Associate Registration and Identity Management Officer job at United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

General

Description of assignment title

Associate Registration and Identity Management Officer

Assignment country

Uganda

Duty stations

Yumbe

Work location

On UN premises

Expected start date

01/05/2026

Duration

6 months

(with possibility of extension)

Long-term benefits and allowances

Sustainable Development Goal

16. Peace, justice and strong institutions

Host entity

UNHCR

Modality

Onsite

Type

International

Volunteer category

Specialist UCoS from Apr2026

Work arrangement

Full-time

Number of Assignments

1

Details

Mission and objectives

The Office of the 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 ensure that everyone 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 line with this mandate UNHCR supports the Republic of Uganda in protecting individuals who seeks asylum in the country as well as those in the country at risk of being stateless or who already are considered stateless. UNHCR also provides direct assistance through implementing partners to refugees and asylum seekers in Uganda.

UNHCR puts strong effort into identifying durable solutions for all refugees in Uganda and to reduce the risk of persons in the country becoming stateless.

Context

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 protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone 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).

As of 31 August 2025, Uganda hosted 1,948,518 registered refugees, making it Africa’s largest refugee hosting country and one of the five largest refugee hosting nations in the world. Ninety-eight (98%) of the refugee population in Uganda originate from the EHAGL region. Uganda’s progressive refugee regime allows refugees freedom of movement, right to work and establish businesses, and access to social services, including health and education.

The UNHCR Sub-Office in Yumbe supports humanitarian response activities in Bidi bidi settlement, which is host to more than 209,145 refugees from South Sudan. Unfavourable political situations, armed conflicts and impact of climate change has continued to force individuals from South Sudan into Uganda for protection.

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Senior Protection Officer or his/her designated mandated representative(s) , and the technical supervision of the Senior Registration and Identity Management Officer in Kampala, the UN Volunteer Associate Registration and Identity Officer will:

• The UN Volunteer is expected to have proven experience in planning, implementing, and managing registration activities, as well as managing population data. They will be expected to:

• Oversee registration and identity management activities in Yumbe Sub-Office, including ensuring individual biographic and biometric enrolment and the issuance of identity credentials.

• Ensure that registration processes are inclusive, efficient, and take into consideration the personal data protection needs of data subjects.

• Ensure timely recording of vital events (births, marriages, deaths) of refugees and asylum-seekers in proGres, the refugee registration system.

• Provide technical guidance, support, and training to staff of UNHCR, partners, and government counterparts on the use of proGres, Biometric Identity Management System, Global Distribution Tools, and any other PRIMES (Population Registration and Identity Management EcoSystem) applications/tools utilized in the operation.

• Monitor and evaluate registration activities to ensure consistency with standard operating procedures.

• Implement data quality control activities that contribute to fraud prevention and response initiatives.

• Ensure refugee identity data is fit-for-purpose to support protection interventions, case management, and delivery of assistance.

• Provide technical support to staff on planned registration and documentation activities, including new arrival and continuous registration.

• Facilitate availability of quality data that supports refugees’ access to services such as financial services, education, and healthcare through trusted identity credentials.

• Strengthen collaboration and coordination with partners, including the Office of the Prime Minister, on refugee registration, documentation, and delivery of services.

• Prepare population statistics, as and when required, on refugee trends and changes.

• Perform other related duties as required.

Eligibility criteria

Age

18 - 80

Required experience

3 years

Nationality

Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience

3 years

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level

Bachelor's degree in Degree in Sociology, Political Science, Data Management, Business Analysis or Information Technology.

Competencies and values

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNHCR; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNHCR procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;
• Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNHCR in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority;
• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;
• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
• Planning and organizing: effective organizational and

• Oversee registration and identity management activities in Yumbe Sub-Office, including ensuring individual biographic and biometric enrolment and the issuance of identity credentials.
• Ensure that registration processes are inclusive, efficient, and take into consideration the personal data protection needs of data subjects.
• Ensure timely recording of vital events (births, marriages, deaths) of refugees and asylum-seekers in proGres, the refugee registration system.
• Provide technical guidance, support, and training to staff of UNHCR, partners, and government counterparts on the use of proGres, Biometric Identity Management System, Global Distribution Tools, and any other PRIMES (Population Registration and Identity Management EcoSystem) applications/tools utilized in the operation.
• Monitor and evaluate registration activities to ensure consistency with standard operating procedures.
• Implement data quality control activities that contribute to fraud prevention and response initiatives.
• Ensure refugee identity data is fit-for-purpose to support protection interventions, case management, and delivery of assistance.
• Provide technical support to staff on planned registration and documentation activities, including new arrival and continuous registration.
• Facilitate availability of quality data that supports refugees’ access to services such as financial services, education, and healthcare through trusted identity credentials.
• Strengthen collaboration and coordination with partners, including the Office of the Prime Minister, on refugee registration, documentation, and delivery of services.
• Prepare population statistics, as and when required, on refugee trends and changes.
• Perform other related duties as required.

• Proven experience in planning, implementing, and managing registration activities.
• Experience in managing population data.
• Proficiency in proGres, Biometric Identity Management System, Global Distribution Tools, and other PRIMES applications/tools.
• Data quality control.
• Fraud prevention and response.
• Technical support.
• Collaboration and coordination.
• Population statistics preparation.

• Degree in Sociology, Political Science, Data Management, Business Analysis or Information Technology.
• Proven experience in planning, implementing, and managing registration activities.
• Experience in managing population data.
• Proficiency in proGres, Biometric Identity Management System, Global Distribution Tools, and other PRIMES applications/tools.
• Ability to work effectively across organizational boundaries.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• Sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age.
• Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations.
• Ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues.
• Initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise.
• Ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
• Effective organizational and planning skills.