Assistant Environment Officer

August 4, 2026

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

E (most hardship)

Non Family with Residential LocationUNOPS LICA8

2026-09-01Terms of Reference

I. Position Information

Position Title
Assistant Environment Officer

ICS Level
LICA 8

Position Area
Operations

Organizational Unit
UNHCR Somalia Representation

Duty Station
Mogadishu, Somalia

Duration
12 Months

II. Organizational Context: About the Country Office
UNHCR Somalia leads protection, assistance and durable solutions for refugees, asylum-seekers, refugee returnees, internally displaced persons and host communities across Somalia. Working closely with the Federal Government of Somalia, Federal Member States, development partners, United Nations agencies and civil society organizations, UNHCR supports humanitarian response, resilience and solutions in one of the world's most complex displacement situations.
The UNHCR Representation Office in Mogadishu provides technical guidance, engagement with national authorities, partners across the country and oversight to UNHCR's field and sub-offices throughout Somalia, including locations such as Doolow, Bossaso, and Hargeisa.
Job Specific Context
The Assistant Environment Officer supports the integration of environmental sustainability and climate resilience into UNHCR operations, programmes, and projects benefiting refugees, asylum-seekers, returnees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and host communities. Working under the direct supervision of Associate External
Relations Officer, the incumbent contributes to the planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of environmental activities aimed at reducing environmental degradation and promoting sustainable natural resource management.
The position requires close collaboration with programme, shelter, protection, and site planning units to ensure environmental considerations are mainstreamed across humanitarian interventions. The incumbent supports environmental assessments, environmental impact analyses, natural resource management initiatives, ecosystem restoration activities, and climate adaptation measures within refugee-hosting areas.
The Assistant Environment Officer regularly conducts field missions to monitor environmental conditions, assess environmental risks, collect data, and support implementation of activities such as reforestation, afforestation, watershed management, sustainable land use, waste management, renewable energy promotion, and clean cooking solutions. The role involves working closely with government environmental agencies, implementing partners, local authorities, community-based organizations, and affected communities to promote environmentally sustainable practices and compliance with national environmental regulations.
The incumbent contributes to environmental monitoring and reporting by collecting and analyzing environmental data, maintaining relevant databases, tracking performance indicators, and preparing technical reports, briefing notes, and donor updates. The position also supports the development of environmental management plans, environmental safeguards, and mitigation measures for infrastructure and settlement development projects.
The Assistant Environment Officer is expected to promote community awareness and capacity building on environmental conservation, climate change adaptation, and sustainable resource management. The role requires strong analytical, coordination, and communication skills, as well as the ability to work effectively in multicultural and multidisciplinary environments, often in remote and operationally challenging field locations.
The position plays a key role in supporting UNHCR's commitments to environmental sustainability, climate action, and the protection of natural resources while contributing to improved living conditions and resilience for both displaced and host populations.
Job Highlight
The Assistant Environment Officer will support the integration of environmental safeguards, climate risk reduction, environmental compliance, and sustainable construction practices throughout project planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting as well as provide technical support to other UNHCR offices within Somalia. The role ensures that housing and site-development activities across the four IDP settlements are environmentally sound, climate-sensitive, consistent with the ESIA/ESMP and applicable AfDB safeguards and delivered in a way that minimizes harm to communities and ecosystems, in line with 'do no harm' and protection principles.
Role Purpose
To support the planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of environmental sustainability and climate action initiatives within UNHCR operations and to the donor i.e AfDB. The position contributes to the integration of environmental considerations across humanitarian programmes, promotes sustainable natural resource management, and supports measures that mitigate environmental degradation in refugee-hosting areas. The Assistant Environment Officer works closely with communities, partners, and technical sectors to strengthen environmental protection, climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods while ensuring compliance with UNHCR environmental policies, standards, and national regulations. The role also supports environmental assessments, ecosystem restoration, environmental awareness, and the adoption of environmentally sustainable practices that improve the well-being and resilience of displaced and host populations.
