The Assistant Environment Officer will work closely with colleagues responsible for water and sanitation, shelter, nutrition, education, health, community services and livelihoods. The incumbent will support the UNHCR Office on all issues related to environment, self-reliance and shelter/infrastructures and will make sure that UNHCR policies are in line with global and national strategies.

Regular and frequent discussions between the incumbent and his/her supervisor(s), including at headquarters, are necessary to ensure that the latest best practices and procedures are shared and applied consistently on issues related to environment. The incumbent will undertake missions to the camps and liaise with Sub-Offices on the implementation of environment, self-reliance and shelters/site planning programmes. In addition, the staff member will maintain regular contact with UN technical agencies, and implementing and operational partners as needed.

The incumbent should be capable of working with minimum supervision in project submissions, revisions and reallocations throughout the project lifecycle in the environmental programme. S/he will be instrumental in contributing to the development of specific inputs related to the sector and must meet reporting requirements

• In collaboration with the relevant stakeholders, support the office in undertaking regular assessments on environmental conditions in refugee-hosting areas and measure the extent those conditions are affected by the presence of refugee camps; collect and update data on main areas of environment, energy, livelihood and shelters and identify means to mitigate the impact on natural resources.
• Undertake an assessment of the current domestic energy situation in the refugee camps together with the concerned persons.
• On the basis of the assessment, and in consultation with relevant stakeholders, identify effective interventions in the sector of energy both from the demand and supply sides.
• Act as focal point and liaison officer for all matters related to environmental activities amongst different sectors within UNHCR and outside
• Assist in the management of UNHCR’s assistance programmes in the form of project submissions, revision and reallocations in the environment sector throughout the project lifecycle, needs assessment, budgeting, monitoring, implementation and evaluation.
• Assist the UNHCR Office in organizing training activities of UNHCR and its implementing partners to address key areas of environmental management, climate change and domestic energy issues to refugees and other persons of concern.
• Document best practices/lessons for dissemination and implementation in the areas of natural resource management, forestry, sustainable agriculture, domestic energy and environmental education sectors.
• Provide technical support in developing project proposals and implementation arrangements to address environmental rehabilitation needs within the framework of UNHCR policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Provide technical input on reports related to environmental issues.
• Undertake other duties as required.

• Analytical Thinking
• Planning and Organizing
• Stakeholder Management

• Undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies/Management of Natural Resources, Agriculture, Forestry or other related fields is required.
• Minimum 1year experience in environmental assessment, planning, monitoring and evaluation of integrated environmental programmes/projects in displacement and stable situations is required.
• Awareness of and practical experience with refugee-related environmental problems is required.
• Familiarity with emerging environmentally sustainable and appropriate technologies, and renewable energy is required.
• Solid skills in analysis, using and presenting quantitative and qualitative data, and report writing is required.
• Familiarity with community-based and participatory approaches is required.
• Excellent knowledge of English language is required

• Budgeting, planning and managerial skills, ability to work with various (relevant) computer software is desirable

To sustain its settlement approach to refugee protection and assistance, the Government of Uganda (GOU) began implementation of the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF) in 2017, which is now incorporated into the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) adopted in 2018.  Uganda’s CRRF Steering Group adopted sectorial priorities to implement more comprehensive approaches (called for by the GCR and its CRRF) in the response led by the appropriate line ministry of the GoU.   GoU has now finalized Water and Environment (2019) and Coordination has widened to include Development Partners and Private sector in driving the GCR agenda in the operation. Sustainable Energy Refugee Response Plan (SERRP) and Jobs & Livelihoods Response Plan is under development. Sector roadmaps to expedite the inclusion to government systems and harmonize Refugee Response Plan (RRP) implementation are under review.

To leverage on the sectorial approach taken by the line ministries, UNHCR is seeking to fill an Associate Environment Officer Position in Yumbe. The desired candidate will be expected to drive a coherent and harmonized response, synergizing sectorial expertise for positioning UNHCR protection mandate. This is in addition to providing leadership to Environment and Energy Sector on regular operational issues related to implementation of the RRP under the Refugee Coordination Model (RCM).