Hardship LevelD
Family TypeFamily
Family TypeFamily
Residential location (if applicable)
GradeGS6
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeGeneral Service
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Target Start Date2025-09-01
Deadline for ApplicationsJuly 31, 2025
Standard Job Description
Durable Solutions Associate
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Durable Solutions Associate reports to a more senior Durable Solutions or Protection colleague.
The incumbent is relied upon to contribute to the implementation of a durable solutions strategy. S/he works closely with protection, programme and field staff, contributes to fostering an environment to enhance partnerships is a critical element of the work, as are activities designed to strengthen the involvement of refugee communities and their hosts in the design and implementation of solutions strategies.
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
- Provide counselling to refugees and other persons of concern (POC) to identify the most appropriate durable solution and to enable them to make a well-informed decision.
- Interview candidates for voluntary repatriation and prepare documentation for their return, in line with Voluntary Repatriation SOPs.
- Interview and prepare Resettlement Referral Forms (RRF), in line with Resettlement SOPs.
- Interview candidates for local integration and prepare the appropriate documentation for onward submission to local authorities or partners, in line with Local Integration SOPs.
- Assist in updating the electronic database for resettlement, voluntary repatriation and local integration, in line with Standard Operating Procedures.
- Process documentation to ensure that POC receive the documents required for their durable solutions in a timely manner.
- Prepare statistical and ad-hoc reports to ensure accurate information is available and shared with relevant offices and partners.
- Interview and advise on the appropriate durable solution to be provided to POC.
- Prepare documents relating to durable solutions.
- Enter information into available database, in line with SOPs.
- Draft and submit reports relating to durable solutions.
- 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
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G6 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher
Field(s) of Education
Not applicable.
Certificates and/or Licenses
HCR Protection Induction Prog;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Not specified.
Desirable
Diverse field experience. Experience in interviewing.
Functional Skills
DM-Database Management
IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software
(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 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 support States to ensure that everyone forced to flee 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 Zambia, UNHCR supports the Government of Zambia to provide an enabling protection environment that allows asylum-seekers, refugees and former refugees to be protected, be self-reliant and achieve durable solutions.
Zambia has adopted a comprehensive refugee response approach, as outlined in the New York Declaration (2016) and the Global Compact on Refugees (2018), which guide the countryโs refugee and asylum response. This framework promotes an all-of-society approach, emphasizing strong investment and international support to address both immediate humanitarian needs and long-term socio-economic development solutions for forcibly displaced and local host communities. In fulfilling its mandate, UNHCR proactively pursues and advocates for sustainable responses that not only meet urgent needs but also foster long-term self-reliance and resilience. This approach integrates economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection to ensure present needs are met without compromising the well-being of future generations.
Zambia is a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol. The country's asylum and refugee response are governed by the Refugees Act of 2017, which provides the legal framework for refugee status determination, rights, and obligations of refugees, as well as their access to protection and assistance in Zambia. In addition, Zambia's National Refugee Policy and its Implementation Plan provide a structured approach to refugee management, promoting self-reliance, inclusion in national systems, and durable solutions in line with international and regional commitments.
In 2025, Zambia will receive a World Bank grant under the IDA 20 Window for Host and Refugee Communities to implementing the Refugee and Host Communities Project to enhance socio-economic opportunities for refugees and host communities. A key focus of the project is harmonizing laws in Zambia to facilitate implementation of the Refugee Policy and to facilitate refugee documentation, access to basic services, and self-reliance. As part of this effort, the project supports the rollout of new national ID cards for refugees across all three refugee-hosting districts, promoting legal recognition and inclusion within national systems.
As of 30 April 2025, Zambia hosts some 110,518 forcibly displaced persons (81,295 refugees; 11,199 asylum seekers and 18,024 former refugees and others of concerns) in three refugee settlements and other urban areas including Lusaka. UNHCR provides technical support and guidance to the Government on policy formulation, asylum and refugee management matters. Most forcibly displaced persons in Zambia are from Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda and Somalia. The Government of the republic of Zambia (GRZ) coordinates asylum and refugee management through the office of the Commissioner for Refugees (COR) in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security and in close collaboration with other government departments and the inter- governmental steering committee established for this purpose, with the direct support of UNHCR.
UNHCR in Zambia has three field offices/units (one in Solwezi one in Kawambwa and one in Kaoma) and one Representational Office in Lusaka.
Nature of Position
The Durable Solutions Associate (G6) works under the supervision of the Associate Durable Solutions Officer in close coordination with the Head of Field Office Kaoma. As part of the Kaoma FO Team, the Durable Solutions Associate supports the identification and implementation of solutions for refugees and former refugees in the Mayukwayukwa settlement, in Zambia.
The Government of the Republic of Zambia has, in January 2024, launched a National Refugee Policy and Implementation Plan which includes important commitments towards local long-term solutions for refugees and Angolan and Rwandan former refugees in Zambia. These commitments are further reflected in Zambia's pledges to implement the Global Compact on Refugees during the 2023 Global Refugee Forum. Working in collaboration with a diverse range of partners, particularly government agencies and development actors in Zambia, the Durable Solutions Associate contributes to UNHCRโs support to the government to implement the Refugee Policy. This includes leveraging UNHCRโs convening capacity to engage new partners, guiding government actions, and fostering collaboration with a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including refugee communities and leaders, local municipal authorities, NGOs and civil society.
