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

C

Family

PR3

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-05-26

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.

Essential Attributes
• Experience managing a field office
• Experience managing a multicultural, diverse team
• Experience managing protection and other challenges in the field
• Evidence of a strategic approach to planning and management
• Evidence of an effective and respectful communication style and skills
• Political and organizational awareness; experience working with government interlocutors and other partners to achieve common objectives
• Understanding of refugee data management and data protection standards

Desirable Attributes

• Experience with the Refugee Coordination Model
• Experience in managing transitional situations including operational restructuring and/or footprint reduction/phaseout of camps.
• Experience with interagency coordination
• Experience working with development actors
• Proficiency in spoken and written Arabic

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Within Azraq there are two health facilities open to the public and UN staff. Both facilities are able to stabilize patients though for any trauma or other serious medical emergencies, patients are transferred by ambulance to Zarqa or Amman. According to local authorities, Azraq is relatively free from criminality and forms of armed violence.

Nature of Position:

In addition to meeting criteria in the standard job description, particularly, demonstrated field and protection competencies, the ideal candidate will have the capacity to contribute to strategic planning in the GCR/RCM context and the humanitarian-development nexus. In close collaboration with the Syrian Refugee Affairs Department (SRAD), s/he will manage, oversee and coordinate UNHCR 's response, with partners, to the protection and assistance of refugees in Azraq camp, (population 41,886 individuals as of October 2024), nearby urban population in Azraq town; (603 cases/ 2,429 individuals) as well as overseeing registration and protection assistance in Emirati Jordanian Camp (1,361 cases/6,870 individuals. She will liaise regularly with the SRAD and Emirati Red Crescent staff at the Emirati Jordanian Camp and ensure that all humanitarian assistance and services are delivered in accordance with the international humanitarian standards.

Living and Working Conditions:

Azraq town is the administrative capital of Azraq district of Zarqa governorate and is located approximately 100 kilometers east from the capital Amman and 34 Kilometers east of Azraq Refugee Camp. The town is the designated duty station, categorized as (C) duty station for staff assigned to the camp where the office is located.

Azraq refugee camp is the largest camp in size, but it is second to Zaatari camp in terms of number of refugees. Azraq camp registered 54,000 people of concern and currently hosts approximately 35,000 refugees. The camp has specific protection issues due to the housing of refugees in a encampment area requiring daily negotiations with authorities on sensitive issues to improve conditions is required.

With UNHCR’s de-centralization policy, Azraq contract holders are required to make their own transport arrangements to the camp as their duty station contractually is Azraq town. Compared to other governorates, working conditions in Azraq are harsh.

The camp environment is semi-desert where the winters are very cold with heavy snowfalls and torrential rains at times and very hot/dry with extreme daily temperature fluctuations during the summer. The working conditions at the field level are challenging, therefore the incumbent should be flexible, mature and have very good inter-personal skills to ensure a solid team spirit. Within Azraq there are two health facilities open to the public and UN staff. Both facilities are able to stabilize patients though for any trauma or other serious medical emergencies, patients are transferred by ambulance to Zarqa or Amman. According to local authorities, Azraq is relatively free from criminality and forms of armed violence.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Bachelor of Arts: Economics (Required), Bachelor of Arts: International Relations (Required), Bachelor of Arts: Law (Required), Bachelor of Arts: Management (Required), Bachelor of Arts: Personnel Administration (Required), Bachelor of Arts: Political Science (Required)

Certifications

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, Political awareness, 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