Organization Mission

The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to pro-tect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safe-guard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exer-cise 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).

Context

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is an international organisation mandated to save lives, protect the rights of refugees, and help build a better future for displaced communities and stateless people.
Formally known as the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1950, in the aftermath of the Second World War, to assist millions of people who had lost their homes.
Today, UNHCR operates in 136 countries, including the Republic of Mali, where it leads international efforts to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and stateless populations. In Koro cercle, in Mali’s central regions, where thousands of refugees from Burkina Faso have sought refuge, and where this UNV position will be based, UNHCR staff work closely with national authorities, humanitarian partners, and affected communities to provide protection, emergency assistance, and support for durable solutions.
UNHCR envisions a world where every person forced to flee can rebuild their life in safety and dignity. In all its activities, UNHCR regards displaced people as partners, placing those most affected at the heart of planning and decision-making processes. This approach is particularly vital in Central Mali, where community engagement and protection-by-presence are key to responding to the complex humanitarian challenges.
Koro cercle, in Bandiagara region, hosts tens of thousands of refugees living among host communities. UNHCR’s livelihoods strategy in Central Mali focuses on promoting self-reliance, economic inclusion, and resilience for persons we serve, while strengthening social cohesion and supporting local development.

Key Responsibilities

Facilitate strategic partnerships with public and private stakeholders to promote the economic inclusion of UNHCR PoC. This includes:
Supporting economic development agencies to adapt programmes to be inclusive of refugees.
Engaging with private sector actors to promote refugee inclusion in labour markets and supply chains.
Collaborating with financial service providers to improve access to financial services.
Advocating for the inclusion of PoC in support services such as business development, vocational training, microfinance, poverty alleviation, and social protection schemes.
Collaborate with the Protection Unit and other members of the multi-functional team to gather and analyse information on the legal framework governing the right to work and labour rights for refugees and asylum seekers in Mali.
Support the design and implementation of socioeconomic profiling and wealth ranking surveys to inform targeting, monitoring, and engagement with development actors.
Participate in assessments and studies in coordination with relevant stakeholders, including:
Impact assessments on local economies.
Market and value chain analyses.
Surveys to identify investment opportunities and funding mechanisms that support refugee economic inclusion.
Provide technical support to livelihoods interventions implemented by UNHCR or partners, ensuring they are:
Market-driven and context-specific.
Designed with a clear understanding of UNHCR’s comparative advantage.
Inclusive of both refugee and host community needs.
Maintain regular liaison with partners and local authorities on livelihoods-related matters, under the technical guidance of the supervisor.
Prepare field reports and analytical briefs on livelihoods activities, challenges, and opportunities. Provide actionable recommendations to enhance refugee self-reliance and economic integration.
Support the planning and organisation of livelihoods-related events, including training workshops, community consultations, and stakeholder coordination meetings.
Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E):
Support the development and implementation of M&E frameworks for livelihoods programmes, including indicators, tools, and methodologies.
Collect and analyse data to track progress, measure impact, and inform programme adjustments.
Contribute to regular monitoring reports, evaluations, and learning reviews.
Ensure that feedback from refugees and host communities is integrated into programme design and implementation.
Maintain updated records and databases related to livelihoods activities and outcomes

Required Skills and Experience

Technical competencies in sub-sectors relevant to economic development e.g. microfinance,
employment, entrepreneurship, private sector development, local economic development, poverty
reduction, agriculture, livestock, vocational and technical education and training, etc.
Experience in facilitating the economic inclusion of vulnerable and marginalized groups in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, ideally in varied field contexts.
Experience in working with and developing partnerships with private sector, NGOs, UN organisations,
and government authorities in sub-sectors relevant to livelihood programming e.g. microfinance,
employment, entrepreneurship, private sector development, local economic development, poverty
reduction, agriculture, livestock, vocational and technical education and training, etc.

Core Competencies

Adaptability and Flexibility
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Communication
Integrity
Planning and Organizing
Professionalism
Respect for Diversity
Working in Teams

Living Conditions

The assignment is based in Mopti, an E-category duty station, characterized by more demanding living conditions compared to the capital. Housing options are limited, but staff can access UNDSS-approved secure residences. Amenities are more restricted than in Bamako: there are some local markets and shops, but the availability of imported goods remains limited. Power and water outages are frequent, making the use of generators and water storage systems essential. Health facilities in the region are limited, and serious medical cases generally require evacuation to Bamako.
The climate is hot and dry for most of the year, with a rainy season between May and September that can render certain roads impassable. Road travel is particularly risky due to poor road conditions, traffic, and insecurity in some areas.
Security
Mopti and its surrounding region are classified as level 5 (high) on the United Nations security scale (1 to 6). The security situation remains marked by the presence of armed groups, terrorism-related incidents, intercommunal clashes, and risks of abduction. Staff are required to strictly comply with UNHCR and UNDSS security directives, including movement restrictions. Travel outside Mopti requires prior authorization and security escorts.
Threats linked to criminality, armed attacks, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are frequent in central Mali. While Mopti town is relatively calmer than some surrounding rural areas, the security situation remains unstable and unpredictable.
As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the volunteer will be responsible for arranging their own housing and basic needs, while adhering to prevailing security standards.