Assistant Field Officer (N)

September 2, 2026E (most hardship)Non Family with Residential LocationDanger PayNairobi (CO), KenyaNOANational Professional Officer

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment2026-11-01

Assistant Field Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Assistant Field Officer is normally supervised by the Senior Field Coordinator or Field Officer or Head of Sub-Office/Field Office depending on the structure of the Office. S/he may receive indirect guidance from other sections and units relevant to the country/regional programme(s). UNHCR Manual, programme and protection objectives, Operations Plans, UN and UNHCR financial/budgetary rules and regulations will guide the work of the incumbent.
The incumbent does not normally have any direct supervisory role. S/he has daily contacts with staff in the various field offices and with the functional units at the Country/Regional Office. S/he also has close liaison with a range of local civilian and military authorities and counterparts in NGOs and UN agencies to discuss matters of common interest.

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
- Assess the needs of persons of concern in the AoR and formulate project submissions in collaboration with district authorities and implementing partners.
- Promote and monitor the implementation of assistance projects.
- Report regularly on rate of flow of new arrivals and estimate expected influx based on interviews with persons of concern.
- In co-ordination with implementing partners, assist with the reception, registration and provision of assistance to persons of concern to UNHCR.
- Keep track of cases of detention; register applicants for voluntary repatriation and family reunion.
- Assist in the preparation of monthly sectoral reports and submit material for preparation of periodic project monitoring reports and year-end reports.
- Submit recommendation for protection interventions to the designated officer.
- Negotiate with local authority counterparts, partners and populations of concern.

- 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
Law

Political Sciences

or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
UNHCR Operations Management Learning Programme
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Not specified

Desirable
Field experience.
Knowledge of refugee law.
Good knowledge of UNHCR's programmes.

Functional Skills
PG-UNHCR's Programmes
PG-Stakeholder management and coordination with Implementing Partners (Gov/NGO/Corporate)
PG-Resource planning
IT-Computer Literacy
BU-PeopleSoft EPM/Budget
FI-ERP Financial Management (SAP, Oracle, PeopleSoft, Workday and other)
PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards)
PG-Results-Based Management
(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.

Operational Context
Sub-Office Kosti is located in White Nile State and covers refugee and mixed population operations across White Nile and Blue Nile States. Since the outbreak of conflict in Sudan in April 2023, the operation has become one of the country's principal humanitarian corridors, hosting large numbers of refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and refugee returnees. The operation supports an estimated 447,804 refugees and asylum seekers residing in White Nile State, of whom nearly 93% are sheltered across 10 camps in two localities, Al Salaam and Al Jabalain, while simultaneously responding to significant population movements of IDPs and returnees through border crossings, transit points, gathering sites, and host communities.
The operational environment remains highly dynamic and is characterized by large-scale population movements, evolving protection risks, resource constraints, climate-induced emergencies including seasonal flooding, and increasing pressure on basic services and local infrastructure. The operation requires close collaboration with the Commission for Refugees (COR), the Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC), state authorities, UN agencies, NGOs, refugee-led organizations, and community structures to ensure effective protection and assistance interventions.
Despite the presence of humanitarian actors, sustained funding shortfalls severely constrain the delivery of basic services, including health, WASH, shelter, and education, across the camps. These resource limitations have resulted in overcrowded shelters, overstretched facilities, and deteriorating protection and food security outcomes. Consequently, the operation prioritizes assistance for the most vulnerable households while strengthening coordination and resource mobilization to sustain critical interventions.

Nature of the Position

Under the supervision of the Head of Sub-Office or Associate Field Officer (with reporting lines subject to adjustment based on evolving organizational structures), the Assistant Field Officer contributes to the planning, implementation, and monitoring of protection and solutions activities, emergency preparedness and response, field assessments, inter-agency coordination, community engagement, and operational reporting. The incumbent supports evidence-based decision-making through regular field monitoring and analysis of population trends, protection concerns, and humanitarian needs affecting refugees, IDPs, returnees, and host communities.
The position requires frequent field visits to refugee camps in White Nile State, including remote operational locations, and occasional support to activities within the broader Southern Corridor as operational priorities dictate.
Beyond direct field support, the Assistant Field Officer fosters strategic partnerships with government authorities, ministries, community structures, and diverse stakeholders. Acting as a crucial liaison, the incumbent facilitates transparent communication and fosters mutual understanding to ensure seamless project implementation and the effective delivery of protection and assistance to affected populations.

Desired Candidate Profile :

The ideal candidate should have extensive experience in refugee/IDP protection, humanitarian affairs, or related fields, with a demonstrated track record of managing complex humanitarian operations, preferably within the UN system. Essential qualifications include comprehensive operational management experience, including monitoring, supporting, and evaluating implementing partners, alongside the capacity to provide technical guidance to UNHCR implementing partners and field staff across all protection and assistance dimensions. The candidate should possess a thorough understanding of UNHCR's roles and responsibilities in refugee and IDP response contexts.
The successful candidate should demonstrate proven leadership capabilities, including capacity building and team management expertise, in order to cultivate collaborative work environments. Exceptional interpersonal and field coordination skills are essential for engaging diverse stakeholders, such as government authorities, implementing and operational partners (including NGOs and sister UN agencies), donors, and local communities. Strong communication proficiency in both written and spoken English is required to prepare internal and external reports.
Critical competencies include analytical skills to assess complex situations, identify core issues, and develop innovative solutions. The incumbent must effectively represent UNHCR at the field level, advocating for the rights and needs of forcibly displaced persons while ensuring adherence to international protection standards.

Additional Assets
• Deep understanding of local contexts
• Advanced negotiation and conflict resolution capabilities

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Nature of Position:

Living and Working Conditions:

 

Additional Qualifications

Skills

BU-PeopleSoft EPM/Budget, FI-ERP Financial Management (SAP, Oracle, PeopleSoft, Workday and other), IT-Computer Literacy, PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards), PG-Resource planning, PG-Results-Based Management, PG-Stakeholder management and coordination with Implementing Partners (Gov/NGO/Corporate), PG-UNHCR's ProgrammesBachelor of Arts: Law, Bachelor of Arts: Political Science

Certifications

Programme Management (PM) 1 - UNHCR

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Judgement & decision making, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

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

Compendium

Additional Information

this is a national position for Sudanese onlyThis position doesn't require a functional clearance

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