Deadline for ApplicationsFebruary 18, 2026
Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)B
Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
Non Family
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeUNOPS LICA6
Target Start Date2026-02-03
Terms of Referencea. Operational Context:
After more than three decades of political turmoil and armed conflict that profoundly affected its population, Iraq is gradually emerging into a period of relative stability. The country is making progress towards sustainable development, including efforts to resolve protracted displacement. Iraq continues to host significant numbers of refugees and asylum-seekers and pursues an inclusive policy that enables their access to national services. Despite these advances, substantial humanitarian and development needs persist.
As of the end of 2025, Iraq generously hosts more than 348,600 refugees and asylum-seekers, of whom 88 per cent are Syrian nationals. Approximately 80 per cent of this population resides in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). While most refugees and asylum-seekers live in urban and peri-urban areas, around 30 per cent continue to reside in nine refugee camps nationwide. Iraq also continues to have large numbers of internally displaced people (IDPs), including some 102,000 IDPs who live in IDP camps.
In this evolving context, UNHCR in Iraq has transitioned from a humanitarian response to an approach that increasingly supports development-oriented solutions. UNHCR works closely with the Government of Iraq and partners to support refugees and asylum-seekers in accessing protection, public services such as education and healthcare, and economic opportunities, while also advancing durable solutions for both refugees and IDPs.
Accordingly, UNHCR’s Multi-Year Strategy (2025–2029) envisions that forcibly displaced populations in Iraq will have enhanced access to legal protection, inclusive and quality basic and protection services within national systems and improved economic opportunities.
b. Desired Candidate Profile:
• Experience conducting resettlement interviews with refugees to assess eligibility and prepare high quality RRFs (Resettlement Registration Forms) in line with UNHCR standards and Resettlement SOPs.
• Excellent drafting skills, with the ability to produce clear and consistent assessments and documents.
• Ability to manage statistics and maintain comprehensive case tracking mechanisms.
• Strong anti-fraud knowledge for prevention and safeguarding in the RST process, and for trend-monitoring in private applications processes.
• Experience facilitating trainings and capacity building for internal and external audiences.
• Fluency in English, Arabic and Kurdish is essential. Knowledge of other relevant languages is an asset.
• Strong case counselling skills, especially in managing expectations, explaining processes, and guiding refugees through complex documentation or visa procedures.
c. Instructions for applicants:
- When completing the application, candidates are required to list all of their language skills – including their mother tongue. The three broad levels are A1/A2 (\"Basic User\"), B1/B2 (\"Independent User\"), and C1/C2 (\"Proficient User\").
- Shortlisted candidates might be required to undergo a written test.
- Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Standard Job Description
Resettlement Associate
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
A Resettlement Associate position is typically located at Multi-Country Office, Branch Office or Field Office. Under supervision, the incumbent's primary role is to assist in providing, in close coordination with concerned sections within UNHCR as well as external parties such as resettlement countries, IOM and NGOs, a continuous support to resettlement operations by ensuring that resettlement polices are correctly implemented and operations are supported in establishing comprehensive protection and solutions strategies. The incumbent takes part in assessing cases for resettlement and conducting interviews as well as monitoring procedural compliance and quality of case submissions. The role of the Resettlement Associate may involve managerial responsibilities in supervising, coaching and training junior staff, and assisting in implementing organisational objectives and priorities.
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
- Interview, assess resettlement needs, and process persons identified for resettlement, following established procedures; undertake field missions as required.
- Where applicable, review and assess special resettlement cases and prepares individual submissions for presentation to resettlement countries; keep offices informed on the status of special resettlement cases; liaise with offices on case processing and provide advice as required.
- Comply with UNHCR's standard operating procedures on resettlement, ensuring timely action on cases.
- Follow up on status of cases from submission to departure; ensure effective in-country communication on the status and follow-up on persons of concern (PoC) being considered for resettlement; ensure that records on individual cases are kept up-to-date.
- Provide PoC and partners with up-to-date and accurate information on UNHCR's resettlement policies and procedures.
- Assist in monitoring the quality of submissions, providing the concerned staff with basic guidance and advice.
- Manage, maintain and update proGres or Consolidated Online Resettlement Tracking System (CORTS) database and provide technical support.
- Coordinate travel and departure arrangements for refugees accepted for resettlement.
- Organize logistical support for governments undertaking resettlement missions.
- Maintain accurate resettlement statistics as well as up-to-date records on individual cases; assist in the preparation of reports.
- Assist with preparing a strategy and budget for resettlement activities and monitoring expenditures.
- Provide administrative support for resettlement-related training activities.
- Systematically apply an Age, Gender and Diversity perspective in all aspects of the resettlement process; comply with UNHCR policy and guidelines on HIV/AIDS.
- Assist in mitigating resettlement fraud through oversight (including in-country travel), advice and guidance).
- Recommend cases that are eligible for resettlement consideration.
- Provide counselling to PoC.
- 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
International Law;
International Relations;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Not specified
Desirable
Good knowledge of UNHCR Resettlement policies and operational applications in different resettlement countries and situations. Completion of UNHCR specific learning/training activities (e.g., PLP and resettlement anti-fraud workshop).
Functional Skills
CO-Cross-cultural communication
PR-Refugee Resettlement programs
PR-Resettlement Anti-Fraud Policy and Procedures
(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.
Required Languages English
,Arabic
,Kurdish
Desired Languages
,
,
Additional Qualifications
SkillsCO-Cross-cultural communication, PR-Refugee Resettlement programs, PR-Resettlement Anti-Fraud Policy and Procedures
Education
CertificationsInternational Law - Other, International Relations - Other
Work Experience
Other informationThis position doesn't require a functional clearance
RemoteNo