Job Description

Please note that this vacancy is only open to eligible staff members who have been individually notified of their eligibility to apply for positions advertised in the Accelerated Posting Compendium.

June 12, 2026

E (most hardship)

Non Family

PR4

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-05-26

Senior Reintegration Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The incumbent provides policy advice and technical support relating to the assistance of urban, rural and camp-based refugees in a country of asylum or returnees in a country of origin, the host communities and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in their achievement of sustainable solutions. The job requires direct contact with the target population in assessing needs and considering aspects of age, gender and diversity mainstreaming in planning, the needs of host communities and political and socio-economic context.

The staff member represents an UNHCR office in developing a (re)integration strategy and an inter-agency programme in collaboration with the Government, UN agencies and other stakeholders. The staff member also works closely with UNHCR's Programme, Protection and Technical units to ensure that UNHCR Operation in a concerned country reflects the (re)integration strategy of its programme components and that UNHCR's protection principles are reflected in the strategy.

The staff member is directly supervised by the Representative/Head of Sub-Office and receives guidance and advice on technical matters from the Branch Office/ Bureau and relevant Units at HQ.

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

• Stay abreast of the challenges posed by the local political, economic and socio-cultural context impacting reintegration and/or local integration opportunities and advise the country-office senior management; stay abreast of UNHCR and UN policies on durable solutions, reintegration, local integration, peace-building and UN joint programming.

• Participate in or lead inter-agency programming processes, namely joint needs assessments, CCA/UNDAF, national development plan, or other joint programming, at national and sub-national levels, which lead to broader national or area-based recovery and development plans; ensure the inclusion of reintegration and local integration needs into these plans.

• Manage a consultative process within the office and with external partners to draft UNHCR’s reintegration and/or local integration strategies and to ensure their harmonization with broader national or area-based development plans.

• Participate in UNHCR’s operations planning; advise on activities to meet basic needs, improve socio-economic self-reliance of persons of concern, build peaceful coexistence between forcibly displaced and stateless persons and host communities and sustainable solutions and ensure the inclusion of reintegration and/or local integration priorities into the country operation plan.

• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with development agencies, bilateral agencies, civil societies and the private sector to bring area-based development programmes to communities hosting forcibly displaced and stateless persons.

• Participate in inter-agency coordination meetings on early recovery/transition projects and represent UNHCR when appropriate.

• Promote global/UNHCR’s policies, guidelines and standards on durable solutions, peace-building and joint programming with the Office and partner staff.

• Liaise with relevant offices at HQs and provide inputs into global policies, standards and indicators related to durable solutions and peace-building.

• Design and conduct training activities aimed at building the capacity of UNHCR and partner staff to achieve durable solutions, peaceful coexistence and effective partnership.

• Monitor durable solutions and peace-building activities, collect and analyze data on the status of persons of concern in order to inform durable solutions programmes and evidence-based advocacy.

• Organize evaluations and/or reviews of UNHCR’s reintegration programmes in order to allow for informed revisions of operational priorities including exit strategies.

• Lead, or participate in, inter-agency joint project proposals and advocate for financial support to reintegration and/or local integration of persons of concern.

• Supervise staff and exercise effective managerial oversight, direction, guidance and support.

• Represent UNHCR at the appropriate level in negotiations with government offices and development agencies on their engagement in transition/development programmes at the country level and in areas hosting persons of concern as well as on the inclusion of reintegration and local integration priorities into recovery and development plans.

• Clear the reintegration and/or local integration components of the country strategy and operation plan before submission to senior management.

• Initiate inter-agency consultations, partnerships and joint project proposals to further UNHCR re(integration) priorities.

• Enforce compliance of country operation with global policies, guidelines and standards on durable solutions, transition and peacebuilding.

• Enforce global and UNHCR’s standard and indicators in reviewing the country operation reintegration/local integration/transitional solutions’ programmes.

• Lead risk assessments and discussions with team(s) to proactively manage risks and seize opportunities impacting objectives. Ensure that risk management principles are integrated in decision-making both at strategic and operational levels. Allocate resources for planned treatments with resource requirements in Strategic Plans. Ensure that risks are managed to acceptable levels and escalate, as needed. If a Risk Owner, designate the Risk Focal Point and certify that the annual risk review is completed and ensure that the risk register is updated during the year, as needed.

• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level

For P4/NOD - 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education

Economics, Development Studies, Political Sciences,

Policy Studies, or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses

Not specified

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

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

International field experience in reintegration/local integration situations. Familiar with Peacebuilding (Fund), UNDAF, UN joint programming process and inter-agency collaboration.

Desirable

Of the advanced University Degree listed as the essential qualification, a degree in Economics or Development Studies is highly preferred. Experience with development agencies is an added value.

Functional Skills

PR-Durable Solutions - Peace-building (Fund)

PR-Refugee Reintegration

(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

Competency Requirements

All jobs at UNHCR require six core competencies and may also require managerial competencies and/or cross-functional competencies. The six core competencies are listed below.

