JOB DESCRIPTION

Hardship Level

A (least hardship)

Family Type

Family

Family Type

Family

Residential location (if applicable)

Grade

GS5

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Target Start Date

2025-09-01

Deadline for Applications

July 16, 2025

Standard Job Description

Senior Durable Solutions Assistant

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Durable Solutions Assistant reports to a Durable Solutions Associate or Officer.

The incumbent is relied upon to contribute to the implementation of a durable solutions strategy. Contributing to fostering an environment to enhance partnerships is a critical element of the work, as are activities designed to strength 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) about their durable solutions needs.
– Interview candidates for voluntary repatriation and prepare documentation for their return, in line with Voluntary Repatriation 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.
– Participate in identifying resettlement needs of refugees, in line with Resettlement 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.

– 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 G5 – 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year 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

The National Office (NO) is based in Santiago de Chile, with field presence in Iquique. The NO Chile falls under the scope of the Multi-country Office (MCO) Argentina, located in Buenos Aires, which also covers Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Chile is one of the highest-receiving countries of people with and for whom UNHCR works in the region, with more than
541,000
individuals under our mandate. These numbers include over
523,000 people in need of international protection, 13,366 asylum seekers and
2,448 refugees. Also, more than 500,000 Venezuelans, of which 8,895 are asylum-seekers and 93 recognized refugees.
UNHCR works together with the national government institutions, civil society organizations,municipalities, and the private sector to ensure access to protection, humanitarian assistance,and durable solutions for all those who have sought safety in the country, especially in the lastcouple of years, as Chile has become the fourth most important country of destination forVenezuelans in Latin America after Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador.
According to the 2024 national census, 1.6 million foreigners were residing in Chile as of 2024, more than double the number recorded in the previous census in 2017, and representing 8.8% of the country”s total population. Also, it is to be highlighted that the main nationalities are Venezuelans (
41.6%),
Peruvians
(14.5%
), Colombians (
12.3%)
and Haitians (5%).
Official government estimates from 2023 indicate that the population in an irregular situation in Chile is over 300,000 people.
Lately the country has seen an escalation in the negative perception of the phenomenon of human mobility among the Chilean population. Recent surveys have positioned human mobility as detrimental to the country; one of the main reasons why people forced to flee, and others in need of international protection are often subjected to discrimination and physical violence, sexual aggression, and exploitation, as well as victims of smuggling and trafficking.
The ideal candidate should have previous experience with public sector and particularly with municipalities along the country, with proven knowledge about the particular needs and opportunities for the inclusion of refugees in each region. Experience in designing and implementing shelter responses in coordination with civil society and public institutions is also required. Proven reporting practice, strong coordination and teamwork skills are needed. Previous involvement in direct interaction with government and partners is an added advantage. Sound practice in building relations and trust. Thorough understanding of UNHCR”s protection mandate and core mission and thorough understanding of humanitarian and inter-agency coordination mechanisms is desired.

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

English

,

Spanish

,

Desired languages

,

,

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Nature of Position:

Living and Working Conditions:

 

Additional Qualifications

Skills

DM-Database Management, IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software

Education

Certifications

HCR Protection Induction Prog – UNHCR

Work Experience

Competencies

Accountability, 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

This is an internal vacancy announcement (Downgrading) due to Downsizing process.

Functional clearance

This position doesn”t require a functional clearance

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements