Job Description

Please note that this vacancy is only open to eligible staff members who have been individually notified of their eligibility to apply for positions advertised in the Accelerated Posting Compendium.

June 12, 2026

E (most hardship)

Non Family with Residential LocationDanger Pay

Nairobi (CO), Kenya

PR2

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-05-26

Associate GBV Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Associate GBV Officer supports the operations' efforts to fulfil UNHCR's mandate and associated obligations on GBV prevention, risk mitigation and response based on policy and guidance.

The Associate GBV Officer normally reports to a higher-grade GBV or protection staff or the Head of Office who defines overall work objectives and provides regular advice and guidance. S/he will coordinate quality, timely and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern and identify opportunities to mainstream GBV in all sectors. S/he contributes to designing a comprehensive GBV strategy and liaises externally with authorities and partners on GBV standards and policy as guided by the supervisor. S/he will focus on strengthening GBV case management supervision as well as safe and ethical data collection and further analysis of GBV trends. The incumbent will also ensure quality prevention and risk mitigation interventions.
S/he collaborates closely with the UNHCR management and the Protection team in the country and strengthens working relations with other agencies involved in GBV prevention, risk mitigation and response. S/he promotes alignment with GBV minimum standards and respect of GBV Guiding Principles.

The Associate GBV Officer also ensures thatforcibly displaced and stateless persons, women and girls, are involved with the Office in making decisions that affect them, whether in accessing their rights or in identifying appropriate solutions to their problems. To achieve this, the incumbent will need to build and maintain effective interfaces with communities of concern, local authorities and protection and assistance partners

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
Implementation of UNHCR's Global Policies and Standards
- Contribute to the effective and timely development, implementation and monitoring of a clear and coherent multi-year and multi-sectoral GBV strategy as part of the operation's broader Protection and Solutions Strategy, coordinate timely reporting on progress including the documentation of promising practices.
- Participate in the promotion of compliance with UNHCR's GBV policy, priorities and commitments (aligned with policies on age, gender, diversity (AGD) and accountability to affected populations (AAP), child protection, gender equality, disability and youth empowerment.
- Assist UNHCR management at country level to strengthen alignment with the survivor-centred approach and GBV guiding principles within the implementation of PSEA policies.

Planning / Programming
- Support the development and implementation of programming for specialized GBV prevention and response based on needs, risks and capacity assessments at the onset of an emergency and throughout all phases of displacement.
- Participate in conducting, consolidating and reporting on GBV assessments including gender equality components at least once per year, linked to annual planning processes and participatory assessments and sharing strategic trends analyses.
- Contribute to planning processes and advocate for adequate resource (re)allocation and mobilization.
- Support cross-cutting programs and technical sectors to mainstream gender and to program for mitigation of GBV risks in their specific technical areas, and report on progress.

Capacity Development, Technical Support and Coordination
- Provide technical guidance and support field colleagues to operationalise and comply with UNHCR's GBV policy, priorities and commitments (aligned with policies on AGD and AAP, child protection, disability, youth empowerment and gender equality).
- Provide coaching and trainings on GBV as well as technical support on gender and GBV mainstreaming
- Under the guidance of the Senior Protection Officer, support and facilitate the establishment of and ensure the functioning of GBV coordination mechanisms with all relevant stakeholders.
- Facilitate and strengthen the development and implementation of GBV Standard Operating Procedures for all sites that enable all survivors to access, at a minimum, appropriate health, psychosocial, security and safety, and legal support.
- Support and build capacity and systems for individual GBV case management for survivors and persons at-risk of GBV.
- Ensure safe and ethical GBV data collection and reporting is functioning and regular reporting is done on GBV, including through PRIMES and protection monitoring processes. Promote the use of the GBV module of PRIMES or another GBV information management system that provides for safe and ethical data collection and analysis. Where applicable, support reporting under the Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Arrangements on conflict-related sexual violence (MARA).

Partnerships
- Strengthen UNHCR's collaboration with host governments to develop national services in order to expand safe access for forcibly displaced and stateless persons to services that prevent, mitigate, and respond to GBV.
- Support the capacity development of staff, partners and other stakeholders to address GBV and to promote gender equality and the empowerment of displaced women and girls.
- Strengthen partnerships including with UN agencies, governments, civil society and with displaced and host communities, to prevent, mitigate, and respond to GBV, to promote gender equality and to ensure age and gender-informed protection and solution programs.
- Support the application of community-based approaches in GBV programming and communities considered as key stakeholders.

- 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 P2/NOB - 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Human Rights, Social Anthropology, Social Work,
Law; International Development, Social Sciences,
or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
3 years of previous work experience relevant to the function of GBV in an international context, of which two years in the field and having experience in the field of GBV prevention, mitigation and response, broader protection or social work involving empowerment of women and girls, gender, child protection, mental health, counselling and working with survivors, humanitarian and development issues. Applied experience in survivor-centred approach, GBV guiding and case management principles related to GBV programs. Demonstrated knowledge in gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls and apply, promote and integrate gender analysis into humanitarian programming. Demonstrated knowledge of and implementation of multi-sectorial responses to GBV and support to other sectors to mainstream GBV prevention, risk mitigation and response. Demonstrated knowledge and application of GBV prevention theory and appropriate GBV prevention and behaviour change strategies at different stages of the humanitarian response. Knowledge and demonstrated use of UNHCR and Interagency GBV tools and Guidance.

Desirable
Demonstrated understanding of critical issues around GBV data and knowledge of safe and ethical data collection and analysis and conducting assessments. Demonstrated knowledge of engagement with GBV Interagency humanitarian architecture. Knowledge and experience of participatory approaches to engaging with and mobilizing communities Good understanding of displacement and protection issues including, child protection, education and the application of the Age, Gender and Diversity Policy.

Functional Skills
IT-Computer Literacy
PR-Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD)
PR-Gender Based Violence (GBV) Capacity development and training
PR-Gender Based Violence (GBV) Coordination
PR-Gender Based Violence (GBV) prevention programming
PR-Gender Based Violence (GBV) response programming
PR-Gender Based Violence (GBV) risk mitigation
TR-Training - Virtual and face to face
(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.

Essential attributes:
• Relevant GBV and protection experience: Substantial experience in GBV prevention, mitigation and response, or related protection/social work, including support to women and girls, survivors, and vulnerable groups in humanitarian or development contexts.
• Field-based GBV expertise: Substantial field experience applying survivor-centered approaches, GBV guiding principles, and case management in humanitarian or displacement settings, with experience in complex or emergency environments.
• Strong technical knowledge of GBV programming: Demonstrated expertise in GBV prevention, behavior change strategies, and gender equality, with the ability to integrate gender analysis and mainstream GBV risk mitigation across sectors.
• Multi-sectoral and inter-agency coordination: Proven experience supporting multi-sectoral GBV responses and working effectively with diverse partners including NGOs, UN agencies, government, and community-based and women-led organizations.
-Experience in large-scale displacement or remote operations is essential
Desirable attributes:
- Ability to coordinate partners, facilitate meetings, follow up on actions, strengthen partner capacity, and contribute to joint analysis and coherent referral pathways
-Solid experience in protection analysis, GBV information management, ethical data handling, and use of UNHCR and inter-agency GBV tools and guidance.
-Knowledge of Arabic is considered advantageous.
-Familiarity with operations in Africa, including complex emergency and protracted displacement contexts

,

,

,

,

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

The operational environment in Sudan has undergone a profound shift since armed conflict erupted on 15 April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Since then, security conditions have continued to deteriorate, particularly in Darfur and the Kordofan regions, leaving the country in a highly volatile state as humanitarian needs rapidly intensify. The conflict has severely worsened living conditions, aggravated longstanding intercommunal and ethnic tensions, and generated grave protection risks, including killings, sexual violence, forced recruitment, abductions, looting, and large-scale displacement.

As of November 2025, Sudan hosts close to 9.3 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), with over 7 million newly displaced since the conflict began. An additional 4.4 million people have fled across borders into neighbouring countries. Current inter-agency displacement figures exceed the combined total of the previous four years, underscoring the scale of the crisis both within Sudan and across the region. According to the inter-agency Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP), the number of people in need increased from 15.8 million in November 2022 to 30.4 million in January 2025, largely driven by the ongoing conflict.

Despite the insecurity, Sudan continues to host a significant refugee population. As of 31 December 2025, the country shelters 859,974 refugees, primarily from South Sudan (73.8%), Eritrea (16%), and Ethiopia (8%). Sudan remains a key asylum country, receiving 84,038 new arrivals in 2025 from these same countries. 66% percent of refugees reside in camps, while 34% live in out‑of‑camp settings. The refugee population is 51% female and 49% male.

In areas where security has improved, displaced Sudanese have begun returning. To date, approximately 3 million people have returned to their areas of origin—81% (about 2.46 million) from internal displacement and 19% (about 567,000) from abroad. Most returns have occurred in Khartoum and Aj Jazirah, driven primarily by improved security. Nearly all returnees (99%) have returned to their exact places of origin, despite widespread destruction of shelters and limited access to essential services.

Throughout the conflict, UNHCR remains committed to staying and delivering inside Sudan. International and national staff continue to operate from eight locations across the country, providing protection and assistance to forcibly displaced populations both as part of emergency response and regular programming.

For operational coordination, the Sudan operation is structured around four main corridors:

• Western Corridor – covering the Darfur and Kordofan regions; access remains significantly constrained.
• Eastern Corridor – covering Kassala and Gedaref; fully accessible with no major operational constraints.
• Southern Corridor – covering White Nile and Blue Nile states; generally accessible, though periodic security incidents cause temporary disruptions.
• Northern Corridor – covering Wadi Halfa, Omdurman (Khartoum), and Port Sudan, where the Representation Office is located.

Additionally, a back office in Nairobi provides limited operational support functions.

The incumbent will be required to coordinate many partners and support the delivery of GBV prevention, risk mitigation and response activities across a complex, multi-corridor emergency operation. Based in Port Sudan, the Associate GBV Officer will work under the supervision of the Senior Protection Officer and will provide technical, coordination and operational support to UNHCR field offices, protection partners, community-based structures and relevant inter-agency mechanisms.

The position requires the incumbent to support implementation of UNHCR’s GBV programme in an environment characterized by active conflict, mass displacement, returns, severe service gaps, restricted humanitarian access and high levels of under-reported GBV. The incumbent will support survivor-centered, age-, gender- and diversity-sensitive programming, with particular attention to women and girls, children at risk, persons with disabilities, older persons, refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced persons, returnees and host communities.

The Associate GBV Officer will contribute to strengthening GBV case management, psychosocial support, safe disclosure and referral pathways, risk mitigation across sectors, community-based prevention, women and girls’ participation, and partner capacity. The incumbent will support field teams and partners to identify and address risks related to sexual violence, intimate partner violence, early and forced marriage, sexual exploitation, harassment, trafficking and other forms of GBV. The position will also support mainstreaming of GBV risk mitigation in WASH, shelter, health, education, registration, cash, livelihoods and protection activities.

The incumbent will be expected to maintain regular coordination with national and local authorities, UN agencies, international and national non-governmental organizations, women-led organizations, community-based protection networks, GBV service providers and other protection actors. The position requires strong coordination skills, as the operation relies on decentralized delivery models, multi-purpose community centres, community-based protection networks, paralegal committees and local partners to sustain outreach, referrals, GBV prevention and social cohesion in volatile contexts.

The Associate GBV Officer will operate in a high-pressure emergency setting that requires frequent coordination with field offices, partners and inter-agency mechanisms, including remote support to locations where direct access is constrained. The position requires a proactive mature attitude and the ability to perform well under stress, albeit in less- than-ideal living and working conditions. Therefore, flexibility and the ability to live and operate in hardship conditions are essential.

Living and Working Conditions:

The climate in Port Sudan is hot desert with hot summers and moderately hot winters. The average annual rainfall is 76 mm. January, February and March are the coldest months with mean daily minimum temperature of 23ﹾC whereas June, July and August are the hottest months with daily mean temperature between 32 to 35ﹾ C. There is a UN clinic in Port Sudan. Subsequently, Port Sudan is classified as E and non-family duty station with 4 weeks R&R cycle. Sensitivity to the Sudanese culture and dress code is very important. Port Sudan office has a guesthouse for international staff accommodation combined with the office space. The guesthouse is equipped with TV. Food stuffs are available in the local markets and one can eat/buy food in the local restaurants. Bottled water and water dispensers are recommended for drinking as the quality of the tap water is not adequate. The internet connectivity even though stable, can be erratic at times. Staff members are strongly recommended to bring toiletries, medicines that they use regularly, books etc. Assigned staff needs to have completed the BSAFE module and produce copies of certification to obtain UN identification card in Sudan and update the TRIP profile.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Bachelor of Arts: Anthropology, Bachelor of Arts: Human Rights, Bachelor of Arts: International Development, Bachelor of Arts: Law, Bachelor of Arts: Social Science, Bachelor of Arts: Social Work

Certifications

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Managing performance, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Accelerated Posting Compendium 2026 - Part B

Additional Information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance