Deadline for Applications

December 16, 2025

Hardship Level

E (most hardship)

Family Type

Non Family

Family Type

Non FamilyDanger Pay

Residential location (if applicable)

Grade

GS2

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Target Start Date

2025-12-09

Standard Job Description

Driver

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Driver in the UNHCR Office is normally supervised directly by the Administrative Officer/Associate/Assistant or another staff member when the scale of the Operation so require it. Besides driving, the incumbent is responsible for up keep and maintenance of the assigned UNHCR vehicle(s) as per technical guidance and specifications established by the Organisation. S/he is required to follow strict instructions and security guidance provided by the supervisor. While the basic function of a driver is to drive the official vehicles of UNHCR, s/he may be called upon to perform minor maintenance and repair of UNHCR vehicles.

The Driver has regular contacts with staff within the UNHCR Office and with others (including Partners, government authorities, etc.) outside UNHCR involving a limited exchange of information.

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
– Drive UNHCR vehicles for the transport of authorized passengers, deliver, and collect documents and other items.
– Meet official personnel at airports or other locations and facilitate immigration and customs formalities as required.
– Perform day-to-day maintenance of the assigned vehicles; check oil, water, battery, brakes, tires, etc. and ensure that the assigned UNHCR vehicles are road or waterway worthy and maintained up to the established security standards.
– Perform minor repairs, arrange for other repairs, and ensure that the vehicle is kept clean.
– Ensure that the steps required by rules and regulations, or other local procedures, are taken in case of involvement in an accident.
– Log official trips, daily mileage, gas consumption, oil changes, greasing, etc.
– Ensure that instructions and security guidance provided by the supervisor and security focal point are strictly followed.
– Ensures valid documentation for passengers, items or cargo in vehicle.

– 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

Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G2D – 2 years relevant experience with Completion of Primary Education or High School Diploma or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not applicable

Certificates and/or Licenses
*Driving Licences;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Driving licence, knowledge of driving rules and regulations.
Desirable
Not specified.

Functional Skills
* DV-Driving Rules and Regulations
DV – Basic Vehicle Mechanical Skills;
(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

Driving licence category D1.
Minimum of two years of experience as a driver on highways and off-road.
Experience working for humanitarian agencies (UN, INGOs, and/or national and local NGOs).
Good knowledge of international, national and local roads/routes across all Syria.
Knowledge of Arabic and other local languages.

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

Arabic

,

English

,

Desired languages

,

,

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

Sub-Office Qamishli (SOQ) in the North East of Syria (NES) is operating in a highly complex context in three governorates Al-Hassakeh, Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor. Large part of them are currently under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). UNHCR is coordinating the response in four camps hosting Syrians, Iraqis and third country nationals. The largest of the camps, Al Hol, presents complex protection and assistance-delivery challenge due to the profile of its population. UNHCR is directly responsible to provide NFIs and shelter assistance, ensure that new arrivals in camps are identified and assisted, as wells as departures registered. UNHCR also supports camp coordination and the delivery of humanitarian assistance in close coordination with other UN agencies and NGOs operating in NES. Outside the camps UNHCR is providing assistance to IDPs and Iraqi asylum-seekers living among the local communities and in informal settlements.

The Driver in the UNHCR Office will be supervised directly by the Administrative Associate. Besides driving, the incumbent is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the assigned UNHCR vehicle(s) as per technical guidance and specifications established by the Organization. S/he must follow strict instructions and security guidance provided by the supervisor. While the basic function of a driver is to drive the official vehicles of UNHCR, s/he may be called upon to perform minor maintenance and repair of UNHCR vehicles.

The Driver regularly contacts staff within the UNHCR Office and with others (including Partners, government authorities, etc.) outside UNHCR, involving a limited exchange of information. In a very polarised, sectarian, and political working environment, the incumbent must also contribute to strengthening the team spirit while maintaining the UNHCR protection agenda in all situations. With fast-paced development occurring on the ground, the incumbent must also be ready to take additional roles as UNHCR is responding to multiple simultaneous humanitarian crises happening in the area of responsibility, including ongoing displacement, provision of humanitarian assistance in/out of camps to the existing internally displaced persons, to refugees, and refugee and IDP returnees.

Living and Working Conditions:

The present situation in the North East Syria is unstable. This creates ongoing pressures at work and in daily life as priorities are frequently upended for other urgent ad hoc tasks. The incumbent should be prepared to work under very challenging conditions and be able to manage stressful situations. In Qamishli, security is relatively stable without movement restrictions; Few medical facilities provide primary healthcare, and finding certain pharmaceutical products may be difficult. Al Qamishli”s summers are sweltering, arid, and clear, and the winters may be extended, cold, and partly cloudy over the year; the temperature typically varies from 2 -40°C. It is rarely below -3 °C or above 44°C.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

DV-Armoured Vehicle Driving, DV – Basic Vehicle Mechanical Skills, DV-Driving Rules and Regulations

Education

Certifications

Driving License – Other

Work Experience

Working with Persons of Concern: Asylum Seekers, Working with Persons of Concern: Internally Displaced Persons, Working with Persons of Concern: Others of Concern, Working with Persons of Concern: Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: Returned IDPs, Working with Persons of Concern: Returned Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: Stateless

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Teamwork & collaboration, Technological awareness

UNHCR Salary Calculator

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Additional Information

No late applications will be accepted. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a written test and/or oral interview. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. UNHCR strongly encourages qualified female applicants

Functional clearance

This position doesn”t require a functional clearance