Deadline for Applications
January 22, 2026
Hardship Level
U (unclassified)
Family Type
No designation
Family Type
No designation
Residential location (if applicable)
Grade
GS7
Staff Member / Affiliate Type
General Service
Reason
Regular > Regular Assignment
Target Start Date
2026-04-01
Standard Job Description
Senior Field Associate
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior 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 the incumbent completes the work independently. Work is controlled for meeting expected results and conformity to policy and procedures by the supervisor. The Senior Field Associate normally supervises 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
– Undertake regular visits to various sites in order to assess needs of persons of concern, with particular attention to vulnerable groups.
– Advise the supervisor on programme requirements and formulate project submissions, including community development and self-reliance activities, where applicable, in collaboration with authorities and implementing partners.
– Monitor and supervise the implementation of UNHCR programme including the delivery of all assistance items and monitoring of infrastructure and make the necessary recommendation for its improvement.
– 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.
– Monitor refugee movements related to repatriation and other inter-camps transfers.
– Inform and act on the reports received on persons of concern within the refugee community or from the local authorities.
– Handle, in coordination with implementing partners, 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.
– Provide inputs for the country operations plan and other submissions and reports.
– 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 G7 – 4 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
Knowledge of International legal affairs relating to asylum, migration and related issues.
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
Title of Position: Senior Field Associate
Position Number: 33078041
Category & Level: General Service, G7
UNHCR Esmeraldas, Ecuador
Effective date: 01 April 2026
Duration: Initially one year – Fixed Term Appointment
(upon medical clearance and references check)
OPERATIONAL CONTEXT:
Ecuador is both a destination and transit country for persons in need of international protection. Over the past two decades, Ecuador has hosted more than 78,000 recognized refugees (historical figure), the majority of whom are Colombians, and has become a major destination and transit country for Venezuelan refugees and migrants. Ecuador currently hosts the fifth-largest Venezuelan population globally, after Colombia, Peru, Chile, and Brazil, with just over 440,000 individuals.
UNHCR in Ecuador aims to deliver protection, assistance, and solutions to diverse displaced populations, including asylum-seekers and refugees, in partnership and close collaboration with national authorities, non-governmental organizations, and local communities. The operation is coordinated at the national level by the Country Office in Quito. In addition, UNHCR maintains two Field Offices in Guayaquil and Tulcan, and three Field Units in Esmeraldas, Manta, and Lago Agrio.
Since 2023, increasing insecurity across Ecuador has had significant social and economic impacts, affecting refugees, migrants, and host communities alike, and undermining UNHCR’s protection and inclusion strategy. This deterioration has widened human rights gaps, disproportionately affecting refugees and migrants, the vast majority of whom work in the informal sector, lack access to social safety nets, struggle to meet basic needs such as rent and food, and are exposed to discriminatory attitudes.
Ecuador is also facing rising levels of insecurity and violence, increasingly affecting displaced populations and host communities. The expanding territorial control of criminal groups, combined with a growing homicide rate and a sharp increase in extortion, has restricted access to services and protection. In response, many families have adopted self-protection strategies, including keeping children out of school, remaining confined at home, or fleeing altogether. Ecuadorians are also increasingly seeking safety abroad or relocating internally.
The Senior Field Associate reports to the Head of Office in Tulcan, while maintaining direct contact with the heads of the different units in the Country Office, from whom they will receive guidance and support.
The Senior Field Associate acts as the Head of the Field Unit in Esmeraldas. The role includes supervising the activities of the Field Unit Esmeraldas, overseeing protection activities, ensuring alignment with national strategies defined by the Country Office, and coordinating with local governments to strengthen the protection response within the area of responsibility. Therefore, relevant experience (at least a year) in managing an office in the field would be highly recommendable, especially if in the area of responsibility (Esmeraldas).
SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS
A. Spanish and English are mandatory (B2 level).
B. Shortlisted candidates may be invited to sit a technical test.
C. This vacancy is offered to internal and external candidates
D. If you wish to be considered for this INTERNAL 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.
WHEN CREATING A CANDIDATE PROFILE IN WORKDAY, PLEASE USE CAPSLOCKS FOR LAST NAME AND NO SPECIAL CHARACTERS (Ñ OR ACCENTS)
– Former UNHCR locally recruited staff member who held a fixed-term or indefinite appointment, can apply for regular positions in their staff category as candidate with UNHCR-experience (within 2 years following separation for males and 5 years for females). To apply for vacancies as Former staff, please access Workday and create your profile there in the Former staff section (eligibility will be verified).
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
Spanish
,
English
,
Desired languages
,
,
Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
Nature of Position:
Living and Working Conditions:
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 – Other
Work Experience
Competencies
Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Managing performance, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration
UNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Compendium
Additional Information
Functional clearance
This position doesn”t require a functional clearance
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