Field Associate - Temporary Appointment -Ciudad Juarez

Deadline for Applications

July 6, 2026

Grade

GS6

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

General Service

Reason

Temporary > Temporary Assignment/ Appointment

Hardship Level

A (least hardship)

Family Type

Family

Residential location (if applicable)

Target Start Date

2026-07-01

Target End Date

2026-12-31

Standard 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 CIUDAD JUAREZ, CHIHUAHUA***

Nature of the Position (Operational Context):

Northern Mexico, particularly along the US–Mexico border, continues to be a critical region for mixed movements of asylum-seekers, refugees, and internally displaced people with diverse protection needs. Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, represents one of the most strategic location of the country as a major border crossing point, an important reception area for individuals repatriated from the United States, and persons seeking protection and looking for durable integration perspectives in Mexico.

Ciudad Juárez is characterized by high mobility, fluctuating population trends, and evolving migration policies between Mexico and the United States. Persons of concern (PoC) often face heightened vulnerabilities, including limited access to documentation, basic services, and livelihoods, as well as exposure to protection risks such as violence, exploitation, and discrimination. While the Mexican asylum system, led by the Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance (COMAR), is central to the provision of international protection, its operational footprint in northern border areas remains limited, requiring UNHCR to maintain a strong field presence and direct engagement.

Within this context, UNHCR focuses on strengthening protection delivery through field monitoring, identification of persons with specific needs, and referral to appropriate services. The operation emphasizes close coordination with local authorities, civil society organizations, and implementing partners to ensure effective assistance, access to rights, and the provision of timely and accurate information to affected populations. Monitoring of assistance delivery as well as regular field visits to shelters and key locations are essential to assess needs and ensure the quality and accountability of interventions.

UNHCR also promotes access to durable solutions, particularly local integration, by facilitating access to employment opportunities, education, and public services, while fostering social cohesion with host communities. Given the operational complexity, maintaining strong working relationships with municipal and state counterparts, as well as community leaders and partners, is critical to support programme implementation and address operational challenges.

Desired Candidate Profile:

The ideal candidate is a proactive and field-oriented professional with experience supporting humanitarian or development programmes, particularly in dynamic operational contexts. The incumbent brings strong organizational, coordination, and communication skills to effectively support UNHCR’s field activities in Ciudad Juárez.

Field and Operational Experience: The candidate should have relevant experience in field-based roles, including monitoring activities, conducting site visits, and supporting programme implementation. Experience working with vulnerable populations, including refugees, asylum-seekers, IDPs, is highly desirable. Ability to gather, organize, and report data accurately is essential.

Programme Implementation and Monitoring: The successful candidate demonstrates the ability to support the delivery and monitoring of assistance programmes, including interaction with implementing partners and participation in field missions. Familiarity with basic programme management processes and reporting is an asset.

Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement: Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to maintain effective working relationships with local authorities, partners, and communities 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 should possess solid drafting and communication skills, contributing to reports, data presentation, and information sharing. Ability to interact with persons of concern in a sensitive and respectful manner is essential. Acting as interpreter when required is an asset.

Protection Awareness and Service Orientation: A good understanding of basic protection principles and the ability to identify and refer vulnerable cases are desirable. The candidate should demonstrate a strong sense of responsibility, service orientation, and commitment to supporting persons of concern.

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.

Living and Working Conditions

Ciudad Juárez is one of the most important cities in the northern state of Chihuahua. It shares a direct border with El Paso, Texas, making it a strategic commercial, industrial, and logistics hub. The city has a strong manufacturing sector, as well as significant cross-border economic and social activity.

Ciudad Juárez provides a challenging, dynamic, and operationally relevant working environment, particularly due to its border location, migration context, industrial activity, and complex security environment. Working and living in Ciudad Juárez requires a high level of cultural awareness, strong adaptability, and the ability to operate in a fast-changing environment. Therefore, flexibility, resilience, and the ability and willingness to live and work under potentially hazardous conditions are essential.

Ciudad Juárez has an adequate level of urban infrastructure:

- Health: Ciudad Juárez has public and private medical services, including hospitals, clinics, and specialized medical centers. Private medical services are available, although quality, response times, and accessibility may vary depending on location, time of day, and security conditions.

