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 Uganda Country Refugee Response Plan (UCRRP) 2022โ2025, and the ongoing development of the 2026โ2030 Plan, are led by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), UNHCR, and partners to comprehensively address the needs of refugees in Uganda. The strategic objectives include maintaining asylum space, delivering life-saving assistance, enhancing refugee access to public services and integration, strengthening peaceful co-existence and self-reliance, and pursuing durable and sustainable solutions. Key priorities involve sustaining Ugandaโs inclusive asylum policy, advancing access to sustainable solutionsโsuch as the integration of basic services into national systems, mainstreaming Protection in implementation of all activities, and enhancing preparedness for potential large-scale influxes. UNHCRโs Sub Office in Adjumani plays a central role in implementing the UCRRP, coordinating the response for approximately 600,000 refugees and asylum seekers across 21 settlements in the districts of Adjumani, Moyo, Lamwo, and Kiryandongo. The Associate Protection Officer position, based in Lamwo District, oversees operations in Palabek Refugee Settlement, home to over 92,000 refugees as of June 2025 โprimarily from South Sudan. Reporting to the Field Officer leading the Lamwo Field Unit, Associate Protection Officer leads Protection Unit covering wide range of work streams including Registration, Child Protection, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), Legal Assistance, Assistance to Persons with Specific Needs (PSNs), Peaceful Coexistence and Community-Based Protection (CBP) mainstreaming. The incumbent also ensures the strategic implementation of the refugee response, with particular focus on service integration, humanitarian-development nexus programming, and fostering peaceful co-existence between refugees and host com-munities, enhance community engagement and participation. The recent Protection climate in Palabek Settlement is increasingly marked by a decline in overall assistance, creating significant gaps in protection services for vulnerable populations. As funding diminishes, critical support systems are strained, particularly in areas of Child Protection, GBV, MHPSS, and peaceful coexistence. Reports from the field indicate a rising trend in protection concerns, especially among adolescents and youth as well as women who face heightened risks of exploitation, abuse, and social exclusion. The reduction in resources has also impacted community-based protection mechanisms, weakening the capacity to respond effectively to emerging needs. Against this back-drop, the presence of Associate Protection Officer is essential to strengthen coordination, ensure timely response to protection risks, and support the implementation of integrated protection strategies in collaboration with partners and local authorities. The incumbent works in close various partners which includes the government counter-parts such as the Lamwo District Local Government (DLG) and the OPM, NGOs and CBOs/RLOs. This requires strong coordination and the ability to engage multiple stakeholders and align operational objectives.
Task DescriptionUnder the direct supervision of Field Officer, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: - Stay abreast of political, social, economic and cultural developments that have an impact on the protection environment and provide advice to senior management; - Support UNHCRโs consultative process with local government counterparts, partners and persons of concern for effective needs assessment and planning; - Facilitate UNHCRโs responses in addressing Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) priorities and other specific protection needs of women and men, children, youth and older persons, persons with disabilities, marginalized groups such as persons with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities; - Manage individual protection cases including those on SGBV and child protection; - Monitor the integrity of UNHCR operations management standards and procedures in the Area of Responsibility (AoR) and facilitate the respect of deadlines; - Maintain protection presence through regular field missions and reports, making direct contact with persons of concern, host communities, local authorities and partners; - Monitor and report on the protection, security and safety situation of persons of concern; - Facilitate and monitor programmes on an Age, Gender, Diversity (AGD) basis to address identified protection needs; - Support communities in establishing representation and coordination structures. Promote confidence building and conflict resolution among populations of concern, authorities and host communities; - Provide advice and guidance on protection issues to internal and external interlocutors; ensure legal assistance is accessible to persons of concern; liaise with competent authorities to ensure the issuance of personal and other relevant documents and services to persons of concern; - Contribute in developing and implementing an education plan for the AoR as part of the protection strategy; - Intervene in cases of expulsion, arbitrary deprivation of nationality, and other protection incidents through close working relations with governments and other partners. - Assess resettlement needs and apply priorities for the resettlement of individuals and groups of refugees and other persons of concern; - Support the effective systematization and management of data to enhance monitoring, response and evaluation mechanisms; - Contribute to initiatives to build the capacity of local partners and civil society through training and other initiatives to protect persons of concern.
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 remarksLamwo is classified as a D Family Duty Station. However, public services such as health and education are minimal and limited, which may not be conducive for a family setting. Currently, the office has a guesthouse located in Palabek Kal Sub-County, approximately 22 kilometers from the office in Palabek Refugee Settlement and 40 kilometers from Kit-gum (about an hour or more travel time), the nearest town with basic services, banking, and markets. International staff members currently share the same villa, with separate bedrooms and bathrooms. The roads linking the guesthouse to the office and main cities such as Kitgum, Atiak (on the way to Adjumani), and Gulu are rough, mostly unpaved maram roads, presenting extra challenges during the rainy season. While local markets in Palabek Kal and around Palabek Settlement are available, options and refrigeration are limited. Gulu, located ap-proximately 160 kilometers from the current guesthouse, is the nearest city with vibrant markets and available public services. The office is currently constructing a new guesthouse, expected to be completed by Q3/2025. The new guesthouse is located within walking distance of the office. It is a self-contained villa, fully equipped with all necessary furnishings. Network Coverage There are two major mobile companies, Airtel and MTN, with MTN having wider coverage. UNHCR Uganda has a contract with MTN for the provision of mobile telephones to all Uganda staff members. Internet is also available through office access and wireless con-nection. Recreation Lamwo currently lacks well-organized recreational facilities at the guesthouse, but there are plans to build one in the new accommodation. The nearest recreational facilities are in Kitgum at Bomah Hotel, Cactus Hotel, and Acaki Lodge, which are very basic. Medical Services Lamwo has no referral hospital, only Grade 2 and 3 health centers in Palabek. While the Palabek Kal Health Centre was upgraded to Grade 4 in 2024, it still lacks proper human resources and necessary medications. Most staff receive treatment from health facility in Kitgum, Gulu, or Kampala (approximately up to 10-hour travel time). Due to these conditions, staff members are advised to carry appropriate medical supplies as recommended by a medical practitioner, such as prophylactic malaria treatment, as there is a high risk of malaria in Lamwo. Climate Lamwo District has a tropical climate characterized by dry and rainy seasons. The district receives an average annual rainfall of 1500 mm. Rain starts in late March or early April and ends in November, with bimodal peaks in April and August. It is dry, hot, and windy from December to mid-March.