Assistant Programme Officer at UNHCR Uganda, Yumbe
Job Description
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Assistant Programme Officer may be based in HQ, field/regional bureau, and would normally receive guidance from more senior programme staff in the operation/bureau/division and may supervise a small team of local staff. The incumbent may refer to UNHCR’s Programme Manual (Chapter IV), UNHCR’s corporate and regional strategic priorities, operation plans and other relevant institutional rules and regulations for further guidance.
The Assistant Programme Officer will support the provision of programmatic guidance and support with regard to the implementation of protection and solutions strategies within available resources. The incumbent will play a role in coordinating with the other sections/units to ensure harmonized programmatic approaches at all levels and throughout the UNHCR Operations Management Cycle. S/he will work in line with the overall UNHCR directions which crucially require working with partners, including with persons of concern, governmental institutions and the private sector, ensuring that programme management is approached as per UNHCR¿s Strategic Directions, Global Strategic Priorities (GSPs), Global Compact for Refugees (GCR), corporate positions on SDGs.
The incumbent is expected to work in line with the multi-functional team (MFT) approach as defined within the Program Manual, ensuring the participation of relevant stakeholders in all phases of the Program Management Cycle.
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 in assessing and analysing the needs of persons of concern in a participatory manner, using an Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective as basis for planning
– Provide support on programmatic aspects of developing multi-year protection and solutions strategies and annual plans with corresponding priorities taking into account corporate priorities
– Support Results Based Management and programme capacity in light of evolving requirements, programming approaches and gaps,
– Assist the planning process in compliance with planning parameters outlined in the Programme Manual and the planning instructions
– Contribute to the review and analyse of plans, mid-year and year-end reports of UNHCR offices in the region, ensuring quality assurance and compliance with established policies, guidelines, procedures and standards.
– Assist with the provision of overall direction to broaden partnerships with key stakeholders in order to maximize the protection and solutions response for persons of concern.
– Contribute to the successful application of the framework for implementing with partners, including the effective implementation of the policy on selection and retention of partners, management of partnership agreements, risk-based project performance monitoring, and risk-based project audits, among others.
– Contribute to ensure consistent and coherent monitoring approaches, tools and systems within the Area of Responsibility (AoR), in line with global standards and polices.
– Actively contribute to UNHCRs programming of community of practice and continuously contribute to improvements of programming tools and processes.
– Identify potential gaps and problems and in cooperation with other relevant sections recommend appropriate solutions to ensure the efficient implementation of programme activities
– Assist in a timely and effective follow-up of internal and external audits observations and recommendations that relate to programmatic issues.
– 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 P1/NOA – 1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
Economics
Business Administration
Social Sciences
or other relevant field.
Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified
Relevant Job Experience
Essential:
Demonstrated experience in programme management including familiarization with the OMC and sound knowledge Results Based-Management. Demonstrated experience in field operations, sound knowledge on the centrality of protection in programming, Joint Needs Assessments and the principles of targeting.
Desirable:
Demonstrated experience in coordination within an inter-agency context and other actors, in a refugee or humanitarian context. Sound experience in program management training and capacity building activities.
Functional Skills
PG-UNHCR’s Programmes
PG-Results-Based Management
PG-Stakeholder management and coordination with Implementing Partners (Gov/NGO/Corporate)
PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards)
(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 incumbent should demonstrate a strong track record in programme management, budgeting and internal control assessment, as well as a solid understanding of the GET Results guidance. The role requires close coordination, oversight and monitoring of partner activities and DI projects, and effective collaboration with Government counterparts. The incumbent is expected to be proactive, able to work under pressure and to deliver high-quality results in a demanding operational environment.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
,
,
Desired languages
,
,
Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
Yumbe District, in Uganda’s West Nile region, is a predominantly rural, refugee-hosting area that includes Bidibidi, one of the world’s largest refugee settlements. UNHCR’s Yumbe Sub-Office is responsible for overseeing multiple refugee settlements, including Bidibidi (209,363 total population, end 2025), Rhino Camp (201,188), Imvepi (76,547) and Lobule (6,457). These settlements provide shelter and essential services to refugees primarily fleeing conflict and persecution in neighbouring countries such as South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Basic services, infrastructure and livelihood opportunities are under significant strain, and operations are implemented in a low-resource, high-mobility environment that requires strong field presence and close coordination with Government counterparts, United Nations agencies and NGO partners. The operating context is shaped by both opportunities and constraints: there is strong momentum for localization and community-based approaches, while at the same time a shifting funding landscape – including the suspension of a major donor contribution previously earmarked for 2025 – demands strategic prioritization, adaptability and resourcefulness.
Uganda’s progressive settlement approach allocates plots of land to newly arrived refugees within designated refugee-hosting villages, enabling them to build shelters, engage in agriculture and access national systems for health and education. Refugees also enjoy key rights and freedoms such as freedom of movement, access to employment and the ability to establish businesses.
Nature of Position:
Uganda has adopted a new centralized programme management model with thematic field support. This model responds to the recent staff restructuring across the operation and aims to ensure effective, efficient and accountable implementation by centralizing strategic and budget oversight at the Country Office while empowering sub-offices to provide thematic support, monitor implementation and engage with partners.
Each Sub-Office includes an Assistant Programme Officer who serves as the thematic counterpart to Country Office leads. The Country Office maintains sole authority for partnership budget approvals, OL adjustments and financial reporting, in consultation with the Heads of Sub-Offices. Sub-Offices, with the support of the Assistant Programme Officer, contribute to budgeting processes by gathering partner proposals, tracking expenditures and flagging budgetary risks or performance issues.
The Assistant Programme Officer in SO Yumbe will report to the Supporting Management Officer and will supervise one staff member. Key responsibilities include coordinating PFAs under supervision for timely finalization and payments, entering budgets in COMPASS, and supporting capacity-building for local governments. The role also supports budget revisions, financial verifications, coordination and liaison with Government partners (OPM, DLG Koboko, DLG Terego, DLG Madi Okollo and Yumbe DLG), provides support to refugee-led organizations, contributes to coordination meetings and maintains complete and up-to-date audit documentation.
Living and Working Conditions:
Yumbe is classified as a Category E family duty station. The office is in a remote area but benefits from UNHCR-managed staff accommodation within the office compound, offering comfortable standards with running water, basic furniture, media/Internet access and some recreational facilities. However, local healthcare services are limited, and medical evacuation is constrained by the absence of a nearby airfield and an approximate 12-hours road journey to Kampala, the main evacuation point. Social life outside the compound is very limited, and there are no adequate schools for staff with school-age children.
The broader security environment is fragile, with risks related to common crime and occasional civil unrest. These incidents have so far been contained by the authorities, and the UNHCR compound itself remains well secured, with no major security breaches reported.
Safe and reliable public transportation options are limited, and local motorbike and bus taxis are frequently used by nationals. Vehicle taxis are scarce and relatively expensive.
The primary mode of travel between Kampala and Yumbe is by road (approximately 575 km). Commercial flights, cleared by UNDSS, operate between Arua City and Entebbe three times per week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday). There is no accommodation meeting minimum standards available within the settlements, necessitating daily commutes by official vehicle for staff conducting field activities.
Additional Qualifications
Skills
PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards), PG-Results-Based Management, PG-Stakeholder management and coordination with Implementing Partners (Gov/NGO/Corporate), PG-UNHCR’s Programmes
Education
Bachelor of Arts: Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts: Economics, Bachelor of Arts: Law, Bachelor of Arts: Social Science
Certifications
Work Experience
Competencies
Accountability, Change capability & adaptability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Judgement & decision making, Managing performance, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Teamwork & collaboration
