Description
Job Description
Mission and objectives
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is mandated to lead and
coordinate international action to protect refugees, asylum-seekers, stateless
persons and other persons of concern, and to seek durable solutions to their
displacement. UNHCR’s operations are guided by international refugee and human
rights law and by a strong commitment to accountability to affected
popu-lations, age, gender and diversity (AGD) mainstreaming, and
community-based protection ap-proaches. In Rwanda, UNHCR works in close
collaboration with the Government of Rwanda, UN agencies, civil society
organizations, and refugee and host communities to ensure protection and
assistance to refugees and asylum-seekers, primarily from the Democratic
Republic of Congo and Burundi. The operation focuses on protection delivery,
access to basic services, self-reliance, peaceful coexistence with host
communities, and preparation for durable solutions.
Context
Rwanda was hosting 138,406 forcibly displaced persons,
including refugees, asylum seekers, and other persons of concern, with the
majority originating from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi. Many
refugees remain in protracted displacement situations, requiring sustained
humanitarian and protection support. Mahama Refugee Camp, located in Kirehe
District near the Tanzanian border and managed by the UNHCR Kirehe Sub-Office,
hosts 72,533 refugees and asylum seekers, mainly from Burundi and the DRC. More
than half of the camp population are children under 18 years old, and the camp
records approximately 180 births each month. The camp continues to experience
population movements linked to family reunification, protection concerns, and
access to assistance. In the context of reduced humanitarian funding, greater
emphasis is being placed on self-reliance and graduation strategies for
refugees. UNHCR works in close collaboration with implementing partners, UN
agencies, NGOs, local authorities, and international organizations to deliver
protection and assistance services, ensure coordinated interventions, and
conduct regular field monitoring and community engagement activities in the
camp.
Task Description
Under the direct supervision of the Protection Offer, the UN
Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
- Support
the implementation and mainstreaming of the Community-Based Protection
(CBP) strategy across sectors and communities in Mahama Refugee Camp,
including the application of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on Child
Protection and Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
- Contribute
to protection inter-agency coordination, information management, advoca-cy,
documentation, and capacity-building initiatives, while maintaining
regular en-gagement with refugee communities in Mahama Camp.
- Support
the implementation of community-based protection strategies and develop
tools that promote participatory approaches, ensuring that persons of
concern are ac-tively involved in decisions affecting their rights, access
to services, and durable solu-tions.
- Support
in promoting the integration of Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) principles
across all protection interventions, with particular attention to
children, youth, older persons, persons with disabilities, marginalized
groups, and individuals with specific protection needs.
- Support
the implementation of refugee graduation strategies and the inclusion of
refu-gees in national services in collaboration with Kirehe District local
authorities.
- Assist
communities in developing community-owned initiatives addressing social,
edu-cational, psychosocial, cultural, health, organizational, livelihood,
child protection, and GBV-related concerns.
- Support
community-based feedback and complaint mechanisms, including targeted
assistance to persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
- Assist
partners in the timely identification, monitoring, and referral of
protection risks and cases, particularly for unaccompanied and separated
children (UASC), vulnerable children, and survivors of GBV, ensuring
AGD-sensitive approaches.
- Contribute
to ongoing assessments and analysis of the perspectives, capacities,
needs, and resources of persons of concern to strengthen evidence-based
protection programming and interventions.
- Support
community-based Child Protection and GBV prevention and response
mech-anisms through awareness-raising, prevention activities, referrals,
and follow-up sup-port services.
- Contribute
to capacity-building initiatives for partners and community structures on
Community-Based Protection, Child Protection, and Gender-Based Violence in
Ma-hama Refugee Camp. During the first month of the assignment, the UN
Volunteer will work closely with his/her direct supervisor to finalize an
agreed-upon work plan. The work plan should outline key objectives and
activities and include regular check ins with the supervisor to review
progress and receive performance feedback.
Competencies and values
Travel Guides & Travelogues
- Accountability
- Adaptability
and Flexibility
- Building
Trust
- Commitment
and Motivation
- Commitment
to Continuous Learning
- Communication
- Ethics
and Values
- Integrity
- Professionalism
- Respect
for Diversity
- Self-Management
- Technological
Awareness
- Working
in Teams
Living conditions and remarks
Constitutional Law & Civil Rights
Kirehe District, located in Rwanda’s Eastern Province along
the borders with Tanzania and Burundi, offers a peaceful and authentic rural
living environment shaped by its agricultural landscape. The district is
characterized by a simple, community-oriented lifestyle, where livelihoods are
primarily based on small-scale farming and livestock. Its warm, savanna-type
climate hotter and drier than much of the country creates a distinct setting
that supports agricultural activities while also influencing water access and
day-to-day comfort. Residents benefit from accessible essential services,
including basic healthcare delivered through Kirehe District Hospital,
complemented by a network of health centres and health posts that ensure
coverage across the district. Affordable accommodation options are available,
with many homes offering key amenities such as water, electricity, and durable
roofing, particularly in semi-urban areas. Overall, Kirehe provides a
cost-effective environment with fundamental needs (healthcare, housing, and
water). Kirehe is attractive area for those seeking a grounded, rural lifestyle
with essential services in place. UN Volunteers receive a Monthly Volunteer
Living Allowance (MVLA) designed to cover basic living costs including housing,
utilities, transport, and communication, ensuring a secure standard of living
in line with United Nations standards. The MVLA is not a salary or
compensation, but a subsistence allowance to prevent personal financial burden during the
assignment. Visa process: Rwanda facilitates a straightforward visa process for
international visitors: Visa on Arrival: Nationals of all countries can obtain
a visa on arrival at Kigali International Airport and all land borders, valid
for 30 days. Citizens of African Union, Commonwealth, and La Francophonie
member states receive this visa free of charge for visits up to 30 days.
Fur-ther details on the visa requirements to Rwanda can be obtained from this
link. Visit Rwanda Online Application (e-Visa): Travelers preferring to secure
a visa before arrival can apply online through the IremboGov portal. The
processing time is approximately 7 days, and fees vary based on the visa type.
For more details refer to this link. Irembo Support Visa Application
Requirements:
- A
passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry.
- A
recent passport-sized photograph.
- Completed
visa application form.
- Proof
of accommodation or invitation letter.
- Return
or onward travel ticket. Important Considerations:
- Visa
fees and processing times vary depending on nationality and visa
categories.
- It's
advisable to check the latest visa requirements before travel, as
regulations may change.
- Ensure
all required documents are prepared to support a smooth application
process. For the most up to date information, consult the Rwanda
Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration or the nearest Rwandan
embassy or consulate. Conditions of Service The Conditions of Service,
available here: https://explore.unv.org/cos, outline the policies and
rules governing UN Volunteer assignments. Full information on entitlements
at the duty station can be accessed here: https://app.unv.org/calculator.
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