Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)A (least hardship)
Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
Family
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeNUNV National
Target Start Date2025-09-01
Deadline for ApplicationsAugust 22, 2025
Terms of ReferenceMission and objectives:
UNHCR works to ensure that everybody has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge, having fled violence, persecution, war or disaster at home. Since 1950, UNHCR has provided support in the face of multiple crises globally, and provided vital assistance to refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced and stateless people, many of whom have nobody left to turn to. UNHCR helps save lives and build better futures for millions forced from their homes.
Assignment context:
Manaus is the largest city in the northern region of Brazil, with over 2 million inhabitants (IBGE, 2022), and one of the main destinations in the country for refugees and migrants coming from Venezuela and other countries of origin. According to the Federal Police, the government entity responsible for registering and documenting foreigners, over 102,000 people of different nationalities in need of international protection were registered in the State of Amazonas between January 2018 and April 2025. To respond to the Venezuelan Emergency, UNHCR Brazil scaled up its presence in Amazonas through the establishment of a Field Office. UNHCR Field Office in Manaus maintains regular work in collaboration with partners, including federal, state, and municipal governments, UN organizations, and international and non-governmental organizations, and actively seeks engagement with the private sector. It is committed to the principle of participation, believing that refugees should be involved in decisions which affect their lives.
The Field Assistant is normally supervised by the (Senior) Field Officer/Associate and the incumbent keeps frequent internal contacts with staff members in the same duty station to exchange information 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 routine subject matters under the direction of the supervisor.
Under the supervision of the Head of Office, the Field Assistant performs a variety of functions related to Field activities within the office. The supervisor defines work processes and provides regular advice and guidance. Within the described context, and in coordination with other UNHCR staff, government, NGO partners and other stakeholders, the Field Assistant works directly with communities of concern to identify the risks they face and to leverage their capacities to protect themselves, their families and communities. He/she/they is focal point for the implementation of the Sustainability Center in Manaus, an initiative developed by UNHCR and its partners in Boa Vista/RR and Parรก/PA that encompasses community empowerment and resilience towards extreme weather-related events and socioeconomic integration through sustainable practices.
To fulfil this role, the Field Assistant is required to spend a substantial percentage of the workday outside the office, building and maintaining networks within communities of persons of concern (PoC). He/she/they t keeps frequent internal contacts with staff members in the same duty station to exchange information 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 routine subject matters under the direction of the supervisor.
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 UNHCRโs core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.
Task description:
Within the framework of delegated authority and under the supervision of the Head of Office and/or his/her designated representative, the UN Volunteer will carry out the following tasks:
โข Assist in monitoring the implementation of UNHCR programme including the delivery of all assistance items and monitoring of infrastructure.
โข Assist in administrative tasks as required such as preparation of reports and meeting authorized personnel and assisting them during field missions.
โข Act as interpreter in the exchange of routine information, contribute to related liaison activities and respond directly to routine queries.
โข Collect data and other information relevant to UNHCR and report to the supervisor accordingly.
โข Keep regular contacts with local authorities and implementing partners as requested by supervisor.
โข In coordination with implementing partners, assist in the reception, registration and provision of assistance to persons of concern to UNHCR.
โข Support the office in implementing the Sustainability Center in Manaus, providing technical guidance for partner and key stakeholders as well as ensuring implementation of activities that encompasses community empowerment and resilience towards extreme weather-related events and socioeconomic integration through sustainable practices.
โข Follow up, on a regular basis, the overall situation of persons of concern in camps and other areas where they have been accommodated and report accordingly.
โข Liaise with local authority counterparts, partners and populations of concern.
โข Direct incidents and problems to the supervisor when they cannot be resolved at their level.
โข Perform other related duties as required.
Required education: Bachelor degree or equivalent
Area(s) of specialization (education): Development studies, Social Science, Human Rights, Political Science, Community Development/Social Work, International Law, Environment Management or a related field.
Required experience: 3 years.
Required skills and experience:
Essential:
โข At least 3 years of relevant of Job experience working with refugees and/or vulnerable populations with specific needs.
โข Experience in the fields of community mobilization, development, environment and/or climate resilience.
โข Excellent communication skills.
Desirable:
โข Good knowledge of United Nations financial rules and procedures.
โข Previous experience working with communities and climate in Amazonas.
โข Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of the position.
Area(s) of expertise: Development programmes; Energy and Environment; Social Work.
Languages: Fluency in English and Portuguese are required.
Working knowledge in Spanish is desirable.
Competencies and values:
โข Accountability
โข Communication
โข Organizational Awareness
โข Teamwork & Collaboration
โข Commitment to Continuous Learning
โข Client & Result Orientation
โข Stakeholder Management
โข Planning and Organizing
โข Analytical Thinking
Living conditions and other remarks:
The assignment will be in Manaus, Amazonas. Manaus is considered a family duty station and classified A (hardship). The living conditions in Manaus are good as well as the access to health services. The accommodation facilities are in general good, and the choice is wide. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging their own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan.
Brazil is security level 3 (moderate). United Nations Department of Safety and Security UNDSS Brazil advises to exercise a high degree of caution in Brazil due to high levels of serious and violent crime, particularly in major cities. Violent crime as muggings, armed robbery, kidnappings, and sexual assault, is very high. Avoid shanty towns (favelas) in the big cities and if you are attacked or robbed, do not resist. Demonstrations can occur at any time and may turn violent with little or no warning. All United Nations personnel must scrupulously comply with UNDSS procedures and recommendations during their assignment in Brazil. For missions in rural areas or indigenous reservations, special procedures may apply; UN personnel should consult with the local DSS office in advance.
Information on entitlements at the duty station is available at https://app.unv.org/calculator.
The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.
https://www.unv.org/.
Other information
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a personโs race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin, or other status.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entityโs policy
Standard Job Description
Required Languages Portuguese
,English
,
Desired Languages
,
,
Additional Qualifications
Skills
Education
Certifications
Work Experience
Other informationThis position doesn't require a functional clearance
RemoteNo