By focusing on sustainable responses, the Durable Solutions Associate will contribute to building the resilience and self-reliance of the forcibly displaced and promoting their long-term inclusion by accessing national services and opportunities. The incumbent will also engage in building social cohesion between communities and host community.
Key areas of work involve supporting the UNHCR team to develop and leverage opportunities that can lead to long term solutions through the development and implementation of a sustainable response that will promote the resilience and self-reliance of forcibly displaced populations in Mayukwayyukwa and support them to take up the traditional durable solutions of voluntary repatriation, resettlement and complementary pathways, and local integration.
The Durable Solutions Associate will support the strengthening of mechanisms and initiatives that facilitate the meaningful inclusion of refugees and former refugees in Zambia in legal, socio-economic, and socio-cultural dimensions of society, and will collaborate with communities to ensure effective communication and participatory processes for identifying the most suitable solutions. This includes enhancing two-way communications, conducting assessments, intention surveys, and other community-based assessments.
Alongside the existing local integration resettlement schemes for former refugees in Mayukwayukwa settlement as well as very limited third country resettlement opportunities available to refugees, the Durable Solutions Associate will explore and expand opportunities for refugees in Zambia to take advantage of complementary pathways in third countries, including in the southern Africa region, through initiatives such as humanitarian admissions programs, family reunification, private sponsorship, and opportunities for labour mobility and education.
The incumbent is expected to: Provide information and counselling to refugees, former refugees, and other displaced persons to identify the most appropriate sustainable solutions and enable them to make a well-informed decision; interview candidates in relations to durable solutions: voluntary repatriation, resettlement and local solutions leading to local integration. This includes preparing documentation that is in line with the different standard operating procedures (SOPs) for these solutions; assisting to update the electronic database for solutions identified or referred; processing documentation to ensure that clients receive the documents required in a timely manner; preparing statistical and other reports to ensure accurate information is available to inform internal planning and partners; advising refugees on the most appropriate durable solutions available; efficiently using the available database, in line with SOPs; drafting and submitting reports relating to durable solutions; supporting the identification and management of risks and seizing opportunities that will advance strategic objectives in the area of responsibility;; supporting the operationโs contributions to the Project under the World Bank IDA 20 grant to Zambia that supports local solutions and was approved in 2024 Q4 for implementation as of 2025; and performing other related duties as required.
The incumbent will also lead efforts to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), support the strengthening of Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) including through training for staff and partners, and support efforts to further enhance outreach counselling initiatives jointly with partners. These initiatives aim to identify vulnerable individuals and maintain safe and accessible points for community members to voice concerns, seek assistance, and provide feedback directly to UNHCR and partners.
The role demands coordination of quality, timely, and effective solutions focussed responses to the needs of forcibly displaced populations but also the integration of protection safeguards across all operational sectors. S/he is expected to monitor and elevate protection standards, operational procedures, and practices in protection delivery in line with international standards.
Additionally, the incumbent will contribute significantly to the implementation of the operationโs multi-year strategy, generate awareness of the specific situation of refugees and actively liaise with external authorities and partners on protection doctrine and policy as guided by the supervisor. The incumbent must be fully conversant with anti-fraud, integrity and accurate identity data management policies, standards and operating procedures to ensure their full application at the operational level.
Desired Candidate Profile
The incumbent must have demonstrated relevant experience in advancing community-based and protection focused solutions for forcibly displaced populations or vulnerable communities, in community development, in working directly with communities conducting interviews, assessments, and providing counselling, and working with government entities and NGOs. Experience in advocacy and negotiation, is required.
The position requires a sound understanding of and demonstrated experience in developing and implementing a comprehensive solutions and protection response. A demonstrated understanding of community-based development approaches to solutions and working with marginalized communities is required. The candidate should also have experience in collecting, analysing, and reporting on data.
S/he must have experience in organising and leading programmes and projects that protect the rights of forcibly displaced populations, achieve the implementation of inclusive socio-economic development programmes and solutions approaches tailored to the needs of forcibly displaced populations or other vulnerable groups.
The incumbent must have demonstrated experience working and negotiating with government authorities and agencies, with non-governmental partners, and development actors. Candidates with prior experience working with forcibly displaced communities and an understanding of related challenges are encouraged to apply.
The incumbent must understand and be able to use risk-based approaches to work, particularly fraud mitigation and prevention. S/he will be required to report suspicions of fraud, exploitation, as well as document suspected or reported incidents of fraud by clients, colleagues, partners, or third parties.
The incumbent must have excellent English communication skills and be an effective and clear communicator both orally and in writing. Familiarity with online/digital tools is essential and full computer literacy is required, including the use of Microsoft Excel.
The incumbent must be able to demonstrate the ability to make timely and sound decisions in rapidly changing situations, the ability to uphold the highest ethical standards, and the ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural and multiethnic environment. The candidate must be able to work in a fast-paced work environment that requires meeting deadlines and high-quality work.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
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Desired languages
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Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
Nature of Position:
Living and Working Conditions:
Additional Qualifications
SkillsDM-Database Management, IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software
Education
CertificationsHCR Protection Induction Prog - UNHCR
Work Experience
CompetenciesAccountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration, Technological awareness
UNHCR Salary Calculator
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Compendium
Additional InformationOnly short-listed candidates will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for written test and/or oral interview
Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance