Field Associate (IDP) - Guerrero

Overview

Support UNHCR's internal displacement strategy in Guerrero. Engage with stakeholders.

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.
• Field experience in similar roles or environments related to protection and assistance.

Deadline for Applications

July 6, 2026Grade

GS6Staff Member / Affiliate Type

General ServiceReason

Temporary > Temporary Assignment/ AppointmentHardship Level

A (least hardship)Family Type

Family<p></p><p></p>Residential location (if applicable)

Target Start Date

2026-07-01Target End Date

2026-12-31Standard 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

***THIS POSITION WILL BE BASED IN CHILPANCINGO, GUERRERO****

Nature of the Position (Operational Context):

Over recent years, Mexico has evolved from being predominantly a country of origin and transit for refugees and asylum-seekers to becoming a significant country of destination for hundreds of thousands of individuals seeking international protection from within the region and beyond. At the same time, internal displacement has become an increasingly visible and complex protection phenomenon within the country. In Mexico, people are forced to flee their communities for a wide range of interconnected reasons, mainly driven by violence perpetrated by organized crime groups. Although there are no official figures on internal displacement in Mexico that fully comply with international standards, the 2025 Survey on Victimization and Perception of Public Safety (ENVIPE), published by Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), estimated that at least 248,360 households were forced to leave their place of residence to protect themselves from crime and insecurity in 2024. UNHCR needs assessments with internally displaced people (IDPs) point to food, legal assistance, documentation, information on rights, and access to protection mechanisms as key needs. UNHCR Mexico has been strengthening its response to internal displacement through protection monitoring, legal and public policy development, capacity-building, information management, support to registration and profiling processes, advocacy, and the promotion of durable solutions. This work requires close coordination with authorities, human rights institutions, civil society organizations, academia, UN agencies, and affected communities. Since 2023, UNHCR has been supporting the strengthening of institutional responses and the capacities of diverse stakeholders in Guerrero. The Field Associate (IDP) will support the implementation of UNHCR’s internal displacement strategy in Guerrero, working closely with the field team, and contribute to the effective delivery of protection responses in a complex and evolving environment. The position ideally should have technical knowledge of internal displacement, protection and human rights frameworks, and the capacity to translate these into operational support, legal and policy inputs, capacity-building initiatives, and solutions-oriented responses. The incumbent will be expected to engage with a wide range of stakeholders, provide technical guidance, support coordination efforts, and contribute to the strengthening responses to internal displacement in Guerrero. Given the complexity and sensitivity of internal displacement dynamics in Guerrero, the incumbent should demonstrate sound judgment, political awareness, strong diplomacy skills, and the ability to adapt field and protection responses to diverse legal, social, political, and operational contexts.

Desired Candidate Profile:

The ideal candidate is a proactive and field-oriented professional with operational experience, ideally in internal displacement contexts, preferably with knowledge of the international, national and local protection frameworks applicable to internally displaced people (IDPs) and other populations of concern in Mexico. The incumbent should ideally bring relevant stakeholder engagement coordination and communication skills to effectively support UNHCR’s field activities in Guerrero.

The incumbent will also be expected to contribute to the implementation of UNHCR’s protection mandate through the delivery of quality protection interventions, mainstreaming protection, legal and policy engagement, community-based approaches, and support for durable solutions, in line with UNHCR policies, international standards, and the evolving protection environment in the country.

Field and Operational Experience: The candidate should ideally have relevant field experience, including monitoring activities, conducting site visits, and supporting programme implementation. The incumbent should ideally also have an understanding of international protection principles related to internal displacement and international human rights law. Familiarity with field monitoring and community-based engagement and approaches is an asset.

Programme Implementation and Monitoring: The successful candidate ideally demonstrates the ability to support and coordinate field responses focused on internal displacement in Guerrero. This preferably includes experience in supporting multi-state or decentralized responses, contributing to strategic planning, promoting coherence in implementation, and translating policy into operational responses. Experience supporting emergency preparedness and response, including rapid needs assessments, coordination with local actors, as well as experience conducting risk analysis in complex or insecure environments is desirable.

Demonstrated experience in community approaches is desirable, including the capacity to engage with communities of persons of concern and community actors, and to build and maintain networks through regular field presence.

Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement: Interpersonal skills and the ability to maintain effective working relationships with local authorities, civil society organizations, academia, and affected communities to strengthen protection frameworks and responses related to internal displacement in Mexico are key. Experience in multi-stakeholder environments and the ability to represent the organization in field activities are highly valued.

Communication and Reporting Skills: The candidate ideally possesses solid drafting and communication skills, to provide accurate guidance to stakeholders, support meaningful participation of internally displaced communities in decisions affecting their rights, and contribute to delivering effective training and capacity-building initiatives. Ability to interact with persons of concern in a sensitive and respectful manner is essential. The candidate should be able to communicate clearly relevant issues to a wide range of audiences, including authorities, civil society actors, and affected populations.

Teamwork and Adaptability: The ideal candidate is a reliable and adaptable team player, capable of working under pressure and managing multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment. High standards of integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity are essential, in line with UNHCR’s core values.

Languages and Other Requirements Fluency in English and Spanish is essential, with demonstrated ability to draft and communicate effectively in both languages. Familiarity with the context of the state of Guerrero would be a strong asset. Experience in operational security management in high-risk environments and complex contexts is highly desirable, including supporting the implementation of security policies, procedures, and risk mitigation measures to ensure the safety and security of UNHCR personnel, assets, and operations would be desirable. The incumbent should ideally be capable of conducting continuous security monitoring and analysis, preparing risk assessments, and coordinating incident management and emergency response activities. The ability to establish effective liaison and coordination mechanisms with internal and external stakeholders, as well as security authorities, would be highly valued. The incumbent will also be expected to assist with monitoring compliance with security measures and the safe implementation of operations through timely analysis, sound judgment, and a preventive approach in areas affected by security and criminality-related risks.

Living and Working Conditions

Chilpancingo is the capital City of the State of Guerrero and serves as the state's main administrative and governmental center. The city is in the Central Region of Guerrero and is connected to Mexico City and the Port of Acapulco through the Mexico–Acapulco Highway (Autopista del Sol).

• Health: The city has public and private hospitals providing primary and specialized healthcare services, including emergency care, general medicine, and selected medical specialties. For highly specialized treatments, travel to Mexico City may be required. Private clinics and diagnostic laboratories are available within the city. • Education: Chilpancingo offers public and private universities, technical education institutions, and primary and secondary schools. The availability of bilingual schools is more limited compared to larger metropolitan areas. • Housing: Furnished and unfurnished houses and apartments are available for rent. International UNHCR personnel must obtain approval from United Nations security for the selected residence before signing any lease agreement. • Entertainment: The city offers cultural, gastronomic, and recreational activities, including traditional festivals, sports facilities, restaurants, and community events. For a broader range of entertainment and tourism options, residents often travel to Acapulco or Mexico City. • Weather: The climate is predominantly warm throughout most of the year. Temperatures generally range between 16°C and 35°C, with a rainy season extending from May through October. Temperatures above 37°C may occur during the hottest months. • Currency and Exchange: The Mexican Peso (MXN) is the official currency. Banks, ATMs, and some currency exchange services are available. Foreign currency exchange options may be more limited than in major metropolitan or tourist destinations. • Communications: Mobile phone and internet services are widely available throughout the city. Major telecommunications providers offer adequate residential and business connectivity. • Transportation: Public transportation, taxis, and ride-hailing services are available. Personnel are strongly encouraged to use authorized taxi services (“taxis de sitio”) or reliable private transportation services. Road travel to other cities or communities should be carefully planned. • Security: Chilpancingo is located within one of Mexico’s more complex security environments due to the presence of organized criminal groups and the incidence of high-impact crimes. According to the United Nations Security Risk Management (SRM) framework, Guerrero continues to present risks associated with organized crime, confrontations between criminal groups, homicides, extortion, kidnapping, vehicle theft, and occasional road blockades. • Currently, no direct threats against UNHCR have been identified. However, personnel and operations may be indirectly affected by the prevailing security situation. Violent incidents may occur both in urban areas and along state and federal highways, particularly on routes connecting Chilpancingo with other regions of the state. • Security Measures: UNHCR personnel should maintain a high level of situational awareness, apply personal security measures, and comply with procedures established under the Security Risk Management (SRM) Area: Mexico - South. Personnel are advised to limit nighttime travel, conduct journeys preferably during daylight hours, use authorized main routes, and maintain regular communication through established security monitoring mechanisms. Additionally, personnel should continuously monitor the local security environment and follow guidance issued by the security unit.

Important Information for Applicants:

• Eligibility – Internal Advertisement Only, i.e., applications are open to:

• Internal candidates: staff members with an indefinite or fixed-term appointment in the same category as the position advertised, staff members who, at the date of the deadline for application, are serving at the grade of the position or one grade below or above, as well as any candidates serving at higher grades who fulfil the criteria as per the job advertisement.
• Former Staff (due to post abolition under special measures): Local FTA/IND contract holders whose posts were abolished due to structural changes, and who were separated as of 01 January 2025 (last working day 31 December 2024). Other types of former staff members are considered candidates with UNHCR experience for any location. Eligibility period for application: May 2025 – June 2026 vacancies.
• Candidates with UNHCR experience at the time of application: current staff members in other categories, staff members on temporary appointment, affiliate workforce and interns with at least 1 year of service, and staff loaned/seconded. Former UNHCR locally recruited staff members who held an indefinite or fixed-term appointment (within 2 years of separation for males and 5 years for females).
  • External candidates all other candidates who are not in the above groups. Former International staff/Former TA/AWF will be considered external when applying for any positions/category.

• Nationality / Right to Work Requirement: Only Mexican nationals or candidates holding permanent residency or valid work permit in Mexico are eligible (Candidates must attach proof of permanent residency or valid work permit in Mexico at the time of application). Failure to do so will result in disqualification.

• Selection Process: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a written test and/or oral interview. UNHCR does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.

• Application Requirements: Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their Workday Career Profile is accurate and fully updated prior to applying. The evaluation will be based solely on the information provided in the application. Once submitted, applications cannot be modified. Candidates under consideration may be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided.

• Diversity and Inclusion: UNHCR is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce and strongly encourages applications from qualified candidates regardless of gender, nationality, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, or disability status. All applications are treated with the strictest confidentiality, and UNHCR is committed to providing equal career opportunities for all staff.

• Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA): UNHCR maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA). SEA constitutes serious misconduct and may result in disciplinary action, including dismissal. Concerns or suspicions can be reported confidentially to: [email protected] or at https://www.unhcr.org/php/complaints.php or by confidential fax: +41 22 739 73 80.

• Educational Requirements: UNHCR recognizes only qualifications obtained from institutions accredited in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), maintained by the International Association of Universities (IAU) and UNESCO. The database is available at: WHED portal.at http://www.whed.net/. For candidates under consideration, degrees verification will be conducted also through the SEP portal.

Selection Process: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a written test and/or oral interview. UNHCR does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.Functional Clearance

This position doesn't require a functional clearance****Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level)****

English,

Spanish,

****Desired languages****

,

,

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

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Potential interview questions

Added 3 hours ago - Updated 3 hours ago - Source: unhcr.org