Humanitarian emergencies demand strong coordination, timely information, and principled leadership on the ground. In response to complex crises and natural disasters, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) works globally to save lives and protect vulnerable populations.
UN Volunteers Recruitment: National Field Coordinator (UNOCHA) – Mozambique | 2026
Through the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme, OCHA is currently recruiting a National Field Coordinator to be based in Pemba, Mozambique, offering a unique opportunity for experienced national professionals to contribute meaningfully to humanitarian action.
This 12-month National UN Volunteer Specialist assignment, with the possibility of extension, is ideal for professionals with a background in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, and coordination who are ready to operate at the frontline of crisis response.
About United Nations Volunteers (UNV)
The United Nations Volunteers programme mobilizes skilled professionals to support peace, development, and humanitarian assistance worldwide. Volunteerism under UNV is driven by solidarity, compassion, and service to the public good rather than financial reward. National UN Volunteers play a crucial role by bringing local knowledge, cultural understanding, and professional expertise to UN operations within their own countries.
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This assignment demonstrates UNV’s commitment to inclusive humanitarian action and national capacity strengthening, particularly in crisis-affected settings.
Assignment Overview: National Field Coordinator – UNOCHA
- Assignment Title: National Field Coordinator
- Host Entity: United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA)
- Volunteer Category: National UN Volunteer Specialist
- Duty Station: Pemba, Mozambique
- Assignment Type: Onsite
- Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)
- Expected Start Date: 19 January 2026
- Advertisement Closing Date: 29 December 2025
- Number of Positions: 1
- Sustainable Development Goal (SDG): SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals
This position is recruited through a competitive process and is open only to nationals or legal residents of Mozambique.
About OCHA and the Humanitarian Context in Mozambique
OCHA is the UN Secretariat department responsible for coordinating humanitarian responses to emergencies caused by conflict, climate shocks, and natural disasters. It ensures that humanitarian actors work together effectively and in line with humanitarian principles, including neutrality, impartiality, and independence.
In Mozambique, OCHA plays a central role in:
- Supporting the Humanitarian Coordinator (HC) and Humanitarian Country Team (HCT)
- Facilitating coordination among humanitarian partners
- Strengthening communication, information management, and humanitarian financing
- Promoting compliance with humanitarian principles to ensure access to affected populations
The National Field Coordinator will support these efforts directly in Pemba, a critical operational hub for humanitarian response.
Key Responsibilities and Tasks
Under the supervision of the Head of Field Coordination, the National Field Coordinator will undertake a wide range of coordination, information management, advocacy, and resource mobilization duties.
1. Humanitarian Coordination
The volunteer will:
- Coordinate the delivery of humanitarian and emergency assistance in complex emergency and disaster situations
- Lead or support rapid assessments, context analysis, and situation reporting
- Establish partnerships with humanitarian agencies to plan, implement, and evaluate response activities
- Ensure gender considerations and accountability to affected populations are integrated into humanitarian actions
- Support and facilitate coordination mechanisms such as:
- Area Inter-Sector Coordination Groups
- Area Humanitarian Coordination Team meetings
- Contribute to disaster preparedness and response planning, including coordination of response efforts.
2. Information Management and Advocacy
Information is central to effective humanitarian action. In this role, the volunteer will:
- Collect, monitor, and analyze information on humanitarian developments and emergency situations
- Maintain situational awareness and help identify potential humanitarian hotspots
- Produce analytical reports on the humanitarian situation in the assigned region
- Strengthen information networks and databases, including:
- “Who does What, Where” (3W) mapping
- Locality profiles, hazard maps, and contact lists
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- Support humanitarian advocacy efforts based on evidence and analysis
- Liaise with humanitarian partners, donors, government counterparts, and other stakeholders
- Contribute to written outputs such as:
- Situation reports
- Background papers
- Policy guidelines
- Presentations and briefing materials
- Organize and participate in meetings, consultations, and coordination forums
3. Resource Mobilization
The National Field Coordinator will also:
- Assist in the preparation of humanitarian appeals and funding mechanisms, including:
- Country-based pooled funds
- CERF and ERF processes
- Support efforts to ensure the appropriate and transparent use of humanitarian funds
- Perform additional tasks as required to support OCHA’s mission
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for this assignment, candidates must meet the following requirements:
Age
- Between 18 and 80 years
Nationality
- Must be a national or legal resident of Mozambique
Experience
- Minimum of 3 years of professional experience in:
- Humanitarian affairs
- Emergency preparedness
- Crisis or disaster response
- Relief management
- Experience with a UN organization or NGO is highly desirable
Education and Language Requirements
Education
- Master’s degree in:
- Humanitarian affairs
- Emergency preparedness
- Crisis or emergency management
- Relief management
- A first-level university degree combined with relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree
Languages
- English: Fluent (required)
- Portuguese: Fluent (required)
- Kiswahili: Working knowledge (desirable)
Candidates may be tested on their language proficiency during the recruitment process.
Competencies and Professional Values
UNOCHA and UNV place strong emphasis on professionalism, integrity, and teamwork. The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
- Professionalism, sound judgment, and political sensitivity
- Strong coordination and stakeholder engagement skills
- Commitment to integrity and UN ethical standards
- Ability to work effectively in multicultural and diverse environments
- Respect for gender equality and inclusion
- Strong planning, organizing, and problem-solving abilities
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Flexibility and adaptability in remote or challenging environments
- Commitment to continuous learning and voluntary service
Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply, in line with UN commitments to gender balance.
Living Conditions and Volunteer Benefits
As a National UN Volunteer assignment, the selected candidate will:
- Arrange their own housing and daily living needs
- Be covered under the UNV medical insurance plan
- Work under the direct supervision of the OCHA Head of Field Coordination in Pemba
National UN Volunteers are expected to demonstrate cultural sensitivity and respect local traditions while maintaining professional standards.
Inclusivity and Equal Opportunity
The United Nations Volunteers programme is an equal opportunity initiative. Applications are welcomed from qualified professionals regardless of race, gender, disability, age, religion, nationality, or other protected characteristics. All UN Volunteers commit to promoting human rights, dignity, and non-discrimination.
Important Notes for Applicants
- The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process
- Be cautious of recruitment scams and only apply through official UNV platforms
- Selected candidates may be subject to vaccination requirements, including Covid-19, in line with host entity policies
Why This Opportunity Matters
This National Field Coordinator assignment offers more than professional growth—it is a chance to directly contribute to humanitarian coordination in a crisis-affected context. For experienced Mozambican professionals, this role provides a platform to influence humanitarian response, strengthen partnerships, and support vulnerable communities while gaining valuable UN system experience.
Official Application Link
To view the full assignment details and submit your application through the official UN Volunteers platform, apply via the link below:
👉 Official Application Link:
https://app.unv.org/opportunities
