Hardship LevelD
Family TypeNon Family with Residential Location
Family TypeNon Family with Residential LocationDanger Pay
Residential location (if applicable)
Bangkok, Thailand
GradeNOA
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeNational Professional Officer
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Target Start Date2025-08-01
Deadline for ApplicationsJuly 31, 2025
Standard Job Description
Assistant Inter-Agency Coordination Officer
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Assistant Inter-Agency Coordination Officer is usually located in Country Operations, Multi-Country Offices, Regional Bureaux, and Regional Refugee Coordinator's Office or in the Partnership and Coordination Service (PCS) in Headquarters. S/he plays a crucial support role in ensuring UNHCR's approach to partnership and inter-agency processes are coherent. The main aim is to assist senior management, as well as partner agencies, to ensure that UNHCR can fulfil its role to support the Government to lead the refugee response, coordinate other actors - including development actors at the early stages of a refugee response - and support the adherence to UNHCR inter agency commitments in IDP situations. This should be done in line with UNHCRs Mandate, the Global Compact for Refugees, the 2019 IDP policy, and agreed inter-agency commitments.
The Assistant Inter-Agency Coordination Officer ensures that support is provided for strategic planning, assessment, monitoring and analysis, of any joint assessments or interagency plans at the field level The Assistant Inter-Agency Coordination Officer will support all the inter-agency planning and reporting activities. The incumbent will support the Inter-Agency Coordination Officer in maintaining a constant dialogue with sector partners on the overall protection context in close collaboration with all partner agencies (UN and NGOs). A key tool in this regard will be the facilitation and support of periodic working group meetings, as well as to support the broadening of inter-agency information through meeting reports, situation updates and newsletters.
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
- Include partners in the refugee response, respecting their respective mandates and programme priorities.
- Provide appropriate support for operational planning and forward looking coordination of the inter-agency humanitarian and development response.
- Facilitate humanitarian response coordination activities and support coordination meetings as required, including by preparing meetings, drafting minutes and follow-up documentation.
- Manage the flow of information to/from the supervisor and other senior staff, including heads of field offices and field based coordination staff; identify priority matters that need to be urgently addressed by the Supervisor.
- Draft correspondence, documents and reports, and prepare tables and ensure follow-up.
- Prepare background information for meetings to be attended/chaired by the Supervisor (i.e. agenda, information on the person/organization, information on the topic).
- Assist the Sector Coordinators when necessary.
- Assist in ensuring appropriate coordination with all refugee partners (including national and international NGOs, the International Red Cross/Red Crescent movement, UN agencies, civil society actors ), through establishment/maintenance of appropriate sectorial coordination mechanisms, including working groups at the national and local level.
- Ensure appropriate links with national and local authorities, state institutions, local civil society and other relevant actors and ensure appropriate coordination and information exchange with them.
- Contribute to the development and maintenance of a common strategic framework and appropriate guidelines on the IA response by way of facilitating relevant group discussions.
- Identify geographical and thematic gaps in IA Coordination, and facilitate the appropriate response to those gaps.
- Establish technical groups or task forces as necessary to resolve ad-hoc issues as they arise.
- Ensure approval by all relevant national and sub-national authorities of the strategic documents produced by the IA Coordination Unit.
- Provide stakeholders with regular reports.
- Ensure review of coordination related information management products and work closely with the information management team.
- Perform regular field visits and take part in regional coordination meetings.
- 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 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
Social Sciences;
Development Studies;
Journalism;
International Relations;
Political Affairs;
or other relevant field.
(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified.
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Relevant experience in humanitarian or development programme implementation, including experience in facilitating inter-agency coordination at sector or macro-level. Good knowledge of the UN system, NGOs and related planning and coordination practises.
Desirable
Expertise in emergency response and preparedness planning and monitoring, including a good understanding of related standards and indicators. Experience in change management and innovation. Work experience in refugee settings.
