Human Resources Associate

Hardship LevelC

Family TypeFamily

Family TypeFamily

Residential location (if applicable)

GradeGS6

Staff Member / Affiliate TypeGeneral Service

ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment

Target Start Date2025-07-01

Deadline for ApplicationsJuly 27, 2025

Standard Job Description

Human Resources Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Human Resources Associate supports the UNHCR’s People Strategy and contributes to the implementation of the 2018 independent Human Resources review, which resulted in the establishment of HR strategic priorities and the reconfiguration and transformation of the Division of Human Resources (DHR) from a largely transactional model into a strategic business partner for field operations and senior management. Having the right people in the right place at the right time is at the core of enabling UNHCR to protect and respond to persons of concern. By attracting, retaining and developing a talented, diverse and agile workforce while nurturing a culture of excellence, respect and wellbeing for all, UNHCR’s Human Resources acts as a strategic partner to the organization, enabling a people-centric culture.

The Human Resources Associate provides support and assistance in the areas of operational support, workforce planning, assignments and talent acquisition, organizational cultural changes, HR policy implementation and duty of care in the area of responsibility (AOR). The incumbent maintains employee confidence and protects the organization and its workforce by keeping human resources information confidential.

The Human Resources Associate is usually supervised by the Associate HR Officer, HR Officer or another HR or admin staff. This position can be located in a Country Operation, Multi-Country Office, Regional Bureau or Headquarters. The Human Resources Associate may supervise General Service staff. The supervisor provides the incumbent with regular guidance. The incumbent works quite independently on regular assignments with an oversight from the supervisor, assisting him/her in personnel administration and other HR related matters.

The incumbent may maintain a direct working relationship with a number of units within the Division of Human Resources (DHR).

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

Human Resources Operational Support:

Implement HR operational activities to ensure timely provision of HR solutions, prioritizing according to the needs and risks. This may include.

Administration of recruitment, assignment and separation of local staff in the AOR, in accordance with UN/UNHCR rules and procedures.

Update of personnel records in the Office, including entries into Workday where required.

Assisting with recruitment and other procedures related to affiliate workforce, including Cloud ERP entries into where required.

Contribution to workforce planning activities.

Provision of a HR customer service-oriented culture that values proactivity, continuous improvement, innovation and high performance.

Enforce compliance with UNHCR’s Human Resources policies and procedures and the UN staff rules, regulations and UNHCR administrative instructions.

Assignments and Talent Acquisition:

Participate in the recruitment of local staff including the issuance of vacancy notices and arranging for required tests and interviews, and preparation of submissions for the review by the Assignments Committee (AC).

Assist in organizing outreach campaigns to attract diverse applicants.

Track and report on recruitment and assignments activities.

Advice to staff and contribution to an inclusive work environment.

Build dialog and outreach with the workforce; answer questions and provide information to staff as to where to go for help or ask questions.

Advise staff members and affiliate workforce on their rights, obligations, benefits and entitlements.

Be proactive in identifying issues, themes and patterns affecting the workforce’s health and welfare, including sexual harassment and abuse of authority.

Assist in the provision of on-boarding, induction, re-integration into the workplace and off-boarding to colleagues.

Assist in implementation of HR initiatives that support organizational culture change such as good people management practices, and promoting gender, inclusion and diversity.

Duty of Care:

Assist in the security and medical evacuations of UNHCR personnel. Maintain daily tracking record of staff and families to provide accurate information in case of emergency.

Administer UNHCR medical insurance plan for locally recruited staff.

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 G6 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education

Not applicable.

Certificates and/or Licenses

Business Administration;

Office Management;

Human Resources Management;

or related field.

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

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Experience working in Human Resources. Knowledge of general HR policies, processes and systems.

Desirable

Experience in HR information technology systems and tools. Experience working with the United Nations. Experience working in a multi-cultural setting.

Functional Skills

UN-UN/UNHCR Administrative Rules, Regulations and Procedures;

*IT-Computer Literacy;

HR-Talent Development and Nurturing

HR-Local mass recruitment

HR-Employee Relationship Management

SO-Learning Agility;

(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:

Managing Resources

Cross-Functional Competencies:

Analytical Thinking

Planning and Organizing

Change Capability and Adaptability

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.

Desired Candidate Profile Operational context included below

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

,

,

Desired languages

,

,

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

Nature of Position:

The Government of Uganda (GoU) adheres to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, demonstrating a strong commitment to refugee protection. Uganda employs a progressive settlement approach, allocating plots of land to newly arrived refugees within designated refugee-hosting villages. This allows refugees to construct homes and engage in agricultural activities. Furthermore, refugees are granted access to public services, including healthcare and education, and enjoy fundamental rights and freedoms such as freedom of movement, the right to seek employment, and the opportunity to establish businesses.

