Senior Resettlement Assistant

UNHCR Ethiopia is seeking a Senior Resettlement Assistant (GS‑5) for a General Service appointment in Gambella Sub‑Office starting in April 2026. This full‑time role is central to supporting resettlement operations in one of Ethiopia’s largest refugee contexts, with over 446,000 South Sudanese refugees across multiple camps. The position requires strong administrative and protection support skills, including case preparation, interviews, counselling, and coordination with resettlement partners. Candidates must demonstrate resilience, analytical ability, and cross‑cultural communication skills to ensure effective delivery of UNHCR’s resettlement program.

About UNHCR Ethiopia

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, protects and assists refugees and displaced persons worldwide. In Ethiopia, UNHCR supports large refugee populations, particularly in Gambella, through resettlement, protection, and durable solutions. The agency operates under UN Charter principles, UN Staff Regulations, and UNHCR’s policies, ensuring professionalism, integrity, and respect for diversity.

Job Overview

The Senior Resettlement Assistant will provide clerical and administrative support to resettlement operations in Gambella. Reporting to the Associate Protection Officer, the incumbent assists in interviews, prepares documentation for resettlement submissions, and maintains accurate case records.

The role also involves liaising with embassies, immigration officials, IOM, and partners, coordinating travel and departure arrangements, and supporting resettlement missions. The incumbent contributes to meeting resettlement quotas while ensuring compliance with UNHCR’s resettlement policies and anti‑fraud procedures.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct preliminary interviews and assessments for resettlement.
• Prepare documentation and maintain updated case files.
• Review cases and draft submissions for supervisor’s scrutiny.
• Provide refugees with accurate information on resettlement procedures.
• Follow up on cases from submission to departure.
• Maintain and update proGres/CORTS databases.
• Coordinate travel and departure arrangements for accepted refugees.
• Organize logistical support for resettlement missions.
• Provide administrative support for resettlement workshops and meetings.
• Maintain resettlement statistics and prepare reports.
• Draft routine correspondence and apply Age, Gender, and Diversity perspectives.
• Report suspected resettlement fraud.
• Provide counselling to persons of concern.

Required Qualifications & Skills

Education

• High School Diploma with 2 years relevant experience; or
• Bachelor’s degree with 1 year relevant experience.

Work Experience

• Administrative or protection support experience in refugee resettlement.

Technical Skills

• Refugee resettlement programs*
• Resettlement anti‑fraud policy and procedures*
• Cross‑cultural communication*

Soft Skills

• Analytical thinking, drafting ability, teamwork, and stakeholder management.

(*Essential skills as per UNHCR standards)

Preferred Additional Qualifications

• Experience interviewing refugees/asylum seekers with REG and RST processes.
• Ability to prepare high‑quality Resettlement Registration Forms (RRFs).
• Proficiency in proGres v4, CORTS, BIMS, and Microsoft Office.
• Fluency in English; knowledge of Amharic, Nuer, and/or Anyuak is an asset.
• Experience mitigating resettlement fraud and awareness of political context.

Duty Station Work Location

• Primary Location: Gambella Sub‑Office, Ethiopia
• Work Mode: Onsite, hardship duty station (non‑family assignment)

Salary & Benefits

Salary and benefits will be provided in accordance with the organization’s pay scale and Ethiopian labor standards.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit applications through the official UNHCR recruitment portal before February 15, 2026. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Equal Opportunity Statement

UNHCR Ethiopia is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from qualified individuals regardless of background, promoting fair employment practices in Ethiopia.