Deadline for ApplicationsJanuary 14, 2026
Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)H (no hardship)
Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
Family
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeCONTR Local Professional Level
Target Start Date2026-03-01
Terms of ReferenceUNHCR seeks a dedicated contractor to support the Refugee Environmental Protection (REP) Fund. Reporting directly to the REP Fund Manager, the contractor will enhance governance, coordination, and operational effectiveness while fostering collaboration with key stakeholders.
GENERAL BACKGROUND OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
The Refugee Environmental Protection (REP) Fund is an innovative financing mechanism launched by UNHCR to scale up reforestation and clean cooking programmes in displacement settings. By linking these interventions to carbon markets, the Fund generates verified carbon credits while delivering protection, climate resilience, and livelihood benefits for refugees and host communities.
Uganda and Rwanda are the two initial pilot countries. Activities focus on clean cooking and ecosystem restoration at large scale in and around Bidibidi and Kyangwali settlements (Uganda) and Kigeme camp (Rwanda). These pilots are designed to generate the first refugee-driven carbon credits and to test scalable technical, financial, and governance models. Upon successful implementation, the REP Fund will expand to other locations in the countries. Coordination mechanisms have been established with respective ministries who provided support letters received, e.g. MWE and MEMD (Uganda), MINEMA and MININFRA (Rwanda).
To ensure strong country-level execution, UNHCR seeks a contractor to support governance, coordination, government engagement, and implementation of the REP Fund pilots in Uganda and Rwanda, expected to start in Q1 2026.
CONTRACT TYPE: Individual Contractor, full-time, 100%
LOCATION: The contractor will be based in Kampala, Uganda or Kigali, Rwanda (with travels to Rwanda-Uganda as required). The contract will run till 31-12-2026 from Start Date, with potential for extension depending on performance and project needs. The contract is administered by DER team in Geneva, Switzerland.
PURPOSE OF ASSIGNMENT:
The contractor will strengthen national- and local-level governance, support coordination with governments and partners, and provide operational and M&E support for implementation. Acting as a liaison between UNHCR HQ, UNHCR Regional Bureau, Country Operations, project consortia, and host governments, the contractor will ensure that governance structures and monitoring frameworks are implemented consistently and in alignment with national priorities.
The contractor will be responsible for:
Governance & coordination
โข Support operationalization of the REP Fund governance model in Uganda and Rwanda, clarifying roles and responsibilities among Project Proponents, Carbon Developers, and Implementation Partners.
โข Provide secretariat and coordination support to the country-level REP Fund Steering Committee, including agenda setting, minutes, and follow-up on action points.
โข Facilitate effective communication between UNHCR HQ, country offices, and project consortia to ensure alignment and problem-solving.
Government engagement
โข Serve as a REP Fund focal point with national and local authorities (e.g. Uganda MWE, OPM, district governments; Rwanda REMA/RFA, district and sector authorities).
โข Track alignment of REP Fund pilots with national policies, including Ugandaโs FLR Strategy, NDCs, and Energy Policy; and Rwandaโs NDC and National Biodiversity Strategy.
โข Support the establishment and documentation of Benefit Sharing Agreements (BSAs) and other participatory governance mechanisms.
โข Ensure government representatives are engaged in oversight platforms and community consultations.
Implementation support
โข Provide operational follow-up for pilot activities in Uganda and Rwanda, liaising with consortia and country offices to resolve bottlenecks.
โข Support monitoring of timelines, deliverables, and budget execution, escalating risks to the REP Fund Manager.
โข Review financial progress reports and liaise with the REP Fund Manager to ensure expenditures and forecasts remain consistent with project workplans.
โข Document community consultations and ensure feedback loops are integrated into project decisions.
Monitoring & reporting
โข Contribute to implementation of the REP Fund M&E framework at country level, supporting baseline studies, data collection, and reporting.
โข Liaise with consortia to ensure quality and consistency of data submitted for environmental, social, and protection indicators.
โข Prepare quarterly progress notes on governance, implementation, and government engagement for submission to UNHCR HQ.
Knowledge capture & learning
โข Document lessons learned from governance, BSA processes, and pilot implementation.
โข Develop local communication strategies and contribute to knowledge-sharing activities with governments, research institutions and regional platforms.
โข Ensure integration of local insights into global REP Fund learning.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Required qualifications, language(s) and work experience:
Degree: Advanced degree in environmental policy, natural resource management, development studies, or related field.
Minimum years of work experience (NOTE: candidates with less years of experience cannot be short-listed or recommended):
Language: Required: English Desirable: YES
***Minimum 7 years of professional experience in project governance, project management, environmental/climate programmes, or refugee-hosting contexts.
***Proven experience working with national and local government authorities in Uganda and/or Rwanda.
***Familiarity with carbon markets, reforestation, or clean cooking projects is an asset.
***Good understanding of financial modelling and project budgeting, including ability to interpret and track multi-year implementation budgets
***Strong coordination, facilitation, and reporting skills.
***Fluency in English; knowledge of French an asset.
Standard Job Description
Required Languages English
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Desired Languages
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Additional Qualifications
Skills
Education
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Work Experience
Other informationThis position doesn't require a functional clearance
RemoteNo