Hardship LevelA (least hardship)
Family TypeFamily
Family TypeFamily
Residential location (if applicable)
GradeGS6
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeGeneral Service
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Target Start Date2025-08-04
Deadline for ApplicationsAugust 26, 2025
Standard Job Description
Durable Solutions Associate
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Durable Solutions Associate reports to a more senior Durable Solutions or Protection colleague.
The incumbent is relied upon to contribute to the implementation of a durable solutions strategy. S/he works closely with protection, programme and field staff, contributes to fostering an environment to enhance partnerships is a critical element of the work, as are activities designed to strengthen 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, in line with Voluntary Repatriation SOPs.
- 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, in line with Local Integration SOPs.
- 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.
- Draft and submit reports relating to durable solutions.
- 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 G6 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher
Field(s) of Education
Not applicable.
Certificates and/or Licenses
HCR Protection Induction Prog;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Not specified.
Desirable
Diverse field experience. Experience in interviewing.
Functional Skills
DM-Database Management
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.
Desired Candidate Profile โข Proficiency in English and Portuguese is required.
โข The ideal candidate brings a strong background in engaging with the private sector, particularly in fostering partnerships that support sustainable development and refugee inclusion. Demonstrated knowledge in Diversity & Inclusion and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks as well as impact investment and Corporate Social Responsibility is desirable, with a focus on aligning private sector initiatives with humanitarian goals.
โข Additionally, the candidate should possess a solid understanding of public policy, having worked on or contributed to policy development processes that promote durable solutions for displaced populations.
โข Knowledge of UNHCR livelihoods tools and strategies is an asset, as well as opportunities offered by the Brazilian context, including employment promotion, entrepreneurship and the internal relocation strategy.
โข The ability to navigate cross-sectoral collaboration and advocate for inclusive policies is essential.
โข Good knowledge of the local context of refugee integration in the South and Southeast of Brazil is essential, especially Sรฃo Paulo.
โข A good knowledge of UNHCR programmes and operational approaches is also highly desirable, enabling the candidate to effectively contribute to the organization's mission of finding long-term solutions for refugees and other persons of concern.
Language requirement: Portuguese C2 and English C2.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Eligibility:
This position is advertised to internal applicants and UNHCR experience applicants. Candidates must be legally present in Brazil at the time of application, recruitment and hire. Only Brazilian citizens or candidates legally present in Brazil will be considered eligible.
Internal Candidates:
Current GS staff members holding an indefinite or fixed-term appointment who, at the date of the deadline for application, are serving in the country of the vacancy at the grade of the position or one grade below or above.
Former staff members:
Former local staff members who were separated due to abolition of post of staff reduction as 01 Jan 2025. Former local staff members (IND or FTA) separated (less than 2 years for male colleagues and 5 years for female colleagues).
UNHCR experience candidates:
Current GS staff members holding an indefinite or fixed-term appointment applying to two grades above their own, current UNHCR staff members holding an indefinite or fixed-term appointment in other categories (P/FS/NPO), staff
loaned/seconded from another UN organization/international organization/government entity, staff members on temporary appointment, affiliate workforce, interns, as well as former UNHCR locally recruited staff members who held an indefinite or fixed-term appointment (within 2 years of separation for males and 5 years for females).
Remuneration:
A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, please visit the portal of the International Civil Service Commission and please refer to the relevant category / grade level at: http://icsc.un.org
UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview /meeting, processing, training, or any other fees).
Applications:
All applications must be submitted online in Workday. Email applications will not be accepted. Incomplete and late applications will not be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Shortlisted candidates might be required to sit for a written test and/or oral interview. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing or any other fees).
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted based on the information submitted during the application. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.
UNHCR is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, sexual orientation, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. UNHCR seeks to ensure that male and female employees are given equal career opportunities. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.
UNHCR has a zero-tolerance policy against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA). SEA is unacceptable behavior and prohibited conduct for UNHCR personnel. It constitutes acts of serious misconduct and is therefore grounds for disciplinary measures, including dismissal. Any concerns or suspicions about a possible case of SEA should be reported immediately to the Inspector
Generalโs Office (IGO) at inspector@unhcr.org or through the online complain form at https://www.unhcr.org/php/complaints.php or by confidential fax: +41 22 739 73 80.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level): English
,Portuguese
,
Desired languages
,
,
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:
UNHCRโs Field Office in Sรฃo Paulo oversees protection and solutions interventions across the South and Southeast regions of Brazil. This area is a key destination for refugees and asylum-seekers from diverse nationalities, presenting both challenges and opportunities for local integration. As Brazilโs largest economic hub, Sรฃo Paulo hosts the majority of companies participating in The Companies with Refugees Forumโa joint initiative by UNHCR Brazil and the UN Global Compact, launched in June 2021. The Forum plays a central role in mobilizing the private sector to support refugee inclusion in the labor market through experience-sharing, training on refugee hiring, and the promotion of inclusive workplace practices.
In addition to strong private sector engagement, the Sรฃo Paulo Area of Responsibility offers a dynamic environment for partnerships with civil society organizations, local authorities, financial institutions, other UN agencies, development actors and refugeesโ communities. These partnerships enable coordinated efforts in public policy development and local integration strategies. This context provides a unique opportunity to advance durable solutions through multi-stakeholder collaboration and innovative approaches tailored to the urban setting.
Living and Working Conditions:
The assignment will be in Sรฃo Paulo, capital of Sรฃo Paulo State. Sรฃo Paulo is a family duty station and classified A (hardship). The living conditions in Sรฃo Paulo are good as well as the access to health services. The accommodation facilities are in general good, and the choice is wide.
Additional Qualifications
SkillsDM-Database Management, IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software
Education
CertificationsHCR Protection Induction Prog - UNHCR
Work Experience
CompetenciesAccountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration, Technological awareness
UNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Compendium
Additional Information
Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance