Senior Field Associate

February 17 2026

A (least hardship)

FamilyFamily

GS7

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

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 addition staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core functional cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCRs 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.

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. The Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance (COMAR) has registered claims from more than one hundred nationalities. The exponential growth in the number of asylum applications - reaching a record high of over 140000 in 2023 followed by approximately 80000 in 2024 and around 40000 in the first half of 2025 - continues to pose major challenges to Mexicos asylum system. Currently an average of 250 new asylum applications are submitted daily mostly in Tapachula and Mexico City. UNHCRs strategy in Mexico aims to safeguard the asylum space by strengthening the institutional capacity of COMAR and ensuring efficient processing and adjudication of claims promoting access to alternative legal pathways for individuals with specific protection needs and supporting regularization alternatives for those not in need of international protection thereby safeguarding the integrity of the asylum system. Durable solutions form a central component of UNHCRs engagement with a particular focus on socioeconomic inclusion of asylum-seekers and refugees and on alleviating pressure on host communities particularly in southern Mexico. Communication and awareness-raising initiatives are critical to ensure that information on asylum procedures and access to durable solutions reaches target populations effectively. Mexico is a relevant country in the regional context and is fully engaged in the MIRPS the Chile Plan of Action and other relevant processes. The very dynamic relations between the US and Mexico in key aspects of human mobility require continuous adaptation and flexibility.

Desired Candidate Profile:

UNHCR Mexico is looking for a dynamic and skilled Senior Field Associate with thorough knowledge on government-led asylum procedures as well as proven experience in mixed movements given the operational context explained before. Solid experience and knowledge on registration procedures for large population groups both technically and operationally is essential to support both the Mexican government and UNHCR. Currently COMAR has nine different locations and UNHCR has over nine field locations where we conduct registration and case management both in the context of asylum procedures and humanitarian assistance and local integration the southern region there will be four locations for UNHCR registration requiring this position to conduct remote monitoring of registration activities of the southern region of Mexico and close coordination with COMAR. Furthermore this position is expected to oversee UNHCRs daily operations in the Multiservice Center in Tapachula.

Therefore ensuring coherence in the implementation of all these different programmes requires strong coordination capacity and at the same time close monitoring. Robust skills interacting with government officials key partners refugee communities and other stakeholders including through on-the-job training and other capacity-building activities are essential. A deep knowledge of UNHCRs ProGres V4 registration platform and strong familiarity with information management tools are required. Given the delicate and complex national context the successful candidate must demonstrate political awareness negotiation skills and the ability to remain calm under stressful circumstances. Team management experience and the capacity to provide technical guidance to field teams are also necessary. Proficiency in both Spanish and English along with strong drafting skills in both languages is highly recommended.

The ideal candidate is a field operations professional with strong experience in registration coordination programme monitoring and protection activities within humanitarian contexts. S/he demonstrates a solid understanding of UNHCRs mandate operational procedures and protection principles ensuring effective delivery of assistance and support to persons of concern (PoC).

Field Operations and Programme Implementation: The candidate must be skilled in conducting and supervising registration processes running UNHCR daily operations gathering data consolidating and drafting statistics monitoring programme implementation and ensuring timely delivery of assistance. Experience in supervising units implementing UNHCR registration processes and supporting data collection is essential.

Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination: The candidate should have proven ability to maintain constructive relationships with local authorities implementing partners and refugee communities. S/he actively promotes collaboration and negotiates with counterparts to address operational challenges and improve protection outcomes.

Monitoring Reporting and Compliance: The candidate will contribute to data collection status reports and operational planning ensuring compliance with UNHCR standards and procedures. Familiarity with monitoring and accountability mechanisms is highly desirable.

Competencies and Skills: Strong interpersonal organizational and problem-solving skills are essential. The candidate must demonstrate cultural sensitivity sound judgment and the ability to work independently in dynamic field environments. Supervisory experience and capacity to mentor support staff are an asset.
Fluency in English and Spanish is essential with demonstrated ability to draft and communicate effectively in both languages.

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 in Mexico are eligible. Applicants must attach proof of permanent residency at the time of application. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.
Mobility and Eligibility for Application: Staff members must normally serve a minimum of one year in their current assignment before applying for another position within the same category unless their post has been abolished.
Selection Process: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates will 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 serious 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: or at or by confidential fax:.
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 A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. This includes salary allowances (where applicable) comprehensive medical insurance and participation in the UN pension scheme. Further details are available via the UN Office of Human Resources Management.

Spanish

English

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)

Certifications

Business Administration - Other Law - Other Political Science - Other

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

Additional Information

This position doesnt require a functional clearance