Organization Mission

The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country.

During times of displacement, we provide critical emergency assistance in the form of clean water, sanitation and healthcare, as well as shelter, blankets, household goods and sometimes food. We also arrange transport and assistance packages for people who return home, and income-generating projects for those who resettle.

Context

The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org).

The Climate Resilience and Livelihoods Specialist, IUNV will report to Head of Field Office, Aweil; the position is based in Aweil and supporting the operation. The recurrent droughts , floods, inter communal conflict and forced displacement are common every year, the position will integrate climate adaptation with sustainable livelihood and other key sectors, and to reduce dependency to assistance. S/he will provide technical support and management of earmarked projects, work with multi-functional team and lead coordination, assessment, implementation and monitoring in the Area of Responsibility. S/he also will ensure that forcibly displaced and stateless persons are meaningfully engaged in the decisions that affect them, and support programme design and adaptations that are influenced by their concerns, priorities and capacities. S/he will provide technical leadership and coordination on climate-resilient livelihoods, sustainable natural resource management, and disaster risk reduction (DRR) within the earmarked projects within Northwestern South Sudan. The Specialist will ensure that all livelihood and economic inclusion activities, environmental assessments and DRR interventions are climate-informed, conflict sensitive, and aligned with national frameworks, UNHCR strategies, and donor requirements. Due to Sudan crisis in April 2023, UNHCR opened the office at Aweil in April 2023, to ensure protection and humanitarian assistance to Sudanese refugees and returnees, in collaboration with South Sudan Commissioner of Refugee Affairs, Relief Rehabilitation Commission, UN agencies and other partners in Northern Bahr El Ghazal, Western Bahr El Ghazal, Warrap and Abyei Administration Area. UNHCR established a refugee settlement and provided registration, named Wedweil settlement, to ensure the refugees are protected under South Sudan’s Refugee Act 2012.

Key Responsibilities

Within the delegated authority and under the direct supervision of Head of Field Office or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Climate Resilience and Livelihoods Specialist will:

• Provide technical leadership on climate-resilient agriculture, sustainable energy solutions, and natural resource management for refugee and host communities.
• Guide design and implementation of climate-adapted livelihood strategies, including diversified value chains and community-based enterprises.
• Ensure integration of environmental sustainability across site planning, shelter, WASH, food security, and other sectors in line with UNHCR’s Climate Action Strategy.
• Support disaster risk reduction and early warning systems, ensuring climate risk information is translated into actionable advice for farmers and small businesses.
• Coordinate with government, private sector, and development actors to leverage partnerships and promote inclusive, climate-resilient livelihood initiatives.
• Lead capacity strengthening for communities, partners, and staff through training, technical guidance, and development of tools and standards.
• Monitor and report on climate resilience and livelihood outcomes, including risk assessments, audits, and contributions to donor and project reports.
• Serve as technical focal point for climate resilience and livelihoods, contributing to strategic planning, resource mobilization, and communications.

Detailed responsibilities include:

Agriculture & Natural Resource Management
• Provide technical guidance on climate-resilient agriculture, adapted value chains, water-efficient production and management, and circular/green enterprises (e.g., solar-powered farming, sustainable livestock, clean energy, waste-to-value).
• Support design and implementation of climate-resilient livelihood activities, including community-based enterprise groups, climate-adapted production systems, microcredit schemes, business incubation, seed multiplication, certified seed production, and resilient livestock and poultry value chains.
• Develop/adapt technical packages and guidance notes on climate-adapted practices for refugee and host communities (crop choices, soil and water conservation, tree management, livelihood diversification).
• Provide technical oversight for tree planting, agroforestry, and restoration of degraded areas, ensuring species selection and planting models are climate-appropriate and support livelihoods.

Energy & Environmental Sustainability
• Guide clean cooking and sustainable energy interventions (fuel-efficient stoves, alternative fuels, institutional stoves, solar lighting) to reduce deforestation and emissions while improving protection and livelihoods.
• Develop and implement environmental management plans for livelihood and food security activities, including waste management, soil erosion control, water resource management, and energy-efficient technologies.
• Ensure integration of environmental sustainability across site planning, shelter, WASH, livelihoods, food security, nutrition, public health, education, and cash-based interventions.

Disaster Risk Reduction & Climate Information
• Provide technical support for community disaster risk reduction and early warning committees, linking to protection and climate risk monitoring systems.
• Guide design and implementation of structural and non-structural measures (e.g., flood protection works, community mitigation schemes).
• Ensure climate risk information (seasonal forecasts, flood risk maps, early warning messages) is translated into actionable advice for farmers, livestock keepers, and small businesses.

Entrepreneurship & Value Chains
• Coordinate with development actors, private sector, UN agencies, NGOs, and financial institutions to identify sustainable solutions and leverage existing programs for complementary climate-resilient livelihood and value chain initiatives.
• Engage with government entities, private sector representatives, international organizations, and local communities to align on findings and recommendations.
• Support business incubation and financing mechanisms for community enterprises and ecosystem services.

Strategic Guidance & Coordination
• Serve as the technical focal point on climate resilience and livelihoods, participating in project steering committees, technical working groups, and field coordination forums.
• Contribute climate and livelihood sections to progress reports, donor missions, mid-term reviews, and project completion reports, ensuring alignment with South Sudan’s NAP/NDC commitments and GRF pledges.
• Ensure implementation of UNHCR’s Operational Strategy for Climate Resilience and Environmental Sustainability and Strategic Plan for Climate Action 2024–2030.
• Develop a funding strategy to integrate climate change and environmental sustainability into annual operations, in collaboration with External Relations.
• Produce strategic communications documents in collaboration with partners.

Capacity Strengthening & Monitoring
• Support capacity development initiatives for communities and partners on environmental management plans and climate-resilient practices.
• Develop and deliver training and tools to strengthen technical capacity of colleagues and partners.
• Support monitoring of project log frames, indicators, and tools to capture climate resilience and livelihood results.
• Lead documentation of environmental audits, update climate and environment-related risks, and propose risk-informed adaptations.

Other
• Perform other related duties as required.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/expected outputs

• As an active Aweil team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to in UNHCR and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:
o The needs of person of concern in the operation are assessed and analyzed in a participatory manner and using Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective to form a firm basis for planning
o Inputs are provided for the operation plan (including budgets, staffing level and structure) as well as for funding submissions, appeals and reports
o Enforced compliance with UNHCR global strategies, protocols and guidelines.
o The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal one-the -job training, when working with (including supervising) national staffs, partners and relevant stakeholders in the operation
o Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systemically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment
o A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment

• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

Required Skills and Experience

• At least 3 years of progressive professional work experience at the national and/or international level in Africa or other relevant contexts; experience with UNHCR is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization;

• Experience in project cycle management (planning, logical frameworks, indicators, monitoring and reporting) in an international or NGO or government service setting is an asset.

Other desired/mandatory required technical knowledge:

• Proven knowledge of climate smart practices and familiarity with environmental restoration approaches, including environmental action plans and environmental audits.
• Understanding of clean and renewable energy options (solar for water, household/institutional clean cooking, solar lighting) and how these link to protection and livelihoods.
• Ability to translate climate and protection risk information into simple advice and tools for communities, implementing partners and government counterparts.
• Experience, technical knowledge and skills and focused on promoting economic inclusion and self-reliance of vulnerable and displaced population.
• Solid experience of in humanitarian operation, assistance, response and managing and leading the refugee, returnees and displaced population, from emergency to durable solution.
• Experience of coordination mechanism, information management, climate change action, accountabilities and prompt solution.
• Experience of UNHCR Climate Change Action policies , guidelines and strategies, delivery results for assistance to referee/returnees/IDPs in coordination with local authorities and partners.
• The candidate should demonstrate the ability to adhere to UNHCR standard policies and procedures in the operation.

• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
• Desirable:
• Sound security awareness;
• Have affinity with or interest in volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Core Competencies

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to [IUNHCR]; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to [UNHCR] procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;

• Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and [UNHCR] in daily activities and behaviors while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behavior; does not abuse power or authority;

• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;

• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.

• Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;

• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;

• Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;

• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNHCR[Insert name of Host Agency]’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Living Conditions

This assignment is based in the Aweil, Northern bahr El Ghazal State, South Sudan. Currently this duty station is designated as non-family. Due to the terrain, the area is prone to flooding during the rainy season which lasts from late May until Mid-November. The average rainy season temperature is 30°C and temperatures in the dry season average 37°C.

Accommodation: Due to the security situation in Aweil, coupled with the fact that there are limited residential accommodation options in the community that meet UN security and safety standards for staff, expatriate UN staff deployed to Aweil are generally provided secured UN accommodation in a camp-style environment. The UN-provided accommodation is equipped with minimum room furniture and is configured as single room with bath and toilet facilities. Power and water (including purified water) is provided inside the camp by the UN. As per OHRM rules, a reasonable cost recovery for accommodation is made from VLA.

Food and Diet: There is a UN managed cafeteria inside the UNHCR office and WFP accommodation compound in Aweil. The standard and quality of food is limited with a repetitious daily menu. Wide varieties of food are not available and may not be to the personal taste of UNVs. Volunteers may wish to cook their own meals in common kitchen facilities situated at convenient locations within the camp. This would require the volunteer to obtain basic cooking items such as saucepans, fry pans, plates, knives, etc.

Health: UN Volunteers should be aware that they could be exposed to a number of tropical diseases and should complete all medical formalities specified in the Offer or Travel Advisory before traveling. Yellow Fever vaccination is compulsory before coming to the mission area, while vaccinations for Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Tetanus/Diphtheria, Polio and Meningitis are recommended if confirmed by the volunteer”s physician. UN Volunteers, like other international personnel, are to bring their Vaccination Card to the mission. Malaria prophylaxis is highly recommended. Due to large numbers of various types of insects in the mission area, it is also recommended to use insecticide-impregnated nets and insect repellants. UN personnel have access during working hours to a Civilian Clinic (Level 1) inside the UNMISS compound, government and private clinic/hospital at Aweil.

Rest and Recuperation: International personnel in UNHCR, including UN volunteers, are entitled to a 6 -week Rest and Recuperation (R&R) cycle. This means that after every 6 weeks of being in the mission area, the volunteer is entitled to take a break any other destination outside the South Sudan. The entitlement is 5 calendar days R&R, 2 travel days as well 1555 USD as entitlement. The UN flight from Aweil to Juba can be used for free (return flight).

End with encouraging but cautioning statement such as “South Sudan is a unique country and UNHCR is a unique (humanitarian) operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.