Senior Field Assistant at UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees: (Deadline 13 July 2026)

July 13, 2026

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

C Family NUNV National 2026-06-29 General
1. Type of Assignment: National UN Volunteer
2. Type of Assignment Place: Family Duty Station (Onsite)
3. Assignment Title: Senior Field Assistant
4. Number of Volunteers: 2
5. Duty Station, Country: Karongi, Rwanda
6. Duration (in months): 6 months (with possibility of extension)
7. Expected Starting Date: June 2026
8. Host Agency/Host Institute: UNHCR
9. Sustainable Development Goal: 10. Reduced Inequalities
10. Organization mission and objectives
The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and coordinate international action to protect refugees, displaced and state-less people, and resolve their problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees, displaced and stateless people. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally, or resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org).T. +49 (0) 228-815 2000
F. +49 (0) 228-815 2001

A. Platz der Vereinten Nationen 1, 53113 Bonn, Germany
W. www.unv.orgThe UNHCR Representation Office in Rwanda has been welcoming refugees for almost three decades. By mid-2023, 125,595 refugees and asylum seekers were registered with UNHCR. Predominately ref-ugees come from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Burundi. Out of the total refugee pop-ulation, 91 percent live across the five refugee camps of Kigeme, Kiziba, Mugombwa, Nyabiheke, and Mahama as well as the Emergency Transit Mechanism (ETM), while the remaining 9 percent live in urban areas. The UNHCR Karongi Field Office manages Kiziba Refugee Camp which [as of 30 June 2023] is hosting 15,292 Congolese (DRC) refugees.

With the more stabilized political situation in Burundi, Rwanda has continued to observe the interest and willingness of Burundian refugees to voluntary return home. Over 30,000 Burundians have volun-tarily repatriated (VolRep) since 2020. Currently, almost 50,000 Burundian refugees still live in Rwanda, with 21.7% residing in urban settings, while the remaining are hosted in the Mahama Refugee Camp. For the Congolese refugees who have lived in Rwanda for over 25 years, the focus remains on their inclusion in national systems and scaling up of livelihood opportunities so they can graduate from humanitarian assistance and become self-reliant while at the same time finding third-country solutions to benefit a limited number of refugees. Since November 2022, due to the continuous instability in Eastern DRC, Rwanda has also hosted an increasing number of new asylum seekers from DRC. As of mid-May 2023, over 7,144 individuals have arrived in Rwanda. The policy and legal frameworks in Rwanda continue to facilitate the inclusion of refugees within national systems in line with the Global Compact on Refugees. From health to education, refugees are granted the same level of access and services as Rwandan citizens. In recent years this has been facilitated through the issuance of refugee ID cards by the Government of Rwanda and built on pledges made at the Global Refugee Forum (GRF). In Rwanda, the Refugee Response Plan (RRP) outlines the interagency response by organizations work-ing on refugee issues across the country. The RRP is tightly aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and the National Strategic Transformation (NST1) which provides thematic pillars for accelerated transformation and inclusive development for all. UNHCR co-leads the refugee response with the Government of Rwanda through the Ministry in Charge of Emergency Man-agement (MINEMA). In 2023, the RRP includes 17 different partners including UN Agencies, NGOs, academia, and development partners.

11. Assignment context
The Senior Field Assistant normally reports to the (Senior) Field Officer/Associate or another higher-level local or international staff member. The incumbent supports the operation through a variety ofT. +49 (0) 228-815 2000
F. +49 (0) 228-815 2001

A. Platz der Vereinten Nationen 1, 53113 Bonn, Germany
W. www.unv.orgfield-based activities, including monitoring of programme implementation, liaison with local authorities and implementing partners, and provision of assistance to persons of concern to UNHCR. The role also draws on the incumbent’s interpretation and language skills to facilitate communication during field missions and with the local community. 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.

12. Task description
Under the overall supervision of the Associate Protection Officer, the Senior Field Assistant UN Vol-unteer will undertake the following tasks:

1. Provide operations support to Resettlement, Protection, Registration, Child Protection, Com-munity-Based Protection, Refugee Status Determination, and field staff of UNHCR and partner organizations for refugees and other people of concern to UNHCR.
2. The incumbent is required to deliver interpretation services in Kinyarwanda, Swahili, English, and French languages, undertaking tasks such as providing interpretation support during inter-views, counseling, community engagement activities, meetings, orientation sessions, and other communication needs.
3. Translate written official documents/statements, including general correspondence and manuals as needed.
4. Understand and comply with UNHCR's Code of Conduct, acknowledging the obligation to work in accordance with the principles outlined therein.
5. Adhere to the Undertaking of Confidentiality and Impartiality, recognizing the importance of maintaining confidentiality and impartiality in all work.
6. Familiarize oneself with and commit to abiding by the standards of conduct set forth in the Secretary-General's Bulletin, ST/SGB/2003/13 of 9 October 2003, concerning "Special measures for protection from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse."
7. Undertake any other needs and tasks assigned to the incumbent.T. +49 (0) 228-815 2000
F. +49 (0) 228-815 2001

