Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)U (unclassified)
Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
No designation
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeNUNV National
Target Start Date2025-09-01
Deadline for ApplicationsAugust 22, 2025
Terms of ReferenceMission and objectives:
UNHCR works to ensure that everybody has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge, having fled violence, persecution, war or disaster at home. Since 1950, UNHCR has provided support in the face of multiple crises globally, and provided vital assistance to refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced and stateless people, many of whom have nobody left to turn to. UNHCR helps save lives and build better futures for millions forced from their homes.
Assignment context:
Since 2019, UNHCR has maintained an office in Belém to provide technical advice to public authorities and assist refugees and those in need of international protection in the states of Pará and Amapá. UNHCR works with local protection networks to develop regulatory frameworks, public policies, and inclusive governance structures through an intercultural approach. According to official data, approximately 5,300 refugees and migrants live in Pará, including 1,200 Warao indigenous people, with 800 in Belém and its metropolitan area.
Belém has become a model for inclusive public policy for refugees, migrants, and stateless people, with UNHCR playing a key supporting role. UNHCR collaborates with the Instituto Internacional de Educação do Brasil (IEB) to promote environmental sustainability, empower and enhance communication with refugee communities, especially the Warao.
A new initiative with LONGi, a Chinese solar technology company, aims to improve energy sustainability in humanitarian operations through a solarization project in Brazil, showcasing how inclusive, sustainable solutions can be delivered in collaboration with local communities – leaving a lasting legacy and a defining contribution to climate justice. In Belém, this initiative will build climate resilience through solarized public infrastructure, and will amplify environmental advocacy.
Task description:
Within the framework of delegated authority and under the supervision of the Head of Office Field Office and/or their designated representative, the UN Volunteer will carry out the following tasks:
- Monitor the situation in the area of responsibility (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 to assess needs of refugees and other persons in need of international protection, 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.
- Assist the negotiation with local authority counterparts, partners and people UNHCR serves.
- Perform other related duties as required.
Monitoring of the activities performed by the UN Volunteer will be carried out through bi-weekly coordination meetings and the submission of monthly reports to the Head of Office, and a final executive report upon conclusion of the task.
Each report will summarize in a concise and objective manner:
a) Activities performed during the reporting period (monthly);
b) Meetings attended and decisions taken;
c) Engagement in external activities;
d) Documents and information materials drafted, revised or launched;
e) Any other relevant activity;
Required education: Bachelor degree and equivalent
Area(s) of specialization (education): Law, Social Sciences, International Relations, Anthropology or other related field.
Required experience: Minimum of 3 years
Required skills and experience:
Mandatory:
- Experience working with the protection of refugees, migrants or other at-risk groups;
- Experience in collaborating and providing technical assistance to local governments and networks;
- Experience in managing social impact projects;
- Experience in designing and implementing training programmes to external audiences;
- Experience in drafting reports for internal/external audiences;
Desirable
- Knowledge of international refugee law and/or human rights law will be considered an asset.
- Knowledge of Brazilian public governance framework, and familiarity with executive, legislative and judiciary processes and dynamics will be considered assets.
- Experience working with indigenous people will be considered an asset.
Area(s) of expertise:
Community Development
Crisis and emergency response
Languages: Fluency in Portuguese is required. Working knowledge in English and/or Spanish is desirable
Competencies and values:
• Accountability
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Creativity
• Planning and organising
• Professionalism
• Stakeholder management
• Political Awareness
• Organizational Awareness
• Analytical Thinking
• Negotiation and conflict resolution
• Client and result orientation
• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Communication
• Technological
Living conditions and other remarks:
The assignment will be in Belém, the capital of Pará state. Belém is a family duty station and classified A (hardship).
Belém, presents both opportunities and challenges for humanitarian work. While the city is recognized for its inclusive policies toward refugees and its role as host of COP30, it also faces significant socio-economic and environmental issues. Over half the population lives in informal settlements, often in flood-prone areas, and the cost of living is high compared to the minimum wage. Accommodation shortages and rising prices further complicate the situation, especially for humanitarian workers. Despite these difficulties, Belém remains a key location for advancing sustainable and inclusive development efforts.
As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging their own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan.
Brazil is security level 3 (moderate). United Nations Department of Safety and Security UNDSS Brazil advises to exercise a high degree of caution in Brazil due to high levels of serious and violent crime, particularly in major cities. Violent crime as muggings, armed robbery, kidnappings, and sexual assault, is very high. Avoid shanty towns (favelas) in the big cities and if you are attacked or robbed, do not resist. Demonstrations can occur at any time and may turn violent with little or no warning. All United Nations personnel must scrupulously comply with UNDSS procedures and recommendations during their assignment in Brazil. For missions in rural areas or indigenous reservations, special procedures may apply; UN personnel should consult with the local DSS office in advance.
Additional information regarding the selection process, position, and working conditions will only be made available to pre-selected candidates. Information on entitlements at the duty station is available at https://app.unv.org/calculator.
The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.
https://www.unv.org/.
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin, or other status.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity’s policy
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Skills
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Work Experience
Other informationThis position doesn't require a functional clearance
RemoteNo