Hardship LevelB
Family TypeFamily
Family TypeFamily
Residential location (if applicable)
GradeNOA
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeNational Professional Officer
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Target Start Date2025-09-01
Deadline for ApplicationsAugust 3, 2025
Standard Job Description
Assistant Durable Solutions Officer
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Assistant Durable Solutions Officer can serve as a focal point for solutions related issues in a region, and reports to a more senior Protection, Resettlement or Durable Solutions staff. The incumbent may have supervisory responsibility for durable solutions staff.
The incumbent is relied upon to ensure the implementation of a durable solutions strategy, and to contribute to ensuring a conducive environment leading towards finding durable solutions. S/he works closely with protection and programme staff. Fostering an environment to enhance partnerships is a critical element of the work, as are activities designed to strength the involvement of refugee communities and their hosts in the design and implementation of solutions strategies.
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
- Provide counselling to refugees and other persons of concern (POC) to identify the most appropriate durable solution and to enable them to make a well-informed decision.
- Interview candidates for voluntary repatriation and prepare documentation for their return.
- Interview and prepare Resettlement Referral Forms (RRF), in line with Resettlement SOPs.
- Interview candidates for local integration and prepare the appropriate documentation for onward submission to local authorities or partners.
- Assist in updating the electronic database for resettlement, voluntary repatriation and local integration, in line with Standard Operating Procedures.
- Process documentation to ensure that POC receive the documents required for their durable solutions in a timely manner.
- Prepare statistical and ad-hoc reports to ensure accurate information is available and shared with relevant offices and partners.
- Interview and advise on the appropriate durable solution to be provided to POC. Prepare documents relating to durable solutions.
- Enter information into available database, in line with SOPs.
- 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
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P1/NOA - 1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
Political Science;
Social Science;
Law;
International Relations;
or other relevant field.
Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified.
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Good knowledge of refugee issues and Human Rights doctrine. Very good reporting and writing ability.
Desirable
Diverse field experience. Knowledge of ProGress database software.
Functional Skills
*CO-Drafting and Documentation
*IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software
(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.
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 As part of the Protection Team in UNHCR’s Branch Office, Lusaka, Zambia, led by the Senior Protection Officer to whom the incumbent will report, the Assistant Durable Solutions Officer plays a vital role in advancing existing and new opportunities for durable solutions for refugees and former refugees in Zambia.
In 2024 the Government of Zambia launched its National Refugee Policy and Implementation Plan, which outlines significant commitments to long-term solutions for both current refugees and Angolan and Rwandan former refugees in Zambia. These commitments are also reflected in Zambia’s pledges to support the implementation of the Global Compact on Refugees.
Working in collaboration with diverse partners, particularly government agencies and development actors, the Assistant Durable Solutions Officer will support UNHCR’s efforts to help the government implement the new policy and contribute to the implementation of UNHCR Zambia’s 2025-2028 multi-year strategy. This includes utilizing UNHCR’s convening role to attract new partners, guiding government actions, and collaborating with stakeholders across government, civil society, and other sectors.
Key areas of work involve actions to develop and leverage opportunities for sustainable responses that can lead to long term solutions and the traditional durable solutions of voluntary repatriation, resettlement and complementary pathways, and local integration to identify sustainable solutions for refugees and former refugees in Zambia. Support the strengthening of mechanisms and initiatives that facilitate the local solutions and integration of refugees and former refugees in Zambia in legal, socio-economic, socio-cultural dimensions of their lives.
Building on commitments under the Global Compact on Refugees, the Assistant Durable Solutions Officer will support the development of strategic partnerships with UN agencies, development actors, civil society, NGOs, peacebuilding stakeholders, and others. This involves identifying policy and practical obstacles forcibly displaced people face to achieving self-reliance and solutions, the risks and obstacles to durable solutions and supporting forcibly displaced people to take up opportunities that will lead to long term solutions.
The incumbent will support UNHCR Zambia advance local solutions, including integration, for refugees and former refugees, especially for specific protracted populations. In addition, the Assistant Durable Solutions Officer will explore and expand opportunities for complementary pathways to third countries, including avenues for labor mobility and education, private sponsorships, family reunification, and humanitarian admissions, alongside existing third-country resettlement processes.
The Assistant Durable Solutions Officer will collaborate with communities to ensure effective communication and participatory processes for identifying the most suitable solutions. This includes enhancing two-way communications, conducting assessments, intention surveys, and other community-based assessments.
Finally, the incumbent will work closely with colleagues facilitating voluntary repatriation for refugees opting to return to their countries of origin in safety and dignity. The incumbent will also work with the Development team in the operation.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Partnerships, Advocacy, and Stakeholder Engagement
• Build and maintain partnerships with government counterparts, development actors, civil society, and peacebuilding stakeholders to advance durable solutions and sustainable responses.
• Engage key stakeholders to address risks and obstacles while promoting policy reforms and advocacy campaigns that enhance refugee inclusion and highlight their contributions to local communities.
Durable Solutions Implementation
• Support the development and implementation of action plans for local integration, particularly for long standing refugee and former refugee populations, in collaboration with national and local authorities.
• Expand opportunities for complementary pathways, such as labor mobility, education, private sponsorships, family reunification, and humanitarian admissions, while strengthening existing third-country resettlement processes.
Community Engagement
• Facilitate participatory processes with communities to identify the most appropriate solutions through intention surveys, participatory assessments, and other community-based methodologies.
• Support the implementation of effective two-way communication with populations of concern to promote transparency and informed decision-making.
• Develop and implement community engagement and solutions initiatives with urban communities to enhance inclusion, self-reliance, and access to services.
Monitoring and Reporting
• Track and report on solutions initiatives, ensuring accurate data management in compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Capacity Building
• Provide training and technical support to government counterparts and partners on durable solutions processes, including local solutions/integration, resettlement, and voluntary repatriation.
• Strengthen the capacity/facilitate refugees/former refugees to take up opportunities that promote solutions, e.g. applications for residency and other permits (work/tertiary study etc.).
Desired Candidate Profile
The incumbent will have demonstrated experience working with vulnerable and marginalized communities in the fields of community development, forced displacement, public policy implementation. Experience in the implementation of community-based solutions, solutions to forced displacement such as local solutions/integration.
Demonstrated planning, project management and monitoring and evaluation skills are critical for this position, as is the ability to manage competing priorities effectively. Demonstrated experience in collaborating with national authorities, knowledge of national public policy and implementation frameworks and government structures across different sectors is required. The demonstrated ability to support partnership development and coordination is needed. Willingness to travel to remote field locations is a requirement.
Exceptional communication skills in English, both oral and written, are essential to the role. The incumbent must be a clear and effective communicator and possess computer skills such as full familiarity with excel, the use of digital/online planning and reporting tools. The candidate should demonstrate readiness to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and the ability to meet deadlines while maintaining the highest professional standards.
The incumbent is expected to uphold UNHCR’s integrity standards and commitment to fraud prevention, including a thorough understanding of the duty to report suspicions of fraud, the consequences of fraud, and proper documentation of incidents involving forcibly displaced populations, colleagues, partners, or third parties.
Operational Context
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 and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to support States to ensure that everyone forced to flee can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org).
In Zambia, UNHCR supports the Government of Zambia to provide an enabling protection environment that allows asylum-seekers, refugees and former refugees to be protected, be self-reliant and achieve durable solutions.
Zambia has adopted a comprehensive refugee response approach, as outlined in the New York Declaration (2016) and the Global Compact on Refugees (2018), which guide the country’s refugee and asylum response. This framework promotes an all-of-society approach, emphasizing strong investment and international support to address both immediate humanitarian needs and long-term socio-economic development solutions for forcibly displaced and local host communities. In fulfilling its mandate, UNHCR proactively pursues and advocates for sustainable responses that not only meet urgent needs but also foster long-term benefits, in line with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This approach integrates economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection to ensure present needs are met without compromising the well-being of future generations.
Zambia is a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, reaffirming its commitment to international refugee protection standards. The country's asylum and refugee response are governed by the Refugees Act of 2017, which provides the legal framework for refugee status determination, rights, and obligations of refugees, as well as their access to protection and assistance in Zambia. In addition, Zambia's National Refugee Policy and its Implementation Plan provide a structured approach to refugee management, promoting self-reliance, inclusion in national systems, and durable solutions in line with international and regional commitments.
As of 30 April 2025, Zambia hosts some 110,518 forcibly displaced persons (81,295 refugees; 11,199 asylum seekers and 18,024 former refugees and others of concerns) in three refugee settlements and other urban areas including Lusaka. UNHCR provides technical support and guidance to the Government on policy formulation, asylum and refugee management matters. Most forcibly displaced persons in Zambia are from Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda and Somalia. The Government of the republic of Zambia (GRZ) coordinates asylum and refugee management through the office of the Commissioner for Refugees (COR) in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security and in close collaboration with other government departments and the inter- governmental steering committee established for this purpose, with the direct support of UNHCR.
UNHCR in Zambia has three field offices/units (one in Solwezi, one in Kawambwa, one in Kaoma and a Representational Office in Lusaka.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
,
,
Desired languages
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,
Operational context
Additional Qualifications
SkillsCO-Drafting and Documentation, IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software
EducationBachelor of Arts: International Relations, Bachelor of Arts: Law, Bachelor of Arts: Political Science, Bachelor of Arts: Social Science
Certifications
Work Experience
CompetenciesAccountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Judgement & decision making, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration
UNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Additional InformationOnly short-listed candidates will be contacted. The position is open for all nationalities, however candidates must demonstrate a proof of residency and work permit for Zambia in order to be considered for the post.
Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance