Job Description

Please note that this vacancy is only open to eligible staff members who have been individually notified of their eligibility to apply for positions advertised in the Accelerated Posting Compendium.

June 12, 2026

E (most hardship)

Non Family with Residential LocationDanger Pay

Tunis, Tunisia

PR5

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-05-26

Deputy Chief of Mission

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
Direct supervision and guidance is received from the Chief of Mission. Advice and operational support may also be provided by the Director/Deputy Director of the Bureau or the Regional Representative and by other senior staff in the Bureau (Head of Desk, Legal Advice Unit, and Resource Management Unit) and in the support Divisions at Headquarters. The incumbent will also refer to policies, standards, rules and regulations which are in force within UNHCR.

Regular contacts with Chief of Mission and staff at Headquarters and in the field, to consult, discuss operational issues, and to seek common grounds for solutions on activities and programmes of importance to UNHCR and with persons on matters of great importance to UNHCR's programmes. These contacts may include heads of national/ international organizations, embassies, UN agencies, and high officials/ ministers in the national government. UNHCR is well integrated into the UN Resident Coordinator System.

Decisions taken directly influence the design and operation of of UNHCR's activities in the country of accreditation. Proposals will have a substantive effect on UNHCR's policy on a wide range of issues in the country programmes. Errors lead to significant damage to UNHCR's major objectives in terms of time, quality, and money in the country and will have a major negative impact on the safety of refugees and other forcibly displaced and stateless persons. The Office's overall credibility and the safety of its staff may also suffer.

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
- Provide legal protection advice and guidance on matters of doctrine and policy to the Chief of Mission, Heads of Offices and protection staff in the country.
- Provide advice and support to offices in the country operation on specific issues/problems faced related to asylum, refugee protection and assistance, including access to territory, access to RSD and asylum procedures, non-refoulement adequate reception and the implementation of durable solutions, including developing a Protection Management Framework for each national office.
- Provide legal and programme related advice and guidance to offices in the country on developing and maintaining fair and effective asylum regimes in accordance with international standards and norms, especially with regard to national asylum/refugee legislation and the building of local protection capacity.
- Provide legal and programme related advice and guidance on matters relating to the issue of asylum and migration to the Chief of Mission and offices in the country with particular emphasis on the problems of trafficking and smuggling.
- Provide guidance and leadership related to the implementation of the Age, Gender Diversity Mainstreaming (AGDM) Participatory Assessments in sub-region and ensure the follow up on any identified gaps related to the reception and integration systems and structures in the region with relevant stakeholders.
- Keep abreast of and analyse trends and key issues related to legal protection and assistance in the country, including preparing strategy and position papers with policy recommendations on specific protection, assistance and durable solutions related issues relevant to the country.
- Directly supervise Protection and Programme sections and develop operations plan in accordance with the organizational policies and operational strategies.
- Assist the Chief of Mission in the promotion of UNHCR strategic goals and objectives in the country, monitoring of the overall progress towards achieving them and in managing the Country Office.
- Ensure that appropriate security measures are in place to protect staff, and that the country operation complies with UN MOSS/MORSS staff security rules, guidelines and procedures.
- Serve as OIC of the Country Office when the Chief of Mission is on mission or leave.
- Any other duties as may be required or assigned by the Chief of Mission.
- Represent UNHCR in the meetings and fora related to the functions.
- Enforce local compliance with UNHCR' global protection, programme, finance and human resources and security policies and standards.
- Authorize payments as per the organization's Delegation of Authority Plan (DOAP) and in accordance with UN/UNHCR rules and procedures.
- Modify operational projects and reallocate funds, within the approved budgets and in respect of donor earmarking.

- 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 P5 - 12 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 11 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 10 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Business Administration; International Relations; Law;
Political Science; Social Science; Human Resources Management;
or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
HCR Learning Prog; HCR Management Lrng Prg; HCR Managing Operatns Lrng Prg;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
12 years of previous work experience relevant to the function with more than 10 years in international capacity. Senior positions in a large governmental or international agency. Extensive knowledge of UNHCR operations and services.
Desirable
Knowledge of geo-political realities and their socio-cultural implications.

Functional Skills
*PG-UNHCR's Programmes
*MG-Political Decision Making
UN-Analysis of geo-political realities and their socio-cultural implications
(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.

Extensive senior-level experience in complex field operations, with a strong track record in protection leadership, risk management, and integrity frameworks, complemented with work experience in emergencies and high-risk duty stations.
Evidenced experience in managing large teams across different locations is required.
Significant experience in interacting with Government officials is essential as the incumbent will be required to work closely and coordinate regularly with the national authorities at medium and high levels.
Experience in overseeing the operationalization of the refugee coordination model, Inter-Agency response and associated mechanisms, tools and reporting.
Experience advising senior management on sensitive risk, compliance, and misconduct-related matters.
Excellent drafting and communication skills, with ability to produce policy, operational guidance, and senior-level briefings.
Strong analytical capacity to translate complex issues into actionable recommendations for senior leadership.

Desirable Attributes:
- Arabic language is Desirable
- Completion of Programming for Protection
- Security Management Learning Programme
- Experience in operating under UNSDCF as well as operationalization of the Routes Based Approach.
- Experience in Risk Management and previous role of PSEA Focal Point, Anti-Fraud Focal point, Data Protection Focal Point will be an asset for this position.

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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 Libya operation continues to operate in a highly complex, politically sensitive, and high-risk environment, characterized by a volatile security landscape, absence of a formal Host Country Agreement, and a rapidly evolving mixed migration context. The scale and complexity of the operation have significantly increased following the Sudan crisis, with large-scale refugee influxes concentrated in hard-to-reach areas such as Al-Kufra, requiring strong coordination, protection leadership, and risk-informed decision-making. In this context, the operation requires strengthened senior-level oversight of protection delivery, risk management, and integrity frameworks, alongside enhanced engagement with government, de facto authorities, UNSMIL, and Inter-agency partners. The operational environment demands a highly experienced manager capable of navigating sensitive political dynamics, ensuring accountability, and maintaining principled protection delivery under constrained access and security limitations.

In Libya, UNHCR is currently working with a medium-sized number of international staff, present in Tripoli and Benghazi, while maintaining a back-office in Tunis, Tunisia, where some functional units are located. In addition to presence of national staff in Al-Kufra, Sabha and Tobruk. UNHCR operates amidst a challenging environment in Libya characterized by volatile political and security situation, displacement, and pressing humanitarian needs. Despite being present in the country since 1991, UNHCR faces constraints due to the absence of a formal Host Country Agreement with the State of Libya leading to operational hurdles. Libya's strategic location makes it a critical destination and transit point for refugees, asylum-seekers, and migrants, with the number of 108,455 registered asylum seekers and refugees by January 2026.

The ongoing conflict in Sudan has resulted in a significant refugee crisis, with an estimated 555,000 Sudanese refugees in Libya by end of 2025. The increased number of refugee arrivals from Sudan seeking safety in Libya has resulted in a high concentration of refugees in Al-Kufra with limited humanitarian presence on the ground. UNHCR Libya is leading the coordination and response to the Sudan refugee crisis, targeting 555,000 Sudanese refugees and 70,000 host communities throughout the country.

The Deputy Chief of Mission P5 will be based in Tripoli and will function under the direct supervision of the UNHCR Chief of Mission (COM). In the absence of the COM, The Deputy COM will be expected to represent UNHCR Libya before the Government, de-facto authorities, UNSMIL, including SRSG and DSRSG, donors and actively support implementation of the UNSDCF, Collective Outcome 2 – Migration Management upholding the co-chairing function alongside IOM.

The incumbent will have responsibilities to supervise all protection units in the operation and monitor the implementation of the operation’s protection objectives and strategies. The incumbent is required to maintain and further enhance the protection capacity, including strong training of national team and enable them to carry on protection tasks in a complex environment. The incumbent will coordinate the UNHCR Risk Management Network to ensure that best practices are shared and discussed, and that the network addresses overarching issues efficiently and systematically in coordination with bureau.

The Deputy Chief of Mission will assure:

Overall strategic direction of UNHCR 's protection and durable solutions work in Libya founded in core protection policies and administrative instructions.

UNHCR Libya advocacy on protection space in Libya is regularly updated and presented to the Government, donors, and other relevant stakeholders

To support maintenance of good relationship with the State of Libya, by ensuring regular quarterly result reports, annual reports and workpants, and monthly data of asylum seekers and refugees are shared regularly

UNHCR Libya is effectively leading Sudan RRP – Libya chapter, including IA working groups, and will avail support to the IA Coordinator and COM.

Strategic guidance, oversight, and support to ensure protection delivery is centered around refugees’ agency, inclusive of their participation, and founded in AGD and protection dividends

Management of the protection units.

Protection mainstreaming for all activities in the Libya Operation.

Protection monitoring and tools.

UNHCR Libya risk register is periodically reviewed and updated, and UNHCR Libya strategic decisions, and changes in protection strategy are based on thorough risk assessment

UNHCR Libya has robust integrity mechanisms in place.

Living and Working Conditions:

The position is based in Tripoli, Libya (High-Risk “E” non-family duty station with 6 weeks R&R cycle). The R&R destination is Tunis.

In Libya, UNHCR is currently working with a medium-sized number of international staff, present in Tripoli and Benghazi, while maintaining a back-office in Tunis, Tunisia, where some functional units are located. Given the security situation, UNHCR international staff in Tripoli are currently working in an office that is separate from their accommodation facilities. All movements for international staff in Libya, including from the accommodation compound to the office, are restricted and permitted only through the use of armored vehicles. UNHCR national staff are based in and operate throughout Libya.

In Tripoli, international staff are accommodated in a UN designated compound (UNCC), sharing an apartment with one, two, or three colleagues and sometime two colleagues may share one bathroom. UN accommodation compound has an equipped gym, swimming pool, restaurant and mini market. Moving personal items during the period of R&R is anticipated due to staff rotation and limited available space. The incumbent is also expected to demonstrate flexibility regarding the lengthy and unpredictable visa process for Libya, which may require the experience to remotely manage the team in Libya.

The incumbent should be prepared to work under very challenging operational and security conditions, manage stressful situations, and cope well in an unpredictable and pressurized environment. Various international flights currently operate in Libya to Europe, North Africa, and Middle Eastern countries.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Bachelor of Arts: Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts: Human Resources Management, Bachelor of Arts: International Relations, Bachelor of Arts: Law, Bachelor of Arts: Political Science, Bachelor of Arts: Social Science

Certifications

HCR Learning Program - UNHCR, HCR Management Learning Program - UNHCR, Programme Management (PM) 1 - UNHCR

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, Stakeholder management, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration

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

Compendium

Accelerated Posting Compendium 2026 - Part B

Additional Information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance