Associate Operations Officer

Overview

Contribute to coordination activities in close consultation with ER Nouakchott.

You have:

• 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree
• Public Administration, Economics, Social Science, Business Administration, Law, or other relevant field
• Understanding of UNHCR mandate and operations. Minimum 3 years relevant work experience.
• Experience in field operations
• Programme Management certification
• Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English

Deadline for Applications

March 1, 2026Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

E (most hardship)Family Type (not applicable for home-based)

Non Family with Residential LocationStaff Member / Affiliate Type

UNOPS IICA1Target Start Date

2026-04-01Terms of Reference

Based in SO Bassiknou, the Associate Operations Officer will contribute to internal/external coordination activities in close consultation with ER Nouakchott: - Facilitate donor communication and visibility activities, including planning and organizing events/missions and other initiatives. - Coordinate and consolidate inputs for donor project submissions and reporting from SO Bassiknou and FU Nema - Compile information and situation reports (SitReps) from SO Bassiknou and FU Nema, consolidating into weekly, monthly, or quarterly reports as required - Oversee the secretariat of the Refugee Coordination Forum in Bassiknou (invitation/notetaking) - Support IM/ER production of donor reports and briefings - Ensure donor visibility in the field in consultation with ER Nouakchott - Support the organization and coordination of international and national media field missions, ensuring the visibility of these visits on social media platforms and other media - Coordinate the formatting and editing of awareness-raising materials (in French, and English) and support their publication and dissemination -To support UNHCR and WFP to monitor the impacts and evolution of targeting over time, and to provide insights on key outcomes and process management based on observed results. This will be done in close collaboration with WFP's Research Assessment and Monitoring (RAM) Unit and UNHCR's Economist at Middle East and North Africa Regional (MENA) Bureau. - Attend and support sector group/working group meetings where needed - Support at Bassiknou-level the development of a social protection mid-term strategy/roadmap for refugee inclusion in national programmes

To coordinate the dialogue on data systems and interoperability, supporting data sharing strategies and the integration of various data systems across UNHCR, WFP and the Government of Mauritania.Standard Job Description

Associate Operations Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Associate Operations Officer normally works under the direct supervision of the (Senior) Operations Officer/Coordinator or Head of the Office. The incumbent will support liaising with Partners through sector meetings and other coordination mechanisms in the Area of responsibility (AoR) as deemed necessary and required by the senior management. S/he will also assist with management issues pertaining to the operations within the area of responsibility (AoR). The incumbent will maintain contact with NGO/Implementing partners, Government officials at the Central level, Donors and UN agencies based in the locations covered under AoR. The incumbent also receives indirect guidance from other sections and units relevant to the country programmes. The incumbent may supervise some support staff. Within UNHCR, the incumbent has regular contact with other sections/units at Headquarters and with field offices on issues related UNHCR's programme in the countries/operations covered under the AoR.

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

• Support UNHCR's activities in the operations within the AoR, if necessary through mission to the countries/operations covered.
• Keep abreast of the events that may affect the situation of forcibly displaced and stateless people in the countries/operations under AoR and provide regular reports and relevant information on developments regarding the situation of forcibly displaced and stateless people as appropriate.
• Through a wide network of external contacts and through studying field reports, regularly analyse the operational context, early warning signs and the protection situation of forcibly displaced and stateless people.
• Support the preparation of analytic papers and formulate recommendations for action for the country offices/operations within the AoR.
• Support the compliance of UNCHR’s project implementation, management and reporting with established policies, guidelines, procedures, and standards.
• Contribute to identify potential gaps and problems and in cooperation with other relevant sections recommend appropriate solutions to ensure the continued efficient implementation of programme activities and effective coordination with other UN agencies and NGOs.
• In the bureaux, respond to queries and requests for assistance and guidance from the field, and follow-up where needed, in close coordination with other concerned focal points of the Bureau.
• In the field, prepare project proposals, conduct needs assessment in various fields of assistance and monitor implementation of projects under the AoR.
• Maintain relations with UN agencies, NGOs and other parties operating in the AoR, in order to promote UNHCR objectives.
• Liaise with operational partners on issues relating to the protection and assistance of refugees/IDPs and other forcibly displaced and stateless people.
• Maintain a wide range of external contacts with Permanent Missions, donors, and civil society organization.
• Provide administrative and operational support across a range of programme activities, including but not limited to processing field requests related to financial transactions, procurement actions, and documentation for internal review and approval processes (e.g., Committee on Contracts, Budget Committee), ensuring compliance with relevant procedures and timelines.
• 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 P2/NOB - 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education

Public Administration; Economics; Social Science;

Business Administration; Law; or other relevant field.

(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Certificates and/or Licenses

Programme Management;

(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Understanding of UNHCR mandate and operations. Minimum 3 years relevant work experience.

Desirable

Experience in field operations. Experience working with UNHCR; or other UN entities or partners preferably in refugee or humanitarian operations. Proven track record in emergency preparedness, response, and management.

Functional Skills

MG-Field Operations Management;

MG-Coordination;

(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.

Competency Requirements

All jobs at UNHCR require six core competencies and may also require managerial competencies and/or cross-functional competencies. The six core competencies are listed below.

Core Competencies

Accountability

Communication

Organizational Awareness

Teamwork & Collaboration

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies

Judgement and Decision Making

Managing Resources

Empowering and Building Trust

Cross-Functional Competencies

Analytical Thinking

Planning and Organizing

Political Awareness

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.

Required Languages

,

,

Desired Languages

,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

MG-Coordination, MG-Field Operations ManagementEducation

Bachelor of Arts: Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts: Economics, Bachelor of Arts: Law, Bachelor of Arts: Public Administration, Bachelor of Arts: Social ScienceCertifications

Programme Management - OtherWork Experience

Other information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance Remote

No

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Potential interview questions

Added 3 months ago - Updated 3 months ago - Source: unhcr.org