The Assistant Environment Officer shall carry out all work in alignment with:
•
Applicable Somali national and Jubaland State environmental regulations and local authorities requirements;
•
Donor (AfDB) environmental and social safeguards, including the Integrated Safeguards System (Operational Safeguards, notably OS1, OS3, OS4) and the project's E&S obligations under the Tripartite Agreement Material Actions.
•
Approved project documents, the ESIA/ESMP and site EMPs, and the SEP.
•
Protection principles, accountability to affected populations (AAP), PSEA and 'do no harm';
•
Occupational health and safety requirements at the environment–OH interface.
•
Relevant humanitarian shelter and settlement standards (e.g. Sphere, UNHCR guidance) as applicable.
III. Functions / Key Results Expected
Environmental screening, assessment and safeguards instruments
•
Conduct environmental screening and site-level environmental assessments for works across Kabasa, Qansaxlay, Ladan and Kaharey and other locations whenever requested.
•
Support the preparation, implementation and monitoring of the ESMP and site-specific Environmental Management Plans (EMPs), and review the Contractor ESMP (C-ESMP) for adequacy before works start.
•
Maintain an environmental risk register and ensure ESMP mitigation measures (Tables 8.1–8.3) are translated into practical site controls.
Risk identification and mitigation
•
Identify environmental risks linked to shelter construction, settlement planning, drainage, sanitation, access roads, material sourcing, borrow pits, waste management and site clearance.
•
Advise on mitigation measures to reduce soil erosion, flooding, water contamination, dust, noise, vegetation loss, poor waste disposal, and unsafe construction practices — including protection of the Dawa/Jubba riverbanks, water sources, and existing pipelines.
•
Support climate-resilient, flood-sensitive and resource-efficient housing and settlement approaches (OS3/OS4).
Compliance monitoring and site controls
•
Monitor contractor, subcontractor, and implementing partner compliance with environmental safeguards requirements and ESMP mitigation measures.
•
Review construction methods, material sourcing, borrow pits, waste-disposal sites and site-restoration measures; promote safe handling, storage and disposal of construction waste and hazardous materials.
•
Support drainage planning, flood-risk reduction, erosion control and site rehabilitation, including native vegetation restoration where feasible.
Field monitoring, reporting and incident management
•
Conduct regular field-monitoring visits and prepare environmental compliance reports with clear findings and corrective actions.
•
Support environmental incident reporting, corrective-action planning and follow-up to closure, and escalate serious incidents through agreed pathways.
•
Ensure environmental considerations are integrated into BOQs, technical specifications, contracts, site instructions and progress reports, and contribute environmental inputs to donor and AfDB E&S reporting.
Community engagement, training and coordination
•
Support community consultations on environmental risks, mitigation measures and complaint channels, in line with the SEP, and ensure the GRM/CFM (including confidential GBV/SEA/SH channels) is communicated and accessible.
•
Train project staff, contractors, implementing partners and community representatives on environmental safeguards, waste management and safe construction practices.
•
Coordinate with the Project Engineer, Site Planner, contractors, supervision consultant, local authorities, implementing partners and relevant government environmental and disaster-management offices.
Contribute to project documentation and lessons learned on environmental performance
IV. Skills (Select maximum of 9 skills from the list)
•
Sound knowledge of environmental safeguards, climate resilience and construction-related environmental risks.
•
Environmental monitoring, screening and assessment skills; competent report writing and documentation.
•
Practical understanding of waste management, pollution control (dust, noise, water) and erosion/flood mitigation.
•
Community engagement, coordination and training/facilitation skills.
•
Problem-solving, sound field judgement and clear communication.
•
Cultural sensitivity, safeguarding, PSEA and 'do no harm' awareness.
•
Ability to work safely and effectively in remote and insecure field environments.
VI. Qualifications
Education
University degree (Bachelor's minimum) in Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Natural Resource Management, Civil/Environmental Engineering, Climate Change, Geography or a related field.
Experience
•
Minimum Four – Five years relevant experience in environmental safeguards, infrastructure/construction monitoring, housing/shelter, settlement planning, WASH or humanitarian/development projects; donor-funded project experience required.
•
Demonstrated experience in Somalia or comparable fragile/displacement contexts, including IDP or host-community settings, strongly preferred.
•
Safeguards knowledge: Familiarity with ESMP/EMP implementation and monitoring; exposure to the AfDB ISS, World Bank ESF or equivalent is an advantage.
VII. Language requirements Proficiency level Required/Desired
English
C 1: Advanced
Somali
C1: Advanced

