Associate Reporting Officer

Volunteering Communications & PR

Overview

Enhance UNHCR’s visibility and accountability by producing reports for Dadaab Operation.

You have:

• Experience in programme/project development, planning, implementation, and/or monitoring.
• Experience working in the UN or other international development organization is an asset.
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills.
• Sound security awareness.
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others).
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.
• Ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including community members and authorities.
• Desirable: valid national driver’s license and proven ability to drive manual gear 4x4 over rough terrain.

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

The operation in Dadaab is simultaneous a protracted refugee situation and a large number of new arrivals due to drought and insecurity in Somalia. The Dadaab Refugee Complex was established in 1991 to host refugees from Somalia fleeing the civil war.

The East and Horn of Africa have long been center stage for conflict and forced displacement with Kenya currently hosting 854,876 refugees and asylum-seekers. Established in 1991 and situated in Garissa County, the Dadaab Refugee camps are now home to 432,480 individuals/ 81,678 households. Figures are as of June 2025. Somali refugees are the majority, representing more than 96% of the population.

Refugees and asylum-seekers have been living in extremely challenging conditions for more than three decades.

The Government’s Department of Refugee Services (DRS) is responsible for the management and coordination of refugee affairs with technical support from UNHCR.

For more than three decades, refugees and asylum-seekers in the Dadaab refugee complex have been living in challenging protection conditions, set within a volatile security situation, limited provision of basic services, limited freedom of movement and access to justice as well as poor shelter and infrastructures. Despite the protractedness of the situation, refugees depend on UNHCR-provided tarpaulin for shelter.

In addressing the challenges, UNHCR works with partners to advocate for effective international protection and durable solutions. There have been positive developments, led by the Government and supported by UNHCR. The Garissa Integrated Socio-Economic Development Program (GISEDP) was launched in September 2023 and will promote the economic growth of Dadaab, take a whole-of-society approach, and offer sustainable solutions for refugees and host communities. It forms an integral part of the Government-led Shirika Plan which will empower communities and transform camps into socioeconomic hubs. Find out more here: https://www.unhcr.org/ke/gisedp-1

The Associate Reporting Officer, under the guidance of the Head of Sub Office Dadaab, plays a key role in enhancing UNHCR’s visibility and accountability by producing, editing, and ensuring the quality of reports for Dadaab Operation. This role involves gathering and analyzing information from various UNHCR sections and partners, consolidating data on program implementation, and preparing timely updates and donor reports. The officer supports internal and external communications, contributes to donor satisfaction through accurate reporting, and assists in inter-agency coordination. Additionally, they help prepare briefing materials, ensure data visualization in collaboration with Information Management, and provide technical support on reporting standards and deadlines.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Sub Office, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Keep abreast of all developments in the country operation/ bureau/ division or other entity to prepare appropriate briefings and reports. • Draft regular daily, weekly and monthly up-date for internal and external audience (including donors and media). • Consolidate and analyze data on programme implementation, achievements and indicators in all sectors under AoR in order to facilitate the preparation of periodic reports and activity-specific reports as may be required and ensure timeliness of such reports. • Participate in annual reporting and planning process. • Work closely with Information Management to ensure accurate and attractive data presentation, including maps. • Support the monitoring of UNHCR’s partnerships and consolidate information about Partners’ activities. • Assist in the preparation of briefing kits and presentations for missions and visitors. • Assist in the preparation of reports for donors, in compliance with specific donor requirements. Make efforts to enhance donor satisfaction by ensuring quality reporting on programmatic results to donor. Assist in providing visibility for donors’ contributions to UNHCR. • Research/analyze, interpret and also, monitor and review information and data from regular and wide variety of sources for internal and external reporting. • Prepare and distribute minutes of meetings. • Provide technical support, training and clarification on UNHCR’s reporting policies and deadlines. • May prepare press releases; conceptualize, draft and edit stories for external communications products and support all aspects of its production, including fact checking, proofreading and quality control. • Support UNHCR inter-agency coordination initiatives and leadership through provision of reporting and secretariat functions where relevant. • Perform other related duties as required.

• Accountability • Communication • Organizational Awareness • Teamwork & Collaboration • Commitment to Continuous Learning • Client & Result Orientation Managerial Competencies: • Judgement and Decision Making Cross-Functional Competencies: • Analytical Thinking • Planning and Organizing

Experience in programme/project development, planning, implementation, and/or monitoring. Experience in field missions. Experience undertaking operational and analytical work in the field of international affairs, international security, humanitarian affairs, development or journalism. Donor relations or liaison with media. • Experience working in the UN or other international development organization is an asset. • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills. • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing. • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development. • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel. • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), e-mail, and internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment. • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines. • Desirable: valid national driver’s license and proven ability to drive manual gear 4x4 over rough terrain. • Sound security awareness. • Have affinity with or interest in working in a refugee environment, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN system.

The town of Dadaab is in the North-Eastern Province of Kenya. It is in a semi-arid area and is mostly dry and hot all year round with some rains during specific periods. Due to the isolation of the duty station and ongoing security concerns, the duty station is categorized as hardship category `E and substantial security level. The UN compound is surrounded by Hesco fences, and there is a curfew in place from 6 pm to 6 am, when the external gate is closed. All movement outside the UN compound to and within the camps requires armed police escort.

To mitigate the effects of hardship and psychological stress as well as to allow reunion with family members, international recruited personnel are granted five (5) consecutive calendar days not charged to annual leave, plus actual travel time every 6 weeks, under the Rest and Recuperation (R&R) travel.

There are limited banking facilities at Dadaab with only one bank in which staff may open a bank account and withdraw cash with certain debit/credit cards. Internet and communications networks are available at the compound. Remoteness, isolation, and lack of entertainment in social life are factors to also be considered prior to applying. There is, however, a gym and a tennis court available, as well as space around the compound for exercising.

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Potential interview questions

Added 10 months ago - Updated 10 months ago - Source: unv.org