Repatriation Associate at UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency

Al-Qamishli, Al-Hasaka Governorate, Syria -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

20 Dec, 25

Salary

0.0

Posted On

21 Sep, 25

Experience

2 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Data Management, Kurdish Language, Interviewing, Documentation Preparation, Logistics Support, Monitoring, Risk Management, Cultural Mediation, Community Engagement, Reporting, Refugee Protection, Voluntary Repatriation, Administrative Support, Field Experience, IT Literacy, Durable Solutions

Industry

International Affairs

Description

Deadline for Applications September 27, 2025 Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based) E (most hardship) Family Type (not applicable for home-based) Non Family Staff Member / Affiliate Type UNOPS LICA6 Target Start Date 2025-09-10 Terms of Reference Prior work with UN or humanitarian agency. Prior experience working in Al-Hol or Roj camps and/or displacement sites in northeast Syria. The incumbent should have solid experience working with displaced communities and local authorities as well as organizing return or repatriation. Data management skills and Kuridish language are assets. Standard Job Description Repatriation Associate Organizational Setting and Work Relationships The Repatriation Associate reports to the Senior Repatriation Associate, Associate Repatriation Officer, Associate Protection Officer, Repatriation Officer or Protection Officer in a Field Office, Sub Office or a Country Office. The Repatriation Associate is relied upon to ensure the advancement of repatriation activities. She/he should implement the voluntary repatriation programme, in compliance with requisite standard operating procedures. S/he should contribute to ensuring that all repatriation movements respect the principle of voluntariness and occur in safety and dignity, with the full participation and support of persons and communities of concern. 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 - Interview candidates for voluntary repatriation and ensure that they make informed decisions on returns, based on up to date information on the conditions in the country of origin. - Prepare documents (including Voluntary Repatriation Forms) and ensure that refugees are provided with the appropriate documentation. - Facilitate UNHCR's access and communication to/with individual and communities of concern, including through translation and cultural mediation. - Participate in mass information activities aimed at informing refugee communities and other relevant stakeholders about the voluntary repatriation programme. - Provide logistics and administrative support to voluntary repatriation border-crossing/return movements. - Assist in monitoring the implementation of the voluntary return operation through consultations, regular field visits and monitoring tools. - Gather and enter data related to return movements and conditions in areas of return and accordingly advise the repatriation/protection/programme units, as appropriate. - Assess the specific needs of vulnerable categories of returnees during return movements and advise on responses. - Interview candidates for voluntary repatriation and establish whether their decision is voluntary. - In line with the existing SOPs, advise senior colleagues on which individuals to register for further return processing. - Enter information on voluntary repatriation into available databases, in line with SOPs. - Draft and submit reports relating to voluntary repatriation. - 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 International Law, International Relation, Political science, or other relevant field. (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential) Relevant Job Experience Essential Demonstrated knowledge in UNHCR refugee protection standards, procedures for Refugee Repatriation and its policies and principles on durable solutions for refugees and others of concern to UNHCR. Desirable Completion of UNHCR specific learning/training activities (i.e.). UNHCR field experience desirable. Good knowledge of UNHCR's protection mandate and operations. Functional Skills IT-Computer Literacy PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework PR-Protection - Durable Solutions PR-Resettlement/Repatriation/Voluntary Repatriation (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. Required Languages , , Desired Languages , , Additional Qualifications Skills IT-Computer Literacy, PR-Durable Solutions/Comprehensive Solutions Strategies implementation, PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework, PR-Refugee Resettlement programs Education Certifications Work Experience Other information No late applications will be accepted. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a written test and/or oral interview. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. UNHCR strongly encourages qualified female applicantsThis position doesn't require a functional clearance Remote No Important notice: Please note that UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing or training). Read about how to avoid scams and fraudulent job offers. Please note that applications are only accepted via the UNHCR online recruitment platform. CVs and/or application requests sent via email will not be answered, reviewed nor considered. For external applicants: We would like to call your attention on the eligibility of International Professional (P) category: According to our Recruitment and Assignments Policy, P staff members will not normally serve in the country of their nationality, and the first regular appointment in the P category must be outside the staff member's country of nationality. In practical terms this means that you are not eligible to apply for International Professional vacancies advertised in the country where you are national of. In case of technical difficulties when applying, external applicants (not current UNHCR workforce members) can write to recruitmentcase@unhcr.org. For former UNHCR Colleagues: Former UNHCR employees who are on mandatory break-in service or have separated from UNHCR after 1 October 2022 should create an account through this platform. Once you fill in your basic personal information (employee ID, birth date, name, email address), Workday will identify you as prior personnel and merge your employee account with your external applicant account. The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, takes the lead in protecting people forced to flee wars and persecution around the world, providing life-saving aid including shelter, food and water to ensure their basic safety, rights and dignity. With 18,879 women and men working in 137 countries, we work tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of 89.3 million forcibly displaced people worldwide. Our dedicated and professional staff work around the clock in roles including legal protection, community services, public affairs, health and more. Despite the challenges they can face, our staff are proud to work for UNHCR and determined to make a positive impact. Why a career with UNHCR? Our dedicated staff work to protect and assist people fleeing conflict and persecution at a time when global forced displacement is at a record high. Our colleagues bring a wide range of specialized skills, including expertise in legal protection, administration, community services, public affairs, health and other disciplines. Disability inclusion If you are a person with a disability and you expect you may face challenges during the recruitment process, you can indicate it in your application form. There are options to select any health conditions you may have and outline any necessary adjustments related to disabilities during the recruitment phases. Providing this information is optional. It will be treated as strictly confidential and used only for the purpose of finding out how to better assist you during the recruitment process. Adjustments for candidates with disabilities will be provided as best as possible and as needed upon request. All candidates will be assessed based on meeting the requirements for each vacancy in relation to experience, skills, and education.

Responsibilities

The Repatriation Associate is responsible for implementing the voluntary repatriation program, ensuring that all movements respect the principle of voluntariness and occur safely and with dignity. This includes interviewing candidates, preparing documentation, facilitating communication, and providing logistical support for return movements.