Livelihood and Economic Inclusion Associate

Organizational Context

The UNHCR, established in 1950, leads global efforts to protect refugees and resolve their issues, safeguarding their rights and well-being. The UNHCR Rwanda operation supports a significant population of refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi, alongside returning Rwandan refugees. The Huye Field Office, located in the Southern Province, serves over 27,000 refugees across multiple camps and urban areas, working with numerous implementing and operational partners to deliver essential services.

Job Purpose

The Livelihood and Economic Inclusion Associate at UNHCR's Huye Field Office will play a crucial role in advancing UNHCR Rwanda's strategic priorities, focusing on protection, solutions, livelihoods, graduation, and economic inclusion. The primary aim is to enhance the self-reliance of refugees and host communities. This involves close collaboration with government bodies, partners, private sector entities, and financial service providers to implement and coordinate economic inclusion initiatives. The role demands strong leadership, communication, and partnership-building skills to foster collaboration across various UNHCR programs, including protection, education, cash assistance, and GBV, particularly within the Southern Province. The Associate will also contribute to community mobilization, knowledge management, and sharing best practices among humanitarian, development, and government stakeholders.

Responsibilities

The Livelihood and Economic Inclusion Associate will assist the UNHCR operation in identifying opportunities and ensuring complementarity between protection work, graduation, and economic inclusion objectives with development partners and the Rwandan government. This includes supporting efforts to align policy and program priorities between humanitarian and development agencies, and establishing information exchanges among stakeholders. The Associate will engage in development planning and coordination with local government and partners, and explore partnerships to enhance the economic inclusion of persons of concern (PoC). This involves working with the private sector to integrate PoC into labor forces and supply chains, and with financial service providers for financial inclusion. The role includes supporting the implementation of graduation and socioeconomic inclusion strategies, conducting assessments, and providing technical assistance on livelihoods and graduation interventions. The Associate will also liaise with partners and authorities on related issues, prepare field reports, and make recommendations for interventions to enhance refugee economic inclusion.

Work Experience

A minimum of 3 years of relevant experience is required. This includes experience working with refugees or vulnerable populations in integrated protection and development settings, project implementation, coordination, and stakeholder engagement. Experience in livelihoods programming, economic inclusion, or poverty reduction programs, and supporting multi-sectoral programs is essential. Experience with microfinance, savings groups, business development, or private sector engagement is advantageous.

Skills

Key competencies include Accountability, Adaptability and Flexibility, Commitment and Motivation, Ethics and Values, Integrity, Knowledge Sharing, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity, Self-Management, and Working in Teams. Expertise in Community Development, Development Programmes, and Social Work is also required.

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