Field Associate

Deadline for Applications

November 18, 2026

Hardship Level

E (most hardship)

Family Type

Non Family with Residential LocationDanger Pay

Residential location (if applicable)

Nairobi (CO), Kenya

Grade

GS6

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Target Start Date

2026-12-01

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

• - Relevant experience in field operations, protection, refugee response, community-based protection, registration, or programme implementation.
• - Demonstrated experience working with refugees, returnees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), host communities, government counterparts, and humanitarian partners.
• - Proven experience supporting operational coordination, including partner engagement, transit centre management, and refugee settlement management.
• - Strong coordination, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse partners and communities.
• - Good knowledge of UNHCR policies, protection principles, accountability to affected populations (AAP), and operational modalities, including cash assistance and NFI distribution, is desirable.
• - Knowledge of Classical Arabic and familiarity with the operational and socio-cultural context of Northern Bahr el Ghazal will be an added advantage.
• - Previous experience in Greater Bahr el Ghazal and/or Abyei is desirable.

All shortlisted candidates will be subjected to competency-based interview

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

,

,

Desired languages

,

,

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Nature of Position:

Living and Working Conditions:

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CL-Multi-stakeholder Communications with Partners, Government & Community, CO-Drafting and Documentation, IT-Computer Literacy, PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards)

Education

Certifications

Business Administration - Other, Law - Other, Political Science - Other

Work Experience

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, 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