UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency logo
Senior Durable Solutions Assistant
full-timeDamascus

Summary

Location

Damascus

Type

full-time

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About this role

Deadline for Applications

January 27, 2026

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

E (most hardship)

Family Type (not applicable for home-based)

Non Family

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

UNOPS LICA5

Target Start Date

2026-04-01

Terms of Reference

• Demonstrated experience in providing durable solutions counselling and conducting interviews for voluntary repatriation, resettlement, and local integration, with the ability to explain procedures clearly, verify voluntariness, ensure accurate documentation, and apply UNHCR SOPs, AGD principles, and data protection standards in a consistent and protection sensitive manner.
• Experience in departure and movement coordination, including preparing travel related documentation, liaising with relevant authorities and partners, following up on clearances, and supporting logistical arrangements to facilitate safe, orderly, and compliant departures for refugees and asylum seekers.
• Solid experience in managing expectations and delivering clear, empathetic counselling to refugees and asylum-seekers, including providing realistic timelines, addressing concerns during interviews or counselling sessions, identifying protection needs, and making appropriate referrals to specialized services or protection teams in line with UNHCR procedures

 

Standard Job Description

Senior Durable Solutions Assistant

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Durable Solutions Assistant reports to a Durable Solutions Associate or Officer.

The incumbent is relied upon to contribute to the implementation of a durable solutions strategy. Contributing to fostering an environment to enhance partnerships is a critical element of the work, as are activities designed to strength the involvement of refugee communities and their hosts in the design and implementation of solutions strategies.

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
- Provide counselling to refugees and other persons of concern (POC) about their durable solutions needs.
- Interview candidates for voluntary repatriation and prepare documentation for their return, in line with Voluntary Repatriation SOPs.
- Interview candidates for local integration and prepare the appropriate documentation for onward submission to local authorities or partners, in line with Local Integration SOPs.
- Participate in identifying resettlement needs of refugees, in line with Resettlement SOPs.
- Assist in updating the electronic database for resettlement, voluntary repatriation and local integration, in line with Standard Operating Procedures.
- Process documentation to ensure that POC receive the documents required for their durable solutions in a timely manner.
- Prepare statistical and ad-hoc reports to ensure accurate information is available and shared with relevant offices and partners.
- Interview and advise on the appropriate durable solution to be provided to POC.
- Prepare documents relating to durable solutions.
- Enter information into available database, in line with SOPs.

- 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 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
HCR Protection Induction Prog;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Not specified.
Desirable
Diverse field experience. Experience in interviewing.

Functional Skills
DM-Database Management
IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software
(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

DM-Database Management, IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software

Education

Certifications

HCR Protection Induction Prog - UNHCR

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

Other facts

Tech stack
Durable Solutions Counselling,Interviewing,Documentation Preparation,Departure Coordination,Logistical Arrangements,Empathetic Counselling,Database Management,Microsoft Office Productivity Software

About UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organisation dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution.

We lead international action to protect refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people.

We deliver life-saving assistance, help safeguard fundamental human rights, and develop solutions that ensure people have a safe place called home where they can build a better future. We also work to ensure that stateless people are granted a nationality.

We work in over 130 countries, using our expertise to protect and care for millions.

UNHCR’s greatest asset is our workforce. We work with passionate, talented and creative individuals who want to use their skills for good. Thanks to people like you, we can develop solutions that enable people who have been forced to flee to restart their lives and build better futures.

Current Opportunities
http://www.unhcr.org/careers.html

Meet UNHCR Staff
https://bit.ly/2EMZrlO

⚠️ Important notice: Our protection work extends to online spaces, which means we may hide/delete comments with hate/spam/profanity/misinfo/disinfo.

Team size: 10,001+ employees
LinkedIn: Visit
Industry: International Affairs

What you'll do

  • The Senior Durable Solutions Assistant provides counselling to refugees regarding their durable solutions needs and conducts interviews for voluntary repatriation, local integration, and resettlement. They also manage documentation and ensure compliance with UNHCR procedures.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Senior Durable Solutions Assistant do at UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency?

As a Senior Durable Solutions Assistant at UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, you will: the Senior Durable Solutions Assistant provides counselling to refugees regarding their durable solutions needs and conducts interviews for voluntary repatriation, local integration, and resettlement. They also manage documentation and ensure compliance with UNHCR procedures..

Why join UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency as a Senior Durable Solutions Assistant?

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency is a leading International Affairs company.

Is the Senior Durable Solutions Assistant position at UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency remote?

The Senior Durable Solutions Assistant position at UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency is based in Damascus, Damascus Governorate, Syria. Contact the company through Clera for specific work arrangement details.

How do I apply for the Senior Durable Solutions Assistant position at UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency?

You can apply for the Senior Durable Solutions Assistant position at UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency directly through Clera. Click the "Apply Now" button above to start your application. Clera's AI-powered platform will help match your profile with this opportunity and guide you through the application process. You can also learn more about UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency on their website.