Field Officer

E (most hardship)

Non Family with Residential LocationNon Family with Residential Location

Tunis Tunisia

PR3

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

July 3 2025

Field Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Field Officer is normally supervised by the Senior Field Coordinator 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 normally supervises some support staff and may supervise lower grade professional staff. 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 UNHCRs core values of professionalism integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties

• Prepare project proposals; draw up plan of operation for implementation including institutional arrangements for budgets.
• Assess refugee needs in the various fields of assistance and make recommendations for the establishment of projects adjustment or discontinuation of existing projects and advise the Head of Office accordingly.
• Closely monitor the implementation of projects under the geographical area of responsibility and ensure the provisions under the agreements signed with the implementing partners are being adhered to.
• Regularly prepare written reports on the implementation of projects and the situation in the sites.
• Maintain good working relations with local government officials implementing partners and other agencies in the area.
• Report immediately on any security problems that may occur affecting programme beneficiaries and the smooth running of the operation.
• Provide assistance to UNHCR Technical advisers and consultants as well as visitors visiting project sites.
• Represent UNHCR in the Field.
• Negotiate with local authority counterparts partners and populations of concern.
• Approve expenditures within the DOAP.
• 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 P3/NOC - 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant 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
Field experience.

Desirable
Knowledge of refugee law.
Good knowledge of UNHCRs programmes.

Functional Skills
IT-Computer Literacy
PG-UNHCRs Programmes
(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.

The Field Officer (FO) will collaborate closely with all office sections and manage the Field and Protection team under his or her direct supervision. He or she will oversee UNHCR-funded projects and closely monitor their implementation on the ground by UNHCR partners. The Field Officer must possess strong diplomatic and negotiation skills as he or she typically interacts with or liaises with other UN agencies local authorities refugee community leaders and implementing partners in the project implementation areas. He or she should have robust reporting and proposal drafting skills as the Field Officer coordinates all working groups (sectors) in the Sahrawi camps. He or she will play a vital role in the MFT in the office. Experience in field and protection including community-based protection is necessary for this role as the incumbent will coordinate interventions for the Field and Protection team. English is essential for this position while desirable languages include Arabic French and Spanish.

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

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

The Field Officer reports directly to the Head of Sub-Office in Tindouf. The Field Officer will be expected to coordinate activities in his/her respective areas of responsibility in sectors of protection / CBP and education. Field monitoring analysis and reporting are integral to all these activities;
The Field Officer will perform the duties and functions of this position and deputize the Head of Sub-Office in his absence and manage the operation. In the current situation of the operation s/he will be heading the Field and Protection team that includes Field monitoring routine field activities Shelter as well as overseeing the Protection activities.

The post requires political awareness and the ability to deal effectively with authorities and national partners as well as good interpersonal skills to be able to motivate and train teams of national staff with varying degrees of experience with UNHCR.

The Sahrawi operation represents one of the protracted refugee situations globally. Due to the unique circumstances surrounding the Sahrawi refugees UNHCR has not conducted formal registration in the five camps near Tindouf.

Data collection and personal information are managed by the Sahrawi themselves. Inquiries are directed to the relevant Sahrawi department. There is no official sharing of personal data between UNHCR its partners and the Sahrawi except for occasional exchanges of aggregate data.

This operation requires candidates with considerable diplomatic skills and strong negotiation abilities. S/he must navigate the humanitarian agenda while carefully avoiding entanglement in the existing political dynamics within the camps.

Living and Working Conditions:

Tindouf is a town located in Tindouf Wilaya (sub administrative unit) in the south-west of Algeria with an approximate population of 50000. It is 2000 km away from Algiers the capital city of Algeria. The weather is characterized by extremely hot & dry during summer and cold during winter. Tindouf is currently classified as non-family duty station hardship level E (most hardship). There is no UNHCR accommodation in Tindouf. Staff are renting their housing and access to accommodation is fairly of acceptable standard. There are apartments relatively in good condition most are with functioning utilities such water gas and electricity. The average rental fee varies between USD 500 to 800. A Resident Security Measures (RSM) should be conducted by MINURSO Security in collaboration UNHCR FSA prior to renting a private accommodation by international staff.

Local banking facilities are available with a possibility of opening a USD bank account (birth certificate is required to open an account). The system of credit cards (visa or master card) is not used in Tindouf while in Algiers it is limited to big hotels only. It is recommended to ensure having enough cash in Euros or USD prior to your travel. The Algerian visa cannot be granted at the airport and must be obtained prior to arrival. Health facilities in Tindouf are limited and there is no recreational or leisure facilities. Tindouf is served by a daily flight to the capital city Algiers by Air Algieri. Tindouf has R&R cycle of 8 weeks (56 days) with a designated R&R location of Tunis Tunisia.

The security level in Tindouf and all camps is MODERATE (3). All movements from Tindouf to the camps should always be escorted. There is a curfew in place from 00:00 to 06:00 in the morning. MINURSO conducts radio check every Monday. Movement of international staff with in Tindouf is restricted to a recommended zone. A security clearance is required to enter Algeria (via TRIP hhtps://) and a mandatory security briefing is provided by MINURSO upon arrival. Security clearance is also required for all UN personnel when travelling internally which is processed through TRIP at .

Additional Qualifications

Skills

IT-Computer Literacy PG-UNHCRs Programmes

Education

Bachelor of Arts: Law Bachelor of Arts: Political Science

Certifications

Programme Management (PM) 1 - UNHCR

Work Experience

Competencies

Accountability Analytical thinking Client & results orientation Commitment to continuous learning Communication Empowering & building trust Judgement & decision making Managing performance Organizational awareness Political awareness Stakeholder management Teamwork & collaboration

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Additional Information

This position doesnt require a functional clearance