Registration Assistant

July 20, 2026

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

B

FamilyUNOPS LICA4

2026-08-01Operational Context:

India currently hosts more than 261,000 refugees and asylum seekers. These include some 91,000 Sri Lankan refugees and 73,400 Tibetans directly assisted by the Government of India. There are also around 48,000 individuals registered under UNHCR’s mandate primarily from Afghanistan, Myanmar, and other countries. In addition, around 50,000 Myanmar nationals have sought refuge in the Northeast of India and live in a refugee-like situation. UNHCR works with the Government of India on protection and solutions for refugees and asylum seekers in India.

In 2025, severe funding cuts have resulted in the scaling back of critical services for refugees in India. UNHCR’s priorities currently include:

- strengthening registration, documentation, and legal aid to prevent or respond to arrest, detention, and risk of forced return—prioritizing high-risk cases for refugee status determination, with positive decisions opening pathways to resettlement and other solutions.
- addressing the urgent needs of the most vulnerable individuals including with emergency, life-saving assistance.
- deepening collaboration with local actors and investing in refugee- and community-led initiatives and livelihood programs that foster resilience, inclusion, and self-reliance.
- advancing durable solutions by expanding complementary pathways—such as labor mobility and education opportunities to third countries— advocating for increased resettlement, and facilitating safe, voluntary repatriation

UNHCR works through local partners in areas with the largest refugee populations and the highest operational needs providing essential protection services across India. The Office undertakes advocacy on the development of a national policy framework to respond to refugees including through the inclusion of refugees and asylum seekers in public services and programs in line with the commitment of “leaving no one behind” under the UN- Government of India Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. UNHCR’s office is in New Delhi and has a field presence in Chennai, Tamil Nadu State.

Desired Candidate Profile

The Registration Assistant is a member of the registration team of UNHCR India and is supervised by the Registration Associate. The Registration Assistant is responsible for supporting all activities related to registration including reception of refugees and asylum seekers, new registration, continuous registration, digital gateway related activities, biometrics, e-filing and documentation in line with relevant UNHCR standards and policies. The Registration Assistant responds to queries from asylum seekers and refugees regarding UNHCR's procedures and their rights, entitlements, and duties. The Registration Assistant ensures early identification of persons with specific needs and facilitates their referral to partners and service providers for appropriate interventions.

A minimum of one year of work experience with UNHCR and/or its implementing partners in reception, registration, continuous registration, biometrics, and documentation procedures is required. Experience in working with vulnerable or traumatized individuals and strong cross-cultural communication skills are desired. Proven record in the usage of proGres database and Microsoft Office applications such as Word and Excel are required.

Excellent English writing skills, attention to detail and ability to meet tight deadlines and strong organizational and time management skills are desired.

This position is open only to Indian nationals. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted, and they may be required to undergo a written test and an interview. The selected candidate will work either from the UNHCR Office or other UNHCR partner locations in New Delhi, India.

Standard Job Description

Registration Assistant

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Registration Assistant is a member of the registration team and is supervised by a more senior colleague who normally reports directly to the Registration Officer. 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 responds to queries from asylum seekers and refugees regarding UNHCR's registration procedures and their rights and entitlements. The Registration Assistant liaises with protection staff and partners to ensure timely identification and referral of persons of concern for protection follow up and 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
- Conduct registration interviews in accordance with local SOPs and registration standards.
- Respond 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
- Act as interpreter and translator when needed.
- Refer cases to other units within the office and to implementing partners as necessary.

- 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
G4 - 1 year relevant experience with High School Diploma; or Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not applicable.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Social Sciences; Statistics; Mathematics;
Information Technology;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Not specified.

Desirable
Experience in working with UNHCR proGres software.

Functional Skills
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

,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

IT-Computer Literacy

Education

Certifications

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

Other information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

Remote

No