Functional Skills
IT-Computer Literacy
ER-Inter-Agency External Relations
ER-Inter-Agency Leadership/Coordination
ER-Inter-Agency Resource Mobilisation
PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework
CO-Public Speaking
CO-Drafting and Documentation
(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.
Desired Candidate Profile The Assistant Inter-Agency Coordination Officer will play a critical role in facilitating effective coordination and collaboration among humanitarian actors in Southeast Myanmar, with a primary focus on the Southeast Protection Cluster and the Southeast CCCM/NFI/Shelter Cluster. The Officer will also be responsible for coordinating the Southeast Nexus Working Group. This position requires a dynamic individual with a strong understanding of the humanitarian landscape in Southeast Myanmar, excellent coordination and communication skills, and a solid grounding in protection principles.
The Assistant IAC Officer will work closely with National Cluster Coordinators in the preparation of the humanitarian response plan, emergency flash appeal, strategy and implementation monitoring related to the Myanmar Humanitarian Fund (MHF) allocations as well as other relevant key process and documents.
The Assistant IAC Officer is accountable for the Shelter-NFI-CCCM and Protection Cluster responses to the IDP situation in all states and regions South-East covers ensuring the including of key humanitarian partners within the cluster, respecting their mandates and programme priorities.
Essential Qualifications and Experience:
• Strong foundation in humanitarian principles and coordination:
o Demonstrated knowledge of humanitarian principles, international humanitarian law, and human rights standards.
o Proven experience in coordinating humanitarian activities, including meeting and training facilitation, information sharing, and stakeholder engagement.
• Technical expertise:
o Sound understanding of humanitarian response mechanisms, including needs assessments, program design and implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
o Demonstrated experience of at least one of the following technical areas: Protection, Nexus Approach, or CCCM/NFI/Shelter, with a commitment to learning and developing expertise in the other areas.
• Information Management and Reporting:
o Strong analytical skills with the ability to gather, analyze, and synthesize information from various sources.
o Proven experience in producing high-quality reports.
o Ability to develop and disseminate clear and concise technical guidelines and guidance.
o Knowledge of humanitarian information management platforms and systems
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills:
o Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Burmese.
o Solid interpersonal skills, including diplomacy, negotiation, and conflict resolution
o Ability to build trust and rapport with a wide range of individuals and organizations.
• Adaptability and Resilience:
• Proven ability to adapt to changing circumstances, manage competing priorities, and work effectively under pressure.
Desired Attributes:
o Resilience, flexibility, dynamism
o Strong learning agility and a proactive approach to professional development.
o Enthusiasm for working in a complex and dynamic environment.
o Commitment to humanitarian principles and values.
Given the operational context in Southeast, the position requires strong communication, negotiation, analytical, coordination, facilitation and reporting skills, as well as a deep understanding of humanitarian principles, conflict sensitivity, and humanitarian programming. The Assistant Inter-Agency Coordination Officer (NOA) must be able to work independently and maintain a high level of professionalism and integrity in a politically and ethnically sensitive environment.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
,
,
Desired languages
,
,
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 Myanmar, as part of the IASC inter-agency framework for internal displacement, UNHCR leads the National Protection Cluster and the Shelter/NFI/CCCM Cluster, alongside co-leading South-East Nexus Working Group. The position of Assistant Inter-Agency Coordination Officer (NOA), based in Hpa-an, Kayin State, performs a dedicated coordination, strategy development and advocacy function. The Assistant Inter-Agency Coordination Officer represents the South-East Shelter/NFI/CCCM Cluster and the Protection Cluster in various meetings, including the Area Inter-Cluster Coordination group (ICCG), etc. covering Kayin, Mon, Tanintharyi and Bago.
