UNHCR Job Opening: Interpreter & Protection Support 2025

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Are you passionate about language and refugee protection? UNHCR’s Multi‑Country Office in Bangkok, Thailand is seeking an Interpreter/Protection Clerk (position reference JR2558285) to support a high-impact resettlement programme and amplify refugee voices along the Thai–Myanmar border.

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Who We Are & Why It Matters

Thailand hosts nearly 90,000 refugees from Myanmar, who have lived for decades in camps along the Ratchaburi and Kanchanaburi provinces. Working in partnership with the Royal Thai Government and third‑country resettlement authorities, UNHCR is facilitating large-scale resettlement operations—providing refugees with protection, legal status, and a chance to rebuild their lives.

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Role Overview: Interpreter Meets Protection Advocate

Based in Bangkok yet frequently working in border camps, this role sits within the Durable Solutions Team, playing a critical role in resettlement interviews, case processing, and refugee outreach.

Key responsibilities include:

Interpretation and translation services during resettlement counselling, registration, and protection interviews—particularly between Karen (S’gaw) and English, with Thai and Burmese as desirable assets.
Clerical, administrative support: managing records, meeting scheduling, travel logistics, mail and inventory systems, report formatting, and file archiving.
Liaising with refugee leaders and supporting awareness sessions on core UNHCR issues like child protection, SGBV, and durable solutions.
Database updates using proGres to track case progress—resettlement status, birth registration, follow-up actions.

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Who You Are: Required Skills & Profiles

Criteria	Requirements
Education	Secondary school completion required; post‑secondary certificates (business admin, translation, social work) preferred
Experience	At least one year of relevant experience; familiarity with Myanmar refugee context is a strong advantage
Language Skills	Fluent in Karen (Sʼgaw) and English—verbal and written. Thai and Burmese fluency is highly desirable
Soft Skills	Strong communication, team spirit, sensitivity to vulnerable populations, confidentiality, and respect for survivor choice
IT/Computer	Basic computer literacy to manage records and documentation

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Operational Context: Life in the Field

While the post is centered in Bangkok, the role demands regular travel to field locations in Ratchaburi and Kanchanaburi, where daily logistics, team coordination, and interpretation services take place. Candidates should be flexible, culturally adept, and ready to join a dynamic field team. Standard Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) applies for field deployments.

Why Apply: Impact, Growth & Purpose

This position blends linguistic expertise with frontline humanitarian action—you’ll help shape resettlement outcomes and serve as a communication bridge between refugees and UNHCR staff. You’ll gain hands-on experience in protection operations, learn UN procedures, and strengthen intercultural competency—all while working under UN frameworks promoting professionalism, integrity and respect for diversit.

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Ready to Join? What’s Next

Applications for JR2558285 have closed (target start: early 2024). However, whether you’re applying in the future or preparing for similar roles, consider:

Highlight Karen↔English competence and any Thai/Burmese fluency in your resume.
Demonstrate sensitivity to refugee contexts and knowledge of proGres or similar systems.
Emphasize administrative reliability, teamwork, and adaptability to field deployments.
Customize your cover letter to UNHCR’s core values and this operational setting.

In Summary

At the intersection of language services and refugee protection, the Interpreter/Protection Clerk role offers a unique way to support displaced communities at a pivotal moment in their lives. If you have Karen-English fluency, compassion, and administrative acumen, this role signals meaningful impact—and could be a stepping stone toward a career in humanitarian protection.