Field Associate

Overview

Monitor protection needs and implement UNHCR programs effectively.

You have:

• 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher
• Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English
• Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of the position
• UNHCR field experience
• Fluency in both English and Turkish is essential to ensure strong written and verbal skills in these languages
• Desirable knowledge of Farsi
• Strong interpersonal abilities to engage effectively with the refugee community, state institutions, local NGOs, and other stakeholders
• Ability to work in challenging environments, both independently and as part of a team

Deadline for Applications

March 30, 2026Grade

GS6Staff Member / Affiliate Type

General ServiceReason

Temporary > Temporary Assignment/ AppointmentHardship Level

U (unclassified)Family Type

No designation<p></p><p></p>Residential location (if applicable)

Target Start Date

2026-04-01Target End Date

2026-06-30Standard 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

Nature of Position The Field Associate will follow up on processes with public institutions and stakeholders in the provinces under the AFU area of responsibility. The incumbent will regularly travel to border gates and conduct interviews with individuals arriving and departing in order to identify protection concerns and trends. Based on these observations and interviews, the Field Associate will advocate for refugees from vulnerable groups and regularly inform the supervisor and relevant units. The Field Associate will also monitor protection needs in the provinces under their responsibility, follow the activities of institutions operating at border gates, and conduct regular media monitoring on border movements and vulnerable groups. In addition, the incumbent will contribute to broader protection monitoring, assessments of procedures, and analysis of the protection space. The desired candidate profile for this post includes the following: • Monitor the protection situation at the border gates, 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 such as PDMMs, and PDoFSS and implementing partners as requested by supervisor. • 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. • Contribute to the design, implementation and evaluation of protection related AGD based programming with implementing and operational partners. • Contribute to and facilitate effective information management through the provision of disaggregated data on populations of concern and their problems. • Assist capacity-building initiatives for communities and individuals to assert their rights. • Support the unit and manager in organizing IACM meetings and moderate them at the duty station while representing the AFU and the office. • Monitor media regularly in terms of the protection challenges of the PoCs. • Negotiate with local authority counterparts, partners and populations of concern. • Represent UNHCR in physical monitoring of projects. • Perform other related duties as required.

Desired Candidate Profile • A deep understanding of refugee experiences and cultural sensitivity, reflected through effective reporting skills. • Strong communication and analytical abilities, with attention to detail and proficiency in relevant software. • Fluency in both English and Turkish is essential to ensure strong written and verbal skills in these languages. Farsi is desirable. • Reporting Efficiency: Ability to report effectively in both English and Turkish, improving communication and support for the refugee community. • Relevant Jon Experience in the humanitarian and migration fields is desirable.

Operational context • Relevant Experience: Several years of experience in areas related to refugee protection, such as humanitarian aid, social work, or community development. • Experience working in field settings. • Interpersonal Skills: Strong interpersonal abilities to engage effectively with the refugee community, state institutions, local NGOs, and other stakeholders, demonstrating proficiency in communication. • Ability to work in challenging environments, both independently and as part of a team. • Willingness and ability to travel outside the duty station with flexibility, including same day return trips when required. • Reporting and Managerial Structure: The Field Associate reports directly to the immediate supervisor, the Senior Protection Associate, under the overall supervision of the Head of AFU, the Associate Field Officer. • Interaction with Displaced and Stateless Persons, and Liaison with External Stakeholders. • There is no further information specific to this position, as it is a standard field role. The working environment is not considered particularly challenging. All relevant details have already been outlined in the job description and the Operational Context.

PLEASE DO NOT USE TURKISH CHARACTERS IN YOUR NAME & SURNAME INFORMATION.

Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme or as an intern is subject to successful reference checks and integrity clearance.

A break of minimum 31 days is required before a staff member who currently holds a Fixed-term or Indefinite Appointment may be rehired on a Temporary Appointment.

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

Only short-listed candidates will be notified. The recruitment process might include written test and/or oral interview for this job opening. No late applications will be accepted.

External candidates should be legally present in Türkiye at the time of application, recruitment and hire.

Non-Turkish citizens are required to upload their residence permits or relevant documents under the ‘Certifications’ section, by selecting the type as ‘Personnel Administration – Other’, in order to be considered for this job opening. Applications by non-Turkish citizens will NOT be considered if a valid residence permit is not attached to the application.

For further information on how to apply, please visit ‘UNHCR - Application and Selection’ page, at https://www.unhcr.org/how-to-apply.html.Functional Clearance

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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 - OtherWork Experience

UNHCR Salary Calculator

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

Other information

This is a Temporary Appointment initially for three months with a possibility of extension.

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 3 months ago - Updated 2 months ago - Source: unhcr.org