The Assistant Inter-Agency Coordination Officer (NOA) serves as key Inter-Agency coordination focal for UNHCR in Hpa-An, Kayin State, Myanmar. This position is critical in ensuring the effective coordination among UN agencies, INGOs, NGOs and CBOs/CSOs as well as Inter-cluster coordination in sub-national level in line with UNHCR’s protection and solutions mandate in a complex and sensitive operational environment. The incumbent represents UNHCR led clusters, maintains close contact with humanitarian actors on the ground including the organizations working in mixed/EAOs’ controlled areas and ensures that Inter-agency activities are responsive without overlapping to the needs of people affected by conflicts and disasters throughout the Southeast in Myanmar mainly in Kayin, Mon, Bago and Tanintharyi areas.
Operating under the direct supervision of the Head of Field Unit in Hpa-An, the Assistant Inter-Agency Coordination Officer is responsible for coordination of UNHCR led clusters/Working Group in the Southeast Myanmar, which covers Kayin, Mon, Thanitharyi and East Bago (possibly Kayah and Southern Shan in addition). The incumbent ensures inter-agency coordination of protection and shelter/NFI/CCCM clusters and closely working with UNHCR IM unit and SE ICCG while also contributing to SE Nexus Working Group.
Living and Working Conditions:
Hpa-An is some 300 kilometers away from Yangon, six (6) hours of travel by road. The nearest domestic airport is in Mawlamyine (Mon State) approximately 60 kilometers away, one hour by road travel. Domestic flights via Air Thanlwin (Mawlamyine-Yangon) are available 4 times a week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday) and the flight time is 8:20 am or 7:50 am. Hpa-An is a category “D” (hardship), non-family, high-risk duty station. The security level is substantial.
Living conditions: The cost of renting or leasing a house is considered very high compared with other locations. National staff reportedly pay approximately MMK 200,000 – 250,000 per month for an apartment or MMK 200,000 – 300,000 for a house. Room rates in local hotels (should be cleared by UNDSS) vary depending on size and facilities. For the hotel, the rent stands at around 35,000 – 100,000 MMK per night. And for the motel, the rent stands at around 15,000 MMK per night. The current political turmoil, coupled with sanctions imposed by the UN and several western governments, has impacted supply chains, banking system and markets. Commodity prices (food, petrol, construction materials) have risen. The banking system is functioning in business hours, however, lack of cash in ATM – especially out of office hours and during the weekend.
Transportation: No public bus is available within Hpa-An. Only limited local taxis /Tok Tok taxis/ motorbike taxis with registration plate numbers issued by the Transportation Department are available following the confiscation of unregistered and uninsured vehicles including motorbike taxis since 1 June 2025.
Health facilities: There is one government hospital, Hpa An General Hospital (200 beds) in Hpa-An town and they can provide only basic medical treatments, with limited capacities in terms of human resources (physicians/specialists/doctors/nurses), lack of medicines, insufficient/outdated medical equipment/tools. There has not been any designated UN Physician assigned in Hpa-An. People can also access a military hospital (100 beds) in Taung Ka Lay, 4 miles far from Hpa-an town. In addition, there are three private hospitals in Hpa-An. Health hazards include injuries secondary to road accidents; water and food-borne disease; flood and risk of diseases associated with exposure to floodwater. Floods can potentially increase transmission of both water-borne diseases (such as typhoid fever, cholera, leptospirosis and hepatitis A) and vector-borne diseases (such as malaria, dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever).
Climate: Hpa-An has a tropical monsoon climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. A winter dry season is from November to April and a summer wet season is from May to October. Major flooding and heavy monsoon rainfall occur between July to September, respectively. Electricity cuts and/or failure are likely during this period. Temperatures remain hot throughout the year.
Additional Qualifications
SkillsCO-Drafting and Documentation, CO-Public Speaking, ER-Inter-Agency External Relations, ER-Inter-Agency Leadership/Coordination, ER-Inter-Agency Resource Mobilisation, IT-Computer Literacy, PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework
EducationBachelor of Arts: Development Studies, Bachelor of Arts: International Relations, Bachelor of Arts: Journalism, Bachelor of Arts: Political Affairs, Bachelor of Arts: Social Science
Certifications
Work Experience
CompetenciesAccountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Judgement & decision making, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaboration
UNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Compendium
Additional Information
Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance