Associate Operations Officer

E (most hardship)

Non Family with Residential LocationNon Family with Residential LocationDanger Pay

Budapest Hungary

NOB

National Professional Officer

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

June 18 2025

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 UNHCRs 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 UNStaff 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 UNHCRs core values of professionalism integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties

• Support UNHCRs 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 UNCHRs 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.

In addition to the requirements outline in the job description the following are desired candidates sought qualifications:
i)Experience
Operational experience working in mixed settings including working with IDPs conflict affected and returnees experience of working in emergency settings with a focus on solutions from the start.
Demonstrated experience in field activities both through partners and direct implementation sound knowledge on the centrality of protection in programming Joint Needs Assessments and the principles of targeting.
Leadership and management experience and experience coordinating with a multi-functional team
Experience in designing and providing support to development of long-term protection and solutions strategies and/or contingency plans for UNHCR response
Proven ability in project management (including assessments) and monitoring & evaluation activities
Experience in planning process in compliance with planning parameters outlined in the Programme Manual and the planning instructions.
Experience in partnership and budget management
Familiarity with the cluster system and other inter-agency fora


ii)Skills
Strong management and leadership skills
Proficient level of spoken and written English and Ukrainian
Strong analytical skills
Strong communication skills
Strong stakeholder engagement skills (local government partners other UN Agencies operational partners etc.)
Ability to multi-task and deliver under high level of pressure with tight deadlines
Pragmatism flexibility proactiveness and problem-solving mindset

The selection process may include a written test and candidates may be required to undergo a written assessment.

English

Ukrainian

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station please visit: of Position:

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has been present in Ukraine since 1994 and substantially increased its presence and response after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The geographical presence within Ukraine has significatively expanded to deliver the emergency response. The country office is located in the capital Kyiv and sub- and field offices are currently located in Dnipro Kyiv Lviv Odesa and Kharkiv.

The war in Ukraine has caused death and suffering on a dramatic scale. In 2025 more than 12.7 million people are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance and protection according to the 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan. Some 3.7 million people are internally displaced while around 6.8 million refugees from Ukraine are recorded across Europe and beyond. Some 75000 people including some of the most vulnerable notable older people and people with disabilities live in collective sites spread across the country. Ukraine also hosts asylum-seekers and refugees and is home to thousands of people who are stateless or at risk of statelessness.

The massive destruction of civilian infrastructure with the energy sector being particularly targeted has made life extremely challenging for millions of people who have lost their homes and livelihoods and has severely disrupted access to electricity water heating as well as critical services including healthcare education and social protection services. Humanitarian access continues to be hampered particularly in frontline areas as well as to areas under temporary occupation of the Russian Federation. Civilians remain exposed to serious risks to their physical security and integrity particularly in eastern and southern regions of Ukraine. The risk of GBV including sexual violence continues to prevail alongside family separations loss of housing and properties as well as identity and civil documentation. Populations displaced or otherwise affected by the war live in situations of deprivation following the loss or damage of their housing loss of income and often become dependent on an overstretched social protection system.

The Government of Ukraine maintains a strong lead role in responding to the needs of its population and UNHCR supports the Government and its central and local institutions to provide protection shelter/housing cash and in-kind assistance to displaced and other people impacted by the war. Currently UNHCR has MOUs with five-line ministries the First Ladys foundation as well as the Office of the Ombudsman 19 regional state administrations and agreements with 14 partners to deliver assistance and support the localization of the response.

Under the leadership of the UN Humanitarian Coordinator UNHCR operates as part of the Inter-agency humanitarian response working in close coordination with local authorities and humanitarian partners. UNHCR is leading three clusters - Protection Shelter and NFIs and CCCM. The strategic orientation of UNHCRs response is to reach people particularly those with specific vulnerabilities who remain in frontline and heavily affected areas with immediate relief while supporting displaced people and those who have remained in their homes or returned with protection advice housing support livelihoods advice and cash assistance to enable their recovery and attainment of durable solutions.

Protection needs to be truly at the center of this response as the highest critical needs of the population caused by the international armed conflict are in the area of protection. Since Ukraine is a highly sophisticated country with a strong government leadership and well-established administrative social protection and digital systems it is essential to design and deliver UNHCRs protection programs in a way which simultaneously addresses immediate needs and supports the further development of sustainable and inclusive national protection systems.

With the EU having voted to confirm Ukraines accession to the EU at the end of 2023 Ukraine will also embark on a series of substantial and long-term reforms in numerous sectors including justice and home affairs which presents an opportunity to contribute to strengthened and more inclusive protection asylum and statelessness reduction systems. Working closely with government authorities local community representatives and partners from the embassies UN civil society and international financial institutions amongst others is thus key to ensuring that UNHCRs response is closely aligned with and complementary of national and local strategies and recovery plans.

As the war continues new urgent humanitarian needs are created every day alongside protracted ones and peoples and communities efforts to recover and rebuild their lives in war-torn communities. Among the IDPs and refugees from Ukraine the majority express a hope and desire to return to their homes as soon as the security situation allows. The protection needs of the population thus need to be analyzed and addressed both from a humanitarian as well as from an early recovery and durable solutions perspective with UNHCR playing a leading role in this work.

The Ukraine operation is a dynamic one with the operational footprint centered around two main objectives - emergency response to continue addressing critical humanitarian needs as well as early recovery and durable solutions. SO Dnipro is in the eastern part of Ukraine covering 6 eastern oblasts including the frontline and is among the top regions in the country in terms of the number of IDPs war-affected people and returnees.

As part of the overall realignment and rationalization UNHCR is transitioning a decision was made to merge the programme and field units of SO Dnipro as of end of 2025. This step is also in line with the nationalization approach and aim.

In this context the Associate Operations Officer will be the head of this newly created unit and will report to the Head of Sub-Office. The incumbent will supervise both programme and field staff and therefore will be responsible for both functions.

The incumbent will be a key part of the UNHCR strategic multi-functional team of the Sub-Office and will work closely with other heads of unit especially the heads of protection shelter and supply. They will also have to maintain very close coordination with relevant focal points from programme and field in the country office.

Externally the incumbent will be expected to work closely with UNHCR partners local authorities and other relevant stakeholders such as community-based organizations IDP councils etc. The incumbent will be expected to represent UNHCR at inter-agency and governmental forums and support and join relevant donor missions when necessary.

Living and Working Conditions:

Security:

The international armed conflict in Ukraine is ongoing and the Russian Federation Armed Forces temporarily occupy parts of Donetsk Luhansk Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions. The frontline is the primary area of kinetic military operations particularly in the eastern and southeastern regions and north of Kharkiv. Cruise missiles ballistic missiles aero-ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been targeting vital civilian and military sites including airports since the start of the invasion. As a result commercial air travel is suspended and vehicles and trains are the only modes of transportation. Since 2023 there has been an increase in attacks targeting civilian infrastructure throughout the country.

Whilst the UN has not been targeted directly the threat of collateral damage continues to remain in place with cases of UNHCR IPs reporting collateral damages and several humanitarian workers recorded as been killed and injured since the start of the full-scale invasion. The UN Security Management System (UNSMS) applies a comprehensive Security Risk Management (SRM) process to identify security threats and evaluate risk levels. The security risk levels are regularly reviewed. Currently the most significant threats and hazards are associated with the international armed conflict with current risk levels ranging from high to Very High or Unacceptable in areas with ongoing hostilities.

This has resulted in a decrease of humanitarian space making it difficult and sometimes impossible to access people in need in frontline areas. When assessing risk levels the security personnel and the UNHCR Representative as part of the countrys Security Management Team adhere to the SRM process as defined by the UNSMS. In general the projected risk level in all three SRM areas where the UN/HCR operates is High.

Therefore applicants for positions in Ukraine should be prepared to work in a highly dynamic security environment where unexpected events occur frequently. Air raids are common and staff may be required to work from bunkers or underground car parks metro stations and other locations for extended periods. Power and water outages are to be expected and will make life more challenging during the winter months. Depending on the evolution of the war disruptions to public services such as shops banks and restaurants may occur. Curfews are in place throughout the country and mission travel must be authorized by the Representative or designated managers subject to the completion of mandatory BSAFE SSAFE and IFAK training and security clearance procedures. Private trips within the country are prohibited for international staff.

The Field Security Unit works closely with UNDSS and other interlocutors of the UNSMS to ensure that program activities can be implemented within the acceptable level of risk by following the required measures and procedures set up and approved by the Designated Official. Due to the countrys evolving operational and security environment UNHCR needs to maintain strong security contingency preparedness supporting its mandate of providing protection and assistance to people in need.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

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

Work Experience

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

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Additional Information

This position doesnt require a functional clearance