Associate Operations Officer

January 1, 2026

A (least hardship)

FamilyFamily

NOB

National Professional Officer

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-03-01

Associate Operations Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Associate Operations Officer normally works under the direct supervision of the (Senior) Operations Officer/Coordinator or Head of the Office. The incumbent will support liaising with Partners through sector meetings and other coordination mechanisms in the Area of responsibility (AoR) as deemed necessary and required by the senior management. S/he will also assist with management issues pertaining to the operations within the area of responsibility (AoR). The incumbent will maintain contact with NGO/Implementing partners, Government officials at the Central level, Donors and UN agencies based in the locations covered under AoR. The incumbent also receives indirect guidance from other sections and units relevant to the country programmes. The incumbent may supervise some support staff. Within UNHCR, the incumbent has regular contact with other sections/units at Headquarters and with field offices on issues related UNHCR's programme in the countries/operations covered under the AoR.

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

• Support UNHCR's activities in the operations within the AoR, if necessary through mission to the countries/operations covered.

• Keep abreast of the events that may affect the situation of forcibly displaced and stateless people in the countries/operations under AoR and provide regular reports and relevant information on developments regarding the situation of forcibly displaced and stateless people as appropriate.

• Through a wide network of external contacts and through studying field reports, regularly analyse the operational context, early warning signs and the protection situation of forcibly displaced and stateless people .

• Support the preparation of analytic papers and formulate recommendations for action for the country offices/operations within the AoR.

• Support the compliance of UNCHR’s project implementation, management and reporting with established policies, guidelines, procedures, and standards.

• Contribute to identify potential gaps and problems and in cooperation with other relevant sections recommend appropriate solutions to ensure the continued efficient implementation of programme activities and effective coordination with other UN agencies and NGOs.

• In the bureaux, respond to queries and requests for assistance and guidance from the field, and follow-up where needed, in close coordination with other concerned focal points of the Bureau.

• In the field, prepare project proposals, conduct needs assessment in various fields of assistance and monitor implementation of projects under the AoR.

• Maintain relations with UN agencies, NGOs and other parties operating in the AoR, in order to promote UNHCR objectives.

• Liaise with operational partners on issues relating to the protection and assistance of refugees/IDPs and other forcibly displaced and stateless people.

• Maintain a wide range of external contacts with Permanent Missions, donors, and civil society organization.

• Provide administrative and operational support across a range of programme activities, including but not limited to processing field requests related to financial transactions, procurement actions, and documentation for internal review and approval processes (e.g., Committee on Contracts, Budget Committee), ensuring compliance with relevant procedures and timelines.

• 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

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

Public Administration;                       Economics;                         Social Science;

Business Administration;                  Law;                                    or other relevant field.

(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Certificates and/or Licenses

Programme Management;

(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Understanding of UNHCR mandate and operations. Minimum 3 years relevant work experience.

Desirable

Experience in field operations. Experience working with UNHCR; or other UN entities or partners preferably in refugee or humanitarian operations. Proven track record in emergency preparedness, response, and management.

Functional Skills

MG-Field Operations Management;

MG-Coordination;

(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.

Competency Requirements

All jobs at UNHCR require six core competencies and may also require managerial competencies and/or cross-functional competencies. The six core competencies are listed below.

Core Competencies

Accountability

Communication

Organizational Awareness

Teamwork & Collaboration

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies

Judgement and Decision Making

Managing Resources

Empowering and Building Trust

Cross-Functional Competencies

Analytical Thinking

Planning and Organizing

Political Awareness

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.

• Having education background in one of the below fields of education:
Civil-Engineering, Water/Sanitation Engineering, Hydrology, Water Resource Development, Energy Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or other relevant field. Having Geographic Information Systems certificate will be an added advantage.
• Prior experience in implementing infrastructure projects for energy, WASH and site planning in humanitarian contexts and emergencies, including coordination with operational partners, government counterparts, development actors, and the private sector.
• Field-level experience in leading transitions to local or national service providers in either WASH or energy, including the development of transition plans and budgets, stakeholder coordination, and the establishment of users’ associations, committees, or cooperatives.

• Experience in technical project management, including site supervision, monitoring, quality control, commissioning and monitoring, and application of participatory approaches to facilitate active community involvement in the construction, operation, and maintenance phases of infrastructure projects.

• Understanding of international policies and regulations on energy. Knowledge of renewable energy, including financial, regulatory, and policy frameworks; renewable energy financial management with community involvement and capacity considerations; renewable energy business development, entrepreneurship, productive use of energy, and its links to livelihoods and value chains; and market-based approaches for energy access.

• Knowledge and understanding of water and wastewater hydraulics and their physical, chemical, and biological properties; solid waste management practices; vector control; and hygiene promotion and awareness-raising strategies.

• Understanding of the relationship between water, wastewater, solid waste, and vector control with public health indicators, and the importance of hygiene promotion, awareness-raising, and behaviour change methodologies.

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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 Rwanda manages its operation through the Representation office in Kigali, a sub-office in Kirehe and field offices of Huye, Karongi, and Kabarore. In collaboration with the Ministry in Charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA), the operation provides international protection and humanitarian assistance to over 135,000 refugees and asylum seekers mainly from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi, hosted in the camps of Mahama, Nyabiheke, Kigeme, Mugombwa, Kiziba, and the urban settings of Kigali and Huye. The Rwanda operation also received asylum seekers evacuated from Libya hosted in the Gashora transit centre. Rwandan returnees and new refugee arrivals are received mainly in the reception/transit centres in Rubavu and Rusizi districts before transferring to their districts of origin or camps for refugees.

The Associate Operations Officer serves a second line of defence function, providing technical support countrywide for WASH and energy needs assessments including coordination for site planning. This includes developing integrated approaches that consider community needs, protection concerns, local context, age and gender, culture, climate, and environmental conditions, and supporting transitions to sustainable responses and the inclusion of services in local and national systems. S/he also supports and guides country and camp level staff working on WASH, energy and shelter programs.

The incumbent plays a broader role in providing guidance, capacity building, representation, and advocacy to advance non-transactional programming for WASH, energy and site investments.

S/he will be required to closely work with different donors and operational partners implementing technical (WASH, Energy & Shelter) programmes in and around the camps and advocate for inclusion of camps in the government programmes.

The incumbent will also perform the below technical specific duties:

-              Support the implementation of sustainable responses in WASH and energy approaches and programmes and promote the inclusion of refugees in national and local WASH and energy systems and development plans, in close collaboration with a broad range of stakeholders (governments, humanitarian and development actors, donors, private sector, academia, among others).

-              Work in close collaboration with other sectors and emphasize the multi-sectoral links between WASH, Energy and Environment, Protection, Shelter, Settlement, Innovative Finance, Livelihoods, and Health.

-              Support UNHCR’s participation in global or regional inter-agency fora for WASH and Energy to ensure that UNHCR’s mandate, programmes, and advocacy are duly considered and reflected in relevant policies and frameworks.

-              Review and update WASH and energy contingency plans for potential epidemics, refugee movements, and returnee influxes. Provide drafts for donor proposals, appeals and response plans.

-              Collaborate with supply personnel to advise on procurement matters related to WASH and energy items and systems, including the development of standardized technical specifications and bidding documents.

-              Nurture key strategic partnerships with development and humanitarian agencies, as well as the private sector, at country, regional and regional levels in relation to WASH and energy.

-              Support the collection and analysis of WASH, energy access, and climate action data in the Technical Information Management System (TIMS).

Living and Working Conditions:

 

Additional Qualifications

Skills

MG-Coordination, MG-Field Operations Management

Bachelor of Arts: Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts: Economics, Bachelor of Arts: Law, Bachelor of Arts: Public Administration, Bachelor of Arts: Social Science

Certifications

Programme Management - Other

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaboration

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

Compendium

Additional Information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance