Head of Field Office

Hardship LevelE (most hardship)

Family TypeNon Family with Residential Location

Family TypeNon Family with Residential LocationDanger Pay

Residential location (if applicable)

Addis Ababa,Eth Fed Dem Rep

GradePR3

Staff Member / Affiliate TypeProfessional

ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment

Target Start Date2025-07-23

Deadline for ApplicationsAugust 8, 2025

Standard Job Description

Head of Field Office

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

Head of a UNHCR Field Office (HoFO) is a senior managerial position within a given country operation. The incumbent carries the full delegated authority of the UNHCR Representative (or the Head of Sub-Office) of the country, who will exercise entire supervisory managerial responsibility over the position. The position, on the other hand, provides all information on developments in relation to the protection (legal protection issues relating to the forcibly displaced and stateless persons to UNHCR), security (Physical security in relation to the UNHCR staff and the forcibly displaced and stateless persons to UNHCR) and operational matters (programme and office management / administration) within the domain of its geographical area of responsibility to the UNHCR Representative on a regular and timely manner. Subject to the specific legal or socio economic or security developments in the Area of Responsibility (AOR), Representative will direct and guide the Head of Field Office to take the most appropriate course of action. Concerning overall physical security concerns, HoFO will liaise directly with the competent UN security coordinator while keeping the UNHCR Representative fully informed.

While the functional responsibility of a Head of Field Office will always remain the same despite its grade level, the other parameters (therefore the depth and breadth of the competencies) such as the size of the forcibly displaced and stateless persons to UNHCR, their specific legal/security concerns, volume of assistance, Number of operational / Implementing partners and the size of the Office (i.e. number of UNHCR staff and their grade levels) will determine the appropriate grade level. The operational autonomy also depends upon the same parameters/competencies.

As the most senior UNHCR staff member within the given geographical area, he/she is required to liaise with all the relevant senior government officials, security organs in the area, the Head of various Non-Governmental Organisations (both national and internationals based in the area), Civilian/tribal leaders/elders, local opinion makers and the local media net-work to ensure his/her assigned responsibilities are effectively and efficiently discharged.

As the extended field representative of UNHCR at the front line of High Commissioner’s operations, he/she remain as the effective advocate and assistant to the local authorities to ensure that the respective government authorities in the area implement their conventional responsibilities in favour of refugees and others of concern to UNHCR.

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

- Monitor and report on the implementation of refugee conventional responsibilities and international obligations of the local authorities Vis a Vis the forcibly displaced and stateless persons to UNHCR within the given geographical area; based on local situations/developments make appropriate recommendation to the UNHCR Representative/HoSO.

- Advocate and promote UNHCR standards concerning the treatment of asylum seekers, refugees and returnees as well as IDPs, where applicable; Advocate, promote and encourage the concerned authorities and local opinion makers to uphold established UNHCR standards that have become the international norms.

- Ensure that the basic needs of the concerned population are properly assessed with the participation of the beneficiaries themselves, the host governments and/or the competent Implementing partners and/or UNHCR itself.

- Subject to the needs, ensure that the planning, formulation and budgeting of identified assistance projects are done as per UNHCR programme cycle; upon approval of assistance project, ensure the timely implementation and rigorous monitoring of identified assistance activities

- Ensure through the subordinate staff that all deadlines for monitoring and reporting of UNHCR operational activities (i.e. include assistance as well as Administrative) are met on a regular basis.

- Manage all UNHCR resources, both human, financial/material, at an optimum level for the wellbeing of the concerned population and the UNHCR staff.

- Ensure that all security measures of UNHCR office (and residential, where ever applicable) compounds are always up to date; any security breaches and/or potential security threat should be reported immediately to competent UN security coordinator in the country.

- Ensure that staff welfare, both in terms of working and living conditions, are maintained at a satisfactory level within the constraints in the operational area; this requires remaining current in health and medical facilities locally available and evacuation options available in a moment of medical urgency.

- Guide, coach and advocate the subordinate staff to maintain highest standards of conduct and behaviour thorough one's own practice and deeds.

- Prepare and submit regular reports, both verbally and written, to the UNHCR Representative/HoSO. In the event of a substantial telephone conversation that leads to specific action or non-action, it should be recorded and shared with the other party.

- Any other responsibilities/functions deemed necessary or as delegated by the UNHCR Representative of the country in order to meet the level of services in the organization.

- Represent UNHCR in inter-agency fora and with local authorities in the AOR.

- Enforce compliance with UNHCR s global protection, programme, finance, human resources and security policies and standards.

- Submit project proposals for assistance to refugees and other forcibly displaced and stateless persons to UNHCR Representation or Sub-Office in coordination with local authorities and NGOs.

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

Education & Professional Work Experience

Years of Experience / Degree Level

For P3/NOC - 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education

Management;

Personnel Administration;

Law;

Political Science;

International Relations;

Economics;

or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses

HCR Management Learning Program;

HCR Managing Operations Learning Program;

(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

In-depth knowledge in all aspects of UNHCR s Field level operation. Applied experience of protection principles, operational arrangements/standards in relation to protection, assistance, UNHCR office management and staff administration. Should be conversant in the current priorities in the organisation and existing mechanisms within the organisation to implement those priorities.

Desirable

Working experience both in UNHCR HQ and/or a Regional Office and the Field

Functional Skills

IT-Computer Literacy

IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software

UN-UNHCR's Mandate/Policy and Global Strategic Priorities

MG-Office Management

HR-Administration of Staff Contracts and Benefits

PR-Principles and Procedures, operational arrangements/assistance

(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.

Desired Candidate Profile • The ideal candidate should have In-depth knowledge of all aspects of a UNHCR 's Field level operation, which includes application of protection principles, operational arrangements/standards in relation to protection, assistance, UNHCR office management and staff administration.

• She/he should have diplomatic skills and the ability to courageously take quick decisions. In that sense, understanding of programme and administration management principles is essential. She/he must also have interpersonal skills such as empathy and willingness to take lead in coordinating with partners and external interlocutors, as well as support staff that deal with very hash living and working conditions.

• The ideal candidate for this position should have the required academic preparation and demonstrated leadership abilities from previous field positions. Prior working experience in the Sahel region, experience in high-risk duty stations, in managing security issues is advantageous.

To promote diversity within the operation, including geographic diversity, candidates from underrepresented nationalities in Chad operation are particularly encouraged to apply.

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level): French

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Desired languages

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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:

Nature of Position:

The Head of Office will be based in the UNHCR Bagasola Office in Chad. She/He will report to the Representative and work closely with the Deputy Representative and Assistant Representative Programme. The incumbent is also required to liaise with all the relevant senior government officials, security organs, the Heads of various Non-Governmental Organisations (both national and internationals based in the area), Civilian/tribal leaders/elders, local opinion makers and the local media network to ensure his/her assigned responsibilities are effectively and efficiently discharged.

The incumbent will carry out full delegated authority of the UNHCR Representative, exercising supervisory and managerial responsibility over Bagasola office. He/She will provide all information on developments in relation to the issues relating to the persons of concern to UNHCR), Physical security in relation to the UNHCR staff and the persons of concern to UNHCR and operational matters within the domain of its area of responsibility to the UNHCR Representative. The Head of office leads the UN agencies in the Lake Region. Therefore, he/she must have strong coordination skills and knowledge in the implementation of the NEXUs approaches for sustainable durable solutions for UNHCR beneficiaries.

The position requires experience in humanitarian activities, development and inter-agency coordination mechanisms as the incumbent will be responsible for representing UNHCR at several fora for which excellent communication skills are essential.

As the Area security coordinator in a militarized zone, she/he must have the ability to interact with civilo-military authorities and be on the front line in promoting human rights and PSA.

Living and Working Conditions:

Chad is a landlocked country covering 1,284,000 km2. Its climate is Sahelian, and temperatures can reach as high as 45 C during the dry season. In the cooler rainy season, many roads are blocked, and flooding is frequent. Because of widespread poverty, weak infrastructure and very few communal facilities, leisure options are very limited, with no banks in Bagasola. The environment is characterized by unforeseen trends related to these factors. Since 2015, Boko Haram intensified attacks which spread from north-eastern Nigeria to Cameroon, Chad and Niger, affecting some 20 million people. Since January 2020, the security situation has deteriorated in the Lake Chad province as a result of recurrent attacks by non-state armed groups, which have caused forced displacement of 435,233 Persons of concern to UNHCR, approximately 391,289IDPs, 23901 returnees and 20,043 refugees of which 17,590 are camp based. IDPs are settled in 250 sites and access to other sites is very challenging due to security concerns.

The terrorist group Boko Haram continues its increasingly deadly attacks on state armed forces and civilian targets in Chad and parts of other countries in the Lake Chad basin, namely, Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

UNHCR staff are always reminded to strictly respect security procedures and advisory. Bagasola is a Non-Family and High risk duty station with highly stressful work context where capacity for self-care is critical. The protection environment deteriorated significantly in March 2020 as a result of preventive measures put in place as part of the fight against the spread of COVID-19 in Chad. Humanitarian intervention in the Lake province has been implemented for several years in a context of instability linked to security and socio-economic crises, which makes it difficult to deliver assistance to PoCs.

Food insecurity has also significantly deepened as socio-economic activities have been hampered by security measures that restrict freedom of movement and prohibit commercial activities in parts of the Lake Chad province. The main regional city near Bagasola is Bol which is about 70 kms. There is a regional airstrip in Bol town used by UNHAS airplanes twice a week (Tuesday and Thursday weekly rotations Ndjamena -Bol) and Monday-Friday Ndjamena -Bagasola.

The Rest and Recuperation cycle is 6 weeks. UN international and national staff members live in the UNHCR guest house.

Additional Qualifications

Skills