Mission and objectivesUNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. We work to ensure that everybody has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge, having fled violence, persecution, war or disaster at home. Since 1950, we have faced multiple crises on multiple continents, and provided vital assistance to refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced and stateless people, many of whom have nobody left to turn to. We help to save lives and build better futures for millions forced from home.
ContextThe Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate 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) Mozambique currently hosts 25,000 refugees and asylum-seekers, mainly from countries in East and Central Africa including: Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, and Somalia, Of the total number of refugees and asylum-seekers, the majority of the population lives in Nampula province, including in the Maratane refugee settlement. The rest of the population live in Maputo and other provincial locations in the country. Despite Mozambiqueโs reservations to key provisions of the 1951 Refugee Convention : elementary education and property, work permit, right to association, freedom of movement and residence and naturalization laws (art. 13, 17, 22, 26, 34), in practice , asylum-seekers and refugees have enjoyed freedom of movement, access to labor market, primary and secondary education as well as public health care. There has been a recent countrywide population verification exercise and there is continuous registration and data quality enhancement activities. Refugees and asylum seekers are provided with civil documentations, Identity documents and travel documents by the Government. In addition to refugees and asylum seekers, Mozambique hosts over one million conflict-induced internally displaced persons (IDPs) in northern region, as per IOM DTM data, mainly in Cabo Delgado and Nampula provinces, and the country is also prone to natural disasters, especially floods and cyclones
Task DescriptionWithin the delegated authority and under the supervision of Senior Durable Solutions Officer or his/her mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Associate Registration Officer will: Assist in the implementation of registration, enrolment, and digital identity strategies, for the people we serve, in compliance with global and regional protection and inclusion objectives and priorities, ensuring that relevant standards are met, and appropriate methodologies and technologies are implemented. Provide technical support to staff on planned registration and digital identity management activities Contribute to the development and dissemination of operational guidance, instructions and capacity-development initiatives, in accordance with policy and guidance disseminated by the Global Data Service in Headquarters. Design appropriate procedures and systems for assurance of quality registration data and conduct regular data quality and audit checks to monitor the accuracy of data collected, as well as a tool for identification and prevention of fraud. Assist the country team to establish and strengthen internal digital identity, registration and identity management capacity and/or that of government counterparts to manage registration and maintain population data. Liaise with Digital Identity and Registration Section of the Global Data Service as necessary to facilitate registration and identity management activities in the region/ country. Support government authorities to strengthen fair and efficient registration and digital identification procedures and systems and that the identity documents or credentials of the people we serve are recognized for the purposes of accessing humanitarian, public and private sector services. Establish linkages with key partners to implement appropriate case and data management approaches for efficient, accountable and standardized targeting and delivery of assistance and other programming and protection needs. Support the operationalization and negotiation with government and UN partners related to interoperability of external digital identification systems with UNHCR refugee registration and identity management systems. Liaise and actively engage with government, humanitarian and development actors, and the private sector to promote the inclusion of refugees and asylum-seekers into host Statesโ population registers and digital identity systems and the registration of birth, marriages, deaths and other vital events of forcibly displaced persons in the host Governmentโs civil registry. Support the collection of reliable data and the availability of effective analysis relating to the registration of the people we serve, identity management and digital identification at global, regional and country levels (as appropriate) including for the purposes of strategy development and monitoring and evaluation. Monitor, document and report on registration and identity management activities at the regional/ country level, and report on the impact of support interventions to the management of operations. Perform other related duties as required.
Competencies and valuesProfessionalism: 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 organizationโs 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 forprotracted 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 UNHCRโs mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.
Living conditions and remarksThe position is based in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, located in the south of the country. Maputo is an A, family duty-station. According to the latest United Nations data, the current population of Mozambique is estimated at 34 million as of mid-2023. This is equivalent to 0.42% of the total world population. The population density in Mozambique is 43 people per square kilometer2. The largest city and capital is Maputo, with a population of 1.2 million. Mozambique is a large country in Southeast Africa, with an area of 801,590 sq. km. It has a tropical climate, with two main seasons: a wet season from October to March, and a dry season from May to August. The wet season can bring heavy rains and cyclones, especially in the coastal areas. The dry season is generally sunny and pleasant, but sometimes cold air masses from South Africa can lower the temperature and average daily temperature ranging from 13 ยฐC to 24 ยฐC. Maputo is a B, Family duty-station where the security level is considered low (2). The security situation in the Southern area is relatively calm, the biggest concern being criminality in the main urban centers of Maputo, Matola, Xai-Xai and Inhambane cities. Floods occur every two to three years, with higher levels of risk in the southern provinces. Seasonal rains (November to April) and the lack of drainage infrastructure to accommodate stormwater runoff often leads to flash floods. Traffic accidents are common in Mozambique due to the poor condition of the roads and poor driving and vehicle standards. The metical is the local currency and exchange rate stands at USD 1 equivalent to about 63.25 meticais (MZN) as per December 2025. There is a wide range of Banks and ATMs to meet financial needs. Credit/debit cards are accepted in most places. The public healthcare system in Mozambique is basic and limited. Private clinics can be found in Maputo and other larger cities in Mozambique. Mozambique lies in a malaria zone, so the necessary precautions should be taken: Avoiding mosquito bites by using nets, candles and sprays is recommended. Vaccinations for diphtheria, hepatitis A, tetanus and typhoid are recommended. Tap water in Mozambique is not safe to drink, so bottled or boiled water should be used instead. Communication and transport services are available at various costs. The housing market is healthy but quite expensive, with a wide selection of apartments and houses for rent. Apartments can be rented around 1300-1600 USD per month. Maputo has several open food markets and several large supermarkets that sell food, clothing, and household goods at reasonable prices. There are cinemas, several bars and discotheques for entertainment. Maputo is only two to three hours' drive away from Swaziland (Mbabane) and South Africa (Nelspruit). Mozambique is a unique (humanitarian) operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.