Associate Development Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is an international organization mandated to protect and support refugees and displaced persons. Established in 1950, UNHCR's mission is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees, ensuring that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another state. The organization operates in over 130 countries, employing more than 18,000 staff members worldwide. UNHCR works to ensure that refugees can access essential services, including education, healthcare, and livelihoods, while also advocating for durable solutions to their plight, such as voluntary repatriation, local integration, or resettlement to a third country. UNHCR collaborates with various stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, and development partners, to address the challenges faced by forcibly displaced individuals and to promote their inclusion in national development plans.

Job Overview:
The Associate Development Officer plays a crucial role in supporting UNHCR's engagement with development agencies and facilitating the inclusion of refugees and internally displaced persons in national development planning and programming. This position is vital in addressing the complexities of forced displacement, which often requires a development response to complement humanitarian assistance. The incumbent will work to leverage development partnerships to influence policy dialogue, enact institutional reforms, and improve protection environments for displaced populations. The role involves understanding the interplay of economic growth, governance, and conflict, and identifying opportunities for socio-economic inclusion and resilience for UNHCR's population of concern. The Associate Development Officer will assist in aligning humanitarian and development priorities, ensuring that the needs of refugees and host communities are integrated into broader development strategies.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist management in conducting research and analysis to interpret long-term political, economic, and social trends that enhance opportunities for solutions and resilience for populations of concern.
• Support the planning for resilience and inclusion with a shared vision of protection and solution outcomes for people of concern, considering host communities.
• Facilitate the development of comprehensive multi-year protection and solutions strategies for persons of concern to UNHCR.
• Identify and capitalize on development and resilience opportunities, including government pledges and partnerships with bilateral or multilateral development actors.
• Build relationships with development cooperation agencies to influence policy dialogue regarding institutional arrangements relevant to UNHCR and its beneficiaries.
• Contribute to studies and analytical activities that support development-oriented responses to forced displacement.
• Ensure that development actors receive relevant data to inform their planning and advocacy efforts.
• Support training activities aimed at building the capacity of UNHCR and partner agency staff for better coordination between humanitarian and development interventions.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:

• A minimum of three years of relevant experience in a large international development institution, with at least one year in field operations.
• Knowledge or experience in local or area-based economic development, including sectors such as education, WASH, social protection, health, and energy.
• Practical experience in understanding economic growth, governance, fragility, and conflict.
• Expertise related to the governance of multilateral development banks or bilateral development actors relevant to the area of responsibility.
• Strong strategic communication, drafting, and documentation skills.
• Ability to develop partnerships and networks with development cooperation actors.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an undergraduate degree in Development Economics, Development Studies, Socio-economic Development, International Relations, Political Science, Law, or a related field. A graduate degree or doctorate is preferred and may reduce the required years of experience. Essential fields of education are marked with an asterisk, indicating their importance for the role.

Experience:
The position requires three years of direct work experience in a relevant position within a large international development institution. This experience should include at least one year in field operations, demonstrating the ability to engage with local communities and development partners effectively. Experience with forced displacement and knowledge of primary data collection and quantitative research methods are desirable.

Languages:
Knowledge of French is mandatory, as it is the working language of the duty station. Proficiency in English and any additional UN working languages is also required. For national professional jobs, knowledge of the local language is beneficial.

Additional Notes:
The initial duration of the contract is nine months, with a target start date of March 1, 202

• The position is classified under the UNOPS IICA1 staff member category and is not remote. The role is categorized as non-family with a residential location, and it is essential for candidates to demonstrate a commitment to creating a safe and inclusive working environment, free from harassment and discrimination.