Mission and objectivesThe 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. UNHCR puts strong effort into identifying durable solutions for all refugees in Uganda and to reduce the risk of persons in the country becoming stateless.
ContextThe Associate Field Officer will be embedded as integral member of the team to implement a multi-year operational program of UNHCR Uganda in the refugee settlement under Kiryandongo Field Office within the area of responsibility of the Adjumani Sub-Office. The incumbent will contribute towards the initiative to improve self-reliance among refugees and in supporting to enable the refugee leadership within the settlement pursue its commitment towards improving resilience and environmental protection. In line with the Uganda Country Refugee Response Plan (UCRRP), this ongoing effort will continue to focus on catalyzing synergies among various agencies and institutions, business entities, livelihood operational partners, and government counterpart. Working towards its overall protection mandate UNHCR in close collaboration with the Kiryandongo District Local Government and the Office of the Prime Minister-Refugee Desk, UNHCR seeks to advance self-reliance of refugees through various interventions including organizing community action groups, coordinating livelihood initiatives and other business opportunities relevant to improving refugees access to energy, and initiatives to protect the environment and natural resources of the district. With the recent Global Refugee Forum in 2023, and in consideration of the pledges of the Government of Uganda, UNHCR is pushing forward its support towards realizing the envisaged outcomes with regards increasing resilience and self-reliance of refugees and inclusion of refugees in the nationally determined contributions and adaptation plans to effectively reduce carbon emissions from deforestations and to enhance access to safe, clean, and affordable energy in refugee hosting districts.
Task DescriptionUnder the direct supervision of the Head of Field Office of UNHCR in Kiryandongo, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: - Ensure that UNHCRโs 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.
Competencies and valuesโข 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; โข 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 organizationโs interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; โข 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; โข 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. โข 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; โข 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; โข 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; โข Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNHCRโs mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.
Living conditions and remarksKiryandongo district is in mid-western Uganda, about 225 km north of Kampala, along the Gulu highway. It is in the Bunyoro subregion, and the district headquarters are in Kiryandongo. Bordering districts are Nwoya to the north, Oyam to the northeast, Apac to the east, Masindi to the southwest, and Buliisa to the northwest. The district covers an area of 3,621 sq. km, primarily arable land. The population is estimated at 364,878 people (180,868 males and 184,010 females), and a population density of 102 persons per square km.1 Ethnicities include but are not limited to Masai, Banyoro, Banyankole, Ateso, Acholi, Langi, Batooro, Baganda, Basoga, Bagishu, Banyarwanda, Congolese, Dinka, Nuer, Lugbara, Bachope, and Nubians. Kiryandongo is one of the districts of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom under Kibanda county. It has a predominantly rural agricultural economy. UNHCR Field Office for Kiryandongo is in Bweyale Town Council of the Kiryandongo District, classified as family duty station, hardship E category. The office is located within the administrative area or the โbasecampโ of Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement. Within basecamp, staff accommodations were also established designated for both government and NGO partners, as well as for UNHCRโs local and international staffs. The accommodation compound and guest houses for UNHCR personnel, where the Volunteer is expected to reside, is managed by UNHCR in compliance to the UN Residential Security Management framework of Uganda. The basecamp is about two kilometers in distance to the trading center along the Kampala-Gulu highway. Food, including fresh meat, fresh water fish, fruits, vegetables, spices,and other commodities, are available in the trading centre of Bweyale town. Commercial facilities including banks, small grocery shops, fuel stations, lodging houses and local hotels, and other recreational places are also accessible. Local schools and places of worships, e.g. church and mosques are also present. Most of these are accessed by both refugees and nationals. Official movements within the settlement or to other official destination are facilitated using official UNHCR vehicle. For personal movements including going to major cities like Kampala or Gulu, it is recommended that the officer uses UN approved transport means or private vehicles.