Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

U (unclassified)

No designation

UNOPS LICA4

2025-01-06

January 2, 2025

Title: Field Assistant
Project: UNHCR – Protection of Refugees in Ecuador
Duty station: Field Unit Esmeraldas, Ecuador
Section/Unit: Field Unit Esmeraldas
Contract/Level: Local Support, LICA 4
Duration: From 06 January to December 2025
Supervisor: Head Of Field Unit, Esmeraldas

1. General Background

Ecuador is part of the United Nations Convention of 1951 relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol, as well as major international and regional human rights instruments that recognize the right to asylum. It is also part of the United Nations Convention of 1954 relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the United Nations Convention of 1961 on the Reduction of Statelessness. The asylum procedure in Ecuador is regulated by the Organic Law of Human Mobility, effective February 6, 2017.

Ecuador is a country of transit and destination for people who need international protection. In the last two decades, Ecuador hosted more than 68,708 recognized refugees (mainly Colombian) and has become one of the leading countries of transit and destination for refugees and migrants Venezuelans. Ecuador receives the second highest number of Venezuelans after Colombia. Since 2016, more than 4.7 million Venezuelans have left their country, making it the biggest exodus in the history of Latin America. Of these, 2.2 million have entered Ecuador, of which 400,000 Venezuelans have been established in the country.

In 2019, approximately 2,100 Venezuelans per day entered Ecuador (with peaks of 6,000) until 26 August, when Ecuador began requiring visas for Venezuelans. Since 2018, the number of Venezuelan asylum seekers exceeded the number of asylum seekers from Colombia. According to monitoring protection of UNHCR, in 2019, nearly four out of ten Venezuelans did to the least part of their journey on foot, and three in ten have specific needs (pregnant women, unaccompanied or separated children, people with disabilities or catastrophic and elderly diseases).

Esmeraldas is a province located in northwestern Ecuador bordering southern Colombia. The province suffers from entrenched economic and security challenges, and residents often lack access to basic services.
The UNHCR Field Office in Esmeraldas opened in 2008 to protect Colombian refugees fleeing to the northern border province of Ecuador, mainly from southern Nariño. Colombian refugees continue to flee to Esmeraldas due to the complex security situation created by territorial disputes in southern Nariño due to the power vacuum left by the demobilization of the FARC following the 2016 peace agreement.

The population of Venezuelan refugees and asylum seekers has also steadily increased in Esmeraldas as Ecuador has become both a major destination as well as a transit country for Venezuelans in need of international protection.

The operation of UNHCR in Ecuador has a multiyear Protection Strategy and Solutions, which encompasses the dimensions of the legal, economic and social protection of refugees in Ecuador and which have a decisive role the approaches to gender, ethnicity, and age and other diversities.

2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment

The Field Assistant is normally supervised by the Field Officer/Associate and performs a variety of functions related to Field activities within the office. The supervisor exercises close control and regular review of the work processes and provides regular advice and guidance.

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.

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:

– Assist in administrative tasks as required such as preparation of reports and meeting authorized personnel and assisting them during field missions.
– Act as interpreter in the exchange of routine information, contribute to related liaison activities and respond directly to routine queries.
– Support activities in protection related AGD based programming with implementing and operational partners.
– Experience in GBV, child protection, community protection and local integration for people UNHCR work for.
– Identify and assist cases of people with protection NEP, especially women survivors of GBV and children at risk.
– Ensure that people identified with NEP have opportune access to the attention of the local system for the protection of rights and be updated on the paths of attention.
– Maintain an adequate relationship with local authorities, partners, key actors and strengthen the local rights protection system for the effective assistance of persons by and for whom UNHCR works.
– Experience in Cash Based Interventions assistance, register systems, and humanitarian assistance.
– Collect data and other information relevant to UNHCR and report to the supervisor accordingly.
– Keep regular contacts with local authorities and implementing partners as requested by supervisor.
– In coordination with implementing partners, assist in the reception, registration and provision of assistance to persons of concern to UNHCR.
– Liaise with local authority counterparts, partners and populations of concern.
– Direct incidents and problems to the supervisor when they cannot be resolved at their level.
– Perform other related duties as required.

4. Qualifications and Experience

a. Education

– University Degree (4 years) in Social Sciences, Law, Political Sciences or any other related field.

b. Work Experience

– 1-year relevant experience with High School Diploma; or Bachelor or equivalent or higher
– Work experience with social organizations, public sector institutions and / or international organizations will be an advantage.
– Experience with the refugee population or groups in a situation of vulnerability.

Functional Skills

– *IT-Computer Literacy
– MS-Drafting, Documentation, Data Presentation
– CL-Multi-stakeholder Communications with Partners

Core Competencies

– Accountability
– Communication
– Organizational Awareness
– Teamwork & Collaboration
– Commitment to Continuous Learning
– Client & Result Orientation

Cross-Functional Competencies
–
– Stakeholder Management
– Planning and Organizing
– Technological Awareness
5. Submission of applications

A. English Desirable. (B2 Level)
B. The shortlisted candidates may sit a technical examination.
C. Foreign candidates, to be considered eligible for this position, must have a temporary or permanent residence in Ecuador that allows them to carry out work activities in the country.
D. If selected the candidate must submit a current and updated RUC Unique Taxpayer Registry. The salary offered is in net terms.
E. If you wish to be considered for this vacancy, please submit your application according to the following instructions:

– CANDIDATES WITH ACCESS TO THE WORKDAY: In order to apply, you must first create your profile in the WORKDAY system.

– EXTERNAL CANDIDATES:
Candidates who do NOT have access to the WORKDAY system must submit their application through UNHCR’s official site for applications: https://www.unhcr.org/careers.html

NOTE

UNHCR is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, color or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.

UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).

If you are a person with a disability and need additional assistance during the application and/or recruitment process, please contact us by email: ecuquhr@unhcr.org

CVs WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED BY EMAIL. ONLY THOSE APPLICATIONS SENT BY THE SYSTEM WILL BE CONSIDERED.

Standard Job Description

Field Assistant

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Field Assistant is normally supervised by the Field Officer/Associate and performs a variety of functions related to Field activities within the office. The supervisor exercises close control and regular review of the work processes and provides regular advice and guidance.
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.

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
– Assist in administrative tasks as required such as preparation of reports and meeting authorized personnel and assisting them during field missions.
– Act as interpreter in the exchange of routine information, contribute to related liaison activities and respond directly to routine queries.
– Collect data and other information relevant to UNHCR and report to the supervisor accordingly.
– Keep regular contacts with local authorities and implementing partners as requested by supervisor.
– In coordination with implementing partners, assist in the reception, registration and provision of assistance to persons of concern to UNHCR.
– Liaise with local authority counterparts, partners and populations of concern.
– Direct incidents and problems to the supervisor when they cannot be resolved at their level.

– 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
For G4 – 1 year relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 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.

Functional Skills
*IT-Computer Literacy
CO-Drafting and Documentation
CL-Multi-stakeholder Communications with Partners, Government & Community
(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

,

,

Desired Languages

,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CL-Multi-stakeholder Communications with Partners, Government & Community, CO-Drafting and Documentation, IT-Computer Literacy

Education

Certifications

Business Administration – Other, Law – Other, Political Science – Other

Other information

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance

Home-Based

No

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements