Senior Livelihood and Economic Inclusion Assistant

Deadline for Applications March 24, 2026 Grade GS5 Staff Member / Affiliate Type General Service Reason Temporary > Temporary Assignment/ Appointment Hardship Level A (least hardship) Family Type Family

Residential location (if applicable) Target Start Date 2026-03-12 Target End Date 2026-12-31 Standard Job Description Senior Livelihood and Economic Inclusion Assistant Organizational Setting and Work Relationships The Senior Livelihood and Economic Inclusion Assistant will be part of the livelihoods unit within the Operation. The incumbent will support in operationalizing the strategic vision to align livelihoods and economic inclusion efforts with the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR), which underscores the need to mobilize additional actors and to adopt a whole-of-society approach to strengthen refugee self-reliance and help ease pressure on host countries. S/he will contribute to the objectives of the unit under the direct supervision of the (Senior) Livelihood and Economic Inclusion Officer. The Senior Livelihood and Economic Inclusion Assistant will collaborate closely with UNHCR livelihoods partners, government agencies, private sector and financial services providers as well as other relevant stakeholders to enhance the economic inclusion and improve self-reliance of both persons of concern (PoC) and host community members. The incumbent will also be expected to deliberately explore opportunities of collaboration with other UNHCR cross cutting areas such as protection, education, cash, partnerships, research and analytics, GBV, solutions, complementary pathways and more. To document good practices, results and to generate knowledge, the Senior Livelihood and Economic Inclusion Assistant will work closely with the supervisor to build on UNHCR databases and support regular information sharing and coordination among different humanitarian, developmental and governmental stakeholders. S/he will assist to mobilize refugees of different age, gender and background and to ensure that all stakeholders well understand the potential of economic inclusion of refugees and host community members, and to help communicate opportunities to PoC. All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity. Duties - Explore partnerships with relevant stakeholders to enhance economic inclusion of UNHCR PoC. This includes working with economic development agencies to adapt their programmes to become inclusive of UNHCR PoC, working with the private sector to enhance inclusion of UNHCR PoC in their labour force and supply chains, working with financial service providers to enhance financial inclusion, and working with public and private sector service providers to include UNHCR PoC in supporting services (business development, micro-finance, training, saving accounts, poverty alleviation and social protection, etc.). - Support work with the multi-functional team, more specifically with the Protection Unit, to collect information about the legal framework for the right to work and rights at work. - Support the implementation of socioeconomic and wealth ranking surveys to inform targeting, monitoring and facilitation of the engagement of development programmes. - In case UNHCR is implementing specific livelihoods activities, work closely with and provide technical assistance on livelihoods interventions to help ensure they are market-based, and that the role of UNHCR has been strategically determined in consideration of its comparative advantage vis-à-vis other partners. - Prepare field reports and other relevant reports relating to livelihoods and make recommendations for interventions that enhance refugee economic inclusion to the designated officer. - Provide overall support to the supervisor including assistance in the organization of meetings, workshops and working sessions. - Organize and participate in workshops, training programmes, monitoring visits and working groups with regards to livelihood programming. - Draft routine documents, contribute to assessments, and participate in inter-agency meetings. - Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s). - Perform other related duties as required. Minimum Qualifications Years of Experience / Degree Level For G5- 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher Field(s) of Education Not applicable. Certificates and/or Licenses Business Management, Socio-Economics Development Economics/International Economics Rural Development Financial Management Agriculture or other related field (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential) Relevant Job Experience Essential Experience in facilitating the economic inclusion of vulnerable and marginalized groups in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, ideally in varied field contexts. Experience in working in partnership with private sector, NGOs, UN organisations, development actors, and government authorities in sub-sectors relevant to livelihood programming e.g. financial inclusion, employment, entrepreneurship, private sector development, local economic development, poverty reduction, agriculture, livestock, vocational and technical education and training, etc. Desirable Knowledge of refugee protection principles and framework. Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of the position. Functional Skills LV-Strategic Planning and Advocacy for Refugee Socioeconomic Rights (Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential) Language Requirements For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English. For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language. For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English. All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power. As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise. This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates. Desired Candidate Profile Propósito del puesto: Liderar técnica y operativamente el diseño, implementación, aseguramiento de calidad y generación de evidencia del programa de Graduación de ACNUR en Cali, responsable de revisar la fidelidad metodológica, la articulación con las unidades de protección y soluciones duraderas, y el desarrollo de un marco robusto de resultados, y garantizar que las personas participantes – especialmente población en situación de vulnerabilidad, incluyendo población desplazada forzosamente, personas refugiadas y migrantes y comunidades de acogida – logren avances sostenibles hacia su autonomía socioeconómica. Será responsable de diseñar, ejecutar, supervisar y evaluar todas las fases del programa, articulando con actores institucionales, socios implementadores, sector privado, gobierno local y equipos internos. Funciones principales: Dirección Estratégica y Operativa • Liderar la planificación, ejecución y supervisión integral del proyecto. • Coordinar equipos técnicos (gestores sociales, psicosocial, gestores de medios de vida). • Fomentar un ambiente de trabajo colaborativo y orientado a resultados. • Desarrollar planes de trabajo, indicadores, cronogramas y presupuestos. • Identificar riesgos del programa y proponer medidas de mitigación. Gestión y liderazgo técnico del Programa del Modelo de Graduación • Garantizar que el enfoque del programa esté alineado con estándares internacionales y metodologías basadas en evidencia. • Adaptar el modelo de Graduación al contexto de movilidad humana en Cali. • Definir y actualizar teoría de cambio, modelo operativo, secuencia de intervención y estándares de calidad. Coordinación institucional y alianzas • Coordinar con unidades de ACNUR (Protección, Medios de Vida, Soluciones Duraderas, Programa, Administración). • Liderar la relación con socios implementadores, autoridades locales, sector privado y organizaciones comunitarias. • Promover alianzas para fortalecer los componentes del modelo: medios de vida, inclusión financiera, protección social, formación, empleabilidad y acompañamiento psicosocial. • Representar el programa en espacios de coordinación, mesas técnicas y escenarios de cooperación. Seguimiento, evaluación y reporte • Diseñar y supervisar el marco de resultados (indicadores, scorecards, RRF, medición de autosuficiencia, costo-efectividad). • Garantizar la recolección de datos de alta calidad para análisis y toma de decisiones. • Asegurar levantamiento de línea base, seguimiento y evaluación final. • Liderar informes narrativos y financieros para aliados, donantes y dirección. • Asegurar que las acciones cumplan los estándares institucionales de protección, ética y salvaguarda. • Generar evidencia para escalamiento y política pública. Enfoques Transversales • Integrar enfoques de protección, género, edad, discapacidad y diversidad. • Garantizar el cumplimiento de normas de protección de datos y protocolos de confidencialidad. • Promover la participación comunitaria y el diseño centrado en las personas beneficiarias. Requisitos académicos: • Maestría o doctorado en Economía, Desarrollo, Políticas Públicas, Ciencias Sociales, o afines. Experiencia requerida: • 5-7 años en diseño y dirección de programas de inclusión económica, reducción de pobreza, medios de vida o protección social. • Experiencia comprobada en implementación de programas de Graduación o modelos transferencias monetarias para superación de pobreza / Livelihoods Graduation. • Experiencia en diseño de marcos de resultados, evaluaciones de impacto y escalamiento. • Experiencia con población refugiada, desplazada o en contextos humanitarios-prolongados. • Coordinación con gobiernos locales, ONG, cooperación internacional o empresas privadas. Competencias técnicas • Conocimiento en metodologías de graduación, inclusión económica y desarrollo basado en evidencia. • Gestión de programas complejos. • Conocimiento en teoría de cambio, M&E y aprendizaje adaptativo. • Enfoque de protección y género. • Conocimientos sobre medios de vida, mercado laboral e inclusión financiera. Functional Clearance This position doesn't require a functional clearance Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level) Spanish , English , Desired languages , , Additional Qualifications Skills LV-Strategic Planning and Advocacy for Refugee Socioeconomic Rights Education Certifications Agriculture - Other, Development Studies - Other, Economics - Other, Financial Management - Other, Rural Development - Other Work Experience UNHCR Salary Calculator https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales Other information Important notice: Please note that UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing or training). Read about how to avoid scams and fraudulent job offers. Please note that applications are only accepted via the UNHCR online recruitment platform. CVs and/or application requests sent via email will not be answered, reviewed nor considered. For external applicants: We would like to call your attention on the eligibility of International Professional (P) category: According to our Recruitment and Assignments Policy, P staff members will not normally serve in the country of their nationality, and the first regular appointment in the P category must be outside the staff member's country of nationality. In practical terms this means that you are not eligible to apply for International Professional vacancies advertised in the country where you are national of. In case of technical difficulties when applying, external applicants (not current UNHCR workforce members) can write to recruitmentcase@unhcr.org. For former UNHCR Colleagues: Former UNHCR employees who are on mandatory break-in service or have separated from UNHCR after 1 October 2022 should create an account through this platform. Once you fill in your basic personal information (employee ID, birth date, name, email address), Workday will identify you as prior personnel and merge your employee account with your external applicant account. The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, takes the lead in protecting people forced to flee wars and persecution around the world, providing life-saving aid including shelter, food and water to ensure their basic safety, rights and dignity. With 18,879 women and men working in 137 countries, we work tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of 89.3 million forcibly displaced people worldwide. Our dedicated and professional staff work around the clock in roles including legal protection, community services, public affairs, health and more. Despite the challenges they can face, our staff are proud to work for UNHCR and determined to make a positive impact. Why a career with UNHCR? Our dedicated staff work to protect and assist people fleeing conflict and persecution at a time when global forced displacement is at a record high. Our colleagues bring a wide range of specialized skills, including expertise in legal protection, administration, community services, public affairs, health and other disciplines. Disability inclusion If you are a person with a disability and you expect you may face challenges during the recruitment process, you can indicate it in your application form. There are options to select any health conditions you may have and outline any necessary adjustments related to disabilities during the recruitment phases. Providing this information is optional. It will be treated as strictly confidential and used only for the purpose of finding out how to better assist you during the recruitment process. Adjustments for candidates with disabilities will be provided as best as possible and as needed upon request. All candidates will be assessed based on meeting the requirements for each vacancy in relation to experience, skills, and education.