Driver

May 19, 2026

U (unclassified)

No designation

GS2

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-06-01

Driver

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Driver in the UNHCR Office is normally supervised directly by the Administrative Officer/Associate/Assistant or another staff member when the scale of the Operation so require it. Besides driving, the incumbent is responsible for up keep and maintenance of the assigned UNHCR vehicle(s) as per technical guidance and specifications established by the Organisation. S/he is required to follow strict instructions and security guidance provided by the supervisor. While the basic function of a driver is to drive the official vehicles of UNHCR, s/he may be called upon to perform minor maintenance and repair of UNHCR vehicles.

The Driver has regular contacts with staff within the UNHCR Office and with others (including Partners, government authorities, etc.) outside UNHCR involving a limited exchange of information.

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
- Drive UNHCR vehicles for the transport of authorized passengers, deliver, and collect documents and other items.
- Meet official personnel at airports or other locations and facilitate immigration and customs formalities as required.
- Perform day-to-day maintenance of the assigned vehicles; check oil, water, battery, brakes, tires, etc. and ensure that the assigned UNHCR vehicles are road or waterway worthy and maintained up to the established security standards.
- Perform minor repairs, arrange for other repairs, and ensure that the vehicle is kept clean.
- Ensure that the steps required by rules and regulations, or other local procedures, are taken in case of involvement in an accident.
- Log official trips, daily mileage, gas consumption, oil changes, greasing, etc.
- Ensure that instructions and security guidance provided by the supervisor and security focal point are strictly followed.
- Ensures valid documentation for passengers, items or cargo in vehicle.

- 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

Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G2D - 2 years relevant experience with Completion of Primary Education or High School Diploma or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not applicable

Certificates and/or Licenses
*Driving Licences;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Driving licence, knowledge of driving rules and regulations.
Desirable
Not specified.

Functional Skills
* DV-Driving Rules and Regulations
DV - Basic Vehicle Mechanical Skills;
(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.

The Driver will work under the direct supervision of the Field Associate and in close collaboration with the Admin Officer who oversees the fleet and bookings.

The Driver primarily performs the functions as per the standard Job Description.

To carry out the functions of the position, the candidate must have:
• Proven previous work experience as a driver.
• Valid Brazilian Driver License.

It will be considered an asset:
• Prior working experience as a driver with UNHCR, other UN agencies, and/or international and national NGOs.
• Experience in performing day-to-day vehicle maintenance and minor repairs.
• Experience providing general administrative support and acting as a safety focal point.
• Administrative experience using tools to log official trips, daily mileage, fuel consumption, and related records.
• Completion of UNHCR training such as Safe Road Use, Vehicle Tracking System for Drivers, and related courses.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.

Language requirements:
Portuguese level: Mother Tongue (required)
English level: B2 (required)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Eligibility:

This position is advertised to internal applicants and UNHCR experience applicants. Candidates must be legally present in Brazil at the time of application, recruitment and hire. Only Brazilian citizens or candidates legally present in Brazil will be considered eligible.

Internal candidates:

Candidates: comprises current GS staff members holding an indefinite or fixed-term appointment who, at the date of the deadline for application, are serving in the country of the vacancy at the grade of the position or one grade below or above, as well as any candidates serving at higher grades who fulfill the criteria as per the job advertisement. Staff members must serve for a minimum of one year following assignment before being considered eligible to apply for another position within the same category.

Candidates with UNHCR experience:

UNHCR experience candidates are current staff members in other categories (GS/FS/NPO), Junior Professional Officers, staff members on temporary appointment, affiliate workforce, interns, staff loaned/seconded from another UN organization/international organization/government entity, as well as former UNHCR staff members who held an indefinite or fixed-term appointment (within 2 years of separation for males and 5 years for females).

Remuneration:

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, please visit the portal of the International Civil Service Commission and please refer to the relevant category / grade level at: http://icsc.un.org

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

Applications:

All applications must be submitted online in Workday. Email applications will not be accepted. Incomplete and late applications will not be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates might be required to sit for a written test and/or oral interview.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted based on the information submitted during the application. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

UNHCR is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, sexual orientation, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. UNHCR seeks to ensure that male and female employees are given equal career opportunities. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

UNHCR has a zero-tolerance policy against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA). SEA is unacceptable behavior and prohibited conduct for UNHCR personnel. It constitutes acts of serious misconduct and is therefore grounds for disciplinary measures, including dismissal. Any concerns or suspicions about a possible case of SEA should be reported immediately to the Inspector General’s Office (IGO) at [email protected] or through the online complain form at https://www.unhcr.org/php/complaints.php or by confidential fax: +41 22 739 73 80.

Portuguese

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English

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

In the last week of April 2024, the state of Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil faced unprecedented heavy rainfall and extreme weather conditions lasting several weeks. Around 96 per cent of the cities in the state were impacted by the events, with many experiencing unprecedented floods. Entire neighborhoods were flooded out and roads, communications networks and water systems were damaged. Overall, nearly 2.4 million people have been affected by the floods, and 183 people were reported killed. At the peak of the emergency, nearly 600,000 people were displaced with more than 80,000 sheltering in official facilities across the state. Some 43,000 refugees and people in need of international protection were estimated to be living in Rio Grande do Sul when the rains hit, mainly Venezuelans (67 per cent), Haitians (28 per cent) and Cubans (3 per cent).  Although the acute phase of the emergency has passed, significant challenges persist in bringing services and quality of living back to pre-events standards.

In addition, in the last years, Rio Grande do Sul has established itself as a key destination for refugees and other persons in need of international protection. Following our mandate, UNHCR works to promote protection, livelihoods and integration of refugees. As such, UNHCR works to provide accurate and timely information to refugees and other persons in need of international protection, as well as referral to services (including documentation) identification of specific needs and counseling. In Rio Grande do Sul, UNHCR has historically worked through implementing partners to ensure the protection of refugees and solutions to their situation. Additionally, UNHCR has worked with refugee-led organizations, promoting community-based protection. UNHCR supports authorities in further expanding the progressive refugee public policies in place to ensure refugees’ effective access to rights and services. We work to promote their self-reliance and socio-economic inclusion and integration through their insertion into national programs. In the current scenario, UNHCR continues to support national and local government recovery efforts, as well as for the implementation of policies and initiatives to promote self-reliance and integration of refugees and other forcibly displaced populations. In this regard, UNHCR has been working with UN Agencies, the Government, civil society organizations, and organizations led by refugees in responding to the challenges and needs of refugees and forcibly displaced in the post-emergency context. Brazil has always played a pioneering and leading role in the international protection of refugees. Refugees enjoy the protection of the Brazilian Government and can, therefore, obtain documents, work, study and exercise the same rights as any foreign citizen with regular status in the country. In May this year, UNHCR has established its permanent facilities in Rio Grande do Sul to strength and follow up the work already done and to promote a more quality integration for refugees arriving to the state.

Living and Working Conditions:

 

Additional Qualifications

Skills

DV - Basic Vehicle Mechanical Skills, DV-Driving Rules and Regulations

Certifications

Driving License - Other

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Teamwork & collaboration, Technological awareness

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Additional Information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance