Details
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 co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems world-wide. 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).
The UNHCR Representation Office in Rwanda principally manages a refugee population (mainly refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo who have been on the Rwan-dan territory since 1996 and Burundian refugees who have been arriving in the country further to the volatile situation in Burundi since April 2015) as well as a significant re-turnee population of Rwandan refugees returning after many years in exile.
It is com-posed of the Branch Office in Kigali and Field Offices in Huye, Gicumbi, Rusizi, Rubavu, Karongi, Kirehe and Kabarore. It hosts approximately 155,749 refugees in three proracted refugee camps, namely Nyabiheke (managed by Kabarore Office) Gihembe (managed by Gicumbi Office) as well as Kiziba (managed by Karongi Office), three new refugee camps, namely Kigeme and Mugombwa (managed by Huye Office) as well as Mahama (managed by Kirehe Office), and urban settings (Kigali and Huye). Since April 2015, UNHCR is also supporting two additional reception centers in Bugesera and Nyanza districts for Burundian refugees.
The existing transit center in Rusizi (Nyagatare Transit Centre) that was receiving Rwandan returnees has also started functioning as a reception center for Burundian new arrivals. As of December 2013, Rwanda hosted approximately 74,000 Congolese refugees. 99% of the refugee caseload is predomi-nantly composed of refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with 84% originating from North Kivu and 11% from South Kivu.
Context
The Livelihood and Economic Inclusion Associate reports directly to the Head of Field Office based in Huye. S/he may receive indirect guidance from other sections and units relevant to Livelihood based at the branch Office. Protection and Solutions are the key focus of the office with Cash Based Interventions (CBI) and Livelihoods as strategic priorities. The incumbent will need to have strong proven leadership and communication skills to implement livelihood and economic inclusion strategy as well as to interact with Partners and authorities as needs arise.
Task description
• Explore partnerships with relevant stakeholders to enhance economic inclusion of UN-HCR PoC. This includes working with economic development agencies to adapt their programmes to become inclusive of UNHCR PoC, working with the private sector to enhance inclusion of UNHCR PoC in their labour force and supply chains, working with financial service providers to enhance financial inclusion, and working with public and private sector service providers to include UNHCR PoC in supporting services (business development, micro-finance, training, saving accounts, poverty alleviation and social protection, etc.).
• Work with the multi-functional team, more specifically with the Protection Unit, to collect information about the legal framework for the right to work and rights at work.
• Support the implementation of socioeconomic and wealth ranking surveys to inform targeting, monitoring and facilitation of the engagement of development programmes.
• Participate in necessary assessments in collaboration with relevant private and public stakeholders, including impact assessments on local economies and surveys that help to in-form interventions and identify investment and funding opportunities that enhance the economic inclusion of UNHCR PoC.
• Work closely with stakeholders and provide technical assistance on livelihoods interventions to ensure these project implementations are market-based, and that the role of UN-HCR has been strategically determined in consideration of its comparative advantage vis-à-vis other partners.
• Liaise with partners and authorities on livelihoods related issues under the technical guidance of the supervisor.
• Prepare field reports and other relevant reports relating to livelihoods and make recommendations for interventions that enhance refugee economic inclusion to the designated officer.
• Perform other related duties as required. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:
• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for in-stance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country.
• Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers.
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.
Eligibility criteria
Age
27 – 80
Nationality
Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.
Requirements
Required experience
3 years of experience in related field. Knowledge of UN policies and procedures; Field experience; Flexibility and ability to provide support and oversight to numerous projects at once and willingness to undertake some related administrative tasks; Strong interpersonal and communication skills in a multi-cultural setting; Ability to complete tasks within a set time frame; Good analytical skills; Ability to work effectively and with minimum supervision.
Area(s) of expertise
Agriculture
Driving license
–
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required French, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable Kinyarwanda, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Agronomy, Agriculture Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine or equivalent
Competencies and values
Accountability
☒ Adaptability and Flexibility
☒ Building Trust
☒ Client Orientation
☒ Commitment and Motivation
☒ Commitment to Continuous Learning
☒ Communication
☒ Creativity
☒ Empowering Others
☒ Ethics and Values
☒ Integrity
☒ Judgement and Decision-making
☒ Knowledge Sharing
☒ Planning and Organizing
☒ Professionalism
☒ Respect for Diversity
☒ Self-Management
☒ Technological Awareness
☒ Working in Teams
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
Huye is not a duty station where staffs reside in UNHCR housing in terms of accommodation. Houses are available for rent and staffs are guided upon arrival to available housing options which are usually equipped with adequate facilities. The usual practice is to give at least a three-months deposit upon signing a rent contract. Huye has small private clinics that can offer consultations with general practicians or some specialists. There is a tertiary level facility (CHUB – Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Butare) which is considered referral hospital at the national level. Limited education facilities are available for staffs’ children. There are no accredited international schools in Huye but private schools offering teaching in English or French, following the national curricula. Security in Huye is at Level 1 and is a family duty station (category B) with low security risks. Banking facilities are available. Transport is available with (private) buses every 30min / every hour (depending on the time of the year) to Kigali. Concerning transport, even though motorcycle taxis are not recommended, they are the fastest way to get around the big cities. Helmets are provided, but it is better to have your own helmet. You can also take a standard taxi. Those with a yellow stripe will be run by individuals. Public transportation is the cheapest, and many of the buses are new and well-maintained. You can also take these buses farther afield; expect to pay a fare based on distance. Shops and markets are available with necessary items including imported goods, home furnishings and electrical appliances.
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
This UNV assignment is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19 with WHO approved vaccine, unless the UNHCR Medical Service approves an exemption from this requirement on medical grounds
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