JOB DESCRIPTION

B

Family

Family

PR4

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2025-07-23

August 8, 2025

Senior Registration and Identity Management Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The UNHCR Data Transformation Strategy 2020-2025 envisions that by 2025 UNHCR becomes a trusted leader on data and information related to refugees and other forcibly displaced and stateless persons, thereby enabling actions to protect and to empower them. The Strategy invests in four complementary priority areas: data management and governance; information systems; capacities and skill development; and culture for evidence-informed decision-making. The Data Transformation Strategy also includes UNHCR’s forward learning action plan on digital identity and the importance of strengthening a trusted and secure digital platform to facilitate protection and solutions, assistance delivery and the inclusion of POCs in State systems and their increased access to services.

The Senior Registration and Identity Management Officer (SRIMO) will function under the direct supervision of the Head of the Registration and Biometrics Unit, Digital Identity Unit or Development and Support Unit in the Digital Identity and Registration Service of the Global Data Service (HQs) or the (Senior) DIMA Coordinator where applicable or other staff as delegated, preferably to Senior Protection or Registration staff in the Section, Bureau or Country operation . The incumbent manages and oversees UNHCR’s registration, identity management-and digital identity related activities in the region or country.

The SRIMO coordinates closely with registration operations, Bureau and advises on identity management of POCs, and will support, monitor and advise on registration or enrolment-related activities, whether conducted by UNHCR, partners or Governments. S/he is responsible for ensuring that registration/enrolment activities in the region/ country follow global registration and identity management practices, policies, standards and guidance and will also advocate for the strengthening of human resource capacity building in the areas of registration, identity management and digital identity. The position supports the operationalization of identity management and digital identity strategies such as the inclusion of refugees and asylum-seekers into host States’ population registers and digital identity systems and the registration of birth, marriages, deaths and other vital events of forcibly displaced persons in the host Government’s civil registries. The incumbent will also ensure that identity management systems and practices are actively leveraged to support all UNHCR activities, including identification of specific needs, targeting and delivery of assistance, support to protection intervention, fraud mitigation and response, data protection, case management and conduct of durable solution processes.

The incumbent will also support digital identity activities (including contributing to standard setting, pilots, projects or programmes) with the aim of increasing the trust in the identity credentials of POCs to increase access to humanitarian assistance, protection, solutions and public and private sector services (including connectivity and financial services) whilst ensuring the appropriate protection of their privacy and personal data. The SRIMO must also ensure there is reliable data and analysis relating to POCs’ registration, identity management and digital identification at global, regional and country levels (as appropriate) including for strategy development and monitoring and evaluation.

The SRIMO is a key custodian of UNHCR’s refugee registration, identity management and assistance delivery systems, which include global, regional and country applications (as relevant and applicable), biometrics systems and offline solutions. S/he supports field operations with alignment of registration and case management standard operating procedures to global refugee registration systems applications, guidance and digital identity technical standards. As delegated, the SRIMO may assist with strategy development and implementation, negotiation and discussions related to granting access to or sharing of personal data with partners and external systems. The SRIMO liaises with relevant technical counterparts on technical troubleshooting and management in refugee registration and case management systems in close coordination and collaboration with the relevant entities at country, regional and global levels.

The SRIMO promotes the implementation and interoperability between UNHCR’s digital registration and identification systems and third parties’ digital identification systems, including those of governments, partner humanitarian organisations and privates sector systems, as appropriate.

The incumbent coordinates closely with registration operations in the Field as well as other SRIMO in Bureaux and the Global Data Service to promote regional and global consistency in practices relating to registration, identity management and digital identification. The SDIRO also works closely with Government, key UN and international organizations, NGOs and partners to establish the parameters for UNHCR’s support in registration, identity management and digital identity activities.

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
– Oversee the design, implementation and monitoring of registration/enrolment, identity management and digital identity strategy/ies for forcibly displaced and stateless persons in compliance with global and regional protection and inclusion objectives and priorities, ensuring that global standards are met, and appropriate methodologies, tools and technologies are implemented.
– Advise and provide technical support to staff on planned registration, identity management and digital identity activities.
– Respond to field requests for technical support and capacity building in emergency and ongoing displacement situations, including development of registration, identity management and digital identity strategies, logistical planning, budgeting and resource management.
– Promote the prioritisation of registration, identity management and digital identity in operations across the region/ country during the Annual Programme Review and emergency response.
– Develop and disseminate specific operational guidance, instructions and capacity-development initiatives, in accordance with policy and guidance disseminated by the Global Data Service in headquarters.
– Design appropriate procedures and systems for assurance of quality registration data and conduct regular data quality and audit checks to monitor the accuracy of data collected, as well as developing processes systems for identification and prevention of registration and identity fraud.
– Provide support for maintenance of global refugee systems, including technical capacity-development and support to internal and external users, partner access management and adjudication considerations as may be required.
– Support the country team to establish and strengthen internal digital identity, registration and identity management capacity and/or that of government counterparts to manage registration, identity management and digital identity programmes and maintain population data.
– Advocate with and support government authorities to establish and strengthen fair and efficient registration and digital identification procedures and systems and that POCs’ identity documents or credentials are recognised for the purposes of accessing humanitarian, public and private sector services
– Establish linkages with key partners to implement appropriate case and data management approaches for efficient, accountable and standardized targeting and delivery of assistance and other programming and protection needs.
– Support the negotiation and operationalization with government and UN partners related to interoperability of external digital identification systems with UNHCR digital refugee registration and identity management systems.
– In close coordination and collaboration with relevant entities at the country, regional and headquarters levels liaise and actively engage with government, humanitarian and development actors, and the private sector to promote the inclusion of refugees and asylum-seekers into host States’ population registers and digital identity systems and the registration of birth, marriages, deaths and other vital events of forcibly displaced persons in the host Government’s civil registry. This can include promoting the inclusion of POCs in national development programs related to strengthening Civil Registration and Vital Statistics systems, national population register or digital identification systems.
– Support the collection of reliable data and the availability of effective analysis relating to POCs’ registration, identity management and digital identification at global, regional and country levels (as appropriate) including for the purposes of strategy development and monitoring and evaluation.
– Monitor, document and report on registration, identity management and digital identification activities at the regional/ country level, and report on the impact of support interventions.

– Lead risk assessments and discussions with team(s) to proactively manage risks and seize opportunities impacting objectives. Ensure that risk management principles are integrated in decision-making both at strategic and operational levels. Allocate resources for planned treatments with resource requirements in Strategic Plans. Ensure that risks are managed to acceptable levels and escalate, as needed. If a Risk Owner, designate the Risk Focal Point and certify that the annual risk review is completed and ensure that the risk register is updated during the year, as needed.
– Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P4/NOD – 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Law;
Development;
Social Sciences;
Information Technology (with focus on Database development, Data management and Analysis);
Demography;
Geography;
Political Science;
Business Administration;
Humanities;
Statistics; or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Training on Emergency Registration
Operations Data Management Learning Program
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Strong understanding of the principles and concepts of international protection and UNHCR, including Guidance on Registration and Identity Management and the Policy and Guidance on the Protection of Personal Data of Persons of Concern. Strong team-building, managerial, planning, coordination and representation skills. Familiarity with planning, programming, strategic planning, project development, budgeting and resource mobilization. Experience in process re-engineering (process redesign, process transformation, or change management). Experience working with partners, including host and donor Governments, humanitarian and development partners.

Desirable
Technical expertise in registration, identity or biometric management systems. Experience with UNHCR’s PRIMES applications. Demonstrated understanding of civil registration, national identity management or digital identification systems (including population registries) and digital identity technical standards. Demonstrated knowledge of UNHCR and interagency policies, standards, programmes and operations. Experience of devising data collection and analysis.

Functional Skills
DM-Data collection methodologies
DM-Data Management
*PR-Individual Case Management
PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators
*RG-Civil Registration data collection/processing
(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.

• Professional Experience: Extensive experience in managing population data systems, particularly in refugee processing and identity management is essential.
• Technical Expertise: Strong knowledge of UNHCR’s PRIMES tools (proGres, BIMS, etc.) and familiarity with registration, identity, or biometric management systems is essential.
• Leadership Skills: Proven team building, managerial, planning, coordination, and representation skills. Experience in strategic planning, project development, budgeting, and resource mobilization is essential.
• Specialized Experience: Technical expertise in civil registration, national identity management, or digital identification systems, including familiarity with digital identity technical standards is added advantage.
• UNHCR Experience: Prior experience with UNHCR registration processes, Refugee Status Determination (RSD), or Asylum Capacity Development (ACDLP course completion is an asset).
• Communication and Coordination: Strong communication skills and experience in government liaison or coordination with partners, particularly in complex or emergency settings is added advantage.
• Cultural and Operational Adaptability: Ability to work in multicultural, challenging, or emergency contexts, with flexibility to adapt to dynamic operational needs is added advantage.

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

The Senior Registration & Identity Management Officer supports, advises, and monitors the country strategy for registration. In line with Ethiopia ‘s Pledges aimed at enhancing the quality of the protection environment in Ethiopia, including greater access to rights and improved service delivery to refugees and asylum-seekers.

In line with Ethiopia ‘s Pledges aimed at enhancing the quality of the protection environment in Ethiopia, including greater access to rights and improved service delivery to refugees and asylum-seekers, the Senior Registration &Identity Management Officer will support the sustainability of the enhanced capacity of both the Government of Ethiopia and UNHCR in registration, identity management, and documentation and the improved data quality of the refugee population in Ethiopia. S(he) will also drive UNHCR Ethiopia digital initiatives, which are outcomes of the Registration Multi-Year Plan of Action.

UNHCR Ethiopia ‘s digital initiatives aim to continue enhancing the protection environment in Ethiopia, which is an innovative approach that has been a critical option in sustaining protection interventions in the disruptive environment resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic since March 2020. The digital initiatives constitute nine (9) critical projects that play an incubator role in enabling digital inclusion. They intend to enhance the data and information related to refugees and other affected populations, thereby enabling actions that protect, include, and empower persons of concern to UNHCR. The projects are the following: (1) Digitization of Government documents (DGD), (2) Camp Internet Project (CIP), (3) Digital Food Distribution System (DFDS), (4) Digital Education Platform (DEP), (5) Digital Filing System (DFS), (6) Digital Partner Statistical Tool (DPST), (7) Digital Request and Complaint System (DRCS), (8) Digital Identity (DI) and (9) One-Stop-Shops (OSS).
In this regard, the Senior Registration &Identity Management Officer is directly responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of an operation-specific registration strategy in compliance with overall protection objectives of the office, to ensure that registration is effectively used for the identification of specific protection needs, for the management of operations, and for the achievement of durable solutions.

Living and Working Conditions:

Addis Ababa is the capital of Ethiopia. The city has an estimated population of 5.7million inhabitants. It is where the African Union is headquartered. It also hosts the headquarters of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), as well as various other continental and international organizations. Staff members reside in commercial accommodation available in town (Check the Travel Advisory for Addis Ababa on UN TRIP site). There is an UN Clinic in Addis and there are limited medical facilities in Addis that are equipped to deal with moderate medical cases. Evacuation opportunities are also limited but the official destination for medical evacuations – Nairobi, Kenya – both, in case of health as well as mental health complications and note that such travels are approved in line with rules and regulations of the UNHCR Medical Section. Candidates with conditions requiring regular treatment or medical supervision should be appropriately advised.

The climate of Ethiopia and the regions varies greatly. It is temperate on the plateau and hot in the lowlands. Generally, the high elevation of the land affects one’s adjustment to the environment. At Addis Ababa, which ranges from 2,200 to 2,600 m (7,218 to 8,530 ft), the maximum temperature is 26 °C (78.8 °F) and minimum 4 °C (39.2 °F). The weather is usually sunny and dry, but the short (belg) rains occur from February to April, and the large (meher) rains are from mid-June to mid-September. The economy of Ethiopia is a mixed and transition economy with a large public sector. The Government of Ethiopia is in the process of privatizing many of the state-owned businesses and moving toward a market economy. However, the banking, telecommunication, and transportation sectors of the economy are dominated by Government-owned companies.

The local currency is the Ethiopian Birr. Foreign currency may only be changed at authorized banks and hotels. The exchange of foreign currency outside the regulated banks (Black Market) is a criminal offense, and international UN personnel caught by police sting operations have been known to be arrested and detained for several days. Any entry or exit of cash in excess of US$3,000 (or the equivalent in other foreign currencies) must be declared to the customs authority. ATM cash withdrawals are largely available in Addis with withdrawal limit per day of 12,000 Birr from the Zemen Bank ATM. AMEX is generally not accepted. Payment with credit card is possible in a few selected shops and tourism areas, but this form of payment is expanding. There is acceptable access to communication means, such as the internet, telephone sim cards, etc. PAMA is also available at the Offices. Rental housing price ranges from USD1,600 to USD3,000 and higher, depending on the number of bedrooms and of course location. And it is also important to note that there is a custom of 3 to 6 months payment of rent in advance.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CO-Drafting and Documentation, DM-Data Collection and Analysis, DM-Data collection methodologies, DM-Protection Data Management Systems, MG-Business Process Re-engineering (BPR), MG-Change Management, MG-Project Management, PG-Resource planning, PM-Project Monitoring, PR-Individual Case Management, RG-Civil Registry Systems Analysis, RG-Registration SoPs Design/Implementation, RM-Risk Management

Bachelor of Arts: Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts: Demography, Bachelor of Arts: Development Studies, Bachelor of Arts: Geography, Bachelor of Arts: Humanities, Bachelor of Arts: Information Technology, Bachelor of Arts: Law, Bachelor of Arts: Political Science, Bachelor of Arts: Social Science, Bachelor of Arts: Statistics

Certifications

Emergency Registration – Other, HCR Operational Data Management Learning Program – UNHCR

Annual Budget OL in Operation/Office, Number of Persons of Concern Served, Number of Workforce in Operation/Work Setting, Workforce to Supervise, Working with Persons of Concern: Asylum Seekers, Working with Persons of Concern: Internally Displaced Persons, Working with Persons of Concern: Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: Returned IDPs, Working with Persons of Concern: Returned Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: Stateless

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration, Technological awareness

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

Compendium

Add. 2 to the Bi-Annual 2025 Compendium – Part B

Additional Information

This position doesn”t require a functional clearance