JOB DESCRIPTION

Deadline for Applications

October 12, 2025

Hardship Level

D

Family Type

Non Family with Residential Location

Family Type

Non Family with Residential Location

Residential location (if applicable)

Addis Ababa,Eth Fed Dem Rep

Grade

NOB

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

National Professional Officer

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Target Start Date

2025-11-01

Standard Job Description

Associate Field Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Associate Field Officer is normally supervised by the Senior Field Coordinator or Field Officer or Head of Sub-Office/Field Office depending on the structure of the Office. S/he may receive indirect guidance from other sections and units relevant to the country/regional programme(s). UNHCR Manual, programme and protection objectives, Operations Plans, UN and UNHCR financial/budgetary rules and regulations will guide the work of the incumbent.
The incumbent may supervise some support staff. S/he has daily contacts with staff in the various field offices and with the functional units at the Country/Regional Office. S/he also has close liaison with a range of local civilian and military authorities and counterparts in NGOs and UN agencies to discuss matters of common interest.

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
– Identify vulnerable groups or individuals who may need special attention or special arrangements and make recommendations on the needs of different groups of refugees.
– Assess protection and assistance needs of refugees and asylum-seekers in the region and monitor implementation of refugee assistance programmes.
– In co-ordination with implementing partners, handle the reception, registration and provision of assistance to persons of concern to UNHCR.
– Provide inputs for project submissions and periodic narrative and financial reports for the annual programme.
– Develop and maintain relations with local authorities ensuring smooth negotiations in all aspects of UNHCR”s mandate for the benefit of refugees.
– Monitor the security situation in the area and intervene as appropriate with the local authorities.
– Submit recommendation for protection interventions to the designated officer.
– Negotiate with local authority counterparts, partners and populations of concern.
– Approve expenditures within the DOAP.

– 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 P2/NOB – 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Law, Political Sciences or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
UNHCR Operations Management Learning Programme.
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Field experience.

Desirable
Knowledge of refugee law.
Good knowledge of UNHCR”s programmes.

Functional Skills
IT-Computer Literacy
PG-UNHCR”s Programmes
(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

The desired candidate profile for the Associate Field Officer position (NOB) should have the relevant education, experience, skills, and personal qualities that make the candidate well suited for the role and in line with the operational context. The incumbent should have proven competencies and experience in the following areas.
– Managing large and diverse teams at the Field Office level (20-30 staff) and the ability to maintain communication, and a positive work environment.
– Experienced leadership skills, able to analyze and manage complex negotiations, decision-making and other challenges on a regular basis.
– Experience representing UNHCR in liaison with government, security organs, host / refugee leaders, humanitarian / development actors, donors and other key stakeholders.
– Effective coordination with stakeholders: Experience developing and maintaining robust coordination platforms among key stakeholders, including regional authorities, UN agencies, NGOs, and donors linked to development, inclusion, self-reliance, or solutions agenda. Foster effective communication and networking to promote protection, inclusion, and sustainable solutions for vulnerable populations in the Somali Region.
– Strengthen refugee inclusion strategies: Experience working with UNHCR Country Office, Regional Refugee Return Services (RRS), local authorities, and community stakeholders to enhance the Refugee Inclusion Strategy in the Somali Region.
– Resource mobilization and development engagement: Experience in engaging with development actors, international financial institutions (IFIs), and the private sector, as well as both traditional and non-traditional donors. Align efforts with national resource mobilization strategies to secure funding and support for development initiatives in the Somali Region, including developing concept notes, funding proposals and networking.
– Experience and knowledge in protection program planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting applying age, gender and diversity (AGD) approach throughout the program cycle.
– Promote sustainable programming aligned with GRC/CRRF principles and the Government of Ethiopia’s Global Refugee Forum (GRF) commitments, ensuring effective protection and durable solutions for refugees.
– Experience in IDP engagement: In addition to refugee development experience, prior experience in promoting and enhancing UNHCR’s engagement with internally displaced persons (IDPs), particularly concerning partnerships with development actors, authorities, and other relevant stakeholders involved in pursuing IDP solutions.
– Experience in interagency coordination, including with national, regional and local government authorities, and contributing to interagency response strategies while ensuring that the interest of refugee and other populations that UNHCR serves are well represented and articulated.
– Excellent drafting skills and a deep understanding of how to leverage opportunities in Ethiopia, in line with the GCR/CRRF and the identification and implementation of innovative solutions for other populations of concern to UNHCR
– Experience supporting and/or managing protection, programme, supply, administrative, finance, human resources and security units.
– Experience in GBV, Child protection, PSEA and fraud issues, as well as experience working in a culturally and religiously sensitive environment.
– In addition to English, knowledge of the Somali language and prior working experience in the Somali Regional State in any of the above standard/desirable capacities would be an asset.
– Political awareness and communication skills are essential as well as management of security issues around operation.

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

,

,

Desired languages

,

,

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel.

Nature of Position:

UNHCR Jijiga operations primarily focus on delivering protection and multi-sectoral assistance to a protracted refugee population and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Somali region. Additionally, the office is committed to finding durable solutions by promoting inclusion for refugees and integration with IDPs, ensuring long-term sustainability and resilience. He/she will work closely with multiple stakeholders to coordinate and protect solutions for the people we serve and work with.

The Associate Field Officer will lead the multi-functional team (more than 20-30 staff) in Jijiga AoR, reporting to the Field Officer and/or the Senior Operations Coordinator. S/he will facilitate detailed planning, implementation, and reporting while coordinating with the key stakeholders to ensure the successful execution of the operation strategy. S/he may receive indirect guidance from other sections and units relevant to the country”s operations. The UNHCR Manual, programme and protection principles, operational plans, UN and UNHCR financial /budgetary rules and regulations will guide the work of the incumbent. Therefore, he/she will have daily contacts with the staff in the various sections/units and the local authorities to ease the accomplishments of the operational plans.

In the event of an influx of new arrivals, the incumbent will collaborate closely with UNHCR partners, local authorities—particularly the Refugee and Returnee Service (RRS)—relevant line ministries, refugee leadership, and internal UNHCR sectors/units to ensure effective and efficient protection and assistance delivery.

The Associate Field Officer will also monitor the security situation within the Area of Responsibility (AoR), intervening with local authorities as needed and representing the office in the Area Security Management Teams when assigned. Additionally, they will provide timely updates on critical security concerns requiring Senior Management’s immediate attention.

Furthermore, the Associate Field Officer will actively participate in key coordination meetings with stakeholders and advocate for the rights of refugees and displaced persons, working closely with other protection staff to ensure comprehensive support.

Whenever either internally or jointly planned with the other stakeholders and/or necessitated by change of situation such as fire outbreaks, and natural disasters, the incumbent is expected to mobilize the rest of the team and lead protection assessment for an immediate response.

The Associate Field Officer is expected to be abreast of the operational context, changes that affect the planned implementation of activities, and always to be focused and ready for emergency response.

The successful candidate is expected to have skills and the required knowledge to put in place contingency preparedness to ease response whenever deemed necessary. The contingency preparedness should always be in close consultation with RRS, and other key stakeholders for ownership of the processes.

The successful candidate will be expected to develop and maintain relations with the local authorities, ensuring smooth negotiations in all aspects of UNHCR”s mandate for the benefit of the people we serve and report to the senior management on incidences of infringement of their rights in line with existing international, regional and the national laws that are meant to protect the refugees, and other Internally Displaced persons.

The Associate Field Officer is expected to take a lead role in planning strategies and building partnerships to advance durable solutions for refugees such as local integration and voluntary repatriation whenever feasible.

Roles and responsibilities

• Prepare project proposals, draw up plans of operations for implementation in close liaison with the Field Officer, the Senior Operations Coordinator, and other sectors.
• Lead assessment of the forcibly displaced persons in the areas of responsibility and timely recommendations for project adjustments and/or discontinuation of existing projects.
• Represent UNHCR in liaison with government, security organs, host / refugee leaders, humanitarian / development actors, donors and other key stakeholders.
• Lead coordination with stakeholders, developing and maintaining coordination platforms among key stakeholders, including regional authorities, UN agencies, NGOs, and donors linked to development, inclusion, self-reliance, or solutions agenda.
• Carry out monitoring of UNHCR”s partner projects in close liaison with the key stakeholders, together with the UNHCR unit heads.
• Regularly prepare reports of ongoing projects and share them with the senior management team in the office.
• Establish and strengthen good working relationships with RRS, the local authorities, UNHCR partners, other agencies and with the representatives of the forcibly displaced persons.
• Ensure timely report on security related issues that may influence the operation with clear recommendations.
• Support UNHCR technical teams and other missions to the operation.
• In liaison with the country office, and the relevant units, whenever deemed necessary, support the annual participatory assessment with AGD focus and ensure its success with full participation of all key stakeholders.
• In close collaboration with the different UNHCR sectors/units, support in the identification of risks and opportunities that exist in the Area of responsibility and always ensure to have an updated risk register.
• Develop and maintain close relationships with the local authorities, ensuring smooth negotiations in all aspects of UNHCR”s mandate for the benefit of the refugees.

Living and working conditions

Jijiga is the capital city of the Somali Regional State of Ethiopia, with a population of about 500,000. It is situated at an elevation of 1,646 meters above sea level. It is located about 630 kms east of the Capital City, Addis Ababa and about 80 kilometers away from the border with Somalia (Somaliland).

Jijiga is a category D and non-family duty station, with a relatively stable security environment and with minimal reported crimes within the city. However, given the Somali region’s proximity to the border with Somalia, requires a sense of vigilance and alertness; UNDSS provides security advisories regularly to all staff in Jijiga and the surrounding locations to which adherence is expected.. Security briefing is mandatory upon arrival at the compound. All travel itineraries should report to the UNDSS radio room before departure and continue reporting their position every 60 minutes, until back to the compound. Official working hours are Monday through Thursday: 08:00 – 12:00 and 13:00 – 17:00 hours; while on Fridays 08:00 – 13:30 hours.

Private and public hospitals and higher clinics are available in Jijiga. However, the medical facilities in the area are insufficient to treat complicated medical cases. The United Nations Health Care Centre (UNHCC) in Addis Ababa provides 24/7 health care services for eligible UN staff and their dependents in different specialized Medical Units. Jijiga city also has many markets, restaurants and shops, including small supermarkets, from where food and other household items can be purchased. Ethiopian Commercial Bank and many other private banks have established branches in Jijiga where financial services, including ATM machines, can easily be accessed.

Transportation in and out of Jijiga is usually done via Ethiopian Airline flights directly to Addis Ababa on an average of 5 to 7 flights per day, although road transport can also be used through buses that ply the Jijiga-Addis or Jijiga-Harar-Dire Dawa routes. However, road travel to Addis Ababa may not be encouraged as it takes a full day compared to the 1-hour flight. Official travel is arranged by the office through a recommended agent.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

IT-Computer Literacy, PG-UNHCR”s Programmes

Education

Bachelor of Arts: Law, Bachelor of Arts: Political Science

Certifications

Programme Management (PM) 1 – UNHCR

Work Experience

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Judgement & decision making, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

UNHCR Salary Calculator

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Additional Information

 Position is opened to ONLY Ethiopian nationals
 Women are strongly encouraged to apply in order to promote gender-balance within UNHCR.
 Candidates may be subjected to assessment (written or oral interview).

Functional clearance

This position doesn”t require a functional clearance