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

A (least hardship)

Family

PR4

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-05-26

Head of National Office

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

Head of a UNHCR National Office is a senior managerial position within a given country operation. The incumbent acts under delegated authority of the UNHCR Regional Representative (or the Deputy Regional Representative). The position reports and provides 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 Regional Representative (or Deputy) on a regular and timely manner. The Head of UNHCR National Office will, on request, serve as a designated member of the UN Country Team, participating in relevant meetings including monthly UNCT meetings, engaging the involvement and advocacy of the Regional Representative as may be appropriate. S/he will also advise the UN Resident Coordinator regarding UNHCR’s issues of concern. The Head of the UNHCR National Office will also support the UN Designated Official as a member of the Security Management Team. Concerning overall physical security concerns, HoNO will liaise directly with the competent UN security coordinator while keeping the UNHCR Regional/Deputy Regional Representative fully informed.

As the most senior UNHCR staff member within the given geographical area, the Head of National Office liaises with relevant government officials, security organs in the area, Non-Governmental Organisations (both national and international which are based in the area), local opinion makers and the local media.

As the extended field representative of UNHCR at the front line of High Commissioner’s operations, s/he remains as the effective advocate and assistant to the local authorities to ensure that the respective government authorities in the area implement their responsibilities emanating from the 1951 Convention 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

• Stay abreast of the challenges posed by the local political context.

• Manage a consultative process within the country operations and with external partners.

• Develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy that generates political and financial support for UNHCR’s operations.

• Implement a results-oriented approach for assessing, designing and delivering the country operation focused on Asylum Seekers and refugees.

• Ensure that the protection strategy is fully integrated into the country operations plan and that necessary resources are allocated to it.

• Ensure the country operation’s adherence to UNHCR’s policy on Age, Gender and Diversity Mainstreaming (AGDM).

• Ensure the country operation plans are consistent with the regional and global strategic priorities; manage a participatory process, with stakeholders to apply UNHCR’s standards and indicators in assessing and measuring the performance of the country operations.

• Promote accession to the Convention and Protocol and ensure the application of protection standards in the treatment of forcibly displaced and stateless persons especially women and children.

• Ensure forcibly displaced and stateless persons, especially women and children, have access to relevant information; ensure that cases of sexual violence and abuse against girls and boys are reported and dealt with expeditiously.

• Ensure the engagement of UNHCR in the UNCT, UN common programming, planning and funding.

• Ensure that staff and financial resources are commensurate with operational objectives liaising with the Regional Representation Office.

• Exercise effective managerial oversight, direction, guidance and support and conduct regular performance appraisals and coaching.

• In close collaboration with the Designated Official (DO), UNDSS and UN country team/Security Management Team (SMT), gather and analyse information on the local security situation and play an active role in the inter-agency security and contingency planning processes.

• Ensure that appropriate security measures are in place to protect staff, and that the country operation complies with UN Minimum Operational Security Standards (MOSS)/ Minimum Operational Residential Security Standards (MORSS) staff security rules, guidelines and procedures.

• Represent UNHCR in the inter-agency fora and with national authorities.

• Develop country strategy and priorities, country operations plans, and approve the country operation’s protection strategy for validation by the Regional Representative.

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

• 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 P4/NOD - 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education

Business Administration; International Relations; Human Resources Management;

Political Science; Social Science; Law; or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses

HCR Country of Origin Inf Learning Programme; HCR Management Learning Programme

HCR RSD Learning Programme;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Senior positions in a large governmental or international agency. Extensive knowledge of UNHCR operations and services.
Experience in management of broad programmes, political decision making and negotiating, as well as demonstrated tolerance to frequently changing and highly charged situations. Ability to lead formulation, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of operations. Ability to manage for results: translate strategic aims into achievable plans, with established priorities, monitor them, making periodic adjustments as required. Ability to effectively represent UNHCR at the senior level in internal and external meetings and to build strong relationships with clients.

Desirable
Not specified.

Functional Skills
*EL-Monitoring and Evaluation
*PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards)
*MG-Country/Regional Office Representation
*MG-Political Decision Making
(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: Proven experience in representation and negotiation with government authorities, UN agencies, donors, and other stakeholders, in support of the protection and inclusion of displaced populations in national policies and programmes;
Professional experience in international protection, including the application of international protection principles in operational settings;
Demonstrated experience and diplomatic skills in engaging with government counterparts, including at senior levels and in complex or sensitive environments;
Track record of building partnerships and coordinating within inter-agency or intergovernmental frameworks;
Experience contributing to advocacy and resource mobilization efforts with governmental or intergovernmental stakeholders;
Demonstrated experience in analysis, drafting, and external representation.

Desirable: familiarity with the regional context in Latin America, including displacement dynamics, mixed movements, and asylum systems.