This position will be based in SO Arua, a dynamic operational environment characterized by ongoing refugee influxes and a strong push towards integrating refugee services into national and local systems. UNHCR collaborates with a diverse range of partners to deliver protection and assistance to Persons We Serve (PWS).

SO Arua is responsible for overseeing multiple refugee settlements, including Bidibidi, Rhino Camp, Imvepi, and Lobule. These settlements provide shelter and essential services to refugees primarily fleeing conflict and persecution in neighboring countries such as South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. As of the end of June 2025, the active registered refugee population (persons with specific needs - PWS) within each settlement is as follows: Bidibidi (208,180 individuals), Rhino Camp (190,671 individuals), Imvepi (73,893 individuals), and Lobule (6,363 individuals).

The operating environment presents both opportunities and challenges. While there's significant momentum for localization and strengthening community-based approaches, a recent shift in the funding landscape requires adaptability and resourcefulness. Specifically, a major donor has suspended funding previously earmarked for 2025 operations. UNHCR is actively addressing this through advocacy and resource mobilization efforts.

The HR Associate position at UNHCR Sub Office Arua is a vital role dedicated to supporting the efficient management of UNHCR staff within the operational environment. Currently, the Sub Office employs a total of 47 staff members, comprising 2 Administrative/Workforce (AWF) staff and 5 Professional staff. This personnel complement ensures the delivery of critical protection and assistance services to refugees across multiple settlements in the West Nile region.

The position will primarily focus on staff administration, ensuring compliance with UNHCR’s policies and procedures, managing staff records, supporting recruitment and onboarding processes, and addressing staff welfare matters. Given the dynamic and often challenging operational context, characterized by ongoing refugee influxes and resource constraints, the HR Associate must be adaptable, discreet, and proactive in delivering timely and effective HR services.

It is important to note that the current staffing structure is expected to evolve, as 6 General Service (GS) staff members are presently undergoing a comparative review process, which will likely lead to a reduction in the staff complement. This ongoing review underscores the need for the HR Associate to be flexible and responsive to organizational changes while maintaining a focus on delivering high-quality HR support.

Overall, the position offers an opportunity to play a key role in maintaining a motivated, compliant, and well-supported workforce essential for the successful implementation of UNHCR’s operations in the West Nile.

Living and Working Conditions:

Arua is classified as a family duty station. While accommodation is generally available, securing reasonably priced housing that meets international standards can be challenging due to high demand from NGOs involved in the South Sudanese refugee response.

Basic amenities and services are available in Arua. Several local supermarkets stock both local and imported goods. A selection of restaurants catering to international tastes, including Western and Indian cuisine, are also present. Educational services are limited, as there are no international schools in Arua. International schooling options are available in Kampala or Entebbe.

Basic medical services can be accessed within Arua town. For more complex medical needs, referrals to Kampala are necessary. Banking facilities, including ATMs for Ugandan Shilling accounts, are readily accessible. Utilities such as water and electricity are generally available, although power outages, particularly during the dry season, are common.

Safe and reliable public transportation options are limited. While local motorbike taxis are frequently used by nationals, vehicle taxis are scarce and relatively expensive. Most professional staff either reside within walking distance of the office or utilize private second-hand vehicles for transportation.

The primary mode of travel between Kampala and Arua is by road (approximately 470 km). Commercial flights, cleared by UNDSS, operate between Arua and Entebbe three times per week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday). There is no accommodation that meets minimum standards available within the settlements, necessitating daily commutes via official vehicle for staff conducting field activities.

Security Considerations:

UNHCR prioritizes the safety and security of its staff and regularly reviews security arrangements to ensure they are appropriate and effective. Staff will receive comprehensive security briefings upon arrival and ongoing support to ensure their well-being.

Arua is generally considered a relatively stable location within Uganda. However, as with any operational environment, certain security considerations must be taken into account:

Crime: Petty crime, such as theft, can occur, particularly in urban areas. Exercise caution and take basic security precautions to protect personal belongings.

Road Safety: Road conditions can vary, and traffic accidents are a risk. Ensure adherence to safe driving practices and utilize reliable transportation options when possible.

Proximity to Borders: Given Arua's proximity to South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, it's important to stay informed about regional security developments. UNHCR maintains close coordination with UNDSS (United Nations Department of Safety and Security) to monitor the situation and implement appropriate security measures.

Settlement Access: Access to refugee settlements is typically managed through established protocols and coordination with relevant authorities. Any travel to the settlements should be conducted in accordance with these procedures.

UNDSS Guidelines: All staff are required to adhere to UNDSS security guidelines and directives. Regular security briefings and training are provided to ensure staff are aware of potential risks and how to mitigate them.

Additional Qualifications

SkillsHR-Employee Relationship Management, HR-Local mass recruitment, HR-Talent Development and Nurturing, IT-Computer Literacy, SO-Learning Agility, UN-UN/UNHCR Administrative Rules, Regulations and Procedures

Education

CertificationsBusiness