5

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Target Start Date

2026-11-01

Standard Job Description

Senior Field Assistant

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Senior Field Assistant is normally supervised by the (Senior) Field Officer/Associate and performs a variety of functions related to Field activities within the office. The supervisor defines work processes and provides regular advice and guidance.

The incumbent keeps frequent internal contacts with staff members in the same duty station to exchange information and with the external contacts generally with officials of national and international institutions, leaders of the refugee community, local population and/or Implementing Partners (IPs) on routine subject matters under the direction of the supervisor.

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

• Assist in monitoring the implementation of UNHCR programme including the delivery of all assistance items and monitoring of infrastructure.
• Assist in administrative tasks as required such as preparation of reports and meeting authorized personnel and assisting them during field missions.
• Act as interpreter in the exchange of routine information, contribute to related liaison activities and respond directly to routine queries.
• Collect data and other information relevant to UNHCR and report to the supervisor accordingly.
• Keep regular contacts with local authorities and implementing partners as requested by supervisor.
• In coordination with implementing partners, assist in the reception, registration and provision of assistance to persons of concern to UNHCR.
• Follow up, on a regular basis, the overall situation of persons of concern in camps and other areas where they have been accommodated and report accordingly.
• Liaise with local authority counterparts, partners and populations of concern.
• Direct incidents and problems to the supervisor when they cannot be resolved at their level.
• 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

G5 - 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education

Not applicable

Certificates and/or Licenses

Business Administration Law Political Science

(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Not specified

Desirable

Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of the position.

Functional Skills

*IT-Computer Literacy

CO-Drafting and Documentation

CL-Multi-stakeholder Communications with Partners, Government & Community

(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.

Desired Candidate Profile

Essential

• Demonstrated experience in Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) activities, including contingency planning, emergency response coordination, assessments, monitoring, and support to humanitarian interventions.
• Demonstrated experience in Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) or other field-based coordination roles within humanitarian operations.
• Experience working with UN agencies, international NGOs (INGOs), or national NGOs in humanitarian, development, displacement, refugee, or emergency response contexts.
• Excellent English language skills, including both spoken and written communication, report writing, information sharing, and coordination with multiple stakeholders.
• Proven ability to work effectively with government counterparts, humanitarian partners, community representatives, and diverse stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and coordination skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced operational environment.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team in challenging field conditions.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Desirable

• Experience supporting distributions, including Core Relief Items (CRIs), LPG assistance, cash assistance, or other humanitarian distribution programmes.
• Experience in field monitoring, post-distribution monitoring, needs assessments, or operational data collection.
• Knowledge of Rohingya and/or Chittagonian language.
• Completion of relevant learning programmes, certifications, or trainings provided by UNHCR, other UN agencies, NGOs, or recognized humanitarian organizations, particularly in areas such as Emergency Preparedness and Response, CCCM, Protection, Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP), PSEA, Emergency Management, or Information Management.
• Skills in photography and videography, including the ability to document activities, produce visual content, and support reporting and communication products.
• Experience operating in refugee, displacement, or complex humanitarian emergency settings.
• Knowledge of humanitarian coordination mechanisms and the Rohingya refugee response operation in Bangladesh.
• Demonstrated ability to work across multiple operational portfolios and adapt to rotational assignments, competing priorities, and rapidly changing operational requirements.
• Experience using KoboToolbox, ActivityInfo, or other digital data collection and assessment platforms for field monitoring, needs assessments, surveys, and humanitarian data collection.
• Experience in designing, implementing, supervising, or analysing assessments, including household surveys, post-distribution monitoring (PDM), rapid needs assessments, and community feedback mechanisms.

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

Desired languages

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Nature of Position:

The Rohingya Refugee Response in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, now in its ninth year, remains one of the largest and most complex refugee situations in the world. As of January 2026, more than 1.2 million Rohingya refugees reside in 33 densely populated camps across Cox’s Bazar District. The operation continues to face significant protection, environmental, security, and humanitarian challenges, requiring sustained humanitarian support while increasingly focusing on resilience, preparedness, and solutions-oriented approaches.

The operational context remains highly dynamic. Security concerns in the camps continue to pose risks for refugees, refugee volunteers, humanitarian workers, and service delivery. At the same time, reduced humanitarian funding has increased the need for efficient and targeted interventions to ensure that critical assistance reaches the most vulnerable populations. The response is implemented through a multi-agency coordination structure involving Government authorities, UN agencies, NGOs, refugee volunteers, and host community stakeholders.

The Senior Field Assistant will be part of the Field and Site Management Unit (FSMU) and will work closely with UNHCR colleagues, Government counterparts, and implementing and operational partners to support the delivery of protection-sensitive and community-centered interventions across the camps. The incumbent will contribute to a broad range of field activities, including camp coordination and camp management, emergency preparedness and response, distribution planning and monitoring, community engagement, partner coordination, and support to operational assessments and monitoring activities.

FSMU team structure is designed to ensure cross-functionality, operational flexibility, business continuity, and enhanced response capacity across the refugee operation. As a result, the incumbent will be expected to work across multiple portfolios and rapidly adapt to evolving operational priorities. These portfolios include Emergency Preparedness and Response, Core Relief Item (CRI) and Liquide Petroleum Gas (LPG) assistance programmes, camp coordination and camp management activities, and other field-based interventions. Each portfolio encompasses multiple projects and partnerships requiring close coordination with authorities, humanitarian actors, refugee volunteers, and affected communities.

The incumbent will play an important role in maintaining UNHCR's field presence by regularly engaging with Camp-in-Charge (CiC) offices, partners, refugee leaders and volunteers, and community groups to identify needs, monitor implementation, support problem solving, and facilitate timely responses to operational and protection concerns.

The position requires strong coordination skills, sound judgement, flexibility, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced and challenging humanitarian environment.

Living and Working Conditions:

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CL-Multi-stakeholder Communications with Partners, Government & Community, CO-Drafting and Documentation, IT-Computer Literacy

Education

Certifications

HCR Learning Program - UNHCR

Work Experience

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

UNHCR Salary Calculator

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

Compendium

Additional Information

Functional clearance

This position doesn't require a functional clearance