Driver at UNHCR Uganda, Rwamwanja

Job Description

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Driver in the UNHCR Office is normally supervised directly by the Administrative Officer/Associate/Assistant or another staff member when the scale of the Operation so require it. Besides driving, the incumbent is responsible for up keep and maintenance of the assigned UNHCR vehicle(s) as per technical guidance and specifications established by the Organisation. S/he is required to follow strict instructions and security guidance provided by the supervisor. While the basic function of a driver is to drive the official vehicles of UNHCR, s/he may be called upon to perform minor maintenance and repair of UNHCR vehicles.

The Driver has regular contacts with staff within the UNHCR Office and with others (including Partners, government authorities, etc.) outside UNHCR involving a limited exchange of information.

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
– Drive UNHCR vehicles for the transport of authorized passengers, deliver, and collect documents and other items.
– Meet official personnel at airports or other locations and facilitate immigration and customs formalities as required.
– Perform day-to-day maintenance of the assigned vehicles; check oil, water, battery, brakes, tires, etc. and ensure that the assigned UNHCR vehicles are road or waterway worthy and maintained up to the established security standards.
– Perform minor repairs, arrange for other repairs, and ensure that the vehicle is kept clean.
– Ensure that the steps required by rules and regulations, or other local procedures, are taken in case of involvement in an accident.
– Log official trips, daily mileage, gas consumption, oil changes, greasing, etc.
– Ensure that instructions and security guidance provided by the supervisor and security focal point are strictly followed.
– Ensures valid documentation for passengers, items or cargo in vehicle.

– 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 G2D – 2 years relevant experience with Completion of Primary Education or High School Diploma or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not applicable

Certificates and/or Licenses
*Driving Licences;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Driving licence, knowledge of driving rules and regulations.
Desirable
Not specified.

Functional Skills
* DV-Driving Rules and Regulations
DV – Basic Vehicle Mechanical Skills;
(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.

As per the Job Description.

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

Field Office Rwamwanja, located in Kamwenge District, is one of UNHCR’s key operational points in Southwest Uganda. It falls under the oversight of Sub Office Mbarara. Rwamwanja hosts refugees arriving through the Bubukwanga Transit Centre and Mahani Reception Centre, primarily crossing from the respective boarder points of Ntoroko, Bundibugyo, and Kasese district. The settlement remains an active receiving site in Uganda’s broader refugee response framework.

As of June 30, 2025, Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement accommodates approximately 103,000 refugees, predominantly from the Democratic Republic of Congo, with smaller populations from Burundi, Rwanda, and South Sudan. The settlement comprises:1 Transit Centre (Bubukwanga), 1 Reception Centre (Mahani), 4 Food Distribution Points, 45 Villages organized into 13 Zones, over 24,000 Households and a population composed of 81% women and children, 21% youth (15–24), and 3% elderly persons

Approximately 42% of the population is engaged in economic activities, with livelihoods primarily in farming, trade, and vocational skills. Over 12,500 individuals have been identified with specific needs, including persons with disabilities, single parents, and women at risk.

The office currently comprises a lean team supporting functions across Protection, Field Coordination, ICT and Administration.

Strategic Context

Rwamwanja operates within the broader framework of the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) and Uganda’s Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF). The settlement is emblematic of Uganda’s progressive refugee policy, where refugees are hosted in settlements integrated into host communities, with access to land, public services, and development opportunities.

In line with the CRRF and the Transition Agenda, Partnership Framework Agreements have been signed with Kamwenge District Local Government (as the receiving district), and Bundibugyo and Ntoroko Districts (as transiting districts). This strategic alignment promotes a shift from parallel humanitarian service delivery toward localization, system strengthening, and district-led refugee response across the sectors of: Field, Health and Nutrition, Livelihoods, Energy and Environment, WASH, Protection, Education, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)

The transition is also anchored in the objectives of the Uganda Refugee Response Plan (RRP), which outlines national-level strategies for sustainability, resilience-building, and durable solutions. The focus in Rwamwanja has increasingly shifted toward integrating services within existing government structures, promoting refugee self-reliance, and fostering social cohesion between refugee and host communities.

Key Strategic Priorities in Rwamwanja

Advancing the Transition Agenda by integrating services, including protection, into district development planning and government systems.

Strengthening multi-stakeholder coordination between humanitarian, development, and government actors to ensure coherent and inclusive programming.

Scaling up investments in youth livelihoods, TVET, and market-based solutions that align with local development priorities.

Fostering peaceful coexistence and inclusion, while addressing protection concerns for persons with specific needs and vulnerable populations.

Ensuring readiness for potential emergency influxes from nearby border districts, given the dynamic displacement context in Eastern DRC.

There are over 10 partners, both operational and implementing, operating in the Rwamwanja settlement as well as some UN Agencies like WFP, UN Women, UNFPA and UNICEF. Their engagement in protection response makes it an imperative for the Assistant Protection Officer to build an interface with all in carrying out protection activities. UNHCR leads the protection coordination and assistance to the Forcibly Displaced Persons and Statelessness.

The Driver (GS2) is a member of the Administration section at Rwamwanja and reports to the Senior Administrative Assistant. The duties of a Driver are as per the standard Job Description.

Living and Working Conditions:

Rwamwanja field office is about 104 km from Mbarara and 226 km from Kampala. FO Rwamwanja is non-family duty station; staff is expected to reside at the staff accommodation provided by the office as declared by local UNDSS cleared accommodation. There is a vibrant local market at the Base Camp zone of the settlement, though local supermarkets are found in the nearest city of Fort Portal, Mbarara and Kampala. There are no education facilities similar to international schools in Rwamwanja and Mbarara. International schools are available in Kampala and Entebbe areas. In terms of medical services, only basic medical services are available in health centers in the settlements provided by UNHCR health partner MTI, and if necessary, further medical referral to Fort Portal, with further medical referral to Mbarara or Kampala. The nearest banking facilities including ATM are either in Ibanda or Fort Portal. At the furnished staff accommodation compound provided by UNHCR, internet, electricity and water are available.

Most of travels between Rwamwanja and Mbarara are undertaken by road (104 Kms). Generally calm and peaceful security situation in the country, however threats of crime continue to prevail in areas, especially Kampala and Mbarara.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

DV – Basic Vehicle Mechanical Skills, DV-Driving Rules and Regulations

Certifications

Driving License – Other

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Teamwork & collaboration, Technological awareness

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

Compendium

Additional Information

Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a written test and/or oral interview. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member is subject to proof of vaccination against COVID-19.

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance