Deadline for Applications

December 16, 2025

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

D

Family Type (not applicable for home-based)

Non Family

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

UNOPS LICA5

Target Start Date

2026-01-01

Terms of Reference

The Senior Repatriation Assistant reports to the Assistant Protection Officer and serves as the focal point for the Derabon Return Counselling Centre. The role oversees day-to-day return processing, ensures smooth operational continuity, and manages the team stationed at the centre.
The position is relied upon for timely reporting, effective coordination with authorities at Derabon and across PKBCP, and consistent support on cross-border and repatriation matters. The Senior Repatriation Assistant must demonstrate strong team management abilities, a solid understanding of border operations, and in-depth knowledge of return processing and UNHCR registration procedures. Comprehensive understanding of the protection context in Iraq is essential. Excellent command of English, Kurdish and Arabic are required.
The role requires excellent familiarity with UNHCR systems such as proGres v4 and Kobo, as well as strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
Its required that the staff has experience in the following, which are part of the duties for the Senior repatriation Assistance position:
• Experience conducting quality checks on return processing completed by the Derabon team and providing guidance where needed. Recommending individuals for further processing in line with existing SOPs.
• Interviewing candidates for voluntary repatriation, ensuring decisions are fully informed and based on up-to-date information on the country of origin.
• Assisting in the preparation of return documentation and ensuring refugees receive the correct paperwork.
• Participating in mass information activities targeting refugee communities and other stakeholders regarding the voluntary repatriation.
• Providing logistical and administrative support for border-crossing and return movements as well as oversee the Derabon center logistic and administrative needs.
• Identifying and assessing vulnerabilities among returnees and advising on appropriate responses and solutions.
• Interviewing candidates and advising senior staff on the voluntariness of their decision to return.
• Entering return-related information into designated databases in accordance with SOPs.
• Identifying, managing, and escalating risks relevant to return processing.
• Coordinating with border authorities on return activities and broader cross-border issues.
• Advocating on behalf of individuals with border officials.
• Preparing and submitting timely border-related reports, including weekly, quarterly, and annual reports.
• Performing any other related duties as required.Standard Job Description

Senior Repatriation Assistant

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Repatriation Assistant reports to the Repatriation Associate, Senior Repatriation Associate, Associate Repatriation Officer, Associate Protection Officer, Repatriation Officer or Protection Officer in a Field Office, Sub Office or Country Office.
The Senior Repatriation Assistant is relied upon to contribute to the advancement of repatriation activities. The incumbent 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.
- Assist in proposing 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 assessing the specific needs of vulnerable categories of returnees during return movements and advise on responses.
- Interview candidates for voluntary repatriation and advise senior colleagues on their decision to return 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.

- 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
International Law International relation Political science or other relevant field.
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Not specified
Desirable
Good knowledge of UNHCR's protection mandate and operations.
Functional Skills
IT-Computer Literacy
UN-UN/UNHCR Mandate and Global Strategic Priorities
PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators
(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 Kurdish

,

Arabic

,

EnglishDesired Languages

,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

IT-Computer Literacy, PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators, UN-UN/UNHCR Mandate and Global Strategic Priorities

Education

Certifications

International Law - Other, International Relations - Other, Political Science - Other

Work Experience

Other information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

Remote

No