Career Openings at United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

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

Coordination and Partnership

• Assist in the co-ordination of public health, reproductive health, nutrition and HIV activities within the Area of Responsibility (AOR) in support of the government¿s responses and in conjunction with other UN agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other partners, including development actors to ensure delivery of public health and nutrition services to beneficiaries (POC   and host community) meet UNHCR and /or nationally recognised and most up-to-date standards and policies.
• With support from the supervisor, support the Operation to define the level and scope of UNHCR¿s involvement in public health and nutrition responses in terms of overall and operational objectives during emergency situations and beyond.
• In line with the Global Compact on Refugees work with governments and humanitarian and development partners to ensure a complementary approach to meet the health needs of POCs. 
• Represent UNHCR in health coordination and other meetings including inter-sectoral groups such as Technical Working Groups for MHPSS and nutrition. 
• Engage in relevant partnership fora, including in line with UNHCR¿s role as a UNAIDS co-sponsor of the Joint Programme on AIDS and co-lead with WFP of the Division of Labour area of HIV in Humanitarian Settings.
• Support operational collaboration with WFP including the implementation of Joint Assessment Missions and corresponding Joint Plans of Action in line with global commitments on targeting of assistance to meet basic needs and data sharing to support assistance distribution (in collaboration with programme and protection colleagues),
• Support emergency responses to new refugee influxes or outbreaks or other situations in line with the Public Health Emergency Toolkit and UNHCR's Emergency Handbook and the SPHERE Handbook.

Strategic planning and development

• Contribute to the implementation of UNHCR's Strategic Plan for Public Health and adaptation at country level.
• Work with others in UNHCR to advocate for refugees, returnees and other POC's access to local public health, reproductive health (RH) and HIV, MHPSS and nutrition services (including food assistance where relevant) and lobby for inclusion of refugees, returnees and other POC as a specific group in government policies and plans related to health, RH and HIV as well as major donor programmes such as the Global Fund for HIV, TB and Malaria.
• Contribute to public health strategies addressing known gaps in health and nutrition programming based on country-specific needs assessments with due consideration to neonatal and maternal health care, TB and viral hepatitis, palliative care, health services for LGBTI individuals, health and protection services for persons selling sex and programming for persons with disabilities including access to assistive technologies and appropriate associated services.
• Support the monitoring of country specific medium to long term inclusion plans in support of the Ministry of Health and other relevant Ministries (e.g. Social Welfare) and in partnership with development and other actors. 
• Work with stakeholders, including UN agencies, NGOs, Ministries of Health and academic institutions in the development of public health response plans associated with refugee movements (including in repatriation programmes).
• Maintain and update contingency plans within the AOR for potential epidemics, refugee and returnee movements.

Technical integrity and risk mitigation

• Update and disseminate standard practices on public health, MHPSS, nutrition, HIV and reproductive health among partners.
• Support the prioritization of primary health care (including preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative care) 
• Monitor, in close co-ordination with other humanitarian actors, that health care services provided to POC are based on Ministry of Health, UNHCR and/or internationally recognized and most up-to-date standards and policies.
• Support the adaptation of UNHCR internal operating procedures to ensure they are in line with UNHCR and/or international standards and improve efficiency of programme activities; this includes but is not limited to referral health care, medicines and medical supplies procurement and management, medical resettlement and resettlement of persons with health needs, cash-based assistance for health care coverage and referral between units and inter-sectoral collaboration.
• Monitor and support compliance with, and integrity of, all public health standard operating procedures in conjunction with Project Control and Programme staff and in line with delegated authorities, including flagging to senior managers when these are not in line with global guidance or not being followed.

Collaboration

• Support linkages of public health to WASH programmes throughout all stages of the programme cycle including in outbreak preparedness and response, emergency responses to refugee influxes, WASH in health facilities, and menstrual hygiene management.
• Support inter-sector collaboration throughout all stages of programme cycle between public health and nutrition with WASH, education, environment, shelter, and protection in order to promote synergies and maximise impact.
• Assist with the review and analysis of relevant project proposals and budgetary submissions presented by UNHCR partners within the context of the UNHCR programming cycle.
• Seek the diverse views of men, women, girls and boys, adolescents, youth, older persons, persons with disabilities and LGBTI in assessing needs, designing, implementing and monitoring responses in line with UNHCR¿s policy on age, gender and diversity mainstreaming.
• Contribute to the implementation of the UNHCR Health Information System and other relevant data collection tools including the balanced scorecard, maternal and neonatal death audits, Health Access and Utilisation Survey and other corporate tools where relevant; support the analysis, interpretation and use of public health data.
• Advocate for the inclusion of refugees and other POC in national surveys such as demographic and health surveys, multi-indicator cluster surveys, AIDS indicator surveys including where possible a separate sample for refugees allowing for comparisons and trend analysis over time.
• Support national health systems to disaggregate data by refugee and nationals in key areas based on country specific needs in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 
• Assist in the monitoring of public health and nutrition programmes against standard UNHCR and international indicators, to ensure that programmes are evidence-based and implemented in a comprehensive and cost-effective manner.
• Support the planning, implementation, analysis, dissemination and use of nutritional surveys (Standardized Expanded Nutrition Surveys, SENS), health-related surveys and post-distribution monitoring exercises (in collaboration with WFP).
• In line with policies for Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) ensure POC have access to feedback and accountability mechanisms relating to public health and nutrition services including the collection and analysis of data on their satisfaction with regards to public health and nutrition services.
• Draft regular sectoral reports and submit material for preparation of periodic project monitoring reports as required by the office at country level.
• Provide timely updates to enable adequate reporting and briefings to donors and management.

Capacity Building

• Support capacity strengthening of UNHCR and its implementing partners to address public health, nutrition, reproductive health, HIV, MHPSS programming in a co-ordinated, multi-sectoral way and disseminate relevant guidelines and information materials.
• Undertake and/or support capacity building needs assessments of UNHCR staff and partners and develop approaches to address capacity gaps including identifying internal and external training opportunities.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Professional Work Experience

• For P1/NOA 1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education 

• Medicine,  Medical Science,  Medical Doctor,  Nursing, Public Health or other relevant field.

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

• Knowledge of public health, reproductive health and nutrition
• Good communicator with strong interpersonal and negotiations skills.

Desirable

• Additional qualifications in Nutrition and WASH and a thorough understanding of the linkages with public health and Food security.
• Ability to coordinate a range of diverse actors and activities to achieve a common objective in the area of Public Health.

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The Messenger Clerk provides clerical and administrative assistance to the immediate supervisor and/or the Office as a whole. The incumbent is normally supervised by the Admin Officer or Associate. S/he receives regular guidance and instructions from the supervisor on procedural aspects of the work. As per specific instructions, the incumbent may require liaising with other internal or external entities, to ensure effective delivery of services and achievement of objectives

Duties

• UNHCR Office has sufficient clerical support thus better able to meet its objectives.
• Collect and deliver mail, pouches and other communications from and to the post office, government agencies and other institutions.
• Sort, deliver and pick up mail from various offices on the premises at regular intervals. Keep records as required.
• Pack material received for dispatch, affix labels, insert material in envelopes and frank outgoing mail.
• Operate photocopying and duplicating machines.
• Sort and prioritize all incoming correspondence, reports, etc. and direct to other responsible staff members where necessary.
• Provide general clerical support to visiting staff members. 
• Utilize office equipment and computer as required.
• Perform other related duties as required.
• Prioritise tasks in consultation with the supervisor.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level

• For G2 Completion of Primary Education; or High School Diploma or higher

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The position of Senior Executive Support Assistant is located within a Division/Bureau or Office of the Representation/Head of Office. The role of this position is to provide administrative and secretarial support services to the Head of Office or immediate Supervisor, in order to ensure the smooth running of the Office and its flow and management of administrative and routinely information. This would involve direct contact with other staff members and contacts with the teams of high ranking officials, both within and outside UNHCR. Subject to the nature of the task/assignment, the incumbent will work independently on routine tasks, while will follow instructions of the supervisor for more complex issues.

Duties

• Provide secretarial and administrative support to the UNHCR Office thus it's better able to meet its objectives.
• Arrange appointments and maintains supervisor's calendar. Receive visitors; places and screens telephone calls and answers queries with discretion. 
• Arrange meetings, both internal and external, some involving high-ranking officials, and take minutes and/or notes at meetings.
• Prepare informal translations and may act as interpreter.
• Draft correspondence, documents and reports, some of which are highly confidential.
• Receive, screen, log and route correspondence, attach necessary background information and maintain follow-up system.
• Draft official correspondence, documents and reports on routine matters and/or for clearance by the supervisor and ensure follow-up. Maintain filing system for electronic and hard copy documents.
• Maybe required to assist in Human Resources tasks (attendance record, travel arrangements, preparation of travel authorisation, /claims, etc.) for staff within the unit.
• Assist in the preparation of visit programmes, briefings on issues covered by the Unit, collection of documentation for briefing kits; talking points and other material for missions, meetings and visits.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Professional Work Experience

Years of Experience / Degree Level

• For G52 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Certificates and/or Licenses 

• Business Administration
• Secretarial,
• Office Management,
• Human Resources or other related field

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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.

