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 coordinate 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). In line with this mandate UNHCR supports the Republic of Uganda in protecting individuals who seeks asylum in the country as well as those in the country at risk of being stateless or who already are considered stateless. UNHCR also provides direct assistance through implementing partners to refugees and asylum seekers in Uganda. UNHCR puts strong effort into identifying durable solutions for all refugees in Uganda and to reduce the risk of persons in the country becoming stateless.

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 31 January 2026, Uganda hosted 1,974,427 registered refugees, making it Africa’s largest refugee hosting country and one of the five largest refugee hosting nations in the world. Ninety-eight (98%) of the refugee population in Uganda originate from the EHAGL region. Uganda’s progressive refugee regime allows refugees freedom of movement, right to work and establish businesses, and access to social services, including health and education. Sub Office Adjumani supports humanitarian response activities in Adjumani, Kiryandongo, Palorinya and Palabek settlements, with a total population of 638,395 individuals as of 31 January 2026 mainly from South Sudan, 87%, and Sudan, 12.5%. Unfavourable political situations, armed conflicts and impact of climate change have continued to force individuals from the two countries into Uganda to seek international protection. In 2025, some 39,335 new arrivals were registered within SO Adjumani area of responsibility. Elegu border point in Amuru District as well as other border entry points in Lamwo and Karenga districts are key entry points for new arrivals from South Sudan and Sudan. The new arrivals are temporarily hosted in collection points in Lokung and Elegu, as well as Nyumanzi, Kiryandongo and Palorinya reception centres prior to their relocation to the settlements

Task Description

The UN Volunteer, Associate Registration and Identity Management Officer, under the direct supervision of the Senior Protection Officer, Adjumani, and technical supervision of the Senior Registration and Identity Management Officer in Kampala, is expected to support the Office of the Prime Minister in carrying out registration activities in Sub Office Adjumani, inclusive of Field Office Kiryandongo and Field Unit Lamwo. The UN Volunteer is expected to have proven experience in planning, implementing, and managing registration activities, as well as in managing population data. The person in this role will be expected to: • Oversee registration and identity management activities in Sub Office Adjumani inclusive of Field Office, Kiryandongo, and Field Unit Lamwo, including ensuring individual biographic and biometric enrolment and the issuance of identity credentials. • Ensure planning, design, technical, and resource support for the registration and documentation of new arrivals within SO Adjumani. • Ensure that registration processes are inclusive, efficient, and take into consideration personal data protection needs of data subjects. • Ensure timely recording of vital events (births, marriages, deaths) of refugees and asylum-seekers in proGres, the refugee registration system. • Provide technical guidance, support, and training to staff of UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), partners, and government counterparts on the use of proGres, Biometric Identity Management System, Global Distribution Tools, and any other PRIMES (Population Registration and Identity Management EcoSystem) application/tools utilized in the operation. • Monitor and evaluate registration activities to ensure consistency with standard operating procedures in the collection points, reception centres, and in the settlements. • Implement data quality control activities that contribute to fraud prevention and response initiatives. • Ensure refugee identity data is fit-for-purpose to support protection interventions, case management, and delivery of assistance. • Provide technical support to staff on planned registration and documentation activities, including new arrival and continuous registration. • Facilitate availability of quality data that supports refugees’ access to services such as financial services, education, and healthcare through trusted identity credentials. • Strengthen collaboration and coordination with partners, including the Office of the Prime Minister on asylum seeker and refugee registration and documentation, and delivery of services. • Prepare population statistics, as and when required, on asylum seeker and refugee trends as well as changes. • Perform other related duties as required.

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 include 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

Adjumani town, located in northern Uganda about 450 km from Kampala, is categorized as Family Duty Station E with an R&R cycle of 12 weeks. However, public services such as health and education are basic and limited, which may not be conducive for a family setting. Currently, the office has a guesthouse located in Pakelle Town Council, approximately 8 kilometres from Adjumani town with basic services, banking and markers, however Gulu City located 115 kilometres away has a broader range of basic services, banking, and markets. Network Coverage: There are two major mobile companies, Airtel and MTN, with MTN having wider coverage. UNHCR Uganda has a contract with MTN for the provision of mobile telephones to all Uganda staff members. Internet is also available through office access and wireless connection. Recreation: Adjumani currently has well-organized recreational facilities at the guesthouse in Pakelle. Additional facilities are available within Adjumani town. Medical Services: Adjumani General Hospital is in the heart of Adjumani town. It is a public health facility playing a vital role in providing medical care to patients and caters to people not only from the neighboring districts of Amuru and Moyo but also from as far away as South Sudan. Nevertheless, the services are limited hence, staff members are advised to carry appropriate medical supplies as recommended by a medical practitioner, such as prophylactic malaria treatment, as there is a high risk of malaria in Adjumani. Climate: Adjumani District has a tropical climate characterized by dry and rainy seasons. The district receives an average annual rainfall of 1611 mm. Rain starts in late March or early April and ends in November, with bimodal peaks in April and August. It is dry, hot, and windy from December to mid-March with temperatures averaging 26 degrees centigrade.