Livelihoods Officer

Livelihoods Officer

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
UNHCR Rwanda is moving towards an increasing focus on enabling self-reliance of refugees as a step towards a durable solution, particularly for the protracted caseload. UNHCR Rwanda is shifting its assistance to refugees from in-kind to unconditional cash transfers and in the process seeking to boost the in-camp and host community economies, primarily through partnerships with private sector companies. The Livelihoods Officer will have a key role in the implementation and consolidation of the joint Government of Rwanda / UNHCR Livelihoods Strategy. He/She will be an important member of UNHCR office in the country that is already significantly involved in the implementation of livelihoods programmes and exploring new livelihoods opportunities. She/He should be proactive, always looking for new opportunities, convincing in donor mobilization and able to take initiatives. Additionally, s/he ensures that all livelihoods programmes are in line with the UNHCR Global Strategy for Livelihoods (2014-2018) as well as the Global Minimum Criteria for Livelihoods Programming.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
Accountability
- Self-reliance of refugees is improved through livelihoods programming.
- Livelihoods Strategy is implemented and livelihoods sector is coordinated.
- Synergy between cash and self-reliance is ensured.

Responsibility
- Coordinate the livelihoods working group involving UNHCR implementing partners, donors, private sector, other experts and operational partners.
- Monitor the implementation of the livelihoods strategy for refugee communities in Rwanda and make sure that the strategy is updated regularly.
- Develop annual and multi-year plans of action in support of refugee livelihoods.
- Provide technical assistance to the development of UNHCR's and IP's livelihoods projects within the framework of an approved strategy.
- Review and provide technical guidance to the project proposals submitted by Implementing Partners (IPs), and guide and monitor livelihoods activities/programmes for refugees in line with UNHCR policies, mainstreaming gender, age and diversity.
- Identify opportunities and solutions to challenges identified in assessment reports for access to legal employment, vocational training and financial services, and advice on means to develop the local livelihoods resources and infrastructure.
- Proactively seek new opportunities for effective partnership building and resource mobilisation amongst donors.
- Maintain updated information on issues and policy changes that may affect livelihoods opportunities for refugees, and on-going measures by the Government and other institutions that can affect or contribute to the achievement of strategic goals for refugee livelihoods.

Authority
- Undertake pre-selection of livelihoods implementing partners and submission to relevant committee for final decision.
- Take technical decision related to livelihoods programmes including number of beneficiaries, implementation tools and approaches.
- Develop monitoring and evaluation plans for basic needs and livelihoods activities in coordination with programme unit.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- (Advanced) university degree in Business Management, Economics or related field.
- Minimum of 6 years (8 years with university degree) of previous job experience relevant to the function.
- Past work experience with refugees, including within livelihoods programming.
- Excellent drafting and conceptualization skills.
- Excellent presentation skills and experience.
- Ability to work under stress with minimum supervision, flexibility and adaptability.
- Knowledge of local/regional customs and political and economic situations.
- Project Management experience.
- Experience conducting trainings.
- Excellent partnership management abilities, including with private sector companies.
- Experience with social entrepreneurship and sustainable business model development in refugee contexts.
- Fluency in English.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- Knowledge on the latest development in the livelihoods sector would be required, in addition to an overall knowledge of the inputs and outputs required for working in this particular sector and activity of the programme. Records of some field achievements, within or outside UNHCR service, in this particular field of function, would be an additional asset.
- Any specific training in the area of the position function.
- Excellent networking skills with private and public sector institutions as well as existing local network in Rwanda.
- Excellent computer skills including Excel, Word and Power Point.
- Experience in working in fairly big operations with a variety of programmes and projects directly targeting interest of refugees and persons of concern, containing similar context and notions of assistance.
- Working knowledge of another UN language is desirable. French is an advantage.