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.
• 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

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The Associate Environment Officer will work closely with colleagues responsible for protection, site planning, water and sanitation, shelter, nutrition, education, health, community services and livelihoods. The incumbent will support the UNHCR Office on all issues related to environment and climate change, including mainstreaming into all sectors and aspects of the country operation. Regular and frequent discussions between the incumbent and the supervisor(s) are necessary to ensure that the latest best practices and procedures are shared and applied consistently on issues related to environment. The incumbent will undertake missions to the camps and liaise with (sub-) offices on the implementation of environment programmes. In addition, the staff member will maintain regular contact with UN technical agencies, development partners, line ministries and agencies, implementing and operational partners as needed.

Duties

• Ensure environmental considerations are systematically included when assessing the needs of PoCs.
• Based on assessments, and in consultation with relevant stakeholders, recommend sustainable solutions to address the basic needs of PoCs while mitigating the environmental impact of the interventions.
• Work with site planners on mainstreaming environmental considerations throughout the settlement design process with due consideration for the environmental conditions in surrounding host areas. 
• Work in close coordination with all relevant sectors and clusters in UNHCR, including Protection, WASH, Health, Shelter and Settlements, Livelihoods, Energy, Camp Coordination & Camp Management to ensure environmental concerns and impact mitigation measures are included in operational responses.
• Collect, analyse and update data and information concerning the environmental status of settlements and broader hosting areas. 
• Contribute to internal and external reporting commitments, including proposal writing for environment and energy while ensuring new projects are coherent and visibly complement planned interventions at (sub) office level. 
• Ensure all responses work toward environmental sustainability for both PoCs and host communities. 
• Support Programme in the technical oversight of UNHCR implementing partners to ensure environmental considerations are adequately integrated in technical interventions. 
• Support quality monitoring of interventions, track and record relevant indicators in UNHCR¿s corporate tools. 
• When applicable, represent UNHCR and support coordination meetings
• Stay abreast of new technologies and relevant partnerships related to environment and climate change to more efficiently respond to the needs of PoCs, in line with the Global Compact on Refugees. 
• Assist training and capacity building activities to address the identified skills and knowledge gaps
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Professional Work Experience

Years of Experience / Degree Level

• For P2/NOB 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education 

• Environmental Studies;  
• Management of Natural Resources;   
• Agriculture;   
• Forestry;

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

• Minimum 1 year of experience in environmental assessment, planning, monitoring and evaluation of integrated environmental programmes/projects in displacement and stable situations. Awareness of and practical experience with refugee-related environmental problems. Familiarity with emerging environmentally sustainable and appropriate technologies, and renewable energy.
• Familiarity with community-based and participatory approaches. 

Desirable

• Budgeting, planning experience, ability to work with various (relevant) computer software. Broad understanding of climate change narrative and initiatives geared towards mitigation of impacts. 

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The Field Assistant is normally supervised by the Field Officer/Associate and performs a variety of functions related to Field activities within the office. The supervisor exercises close control and regular review of the work processes and provides regular advice and guidance. The incumbent keeps frequent internal contacts with staff members in the same duty station to exchange information and with the external contacts generally with officials of national and international institutions, leaders of the refugee community, local population and/or Implementing Partners (IPs) on routine subject matters under the direction of the supervisor.

Duties

• Assist in administrative tasks as required such as preparation of reports and meeting authorized personnel and assisting them during field missions.
• Act as interpreter in the exchange of routine information, contribute to related liaison activities and respond directly to routine queries.
• Collect data and other information relevant to UNHCR and report to the supervisor accordingly.
• Keep regular contacts with local authorities and implementing partners as requested by supervisor.
• In coordination with implementing partners, assist in the reception, registration and provision of assistance to persons of concern to UNHCR.
• Liaise with local authority counterparts, partners and populations of concern.
• Direct incidents and problems to the supervisor when they cannot be resolved at their level.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Professional Work Experience

Years of Experience / Degree

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

Certificates and/or Licenses 

• Business Administration
• Law
• Political Science

Desirable

• Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of the position.

Functional Skills 

• IT-Computer Literacy
• CO-Drafting and Documentation
• CL-Multi-stakeholder Communications with Partners, Government & Community