Senior Field Assistant

Deadline for Applications

July 20, 2026

Grade

GS5

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

General Service

Reason

Temporary > Temporary Assignment/ Appointment

Hardship Level

H (no hardship)

Family Type

Family

Residential location (if applicable)

Target Start Date

2026-08-10

Target End Date

2026-12-31

Standard Job Description

Senior Field Assistant
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Field Assistant is normally supervised by the (Senior) Field Officer/Associate and performs a variety of functions related to Field activities within the office. The supervisor defines work processes and provides regular advice and guidance.
The incumbent keeps frequent internal contacts with staff members in the same duty station to exchange information 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 routine subject matters under the direction of the supervisor.
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
- Assist in monitoring the implementation of UNHCR programme including the delivery of all assistance items and monitoring of infrastructure.
- Assist in administrative tasks as required such as preparation of reports and meeting authorized personnel and assisting them during field missions.
- Act as interpreter in the exchange of routine information, contribute to related liaison activities and respond directly to routine queries.
- Collect data and other information relevant to UNHCR and report to the supervisor accordingly.
- Keep regular contacts with local authorities and implementing partners as requested by supervisor.
- In coordination with implementing partners, assist in the reception, registration and provision of assistance to persons of concern to UNHCR.
- Follow up, on a regular basis, the overall situation of persons of concern in camps and other areas where they have been accommodated and report accordingly.
- Liaise with local authority counterparts, partners and populations of concern.
- Direct incidents and problems to the supervisor when they cannot be resolved at their level.

- 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
G5 - 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year 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.
Functional Skills
*IT-Computer Literacy
CO-Drafting and Documentation
CL-Multi-stakeholder Communications with Partners, Government & Community
(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

The UNHCR Multi-Country Office (MCO) based in Italy oversees operations in Italy, the Holy See, Malta, and San Marino—countries situated at the crossroads of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, and characterized by diverse asylum systems, distinct legal frameworks, and varying capacities for refugee protection.

This sub region plays a pivotal role in migration and refugee movements to Europe, particularly through the Central and Eastern Mediterranean routes. Irregular arrivals by sea and land, secondary movements, and complex protection needs place continued pressure on national asylum and reception systems. Although the number of arrivals fluctuates, the centrality of these countries in broader European migration dynamics remains constant.

Italy and Malta, in particular, continue to serve as primary entry points to the EU for persons seeking international protection. Their geographic proximity to North Africa positions Italy as a key actor in search and rescue (SAR) activities and in receiving persons rescued at sea.

San Marino and the Vatican City, though not primary asylum destinations, are engaged partners in refugee protection through political advocacy, moral leadership, and resettlement or complementary pathways, especially under community sponsorship and humanitarian corridors supported by faith-based organizations.

Italy remains one of the major points of arrival for persons of concern seeking protection to Europe, with most of them arriving by sea via the Mediterranean. In 2025, Italy received 66,316 people (46% of Mediterranean arrivals) with nearly 1,200 dead or missing along the Central Mediterranean route. Despite continued strain, Italy has maintained access to territory. The vast majority of people arriving disembarked in Sicily followed by Calabria, Apulia and then other regions. This places Italy, and southern Italian arrival areas in a strategically important position for shaping a timely and correct implementation of the EU Pact. Among sea arrivals, there is a high proportion of individuals with specific needs, including survivors of gender-based violence, unaccompanied children and people with specific medical or psychosocial needs. This has increasingly become a major challenge, also due to the increasingly dangerous journeys that refugees are forced to undertake.

UNHCR Italy supports protection sensitive arrival management by maintaining a presence at disembarkation sites, particularly in southern frontline locations. Within this framework, UNHCR carries out a wide range of protection activities on field protection and community based protection (CBP).

The Senior Field Assistant based in Agrigento will report to the Field Associate. S/he shall have a sound knowledge of the Italian operational context as well as expertise in the areas described in the standard job description. Previous UNHCR experience as well as international exposure will be considered an asset. Fluency in both English and Italian is required. Driving license is required.

Additional Information:

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in Italy.

English is the official working language of UNHCR in Italy. Only applications fully completed in English will be considered.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Assessment of short-listed candidates might comprise of both an interview and a written test.

UNHCR is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, color or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. UNHCR has a ZERO TOLERANCE policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, and sexual harassment. Successful candidates will be subject to mandatory UN Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment clearance check prior to receiving an offer.

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

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

In case of any queries, please contact the Italy HR Team at itarohr@unhcr.org.

Functional Clearance

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

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

Italian

,

English

,

Desired languages

,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CL-Multi-stakeholder Communications with Partners, Government & Community, CO-Drafting and Documentation, IT-Computer Literacy

Education

Certifications

HCR Learning Program - UNHCR

Work Experience

UNHCR Salary Calculator

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

Other information