Deadline for ApplicationsAugust 25, 2025
Hardship LevelE (most hardship)
Family TypeNon Family with Residential Location
Family TypeNon Family with Residential LocationDanger Pay
Residential location (if applicable)
Nairobi (CO), Kenya
GradeGS6
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeGeneral Service
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Target Start Date2025-08-17
Standard Job Description
Field Associate
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Field Associate is normally supervised by the (Senior) Field Officer or Head of Office and performs a variety of functions related to Field activities within the office. The supervisor defines general work objectives and provides necessary advice and guidance. The Field Associate may supervise some General Service support staff.
The incumbent keeps frequent internal contacts with staff members in the same duty station to exchange information, to establish understanding of respective needs; to ensure provision of services and resolution of problems 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 subject matters which may be of importance to the Organization.
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
- Monitor the situation in the AoR, collect data and other information relevant to UNHCR and report to the supervisor accordingly.
- Monitor the implementation of UNHCR programme including the delivery of all assistance items and monitoring of infrastructure.
- Undertake regular visits to various sites in order to assess needs of persons of concern, with particular attention to vulnerable groups.
- Keep regular contacts with local authorities and implementing partners as requested by supervisor.
- Act as interpreter when required.
- Contribute to the preparation of status and progress reports by providing info, preparing tables, etc.
- Assist in administrative tasks as required such as preparation of reports and meeting authorized personnel and assisting them during field missions.
- Inform and act on the reports received on persons of concern within the refugee community or from the local authorities.
- In coordination with implementing partners, assist in the reception, registration and provision of assistance to persons of concern to UNHCR.
- Negotiate with local authority counterparts, partners and populations of concern.
- Represent UNHCR in physical monitoring of projects.
- 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
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.
UNHCR field experience.
Functional Skills
*IT-Computer Literacy
CO-Drafting and Documentation
CL-Multi-stakeholder Communications with Partners, Government & Community
PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards)
(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 Operational Context:
Blue Nile State is grappling with a complex and evolving humanitarian crisis, driven by a convergence of ongoing conflict, economic fragility, and continuous population movements. The state hosts a significant and dynamic population of refugees, Sudanese returnees, and internally displaced persons, with persistent new arrivals straining the capacity of established camps and host communities.
In this challenging context, UNHCR coordinates the multi-sector response through a close collaboration with its government counterparts, including the Commission for Refugees (COR) and the Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC), as well as with UN agencies and NGO partners. The collective priority is to deliver essential protection and life-saving assistance across a spectrum of needs, ranging from reception and documentation to shelter, WASH, health, and education services.
However, the operation is severely hampered by substantial challenges. These include volatile security conditions that constrain access, critically overstretched infrastructure, and chronic funding shortfalls that limit the scale of the response. These issues are further compounded by environmental pressures such as seasonal flooding and persistent supply chain disruptions.
To address these obstacles, UNHCR and its partners are focused on reinforcing reception capacity, expanding critical services in camps, and strengthening community engagement and accountability. A core component of the strategy is to support impacted host communities while ensuring all interventions uphold international protection standards and a do-no-harm approach.
Nature of the Position:
Reporting to the Head of Field Office in Damazine, the Field Associate provides day-to-day operational leadership across assigned camps, reception sites, and border entry points. As UNHCRโs principal field focal point for Blue Nile, the incumbent coordinates and monitors all services for refugees, Sudanese returnees, and internally displaced persons ensuring partners deliver timely, coherent, and high-quality assistance in line with agreements and sectoral standards.
This role requires sustained engagement with government counterparts, including COR and HAC, line ministries as well as close coordination with UN agencies, NGOs, and community structures to maintain principled humanitarian access, strengthen referral pathways, and resolve operational bottlenecks. Serving as the sector focal point for ES/NFIs, WASH, and Health, the Field Associate works in close collaboration with technical specialists in Kosti to support equitable access to emergency shelter and CRIs as well as ensuring the delivery of effective basic serves to PWS including robust outbreak preparedness and response.
Core responsibilities include conducting regular field visits to monitor partnersโ implementation, overseeing reception and relocation processes, conduct regular border monitoring visits and facilitating the safe referral of persons with specific needs, participate in clusters capacity coordination and while actively promoting protection mainstreaming, accountability, and PSEA. To support these functions, the Field Associate maintains vital operational data, produces concise analytical reports to guide decision-making and advocacy, and coordinates essential distributions and site improvements.
Desired Candidate Profile:
The ideal candidate will have proven experience in field operations within refugee, returnee, or IDP contexts, demonstrating a strong track record in camp coordination, partner management, and multi-sector service monitoring. This practical experience must be grounded in a thorough understanding of UNHCRโs protection mandate, the Refugee Coordination Model, and core sectoral standards.
The candidate must be adept at planning and executing field monitoring missions, evaluating partner performance against their obligations, and translating field evidence into actionable recommendations. A central component of this role is ensuring the mainstreaming of protection, with a clear focus on the specific needs of women, children, older persons, and persons with disabilities.
Furthermore, the position demands exceptional interpersonal, representation, and principled negotiation skills to effectively engage government authorities, UN/NGO partners, and community leaders to resolve operational challenges. Finally, demonstrated teamwork, a commitment to strengthening the capacities of partners and communities, and the adaptability to thrive in dynamic contexts are all crucial for success.
Additional Assets:
โข Additional assets include a deep understanding of local contexts in Blue Nile and neighboring regions
โข Advanced negotiation and conflict resolution skills
โข Local languages spoken by refugees/returnees in BN
โข Flexibility to perform other duties when needed
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
,
,
Desired languages
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,
Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
Nature of Position:
Living and Working Conditions:
Additional Qualifications
SkillsCL-Multi-stakeholder Communications with Partners, Government & Community, CO-Drafting and Documentation, IT-Computer Literacy, PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards)
Education
CertificationsBusiness Administration - Other, Law - Other, Political Science - Other
Work Experience
CompetenciesAccountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration
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Compendium
Additional InformationFemale candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance