Associate Field Officer

Job Title: Associate Field Officer

Organization: United Nations Volunteers (UNV)

Host entity: UNHCR

Assignment country: Uganda

Expected start date: 01/09/2023

Sustainable Development Goal: 17. Partnerships for the goals

Volunteer category: International UN Volunteer Specialist

Type: Onsite

Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)

Number of assignments: 1

Duty stations: Gulu

Details

Mission and objectives

The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and coordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org). In line with this mandate UNHCR supports the Republic of Uganda in protecting individuals who seeks asylum in the country as well as those in the country at risk of being stateless or who already are considered stateless. UNHCR also provides direct assistance through implementing partners to refugees and asylum seekers in Uganda. As of Sept 30 UNHCR in Uganda targets approximately 1,524,352 refugees and asylum seekers for assistance in terms of basic services and legal protection. UNHCR puts a strong effort into identifying durable solutions for all refugees in Uganda and to reduce the risk of persons in the country becoming stateless.

Context

Field Office Kiryadongo is located in mid-western Uganda and approximately 223km north of Kampala. The refugee settlement in Kiryadongo is hosting 65,389 refugees and asylum-seekers as of 17 July 2023. The vast majority (over 95%) having fled from South Sudan since the outbreak of conflict in December 2013. The rest of the refugee population is made up of smaller population groups from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya and other nearby countries. The Kiryadongo refugee settlement was officially opened on 12 July 1990 to host Sudanese refugees relocated from the Acholi P-11 refugee camp in Kitgum, northern Uganda. The Government of Uganda Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) together with UNHCR jointly coordinate the refugee response and assistance Programmes in the settlement while UNWFP provides food aid to all refugees. The settlement has two main ranches ( I and 37), subdivided into 17 clusters (villages). As of February 2016, the government of Uganda gazette and issued land titles to the settlement and included a third Ranch ( 188), hence increasing the capacity of Kiryadongo by about 4square miles with an estimated capacity to host an additional l 0,000 individuals however new arrivals cannot be settled there because this ranch lacks infrastructure and a large portion of it has national squatters living on it. As such, the settlement in the interim has reached its full capacity with only room for internal relocations and a few Protection referrals from Kampala and other settlements. The Total land area of Kiryadongo Refugee Settlement is 3 I square miles. The Associate Field Officer Kiryadongo must have knowledge in all aspects of VNHCR's Field level operation. Applied experience of protection principles, operational arrangements/standards in relation to protection, assistance. Must be conversant with the current priorities of the operation and existing mechanisms to implement those priorities. The incumbent is also required to liaise with all the relevant senior government officials, security organs in the area, the Head of various Non-Governmental Organisations (both national and internationals based in the area), Civilian/tribal leaders/elders, local opinion makers and the local media net-work to ensure his/her assigned responsibilities are effectively and efficiently discharged.

Task description

Ensure that UNHCR’s policies, standards and procedures are constantly and coherently applied in the Area of Responsibility (AoR). Ensure that the needs of persons of concern in the AoR are assessed and analysed in a participating manner and using an Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective to form a firm basis for planning. Ensure that protection incidents and gaps in assistance are immediately identified and addressed. Identify vulnerable groups or individuals who may need special attention or special arrangements and make recommendations on the needs of different groups of refugees. Assess protection and assistance needs of refugees and asylum-seekers in the region and monitor implementation of refugee assistance programmes. In co-ordination with implementing partners, handle the reception, registration and provision of assistance to persons of concern to UNHCR. Provide inputs for project submissions and periodic narrative and financial reports for the annual programme. Develop and maintain relations with local authorities ensuring smooth negotiations in all aspects of UNHCR's mandate for the benefit of refugees. Monitor the security situation in the area and intervene as appropriate with the local authorities. Participation in needs assessment as a member of the Multi-Functional team In close coordination with programme and project control, monitor project implementation and provide feedback on the progress to the relevant units/sections Undertake other relevant duties as required.

Eligibility criteria

Age

27 - 80

Nationality

Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Requirements

Required experience

4 years of experience in refugee law and good knowledge of UNHCR programme is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization; • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Have affinity with or interest in international refugee law. volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development. and the UN System.

Area(s) of expertise

Business management, Communication, Security and protection

Driving license

-

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level

Bachelor degree or equivalent in Law, International Law, International Relations, Political Sciences or related field.

Competencies and values

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNHCR; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNHCR procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNHCR in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNHCR’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Other information

Living conditions and remarks

Kiryandongo is a district located on the Gulu-Kampala highway. The UNHCR field Office and the refugee settlement are in Bweyale Town Council/Kiryandongo District. The security situation is calm. Suitably equipped office premises are provided. UNHCR Guesthouse facilities are also provided for accommodation at standard UNHCR rates. The majority of staff 14 out of 18, reside at the guesthouse. There is a room available for the Associate Field Officer. Catering services are provided by a Staff association hired cook for a fee and there is access to an equipped kitchen at the guest house as well as a common room with a TV with DSTV subscription. The Bweyale market has basic foodstuff. Basic health services are available at the settlement health centre for common illnesses (malaria, flu, etc.) but staff travel to Kampala (3.5 hours away by road) for more serious medical attention. The road from Kiryandongo to Kampala is well tarmacked and there is a variety of public transportation buses available. Kiryandongo is 1.5 hours away from Gulu. At Kiryandongo, there are two other sister agency present WFP and FAO. However, there are several partners both operational and implementing, such as, Save the Children, Danish Refugee Council, Action Against Hunger, Windle International, Water Mission Uganda, Global Refugee Initiative, AFI, IRC, AIRD, TPO, BRAC, SHI, DCA, CTEN, etc. Kiryandongo has basic education services but no international school. Communication is mainly through mobile phones (GSM). There are three banks available - Postbank and Centenary bank at Bweyale town (3km away) with basic services and Stanbic, at Kigumba town, which is about 30 minutes' drive from the UNHCR office.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

This UNV assignment is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19 with WHO approved vaccine, unless the UNHCR Medical Service approves an exemption from this requirement on medical grounds

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