Mission and objectives

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)

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). As of the end of July 2025, Chad hosts many people in a situation of displacement (2,078,798 people), including 1,440,860 refugees, 9,034 asylum seekers, 403,215 returnees and 225,689 internally displaced persons. Since April 2023. 878,199 new arrivals were registered and the inlux is still going on. The leading causes of morbidities are malaria and respiratory tract infections, there is a growing number of non-communicable diseases cases among the refugees and asylum seekers and there is a threat of outbreaks such as measles, cholera, yellow fever, and meningitis. UNHCR in collaboration with the ministry of health through two health partners is supporting 41 health centers pour the provision of primary health care service in the camps in the refugee’s camps, there is referral mechanism in place for complicated cases. Malnutrition remains a critical concern, with a Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) rate of 9.8% and anemia affecting more than 40% of children under five in all refugee settlements, based on the 2023 Nutrition SENS survey. Food assistance provided by the WFP is the primary source of sustenance for refugees. While all new arrivals receive support, only 30% of long-term refugees are covered. To enhance self-reliance, UNHCR is collaborating with development partners to implement farming projects for both refugees and host communities. The incumbent of this position is part of the public health team and H/she is responsible for nutrition and food security programs coordination, implementation, and monitoring for the country. . The Associate Livelihood and Economic Inclusion Officer will be key in operationalizing the strategic vision to align livelihoods and economic inclusion efforts with the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR), which underscores the need to mobilize additional actors and to adopt a whole-of-society approach to strengthen refugee self-reliance and help ease pressure on host countries. Promoting economic inclusion of refugees is a key development area that will enable the achievement of these objectives and contribute to the 2030 Agenda's Sustainable Development Goals. Leveraging the growing global momentum, UNHCR is working to translate the objectives of the GCR into impactful results for persons of concern (POC). Contributing to this global roll-out of the GCR, the Associate Livelihood and Economic Inclusion Officer, with support from the Livelihoods and Economic Inclusion Unit in the Division of Resilience and Solutions (DRS), works towards the following objectives: 1) improve the enabling environment for refugees to work through advocacy on the right to/at work, access to economic opportunities and service. 2) assist in seeking new and strengthen existing partnerships including with the private sector, development actors, government institutions and specialized agencies to advance economic inclusion of refugees; and

Task Description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Head of Field Office or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Associate Livelihood and Economic Inclusion Officer will : • Maintain close contact and cooperation with partners to facilitate the economic inclusion of refugees, such as line ministries, private sector and development actors in accordance with UNHCR Global and Country level policies, priorities, and strategies, in particular the Global Compact on Refugees. This includes advocating with public and private sector services providers to include UNHCR POC in supporting services (business development, micro-finance, training, saving accounts, poverty alleviation and social protection, etc.). • Work with the multi-functional team, more specifically with the Protection Unit, to assess the legal framework for the right to work and rights at work and recommend/implement advocacy initiatives and policy reforms to improve UNHCR POC’s economic inclusion, rights and access to work. • Build on UNHCR databases to support regular information sharing and coordination among different humanitarian, developmental and governmental stakeholders. This includes supporting the implementation of socioeconomic and wealth ranking surveys utilising community-based strategies to inform targeting, monitoring and facilitation of development programmes. • Conduct necessary assessments in collaboration with relevant private and public stakeholders, including impact assessments on local economies and surveys that help to identify investment and funding opportunities that enhance the economic inclusion of UNHCR POC. • In case UNHCR is implementing specific livelihoods activities, strengthen, guide and monitor the livelihoods interventions to help ensure they are market-based, and that the role of UNHCR is strategically determined in consideration of its comparative advantage vis-à-vis other partners. • 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 UNHCR team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNHCR and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: • Effective support is provided to the needs assessment and needs analysis of POC in the country in a participatory manner using an Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective to form a firm basis for planning and in due consideration to the centrality of protection and do-no-harm. • Support in ensuring that relevant operational partnerships are built and project partnership agreements are established in a timely manner, regularly monitored and reported on in compliance with established guidelines and procedures. • Effective and timely support is provided to the formulation and implementation of a clear and coherent livelihood and economic inclusion strategy, which incorporates a thorough age, gender and diversity (AGD) analysis, do-no-harm approach, while reflecting the Organization’s global, regional and country level priorities. • The participation of POC is assured through continuous assessment and evaluation using participatory, rights and community-based approaches. • Obstacles towards refugee inclusion in labor markets and business identified and strategies to overcome these obstacles developed in partnership with government entities and development actors. • Capacity of partners, government counterparts and community-based organizations is strengthened through training and technical guidance to enhance delivery of sustainable livelihood and economic inclusion initiatives • Good practices, lessons learned, and evidence-based results are documented and shared to inform programming, advocacy and policy dialogue at national and regional levels • 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

Competencies and values

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNHCR; 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 behaviours 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 behaviour; 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’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Living conditions and remarks

Located in the southeastern part of the Republic of Chad, Sila Province spans an area of 35,890 km². It shares borders with Sudan to the east, Ouaddaï to the north, Salamat to the south, and Guéra and Batha to the west. The provincial capital is Goz-Beida. Administratively, Sila is divided into five departments: Kimiti, Koukou-Angarana, Abdi, Addé, and Tissi. These are further subdivided into 15 sub-prefectures and 16 cantons. The province is traditionally governed by the Sultanate of Dar Sila, led by a sultan who holds authority over the entire region. In terms of security, Sila hosts a range of defense and law enforcement bodies, including the military, gendarmerie, national and nomadic guard, police, customs, the National Security Agency (ANS), and environmental protection agents. All decentralized state services are present in Goz-Beida, ensuring administrative coverage across the province. Historically, Sila has served as a corridor for various rebel movements, which has influenced its security dynamics over time. Goz Béïda experiences a savanna climate with dry winters (Aw), as classified by the Köppen-Geiger system. Rainfall is significantly higher during the summer months, with an annual average of 803.8 mm. The climate remains partly cloudy throughout the year. The seasonal characteristics include Summers: Short, hot, and dry and Winters: Short, warm, humid, and rainy. Temperatures typically range between 59°F and 106°F (15°C to 41°C), rarely dropping below 52°F (11°C) or exceeding 119°F (48°C). The highest recorded temperature was 46°C on Saturday, April 18, 1998, while the lowest was 1°C on Tuesday, January 1, 1963. Languages Spoken The main languages spoken in the Sila region are French and Arabic. However, the province is linguistically diverse, with other languages including Dadjo, Zagawa, Gorane, Mouro, Ngambay, Moussey, Moundang, Massa, Toupouri, Maba, Fulfulde, among others. Accommodation and Facilities Goz Béïda does not have formal hotels or restaurants. Nevertheless, organizations such as UNHCR and WFP operate guest houses in the city. Despite certain security concerns, staff are generally able to find suitable accommodation within Goz Béïda. Chad 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. Conditions of Service The initial contract is issued upon arrival for the period indicated above. The contract can be extended depending on continuation of mandate, availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectancy of renewal of the assignment. A UN Volunteer receives a Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA), which is composed of a Monthly Living Allowance (MLA) and a Family Allowance (FA) for those with dependents (maximum three). The Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) is paid at the end of each month to cover housing, utilities, transportation, communications and other basic needs. The VLA can be calculated using by applying the Post-Adjustment Multiplier (PAM) to the VLA base rate US$ 1,631. The VLA base rate is a global rate across the world, while the PAM is duty station/country-specific and fluctuates on a monthly basis according to cost of living. This method ensures that international UN Volunteers have comparable purchasing power at all duty stations irrespective of varying costs of living. The PAM is established by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) and is published at the beginning of every month on the ICSC website - http://icsc.un.org.