Associate Livelihood Officer

Deadline for Applications

July 18, 2026

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

E (most hardship)

Family Type (not applicable for home-based)

Non Family with Residential Location

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

UNOPS IICA1

Target Start Date

2026-08-01

Terms of Reference

1. General Background

The Associate Livelihood and Economic Inclusion Officer will support UNHCR’s efforts to advance refugee self-reliance and economic inclusion in line with the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

In displacement-affected contexts such as South Sudan, livelihoods opportunities are increasingly affected by climate variability, environmental degradation and recurrent shocks including floods and droughts. Strengthening economic inclusion therefore requires promoting climate-resilient livelihoods and sustainable local economic development that can improve resilience for refugees, returnees, internally displaced persons and host communities.

UNHCR is working with governments, development partners and the private sector to strengthen the enabling environment for refugees and other persons of concern to access economic opportunities, financial services and employment. This includes fostering partnerships with development actors, financial institutions, private companies and market actors to promote inclusive economic growth and innovative livelihood solutions.

Within this framework, the Associate Livelihood and Economic Inclusion Officer will support the development and implementation of market-driven, climate-sensitive livelihoods programmes, while contributing to policy dialogue, partnership building and evidence-based programming that advance economic inclusion and durable solutions.

The position will be based in Juba, South Sudan, and will operate within the Development and Solutions Unit, under the supervision of the Senior Development Officer, working closely with livelihoods, protection, partnerships and programme colleagues, as well as with government institutions, development partners and private sector stakeholders.

2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment

Under the supervision of the Senior Development Officer within the Development and Solutions Unit, the Associate Livelihood and Economic Inclusion Officer will support the implementation and coordination of livelihoods and economic inclusion activities, with particular attention to climate-resilient economic opportunities and private sector engagement.

The incumbent will undertake the following tasks:

• Support the implementation of UNHCR strategies related to livelihoods, economic inclusion and climate-resilient economic development, ensuring alignment with the Global Compact on Refugees and national development frameworks.

• Promote livelihood approaches that strengthen resilience to climate shocks, including support to climate-resilient agriculture, sustainable natural resource management, and diversification of income-generating opportunities.

• Maintain close collaboration with government ministries, development partners, private sector actors, financial institutions, NGOs and UN agencies to expand economic inclusion opportunities for persons of concern.

• Facilitate the engagement of private sector actors and market institutions in refugee economic inclusion initiatives, including through partnerships with businesses, financial service providers, value-chain actors and investors.

• Advocate for the right to work and access to economic services for refugees and other persons of concern, including access to financial services, vocational training, business development services and employment opportunities.

• Contribute to market assessments, value chain analyses and economic opportunity studies, including identification of sectors with potential for inclusive and climate-resilient growth.

• Support the implementation of socio-economic surveys and community-based data collection, including wealth ranking exercises, to inform programme targeting, monitoring and evaluation.

• Support the design and implementation of market-based livelihoods programmes, including entrepreneurship support, vocational skills development, financial inclusion initiatives and local economic development interventions.

• Strengthen coordination and information sharing among humanitarian, development and private sector actors engaged in livelihoods and economic inclusion.

• Monitor the implementation of livelihoods programmes and provide technical guidance to implementing partners to ensure quality, sustainability, market relevance and environmental sustainability of interventions.

• Prepare reports, briefs and analytical inputs on livelihoods, economic inclusion, climate resilience and private sector engagement.

• Perform other related duties as required.

3. Monitoring and Progress Controls

The performance of the contractor will be evaluated based on the following outputs:

• Effective coordination and engagement with key stakeholders supporting refugee economic inclusion.

• Timely completion of livelihoods assessments, surveys and analytical reports.

• Support provided to the design and implementation of market-based livelihoods programmes.

• Quality monitoring of implementing partner activities and submission of progress reports.

• Contribution to evidence-based programming and improved economic inclusion outcomes for persons of concern.

Regular progress updates and reports will be submitted to the supervisor in accordance with UNHCR reporting requirements.

4. Qualifications and Experience

a. Education

University degree in one of the following fields:

• Economics

• Business Administration or Business Management

• Socio-Economic Development

• Rural Development

• Financial Management

• International Development

• Environmental and Climate sciences

• or another relevant field.

An advanced degree in a relevant field will be considered an asset.

b. Work Experience

Required

• Minimum 3 years of relevant professional experience in livelihoods, economic inclusion or socio-economic development programmes.

• Experience working with humanitarian or development organizations, including NGOs, UN agencies or government institutions.

• Experience in livelihoods programming areas such as financial inclusion, entrepreneurship development, employment promotion, vocational training or local economic development.

Desirable

• Experience working with refugees, displaced populations or vulnerable communities.

• Experience developing partnerships with private sector actors, development agencies and government institutions.

• Knowledge of global policy frameworks related to livelihoods and displacement, including the Global Compact on Refugees and the SDGs.

c. Key Competencies

Required competencies

Strong understanding of livelihoods and economic inclusion programming.

Knowledge of climate adaptation solutions

Project management and programme implementation skills.

Stakeholder engagement and partnership development.

Analytical skills and ability to conduct assessments and data analysis.

Strong drafting and reporting skills.

Ability to work effectively in multicultural and multi-disciplinary teams.

Desired competencies

Knowledge of climate funds mechanisms

Knowledge of market systems development approaches.

Experience in private sector engagement and financial inclusion programmes.

Experience in fragile or displacement-affected contexts.

Standard Job Description

Required Languages

,

,

Desired Languages

,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

Certifications

Work Experience

Other information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

Remote

No