Deadline for Applications

September 7, 2026

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

E (most hardship)

Family Type (not applicable for home-based)

Non Family with Residential Location

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

UNOPS LICA8

Target Start Date

2026-10-01

Terms of Reference

Terms 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.

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

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.