Spanish

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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 UNHCR operation in Chile comprises a workforce of 12 personnel, including national and international staff as well as affiliates. The National Office (NO), based in Santiago, operates under the Multi-Country Office (MCO) Argentina in Buenos Aires, which also covers Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay. While accreditation to Chile remains with the MCO Representative, the Head of National Office exercises senior-level representation functions in-country.

Chile has consolidated itself as a key destination for forcibly displaced populations in Latin America, hosting 1.6 million foreign nationals—8.8% of the total population according to the 2024 Census—making it the second country in the region with the highest proportion of foreign-born population after Costa Rica. Venezuelans represent the largest group (41.6%), followed by Peruvians, Colombians, Haitians, and Bolivians, who together account for nearly 86% of all refugees and migrants. In addition, Chile has provided protection to individuals fleeing conflicts in countries such as Palestine, Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine. Overall, the country hosts over 677,922 forcibly displaced individuals, including more than 660,420 people in need of international protection, 13,366 asylum seekers, and 2,448 recognized refugees, as well as a small group at risk of statelessness. In this context, UNHCR works closely with government institutions, civil society, municipalities, and the private sector to ensure access to protection, humanitarian assistance, and durable solutions. Chile is also a key country within the Venezuela situation, with the RMRP (R4V) National Platform, co-led by UNHCR and IOM, serving as the main coordination mechanism.

At the same time, the operational environment has become increasingly complex, with growing negative perceptions of human mobility among the host population, contributing to risks of discrimination and a shrinking protection space. Within this evolving context, the MCO Argentina strategy for 2024–2026 prioritizes ensuring access to territory and fair asylum procedures, promoting regularization through protection-oriented legal stay arrangements, and strengthening the inclusion of forcibly displaced persons in national systems, particularly in social protection and local development frameworks. It also emphasizes engagement with local authorities and host communities to promote social cohesion and reinforce response capacity in areas experiencing increased arrivals.

Looking ahead, UNHCR’s proposed 2027–2029 strategy envisions a Southern Cone where forcibly displaced and stateless persons live in safety and dignity, fully enjoy their rights, and are sustainably included in national systems and communities, with States leading effective protection and solutions frameworks. To advance this vision, the strategy focuses on addressing barriers to legal status and documentation, gaps in access to national systems, limited economic opportunities, and evolving mixed movements. It prioritizes strengthening legal frameworks and documentation systems, expanding access to national services, promoting self-reliance and economic inclusion, scaling up durable solutions, and fostering social cohesion through inclusive policies and strengthened partnerships with development actors and financial institutions.

Under the supervision of the Regional Representative, the Head of National Office leads and manages UNHCR’s operational response in Chile.

Living and Working Conditions:

Santiago is a modern city with a great variety of commercial, economic, cultural and industrial activities. The country has a temperate climate with an average winter temperature of 5 ºC (July/August), and an average summer temperature of 30 ºC (Jan/Feb).

Chile is a category A Family Duty Station. Security Level is LOW. Security situation is generally stable, with the most significant threat being natural disasters (high seismic activity levels. Tremors occur almost on a daily basis). However, the security incidents, as of 18 October 2019, altered the routines of Metropolitan Region of Santiago. UN Personnel is strongly recommended to avoid areas of protests due to possibility of unnecessary risk.

Airport of Santiago is Operational. Accommodation to UN traveler: in Santiago, DSS strongly recommend staying nearby UN premises (ECLAC/UNDP /FAO/ILO). Possibility of renting private accommodation.
In public places like restaurants, bars your personal items (i.e.; wallets, cell phones, laptops, etc.) should be secured.
In Santiago medical services, hospitals and private clinics require previous payment which can be made with international credit cards. Tropical diseases do not exist and therefore do not require previous vaccination before arrival in the country.
The sanitary facilities are trustworthy, and the country has international standard potable water that can be drunk from any faucet with total confidence. Banking facilities can be found within the UN office premises.

The city hosts a multitude of international schools, offering globally recognized curricula such as the International Baccalaureate (IB) and the American curriculum.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CL-Multi-stakeholder Communications with Partners, Government & Community, CO-Cross-cultural communication, MG-Business Performance Analysis and Management, MG-Diplomacy, MG-Field Operations Management, PG-Results-Based Management, PM-Capacity building initiatives with project/programme partners, PR-Area-based protection programming, PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework

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 Country of Origin Information Learning Program - UNHCR, HCR Management Learning Program - UNHCR, HCR RSD Learning Program - UNHCR

Annual Budget OL in Operation/Office, Number of Persons of Concern Served, Number of Workforce in Operation/Work Setting, Workforce to Supervise, Working with Persons of Concern: Asylum Seekers, Working with Persons of Concern: Others of Concern, Working with Persons of Concern: Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: Stateless

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