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 August 2025, Uganda hosted 1,948,518 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. The UNHCR Sub-Office in Yumbe supports humanitarian response activities in Bidi bidi settlement, which is host to more than 209,145 refugees from South Sudan. Unfavourable political situations, armed conflicts and impact of climate change has continued to force individuals from South Sudan into Uganda for protection.

Task Description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Senior Protection Officer or his/her designated mandated representative(s) , and the technical supervision of the Senior Registration and Identity Management Officer in Kampala, the UN Volunteer Associate Registration and Identity Officer will: • The UN Volunteer is expected to have proven experience in planning, implementing, and managing registration activities, as well as managing population data. They will be expected to: • Oversee registration and identity management activities in Yumbe Sub-Office, including ensuring individual biographic and biometric enrolment and the issuance of identity credentials. • Ensure that registration processes are inclusive, efficient, and take into consideration the 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, 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) applications/tools utilized in the operation. • Monitor and evaluate registration activities to ensure consistency with standard operating procedures. • 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 refugee registration, documentation, and delivery of services. • Prepare population statistics, as and when required, on refugee trends and 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 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

UNHCR staff in Yumbe, Uganda, generally enjoy decent living conditions, especially since the completion of new office and accommodation facilities in 2019. These facilities, built within the same compound, have significantly improved the staff's working and living environments. However, ensuring staff welfare, including access to adequate healthcare and emergency evacuation options, remains a priority in this operational area. The organisation emphasises maintaining satisfactory working and living conditions for its staff despite the constraints of the operational area. UNHCR ensures that all security measures for office and residential compounds are up to date, and any security breaches are reported immediately to the UN security coordinator. It is crucial to maintain current information on local healthcare facilities and evacuation options for staff welfare, especially during medical emergencies. While the new facilities represent a positive development, the overall operational area in Yumbe, including the large Bidibidi refugee settlement, presents unique challenges related to logistics and resource management. Although UNHCR staff in Yumbe have benefited from improved living conditions, ongoing efforts are necessary to address broader operational challenges and ensure the well-being of both the staff and the refugee population they serve. Yumbe is classified as a Category E family duty station with a 12-week rest and recuperation (R&R) cycle.