Associate Livelihood & Economic Inclusion Officer

Organizational Context

UNHCR is operationalizing the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) by promoting refugee self-reliance and economic inclusion. This role supports the GCR's objectives, aiming to ease pressure on host countries and contribute to the 2030 Agenda's Sustainable Development Goals. The position focuses on translating GCR goals into tangible results for persons of concern through enhanced partnerships and evidence-based programming.

Job Purpose

The Associate Livelihood and Economic Inclusion Officer is crucial for advancing UNHCR's strategic vision on refugee self-reliance and economic inclusion, aligning with the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR). The role aims to improve the enabling environment for refugees to work by advocating for their rights and access to economic opportunities and services. It involves forging and strengthening partnerships with the private sector, development actors, government institutions, and specialized agencies to foster refugee economic inclusion. Furthermore, the position seeks to enhance existing livelihoods and economic inclusion programs through market-driven and evidence-based approaches, ultimately improving outcomes for persons of concern and contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals. The incumbent is expected to be proactive in identifying new opportunities and persuasive in mobilizing support from donors and partners for innovative economic and social integration models.

Responsibilities

The Associate Livelihood and Economic Inclusion Officer will maintain close cooperation with partners, including line ministries, the private sector, and development actors, to facilitate refugee economic inclusion in line with UNHCR policies and the GCR. This includes advocating for the inclusion of persons of concern (POC) in support services like business development, micro-finance, training, and social protection. The officer will collaborate with the multi-functional team, particularly the Protection Unit, to assess legal frameworks for the right to work and implement advocacy initiatives for policy reforms to enhance refugee economic inclusion and rights. Leveraging UNHCR databases, the role supports information sharing and coordination among humanitarian, developmental, and governmental stakeholders, including conducting socioeconomic surveys to inform program targeting and implementation. The officer will conduct impact assessments on local economies and identify investment opportunities to enhance refugee economic inclusion. For any direct UNHCR livelihoods activities, the role involves strengthening, guiding, and monitoring interventions to ensure they are market-based and strategically aligned with UNHCR's comparative advantage. Risk management is also a key responsibility, involving the identification and management of risks and opportunities impacting the area of responsibility, ensuring risk-based decision-making, and reporting concerns to supervisors. Other related duties as required are also part of the role.

Work Experience

Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience with an undergraduate degree, or 2 years with a graduate degree, or 1 year with a doctorate degree. Experience should include technical competencies in livelihoods programming such as financial inclusion, employment, entrepreneurship, private sector development, local economic development, poverty reduction, agriculture, livestock, and vocational training. Experience in facilitating economic inclusion for vulnerable groups and developing partnerships with diverse stakeholders is essential.

Skills

Financial inclusion Employment promotion Entrepreneurship support Private sector development Local economic development Poverty reduction Agriculture and livestock management Vocational and technical education Strategic planning Advocacy for socioeconomic rights Project management Networking

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