Associate Livelihoods and Economic Inclusion Officer (JPO, P2), Ouagadougou, for Swiss Nationals only

JOB DESCRIPTION

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights, and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people. Through its efforts, UNHCR helps to mobilize international action, offering necessary protection, shelter, and assistance.

Burkina Faso is facing a severe humanitarian crisis triggered by escalating violence since 2018/2019, resulting in nearly 2 million internally displaced persons (IDPs)about 10% of the population. This crisis has fueled a significant rural exodus to safer secondary towns and capitals, causing some populations to double or even triple. The situation is compounded by the arrival of over 38,000 refugees, mainly from Mali, and a nationwide spread of conflict that’s affecting even Burkina Faso’s largest cities. As the crisis becomes protracted, there is an urgent need for development-oriented responses that promote socioeconomic opportunities for IDPs, refugees, and host communities to manage this accelerated urbanization and integrate sustainable solutions.

In this challenging context, UNHCR is looking for an Associate Livelihoods and Economic Inclusion Officer to operationalize the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) by enhancing refugee self-reliance and supporting host countries. This role is critical in advancing the 2030 Agenda’s Sustainable Development Goals through economic inclusion, focusing on improving employment conditions for refugees, building partnerships across sectors, and implementing market-driven strategies for better economic outcomes.

As Associate Livelihoods and Economic Inclusion Officer you support UNHCR’s Division of Resilience and Solutions by providing the following:

• Partnership Building and Policy Dialogue: Support the Development Officer in establishing and maintaining both transactional and non-transactional partnerships with key development actors in Burkina Faso and engaging in policy dialogues with government and local stakeholders. This includes preparing for and participating in meetings, organizing workshops, and assisting in strategic planning.
• Livelihoods Program Development: Design and coordinate livelihood programs that improve self-reliance and resilience among beneficiary communities, including IDPs, refugees, and host communities. This involves developing tools for monitoring and evaluation of livelihood activities, ensuring quality standards, and establishing collaborations with various private and public sector entities for training and economic support.
• Stakeholder Management and Legal Facilitation: Assist in managing relationships with key stakeholders to enhance livelihood opportunities and ensure legal compliance in work conditions for refugees. This includes identifying training and economic opportunities, ensuring work permits and legal standards are met, and formalizing cooperation agreements with the private sector.
• Training Management: Oversee the development and implementation of training programs for IDPs and refugees, tailored to their needs, in coordination with relevant partners to enhance skills and employment opportunities.
• refugees, defining program needs and coordinating with implementing partners.
• Etc. – See full job description for additional details and responsibilities.

Part of the Swiss JPO Programme, this position is sponsored by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC of the FDFA. Only Swiss Nationals are eligible to apply.

MORE DETAILS

Vacancies: 1

Working hours (%): 80-100%

Type of contract: Staff (Permanent and Fixed Term)

Duration: 2 to 3-year assignment (1 year renewable fixed-term contracts)

Education level: Master’s degree

Macro-area: Sub-Saharan Africa

Level of experience: Professional, 3 to 5 years

Area of work Definition: Economics

Area of work: Migration

Type of organisation: Multilateral Organisations

SKILLS REQUIRED

For the Swiss JPO programme:

• Swiss nationality
• Not older than 32 years at the date of the first round of interviews
• Fluency in English and a second UN language
• Master’s degree
• Strong interest in a longer-term career with the United Nations

For this position:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Economics (including Development Economics, Microfinance), Social Sciences (Geography, Sociology, Anthropology, etc.), Business Management, Agroeconomics, Trade, etc.
• 3 years of professional experience in in the field of Development and/or Humanitarian Affairs required.
• Work experience is counted at 100%, gained after completion of the first university degree.
• UNHCR counts internships at 50%, regardless of whether paid or not.
• Unpaid volunteering counted at 50%, if relevant.
• National UNV counted at 50% / International UNV counted 100%.
• Fluent English and French
• Experience in management of market-oriented development of programmes/projects with a focus on livelihood activities and development of private sector partnerships, including programme/project formulation, implementation, evaluation, and monitoring would be an advantage.
• Desirable: Knowledge of another UN language

Please find more details in the full job description.

Important details regarding your application

• Make sure your profile on cinfoPoste is complete and up to date:
• Motivation letter in English (not more than 3500 characters, to be inserted in the pop-up window when you click on “apply”)
• CV in English
• P11 form duly completed and uploaded under the section “documents”. Note that we will base our evaluation and calculation of your relevant experience on the P11. Should you prefer to use a P11 different from the one we provide, please make sure to state your employment rate in percentages for each employment listed.
• Work certificates, diplomas and university credentials (as PDF) uploaded under the section “documents”