Core Competencies

Accountability

Communication

Organizational Awareness

Teamwork & Collaboration

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies

Empowering and Building Trust

Judgement and Decision Making

Leadership

Managing Performance

Managing Resources

Strategic Planning and Vision

Cross-Functional Competencies

Analytical Thinking

Planning and Organizing

Political Awareness

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. Extensive experience in return and reintegration programming for refugees and/or IDPs, with a strong track record in supporting safe, voluntary, and dignified returns and understanding key reintegration challenges. The experience should demonstrate previous working within political and socio-economic dynamics affecting displacement and return, particularly in complex and sensitive contexts similar to Syria.
2. Demonstrated experience in area-based and recovery programming, with the ability to design integrated, community-level interventions that support reintegration, resilience, and social cohesion across sectors.
3. Strong coordination, analytical, leadership and peaple management skills are essential, along with professionalism, adaptability, and the ability to operate effectively in complex environments.

Desirable attributes:
• Arabic language
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

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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:

The Syria operation continues to operate within one of the most complex humanitarian and recovery contexts globally, characterized by protracted displacement, fragile socio-economic conditions, and evolving prospects for safe, voluntary, and dignified returns. As spontaneous and assisted returns have been significant, strategic focus on creating conditions conducive to sustainable return and reintegration for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and for refugees in the region.

Return dynamics in Syria remain highly sensitive and multifaceted, influenced by security conditions, access to housing, land and property (HLP), availability of basic services, livelihoods opportunities, and the resolution of legal and civil documentation issues. Reintegration challenges are further compounded by economic instability, damaged infrastructure, and limited absorption capacity in areas of return. As such, reintegration programming requires a strong area-based, community-driven, and protection-sensitive approach, closely linked to early recovery and resilience initiatives.

Within this context, the Senior Reintegration Officer based in Damascus serves as the lead focal point for return and reintegration policy, strategy, and operational implementation across the country operation. The incumbent will be responsible for developing, updating, and overseeing a comprehensive reintegration framework that aligns with national and regional strategies, ensuring that reintegration programming supports sustainable solutions and contributes to social cohesion.

The Senior Reintegration Officer will supervise reintegration staff at the country level and provide technical guidance and support to field offices across Syria, ensuring consistency in approaches and adherence to standards. The position requires close collaboration with protection, programme, shelter, livelihoods, and information management teams to ensure that reintegration interventions are evidence-based, targeted, and responsive to evolving needs. The incumbent will also coordinate closely with humanitarian and development partners, UN agencies, and relevant authorities to strengthen the nexus between humanitarian assistance and early recovery efforts.

A key aspect of the role involves leading return monitoring and analysis, including tracking return trends, assessing reintegration conditions, and identifying protection risks and barriers to sustainable return. The Senior Reintegration Officer will ensure that reintegration programming integrates protection mainstreaming principles, accountability to affected populations, and conflict-sensitive approaches.

Given the political, social, and operational sensitivities in Syria, the incumbent must engage strategically with national counterparts and stakeholders, advocating for safe, voluntary, and dignified returns in line with international standards. The role requires strong analytical capacity, coordination skills, and the ability to navigate complex institutional landscapes while maintaining a principled, rights-based approach.

Living and Working Conditions:

Damascus, Syria remains a non-family duty station operating in a highly complex and evolving environment characterized by uncertainty, economic constraints, and periodic security incidents. All staff movements are closely managed and require prior clearance, coordination, and monitoring by security personnel.

International staff are accommodated in designated UN guesthouses or hotels in Damascus. Office premises are located separately, including the main offices on Abdullah Ibn Rawaha Street in Kanawat Basatin, Kafarsouseh. Transportation between accommodation and offices is arranged through UNHCR shuttle services, and movements are conducted using soft-skin vehicles in line with security protocols.

Basic healthcare is available through the UN Joint Clinic located within the UNDP accommodation compound, providing primary medical services. However, access to certain medicines remains limited in the local market; staff requiring specific prescription medications are advised to travel with adequate personal supplies. UN-approved medical facilities are available in Damascus for emergency care.

The security situation in Damascus is relatively stable compared to other parts of the country, though it remains unpredictable and subject to rapid change. Movement within designated areas of the city is generally permitted, subject to adherence to security instructions, including a curfew from midnight to 6:00 a.m. Compliance with security measures, including mandatory radio checks conducted twice weekly, is required. The city offers moderate living conditions compared to other duty stations in Syria, with access to shops, markets, and essential goods, including groceries, clothing, and basic household items. A limited number of restaurants and recreational spaces are available within the city.

Damascus is accessible via Damascus International Airport (DIA), which is operational with regular regional flights. Travel to Lebanon is primarily conducted by road, while travel to Jordan may be undertaken by road or air, all subject to security clearance and prevailing conditions.

The Rest and Recuperation (R&R) cycle for Damascus is eight weeks. Staff are strongly encouraged to adhere to their R&R schedule to maintain wellbeing and operational effectiveness in this demanding duty station.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Bachelor of Arts: Development Management, Bachelor of Arts: Economics, Bachelor of Arts: Policy, Bachelor of Arts: Political Science

Certifications

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Political awareness, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration

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

Compendium

Accelerated Posting Compendium 2026 - Part B

Additional Information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance