Field Associate at UNHCR Uganda, Rwamwanja

Job Description

Field Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Field Associate is normally supervised by the (Senior) Field Officer or Head of Office and performs a variety of functions related to Field activities within the office. The supervisor defines general work objectives and provides necessary advice and guidance. The Field Associate may supervise some General Service support staff.
The incumbent keeps frequent internal contacts with staff members in the same duty station to exchange information, to establish understanding of respective needs; to ensure provision of services and resolution of problems and with the external contacts generally with officials of national and international institutions, leaders of the refugee community, local population and/or Implementing Partners (IPs) on subject matters which may be of importance to the Organization.

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
– Monitor the situation in the AoR, collect data and other information relevant to UNHCR and report to the supervisor accordingly.
– Monitor the implementation of UNHCR programme including the delivery of all assistance items and monitoring of infrastructure.
– Undertake regular visits to various sites in order to assess needs of persons of concern, with particular attention to vulnerable groups.
– Keep regular contacts with local authorities and implementing partners as requested by supervisor.
– Act as interpreter when required.
– Contribute to the preparation of status and progress reports by providing info, preparing tables, etc.
– Assist in administrative tasks as required such as preparation of reports and meeting authorized personnel and assisting them during field missions.
– Inform and act on the reports received on persons of concern within the refugee community or from the local authorities.
– In coordination with implementing partners, assist in the reception, registration and provision of assistance to persons of concern to UNHCR.
– Negotiate with local authority counterparts, partners and populations of concern.
– Represent UNHCR in physical monitoring of projects.

– 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 G6 – 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not applicable

Certificates and/or Licenses
Business Administration Law Political Science
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Not specified

Desirable
Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of the position.
UNHCR field experience.

Functional Skills
*IT-Computer Literacy
CO-Drafting and Documentation
CL-Multi-stakeholder Communications with Partners, Government & Community
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.

As per the Job Description.

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 and Statelessness Persons.

The Field Associate (GS6) is a member of the Field section at Rwamwanja and reports to the Assistant Field Office. The duties of a Field Associate 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

CL-Multi-stakeholder Communications with Partners, Government & Community, CO-Drafting and Documentation, IT-Computer Literacy, PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards)

Certifications

Business Administration – Other, Law – Other, Political Science – Other

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

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.