 

Standard Job Description

Assistant Environment Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Assistant Environment Officer will work closely with colleagues responsible for protection, site planning, water and sanitation, shelter, nutrition, education, health, community services and livelihoods. The incumbent will support the UNHCR Office on all issues related to environment and climate change, including mainstreaming into all sectors and aspects of the country operation.
Regular and frequent discussions between the incumbent and the supervisor(s) are necessary to ensure that the latest best practices and procedures are shared and applied consistently on issues related to environment. The incumbent will undertake missions to the camps and liaise with (sub-) offices on the implementation of environment programmes. In addition, the staff member will maintain regular contact with UN technical agencies, development partners, line ministries and agencies, implementing and operational partners as needed.

Refugee operations inherently degrade environments because of changes in land use and increased use of natural resources. It is imperative to ensure environmental mitigation measures are in place to ensure sustainable natural resource use for wellbeing refugees and host communities.

Proactive coordination and collaboration with key stakeholders, including refugees and host communities, is required to synergise resources. Interventions are evidence-based to ensure their appropriateness. Environment and social screening in addition to environmental impact assessments will be required to evaluate the Operation.

The Assistant Environment Officer should be capable of working with minimum supervision in project submissions, revisions and reallocations throughout the project lifecycle in the environmental programme. S/he will be instrumental in contributing to the development of specific inputs related to the sector and must meet reporting requirements. The incumbent should be part of the Multi-function Team to ensure that environmental concerns are mainstreamed and taken into consideration in any decision making process.


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
- Ensure environmental considerations are systematically included when assessing the needs of PoCs.
- Based on assessments, and in consultation with relevant stakeholders, draft sustainable solutions to address the basic needs of PoCs while mitigating the environmental impact of the interventions.
- Advise site planners on mainstreaming environmental considerations throughout the settlement design process with due consideration for the environmental conditions in surrounding host areas.
- Work in close coordination with all relevant sectors and clusters in UNHCR, including Protection, WASH, Health, Shelter and Settlements, Livelihoods, Energy, Camp Coordination & Camp Management to ensure environmental concerns and impact mitigation measures are included in operational responses.
- Collect, analyse and update data and information concerning the environmental status of settlements and broader hosting areas.
- Contribute to internal and external reporting commitments, including proposal drafting for environment and energy while ensuring new projects are coherent and visibly complement planned interventions at (sub) office level.
- Ensure all responses work toward environmental sustainability for both PoCs and host communities.
- Assist Programme in the technical oversight of UNHCR implementing partners to ensure environmental considerations are adequately integrated in technical interventions.
- Support quality monitoring of interventions, track and record relevant indicators in UNHCR's corporate tools.
- Stay abreast of new technologies and relevant partnerships related to environment and climate change to more efficiently respond to the needs of PoCs, in line with the Global Compact on Refugees.
- Assist training and capacity building activities to address the identified skills and knowledge gaps.

- 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 P1/NOA - 1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Environmental Studies, Management of Natural Resources, Agriculture, Forestry
or other related fields.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified.

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Experience in environmental assessment, planning, monitoring and evaluation of integrated environmental programmes/projects in displacement and stable situations. Awareness of and practical experience with refugee-related environmental problems. Familiarity with emerging environmentally sustainable and appropriate technologies, and renewable energy. Familiarity with community-based and participatory approaches.
Desirable
Budgeting, planning experience, ability to work with various (relevant) computer software.

Functional Skills
IT-Computer Literacy
SP-Environmental Assessment/Planning/Monitoring/Evaluation of integrated projects/programs
CO-Drafting and Documentation
(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.

Required Languages

,

,

Desired Languages

,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CO-Drafting and Documentation, IT-Computer Literacy, SP-Environmental Assessment/Planning/Monitoring/Evaluation of integrated projects/programs

Education

Bachelor of Arts: Agriculture, Bachelor of Arts: Environment, Bachelor of Arts: Forestry, Bachelor of Arts: Natural Resources Management

Certifications

Other information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

Remote

No