Associate Policy Officer

Deadline for Applications

July 12, 2026

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

H (no hardship)

Family Type (not applicable for home-based)

Family

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

UNOPS IICA1

Target Start Date

2026-08-01

Terms of Reference

Title: Associate Policy Officer

Duty station: Geneva, Switzerland

Section/Unit: Sustainable Responses Service (SRS)

ICA Level: International – Support ICA, Level IICA-1

Corresponding level: P2

Duration: asap- [31/12/2026]

Supervisor: Policy Officer, Sustainable Responses Service

1. General Background

UNHCR’s Sustainable Responses Service (SRS) leads the organization’s efforts to advance policy and operational approaches that move beyond short-term assistance toward more sustainable, inclusion-oriented responses in situations of forced displacement. In line with the Global Compact on Refugees and the High Commissioner’s 50by35 vision, SRS promotes the inclusion of forcibly displaced and stateless persons in national systems, strengthens collaboration with development actors, and supports whole-of-government approaches that enhance self-reliance and expand access to rights and services.

A central pillar of this agenda is the PROSPECTS Partnership, a multiyear joint initiative focused on advancing inclusion in national education systems, livelihoods and jobs, social protection, financial inclusion, protection and child protection across priority countries. PROSPECTS aims not only to deliver programmatic results, but also to generate evidence on how inclusion can be operationalized at scale and sustained through national systems.

There is a growing need to strengthen the evidence base on what works to advance inclusion, self-reliance and sustainable outcomes in situations of forced displacement. For PROSPECTS, this means systematically capturing operational learning, consolidating evidence across countries, and translating results into strategic policy guidance. This includes developing analytical products and case studies that demonstrate how inclusion in national systems and strengthened self-reliance can support development approaches to forced displacement. Learning from broader sustainable response approaches will also help inform global policy dialogue, donor engagement and future investment decisions. Together, this work will contribute to the 50by35 target by reducing long-term reliance on humanitarian assistance and supporting more sustainable pathways for forcibly displaced and stateless persons.

Within this context, SRS is reinforcing its policy and learning capacity to ensure that country level experience feeds directly into global policy development and strategic positioning. The Associate Policy Officer will support this effort by contributing to policy analysis, learning consolidation, and evidence generation related to PROSPECTS and broader sustainable responses work.

2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment

Under the supervision of the Policy Officer, the Associate Policy Officer will support the policy and learning workstream, contributing to evidence generation, learning consolidation, and policy development related to inclusion, self-reliance, sustainable responses and the 50by35 target.

The incumbent will:

1. Support policy and analytical work Draft policy briefs, analytical notes, and background documents on inclusion in national systems and sustainable responses.

• Develop inclusion products and case studies that feed into monitoring, evaluation and learning framework and donor reporting.

• Contribute to strengthening the evidence base of the PROSPECTS model, including its added value and scalability.

• Contribute to analysis on how PROSPECTS evidence can inform the 50by35 target, particularly in relation to inclusion in national systems, self-reliance and reduced reliance on humanitarian assistance.

2. Support the PROSPECTS learning agenda and structured learning initiatives

• Consolidate lessons from country, regional and global initiatives funded under both the Multi Annual Programme and Opportunity Fund.

• Synthesize operational learning across priority sectors including education, livelihoods and jobs, financial inclusion, social protection and protection.

• Support the organization of regional or global learning workshops and ensure outputs are documented and disseminated.

3. Support evaluation and multi country learning processes

• Contribute analytical inputs to evaluations assessing inclusion outcomes in PROSPECTS countries.

• Undertake desk research and coordinate with field teams to gather evidence and documentation.

• Translate findings into concise policy recommendations to inform programming and strategic engagement.

4. Contribute to broader SRS sustainable responses policy work

• Document good practices from PROSPECTS and other sustainable response initiatives.

• Maintain structured documentation of policy and learning outputs.

• Support knowledge products that inform global policy dialogue and engagement with development partners and donors.

Travel to selected PROSPECTS countries may be required, subject to operational needs.

3. Monitoring and Progress Controls

Performance will be measured against the following deliverables:

• Minimum 3–4 PROSPECTS related case studies or inclusion products finalized.

• Consolidated learning summary from both MACP/MAGRP and Opportunity Fund initiatives.

• Contribution to at least one evaluation or multi country learning exercise in PROSPECTS countries.

• Policy briefs and background notes produced as requested.

• Support to at least one regional or global learning event, with documented outputs.

• Timely completion of additional tasks as agreed with the supervisor.

4. Qualifications and Experience

a. Education (Level and area of required and/or preferred education)

• Advanced university degree in Public Policy, International Relations, Development Studies, Economics, Law, Social Sciences, or related field.

• A first level university degree with additional relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

b. Work Experience

• Minimum 2 years of relevant professional experience with an advanced degree; or 3 years with a first level degree.

• Experience in policy analysis, research, or programme support in humanitarian or development contexts is required.

• Experience related to forced displacement, inclusion in national systems, or sustainable development is desirable.

• Experience supporting evaluations, learning initiatives, or knowledge management is an asset.

c. Key Competencies

• Strong analytical and drafting skills.

• Good understanding of refugee inclusion and sustainable responses approaches.

• Ability to synthesize operational learning into clear policy messages.

• Strong coordination and organizational skills.

• Excellent written and spoken English. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

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