- Education: There are public and private schools, including bilingual education options. Availability and quality vary by area, and international-style education options may be more limited than in larger cities such as Monterrey or Mexico City.

- Housing: Furnished and unfurnished apartments and houses are available for rent. Residential areas with better access control, services, and security conditions are generally preferred for international personnel. Due to its proximity to the U.S. border, housing costs may be higher than in other Mexican cities, as some rental prices are influenced by the U.S. dollar or may even be charged directly in dollars. International personnel must obtain approval by security for a selected residential place before signing a rental contract.

- Entertainment: Ciudad Juárez has restaurants, shopping centers, cinemas, gyms, parks, cultural spaces, and recreational areas. Due to the security environment, movement to entertainment areas should be planned with caution, particularly after dark. Additionally, some recreational, commercial, medical, or personal activities may be more suitable in El Paso, Texas, subject to applicable immigration requirements, security clearance, and organizational procedures.

- Weather: Ciudad Juárez has an arid desert climate. Summers are very hot, while winters are short but can be cold, especially during mornings and nights. Temperatures can vary significantly throughout the year, with limited rainfall overall. Dust, strong winds, and sudden temperature changes may also affect comfort, health, and mobility.

- Currency and exchange: The official currency is the Mexican peso. Due to the proximity with the United States, US dollars may be accepted in some commercial areas, although the use of Mexican pesos is recommended. Dollars, euros, and traveler’s checks can be exchanged at banks or authorized exchange offices.

- Communications: Internet, mobile phone coverage, and data services are generally available in urban areas. However, coverage may be inconsistent in peripheral areas or during field missions outside the Duty Station.

- Transportation: Public transportation, taxis, ride-hailing services, and private transportation are available. For security reasons, the use of vetted transportation, authorized taxis, or ride-hailing services is recommended. Public transportation is not recommended for official movements.

- Security: Ciudad Juárez belongs to Security Risk Management area North, with the current General Threat Level 3, MODERATE, while the Crime specific category remains assessed at a higher level due to the local criminal environment. There are no known direct threats to personnel; however, personnel may be affected by opportunistic crime and violence linked to organized criminal activity, including homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, robbery, extortion, armed assaults, and highway-related crime.

Recent security indicators confirm that Ciudad Juárez continues to present a complex urban security environment. According to the INEGI National Urban Public Security Survey, by March 2026, 69.1% of adults in Ciudad Juárez considered living in the city unsafe, compared with 67.6% in December 2025 and 58.0% in March 2025. This indicates that public perception of insecurity remains high and increased significantly year-on-year. Homicide remains one of the main security indicators for the city. According to the 2025 ranking referenced by Chihuahua state authorities, Ciudad Juárez recorded approximately 950 homicides in 2025, equivalent to a homicide rate of 60.06 per 100,000 inhabitants. Although this represented an improvement compared with previous years and placed the city outside the top 10 most violent cities in that specific ranking, the rate remains high and relevant for operational planning.

Official crime incidence should continue to be monitored through the SESNSP database, which records investigation files for crimes such as homicide, kidnapping, extortion, robbery, vehicle theft, family violence, sexual crimes, and other high-impact offences. These figures are subject to updates and should be reviewed periodically before field missions.

The presence of organized criminal groups is confirmed in parts of Ciudad Juárez and the wider border region. Criminal activity may affect specific neighborhoods, commercial areas, peripheral zones, roads, and border dynamics. Security conditions can vary rapidly depending on criminal disputes, targeted attacks, law enforcement operations, migration-related pressures, or incidents affecting mobility.

Personnel must always remain security aware and vigilant, apply personal security measures, avoid displaying valuables, maintain a low profile, and avoid non-essential movement after darkness. There is no curfew in Ciudad Juárez; however, crime incidence and exposure to violent incidents may increase during night hours. All official movements must be planned, using secure transportation, verified routes, and appropriate security clearance procedures. Overnight road missions are restricted and should only be conducted under exceptional circumstances with prior security authorization.

It is recommended that personnel deployed to Ciudad Juárez hold a valid visa for the United States, when applicable. This is relevant because some security measures and contingency arrangements may include movements through U.S. territory, particularly via El Paso, Texas.

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: inspector@unhcr.org 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)

Spanish

,

English

,

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 - Other

Work Experience

UNHCR Salary Calculator

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

Other information