Senior Registration Assistant

May 25, 2026

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

A (least hardship)

FamilyUNOPS LICA5

2026-06-01The incumbent will work under the supervision of the Registration Associate and the Protection Officer, and in close coordination with other relevant teams. The position-holder will be evaluated based on indicators, including:
- Number of registration cases correctly completed and verified in proGres.
- Number of incoming Help emails answered in a timely manner and ensuring full compliance with UNHCR standards.
- Percentage of registration cases submitted by partner agencies that meet UNHCR data quality standards upon first review.
- Submission of regular reports to the direct supervisor on progress, challenges, risks, and proposed mitigation measures.

Performance will be assessed against milestones in the annual work plans, including:
- Timely processing of Registration tasks.
- Efficient monitoring and follow-up of registration activities performed by partners.
- Efficient response to PoC’s inquiries via Help ACNUR.
The incumbent will receive ongoing technical guidance on registration standards, data protection, and operational procedures and will be required to participate in training sessions to ensure correct application of SOPs and corporate tools.

Qualifications and Experience:
a. Education (Level and area of required and/or preferred education)
Certificates and/or Licenses: Social Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Information Technology
b. Work Experience
For G5 - 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1-year relevant work experience with Bachelor's or equivalent or higher
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Good computer skills, particularly in data management.
Desirable
Training in basic principles of international protection. Experience in working with UNHCR proGres software.

ELIGIBILITY:
Candidates must be Costa Rican or have a valid work permit, be present in Costa Rica at the time of application, recruitment and hiring.

In accordance with the Recruitment and Assignment Policy (RAP), Special Measures, CORES resources, and DHR clarifications, when a GS or NPO vacancy is advertised, candidates are released to the hiring manager for consideration in tiers. The progression through tiers must follow an orderly and inclusive process, with justification required at each stage:

Tier 1 – Internal Candidates and those eligible for Consideration on a Preferred Basis (CoPB):
• Staff holding FTA or Indefinite appointments within the same category (GS or NPO), serving in the country, one grade below or above the post (RAP para 94).
• Candidates eligible for CoPB (RAP paras 94, 97–98): these must be reviewed as a priority.
• GS staff applying more than one grade below in the GS category will still be considered Tier 1 if they enjoy CoPB.
• NPO staff applying more than one grade below in the NPO category will still be considered Tier 1 if they enjoy CoPB.
• GS staff applying to more than one grade lower positions in the GS category within the same country (max 2 grades below).
• NPO staff applying to more than one grade lower positions in the NPO category within the same country (max 2 grades below).

Tier 2 – 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) are eligible to apply as Tier 2 candidates to the local categories. Eligibility to work in a specific country to be verified by the office.
• Current NPO staff whose positions were discontinued and who are applying for GS vacancies will be released together with Former Staff
• Other types of former staff members are considered candidates with UNHCR experience for any location. Eligibility to work in a specific country to be verified by the office.
• Eligibility period for application: May 2025 – June 2026 vacancies.

Tier 3 – Candidates with UNHCR Experience:
• Current (at the time of application) Temporary Appointment holders, affiliates (UNOPS, UNV etc.) and interns .
• Former UNHCR staff members (GS / NPO) who held an indefinite or fixed-term appointment (within two years of separation for males and five years females) who don’t fall under Tier 2 prioritized former staff category can apply as Tier 3 candidates to all GS or NPO vacancies for any location as long as they have the right to work in that country (this has to be verified by the office).
• NPOs applying to GS positions in the same country or vice versa.
• Current P staff with FTA applying from other countries / operations to GS / NPO positions in their home country or if they have the right to work in that country.
• Current GS or NPO staff with FTA applying from other countries / operations to GS / NPO positions to a country / operation where they have the right to work and if they their positions is scheduled for discontinuation (otherwise considered as externals)
• GS staff applying to two grades higher positions in the GS category within the same country.
• NPO staff applying to two grades higher positions in the NPO category within the same country.

Tier 4 – External Candidates:
• All other candidates who are not in the above groups.
• Normally not applicable under the May 2025–June 2026 interim framework unless external advertisement was approved.
• Former International staff will be considered External when applying for local positions.
• Former TA/AWF will be considered External when applying for any positions/category.
• GS / NPO staff applying to more than two grades lower positions in their category within the same country.

UNHCR’s workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, and opinions. We seek to sustain and strengthen this diversity and to ensure equal opportunities, as well as an inclusive working environment, for our entire workforce. Joining us means living, sharing and promoting these core values of inclusion, diversity, and gender equality.

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.

UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).

In your application, you must include all your work experience, as it will be highly considered.

At the United Nations, we are committed to the inclusion and participation of all people. If you have special needs or require assistance to apply, please contact cossarrhh@unhcr.org

Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a test and or interview. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified. No late applications will be accepted.

 

Standard Job Description

Senior Registration Assistant

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Registration Assistant is a member of the Registration team. The incumbent is responsible for supporting all activities related to registration, which may also include functions related to reception, filing and data management. S/he provides counselling to, and responds to queries from, asylum seekers and refugees regarding UNHCR's registration procedures and their rights and entitlements. S/he liaises closely with protection staff and partners to ensure timely identification and referral of persons of concern (POC) for protection follow up. The Senior Registration Assistant may assist in compiling and analysing information related to registration activities in the Operation. The incumbent may provide interpretation and/or translation services in cases for which s/he has the required language competencies.

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
- Assist in the implementation of registration strategies and methodologies for POC.
- Conduct registration interviews when required in accordance with registration standards and guidance.
- Provide counselling to, and responds to queries from, asylum seekers and refugees regarding UNHCR's registration procedures and their rights and entitlements.
- Maintain accurate and up-to date records and data related to all individual registration cases.
- Identify persons with specific needs and ensure timely referral to protection follow-up as required.
- Collaborate with protection staff and/or partners in the delivery of assistance and programming, including provision of identity and entitlement documentation.
- Draft correspondence and reports relating to registration activities in the Operation, when required
- Provide statistics and draft reports related to registration data, as requested.
- Act as interpreter and translator when needed.
- Refer cases to other units within the office and to implementing partners as necessary.
- Draft and submit reports and statistics related to registration.

- 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
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
Social Science Statistics Mathematics Information Technology
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Good computer skills, particularly in data management.

Desirable
Training in basic principles of international protection. Experience in working with UNHCR proGres software.

Functional Skills
*DM-Data Management
PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards)
DM-Data Collection and Analysis
RG-Registration SoPs Design/Implementation
TR-Training - Virtual and face to face
IT-IT Refugee Systems & Applications
*IT-Computer Literacy
(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

English

,

Spanish

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

DM-Data Collection and Analysis, DM-Data Management, IT-Computer Literacy, IT-IT Refugee Systems & Applications, PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards), RG-Registration SoPs Design/Implementation, TR-Training - Virtual and face to face

Education

Certifications

Information Technology - Other, Mathematics - Other, Social Sciences - Other, Statistics - Other

Other information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

Remote

No