A. Platz der Vereinten Nationen 1, 53113 Bonn, Germany
W. www.unv.orgIn doing so, s/he will:
- be expected to be equipped with relevant knowledge and skills on the UNHCR’s protection mandate.
- be expected to recognize, understand and – in a split second - have a word in another language for any one of a myriad of issues. The range of interpretation subjects is broad, including poli-tics, legal affairs, economic and social issues, human rights, finance and administration.
- A wide range knowledge of world affairs, subjects (including technical terms) and United Na-tions processes is essential for all interpreters.
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:
• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country.
• Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers.
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local indi-viduals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possi-ble.
13. Requirements
Education: Bachelor or equivelant
Minimum experience:
Two years of experience in translation and interpretation (Kinyarwanda, Swahili, English, French)
Areas of expertise:
Translation and interpretation
Skills and experience description:
Linguistics, field operations, community services
Language skills
English mandatory ☒ optional ☐T. +49 (0) 228-815 2000
F. +49 (0) 228-815 2001

A. Platz der Vereinten Nationen 1, 53113 Bonn, Germany
W. www.unv.orgbasic ☐ fair ☐ working knowledge ☐ fluent ☐ mother tongue ☐
French mandatory ☒ optional ☐
basic ☐ fair ☐ working knowledge ☒ fluent ☐ mother tongue ☐
Kinyarwanda mandatory ☒ optional ☐
basic ☐ fair ☐ working knowledge ☐ fluent ☐ mother tongue ☐
Swahili mandatory ☐ optional ☐
basic ☐ fair ☐ working knowledge ☒ fluent ☐ mother tongue ☐
14. Competencies and Values:
☒ Accountability
☒ Adaptability and Flexibility
☒ Building Trust
☒ Client Orientation
☒ Commitment and Motivation
☒ Commitment to Continuous Learning
☒ Communication
☒ Creativity
☒ Empowering Others
☒ Ethics and Values
☒ Integrity
☒
☒ Knowledge Sharing
☒ Planning and Organizing
☒ Professionalism
☒ Respect for Diversity
☒ Self-Management
☒ Technological Awareness
☒ Working in TeamsT. +49 (0) 228-815 2000
F. +49 (0) 228-815 2001

A. Platz der Vereinten Nationen 1, 53113 Bonn, Germany
W. www.unv.org15. Driving license needed: No
16. Living Conditions:

The Republic of Rwanda is a small landlocked country in the Great Lakes region of east-central Africa, bordered by Uganda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Tanzania. With almost 13 million people, Rwanda supports the densest population in continental Africa most of whom engages in subsistence agriculture. Rwanda is a verdant country of fertile and hilly terrain and bears the title "Land of a Thousand Hills".

Karongi is a small town located in Karongi District which is one of the seven Districts that make up the Western Province. It is located on the outskirts of Lake Kivu, in the middle of the Western Province. Accommodations are found in Karongi town. Very few shops and a local market are available. A public hospital is available.

The principal form of public transport in the country is shared taxi/buses, with express routes linking the major cities and local services serving most villages along the main roads of the country. Even though motorcycle taxis are not recommended, they are the most common and fastest way to travel within Karongi.

17. Conditions of Service

The contract lasts for the period indicated above with the possibility of extensions subject to the availability of funding, operational necessity, and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment. The Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) is paid at the end of each month to cover housing, utilities, transportation, communications, and other basic needs. Unified Conditions of Service for UN Volunteers can be accessed at the following link: https://www.unv.org/sites/default/files/unvpf/UNVcos2021%20Complete%20hi-res-final_compressed_30.08.2021.pdf
UNV will provide, together with the offer of assignment, a copy of the Conditions of Service, including the Code of Conduct, to the successful candidate.Name of Hiring Manager: Emilia LobtiT. +49 (0) 228-815 2000
F. +49 (0) 228-815 2001A. Platz der Vereinten Nationen 1, 53113 Bonn, Germany
W. www.unv.orgTitle, Department: Head of Office, Karongi
Email of hiring manager: lobti@unhcr.orgName of supervisor: Emilia Lobti
Title, Department: Head of Office, Karongi

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

Certifications

Other information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

Remote

No