Mission and objectives

The 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.

Context

Palorinya Refugee Settlement in Obongi District was established in December 2016. It hosts 130,000 refugees verified as of 31 March 2024. The settlement still receives new arrivals from South Sudan. The profile of refugees in Palorinya is characterized by a high proportion of children (56%) and women (26%), and other vulnerable categories of refugees. At-risk children (6%) include orphans, unaccompanied and separated children, teenage mothers, etc. Protection priorities include ensuring access to asylum and documentation; protection from crime and access to justice; registration; child protection; SGBV mainstreaming, prevention and response; protection-based social welfare support to persons with specific needs; and community feedback and referrals. In addition, UNHCR maintains simultaneous protection presence at litigation desks at the four food distribution points in Palorinya, to address and resolve the litigation cases. Provision of Supply and Logistics services are necessary in order to provide required protection projects and services to the affected populations efficiently and effectively; Timely delivery of life-saving goods like food, water, medicine, and shelter materials; proper planning, efficient management and coordination of sourcing, storage, and distribution of relief items to prevent shortages or overstocking, transport optimization reduce operational costs, ensuring resources are maximized for those in need; prevent interruptions in the supply chain, ensuring a consistent flow of aid; Flexibility and Adaptability – adjust to changing circumstances, such as new areas of need or sudden surges in demand.

Task Description

Under the direct supervision of Head of Field Office, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: Strategy: • Prepare plans for delivery of relief items according to operational needs. • Apply UNHCR’s procurement strategy when planning for purchase of important commodities and services. • Through regular physical verification of Property, Plant and Equipment (PPE) establish their status, propose old and obsolete PPE for disposal and plan for the arrival of re-placement items. Operational Support: • Contributing within the Multifunctional team to Identify partners, in particular for supply chain projects, based on objectives, priorities, strengths and resources of the partner and/or contractor, according to criteria consistent with UNHCR rules and regulations. • Resolve difficulties in the local supply chain by finding solutions to problems and bottlenecks, and provide regular reports on supply chain activities, the status of requests and the availability of items in the supply chain. • Ensure timely customs clearance of consignments, and manage storage of goods ac-cording to “best practices” and UNHCR rules and regulations. • Maintain an efficient system for the release, distribution and redeployment of goods. • Coordinate transportation and distribution of relief items. • Maintain accurate and comprehensive records on logistical activities and provide timely reports and updates both periodically and on request. • Coordinate activities of implementing partners and/or contractors performing supply related activities, and ensure that they understand and adhere to relevant UNHCR rules and procedures. • Through regular physical verification of PPE establish their status. • Propose old and obsolete PPE for disposal and plan for arrival of replacement items. Infrastructure Support: • Evaluate purchase requisitions to ensure that specifications, delivery dates and all other requirements are in order. • Draft and dispatch quotation requests and/or tenders, assist in the evaluation of offers and draft bid-tabulations, and prepare proposals for award of contracts to the Commit-tee on Contracts. • Prepare Purchase Orders and send confirmations, requests for inspection and other correspondence; • Monitor the manufacture/transport of ordered goods to ensure timely delivery. • Analyze matters relating to procurement activities, and deliver information on all procurement activities within area of responsibility. Provide guidance and advice on UN-HCR procurement policies and procedures to support and assist requesting sections. • Implement effective asset and fleet management that regularly monitors the asset/fleet pool, saves cost and safeguards the investment of the organisation including receipt, inspection, registration and marking of new PPE, and organisation of the physical verification of PPE. • Ensure that PPE agreements are properly issued and signed. • Ensure proper preparation of disposal forms and cases for the Asset Management Board. • Organize the disposal of PPE, according to Asset Management Board decisions. • Provides asset management reports, customized reports, and gathers information on all assets and provides in-depth reports periodically and when requested. • Analyze the quality of commodities and services delivered in relation to the needs of the location and established quality standards. Establish a local quality assurance process. Business Support: • Analyze the existing infrastructure and ensure that it is optimally aligned with the operational needs. • Implement practical projects to improve supply performance that has clear objectives, timescales, tasks and resources defined. Monitor the project implementation and report on progress. • Monitor the quality and accuracy of supply chain related data in relevant business systems. Compile and analyse statistical information, identify trends and developments in supply chain related matters that will assist in decision making. • Disseminate, promote commitment to and monitor compliance with UNHCR’s global policies, standards and guidance on supply chain management. • Adapt local supply chain structures to be consistent with the operational needs. Ensure effective information flow in the supply chain and adapt local process to the prevailing environment.

Competencies and values

• 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; • 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 organization’s 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 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; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNHCR’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Living conditions and remarks

Moyo District in northern Uganda and shares a border with South Sudan to the north and east, Adjumani District to the south across the White Nile, and Yumbe District to the west. Field Office Moyo covers Moyo and Obongi Districts comprising an estimate of local population of 158,000. The distance from the office to Moyo town and Palorinya Settlement is 6 KM and 36KM respectively, to Adjumani and Kampala is 58 KM and 486 KM respectively. There are no domestic flights, therefore travels are by car. There are no restrictions to drive or owning a private vehicle, the price of vehicle is depending on the type of the vehicle. Security is good. UNHCR Moyo provides accommodation for international staff members within the office premises at a fee. However, staff are allowed to rent house in town if they wish so. Most of the houses in town are one or two bedrooms. No services apartments available in Moyo. Moyo experiences generally hot temperatures, with the range typically varying between 29-40 degrees centigrade. The local host communities are known for their hospitality and are supportive of refugees, partners, and UN Agencies operating in the region. Security situation is relatively good.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements