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

D

Non Family with Residential Location

Nairobi (CO), Kenya

PR2

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-05-26

Head of Field Unit

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The position is under direct supervision and guidance of the Representative/Head of Sub/Field-Office on issues concerning programme, protection, external relations, etc. Advice and operational support may also be received from other senior staff and support units at the Branch Office and from the Bureau at Headquarters.
The incumbent represents UNHCR at the field level. S/he will persuade and obtain assistance of others on matters of non-routine significance. Contacts predominantly with persons on subject matters of importance to Organization¿s programmes (e.g. counterparts in other organizations or at working level in national Governments).

While the functional responsibility of a Head of Field Unit will 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. The supervisor exercises regular oversight and provides guidance, direction and support to the incumbent.

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-à-vis the forcibly displaced and stateless persons to UNHCR within the AOR.
- Advocate and promote UNHCR standards concerning the treatment of forcibly displaced and stateless persons
- Ensure that the basic needs of the forcibly displaced and stateless persons 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 monitoring of identified assistance activities.
- Ensure through the subordinate staff that deadlines for monitoring and reporting of UNHCR operational activities are met on a regular basis.
- Manage UNHCR resources, both human, financial/material, at an optimum level for the wellbeing of the forcibly displaced and stateless persons and the UNHCR staff.
- Ensure that security measures of UNHCR office (and residential, wherever 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.
- 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/HoFO. In the event of substantial telephone conversation that leads to specific action or non-action, it should be recorded and share 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 the 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
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P2/NOB - 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree

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

Certificates and/or Licenses
Programme Mgmt
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Knowledge of UNHCR mandate and its Field level application. Applied knowledge of protection principles, operational arrangements/standards in relation to protection, assistance, UNHCR office management and staff administration.

Desirable
Not specified.

Functional Skills
*UN-UN/UNHCR Mandate and Global Strategic Priorities
*IT-Computer Literacy
*PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework
(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:
• The Head of Filed Unit works under the direct supervision of the Head of Field Office in Bukavu. She/He has direct supervisory responsibility for security, programme, protection staff as well as administration.
• She/He should have strong protection background. S/He must demonstrate solid experience in protection management in mixed situations (IDPs, Refugees, Returnees), with managerial experience and inter-agency coordination skills. Experience in Cluster coordination is also required.
• The ideal candidate should have in-depth knowledge of all aspects of a UNHCR’s Field level operation particularly in an emergency setting, which include application of protection principles, operational arrangements/standards in relation to protection, assistance, UNHCR office management and staff administration as well as good collaboration skills with local authorities. S/he must be conversant with the current priorities of the operation and existing mechanisms to implement those priorities.
• A strong field orientation is also required, including the ability to undertake missions to remote locations under challenging logistical and security conditions.
• An understanding of community dynamics is an asset, particularly in recognizing how acceptance and local engagement contribute to both security and access. Previous experience in community based protection and community engagement is required.
• Working effectively in Kalemie involves regular engagement with a wide range of actors, including often in contexts where institutional capacity is limited. Building constructive working relationships, maintaining dialogue, and supporting counterparts over time are therefore key aspects of the position.
• Fluency in French and Englis are essential.
Desirable attributes:
• The ability to remain composed and solution-oriented in such environments is essential.
• The role requires strong interpersonal skills.

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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 Kalemie Field Unit provides international protection and assistance to refugees and asylum seekers, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnee IDPs, returnees, and people at risk of statelessness. The statistics of people we served as of January 2026, in area cover by the Sub office are: 333 371 internally displaced persons, including 29 000 in 12 sites under CCCM mechanism, 163 817 returnees, 4 360 refugees and asylum seekers as well the 11 597 returnees from Zambia mainly settled in the territories of Pweto in Haut-Katanga province and Moba in Tanganyika province.

To respond to the assistance and protection needs identified among the forcibly displaced population, the Kalemie Field Unit has 3 deployment zones for its implementing partners: in Pweto, where there is a transit center for the reception of returnees; in Lubumbashi, where our governmental partner implemented activities in favor of 68% of refugees and asylum-seekers; and in Kalemie, the area base of the office with an one-stop office with 4 implementing partner whose operations specifically target internally displaced persons.

The Kalemie Field Unit remained active within the humanitarian community in the protection and search for durable solutions to the situation of refugees, internally displaced people and people at risk of statelessness, as well as in peaceful cohabitation and peacebuilding in its area of coverage in the provinces of Greater Katanga.

The Tanganyika province has been impacted by broader regional dynamics, including spillover effects from the M23/AFC crisis in eastern DRC, which continue to generate new displacement and strain already limited resources.

In 2025 alone, an estimated 114,000 individuals were newly displaced, adding to a population of concern exceeding 500,000 people under UNHCR’s mandate. The situation is further compounded by chronic vulnerabilities, including weak state presence, limited access to basic services, and persistent protection risks such as gender-based violence, child protection concerns, and lack of civil documentation.

Within this context, UNHCR Kalemie plays a central operational and coordination role, requiring sustained engagement with a wide range of stakeholders. This includes close collaboration with provincial authorities, and the Commission Nationale pour les Réfugiés (CNR), as well as partnerships with UN agencies, NGOs, and community-based organizations. These relationships are essential not only for programme delivery, but also to ensure access, acceptance, and continuity of protection interventions.

At the same time, the operational footprint of humanitarian actors in Tanganyika has reduced in recent years, increasing expectations on UNHCR to provide strategic leadership and maintain coordination mechanisms. This shift places greater emphasis on prioritization, efficient use of resources, and the ability to balance immediate humanitarian response with longer-term resilience approaches.

Operational constraints remain significant, including limited funding, staffing gaps, difficult logistical conditions, and restricted access to some areas, particularly during the rainy season. In addition, institutional capacity among local counterparts remains uneven, requiring continuous support, capacity-building, and engagement.

In this challenging environment, community-based approaches are critical to ensuring both programme effectiveness and operational acceptance. Strengthening accountability to affected populations, promoting participation, and leveraging local capacities are key elements of UNHCR’s strategy in Kalemie.

Against this backdrop, the operation in Kalemie is guided by a set of priorities that aim to both respond to immediate humanitarian needs and gradually build more sustainable outcomes.

A strong focus is placed on strengthening protection systems, particularly by improving access to civil documentation, legal assistance, and essential protection services. At the same time, efforts are made to reinforce preparedness and response capacities, ensuring that the operation can adapt quickly to new or evolving displacement.

Beyond emergency response, increasing attention is given to supporting more durable solutions. This includes facilitating voluntary return when conditions allow, promoting local integration, and encouraging socio-economic inclusion of displaced populations and host communities alike. In parallel, the operation seeks to strengthen resilience and livelihoods, with the objective of helping communities reduce their reliance on humanitarian assistance over time.

Coordination also remains a central priority, with continued efforts to reinforce partnerships across humanitarian and development actors, while ensuring a coherent and complementary response. Equally important is the expansion of community engagement and accountability mechanisms, recognizing the critical role of affected populations in shaping and sustaining interventions.

Overall, these efforts reflect a progressive shift towards a more integrated approach, where immediate humanitarian action is increasingly linked with longer-term development perspectives, while maintaining the flexibility required to respond to evolving needs on the ground.

Living and Working Conditions:

The Tanganyika province is divided into six territories: Kalemie, Kabalo, Kongolo, Manono, Nyunzu and Moba. Its capital and largest city is Kalemie.

The area of Tanganyika is approximately 134,940 square kilometers and has the population of about 3 million (2015 estimated), for a total density of approximately 22 persons per square kilometer. The official language is French, and the national language are Kiswahili, Lingala, Tshiluba and Kikongo.

Staff members live in town where limited accommodation may be found. For some hotels, prices have already been negotiated with HCR. There is electricity but it happens the electricity supply breaks down for some days or weeks and generator back up is required. The quality of the water is poor and most of the time it is not available at nighttime and during periods of power outage. Housing opportunities are also very poor and expensive for rather low quality. Kalemie has a tropical savanna climate.

There are very limited medical facilities in Kalemie that are not equipped to deal with serious medical cases. Evacuation opportunities are limited since there are only 2 flights per week. However, air ambulance evacuation can be organized for life threatening emergencies during daytime. Candidates with conditions requiring regular treatment or medical supervision should be appropriately advised. Malaria is the most common disease. As general advice, applicants for the post should be psychologically prepared for the context.

There are banking facilities at Kalemie, including ATM.

Telephone and internet at work are not very reliable but the Office has effective PAMA and Wifi.

Kalemie is currently a non-family duty station with a security level 3.

Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Bachelor of Arts: Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts: Economics, Bachelor of Arts: International Relations, Bachelor of Arts: Law, Bachelor of Arts: Management, Bachelor of Arts: Political Science

Certifications

Programme Management - Other

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Political awareness, 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