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

Nairobi (CO), Kenya

PR4

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-07-01

Head of Sub-Office

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
Head of a UNHCR Sub-Office (HoSO) is a senior managerial position within a given country operation. The incumbent carries the full delegated authority of the UNHCR Representative (or the country Manager) 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 UNCR 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 (or the country manager) 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 the Sub-Office to take the most appropriate course of action. Concerning overall physical security concerns, HoSO will liaise directly with the competent UN security coordinator while keeping the UNHCR Representative fully informed.
While the functional responsibility of a Head of a Sub-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 population of concern 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 remains 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 population of concern to UNHCR within the given geographical area; based on local situations/developments make appropriate recommendation to the UNHCR Representative.
- 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. 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 persons of concern to UNHCR Representation 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 P4 - 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
Management Administration, Personnel Administration, Law,
Political Science, International Relation, Economics,
or other relevant field.
(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified.
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
In-depth knowledge in all aspects 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. 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. UNHCR Specific learning/training activities ( i.e. Learning Programme in Management & Operations).

Functional Skills
IT-Computer Literacy
UN-UN/UNHCR Mandate and Global Strategic Priorities
MG-Office Management
HR-Administration of Staff Contracts and Benefits
PR-International protection concepts and principles
(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:
• Substantial experience as Head of Office with proven ability to lead diverse, multi functional teams in complex, high pressure environments.
• Strong coordination and managerial competencies, including oversight of Protection, Programme, Supply, Administration, and field units.
• Solid field background with hands on experience managing operations in complex and high risk security environments.
• Experience managing large-scale operations with multiple partners and significant financial portfolios.
• Strong understanding of protracted refugee situations and experience working in contexts transitioning from Care and Maintenance to inclusion oriented, development-linked approaches.
• Working experience in refugee return programs, voluntary repatriation programs
• Demonstrated ability to advocate effectively for refugee protection, inclusion, and principled humanitarian access.
• Experience guiding transitions from humanitarian assistance toward resilience, self-reliance, and socio economic inclusion.
• Demonstrated experience engaging with development actors and supporting localized area based programming (CRRF/GCR/GISEDP/SHIRIKA).
• Competency in fostering whole-of-society partnerships and linking humanitarian and development interventions.
• Proven strong negotiations skills to engage government at high level and local communities.
• Ability to lead a multiagency coordination team and decision making on behalf others.
• Proven capacity to operate as Area Security Coordinator, including managing staff safety, critical incident response, and risk mitigation in volatile settings.
• Familiarity with remote site management, contingency planning, and emergency preparedness.

Desirable Attributes:
• Extensive knowledge of UNHCR’s Kenya and Somalia operations, including cross border dynamics, displacement drivers, and regional political and humanitarian issues. Added value working experience in places such as Uganda and Ethiopia.
• Strong political awareness and an ability to navigate sensitive relationships with national and county leadership, security actors, and community structures.
• Excellent diplomatic, negotiation, and networking skills to represent UNHCR with senior government officials, donors, humanitarian organizations, private-sector actors, and UN agencies.
• Excellent drafting, analytical, and public speaking skills suitable for high level briefings, donor engagement, and inter-agency coordination.
• Ability to synthesize complex political or operational issues into concise, strategic messaging.
• Familiarity with municipal governance strengthening, integrated settlement approaches, and development planning in displacement contexts.
• High level of resilience, emotional intelligence, and adaptability, with the ability to thrive in a non family duty station with harsh climatic conditions and a demanding workload.
• Dynamic, proactive, and solutions-oriented disposition, able to anticipate challenges and drive strategic transformation.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trust with staff, authorities, community leaders, and partners.

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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 Dadaab Refugee Complex is one of the world’s largest and longest-running refugee operations, hosting 78,725 households comprising 406,566 individuals across the camps of Ifo, Ifo 2, Hagadera, and Dagahaley in Garissa County. Following more than three decades of a Care and Maintenance approach under encampment restrictions, the operation is undergoing a major shift toward area‑based, inclusive, and development‑oriented programming guided by the Shirika Plan and the Garissa Integrated Socio‑Economic Development Plan (GISEDP) This transition aims to transform camps into integrated settlements and strengthen socio‑economic inclusion for refugees and host communities.

The Head of Sub-Office (HoSO) is UNHCR’s senior representative in Dadaab and provides strategic, political, and operational leadership for a large, complex, multi-partner operation. The incumbent leads a team of senior staff across Protection, Programme, Supply, Admin/Finance, Field, Community-Based Protection, and technical sectors, driving the transition from traditional Care and Maintenance to inclusion-based programming aligned with the CRRF, GCR, and area‑based development models. This includes supporting the establishment and capacity-building of the emerging municipality and ensuring integration of services with county-led systems.

The HoSO oversees multi-camp operations and, where relevant, subordinate field locations, ensuring coherent planning, implementation, and monitoring across partners, UN agencies, and government counterparts. The role requires strong external engagement, serving as the primary interlocutor with Garissa County leadership, national authorities, diplomatic missions, development partners, private-sector actors, NGOs, and UN sister agencies.

The incumbent also serves as the Area Security Coordinator, responsible for staff safety and risk management in a high‑risk (Security Level 4/E) environment. This includes crisis preparedness, security planning, and mitigation of operational, political, and environmental risks affecting refugees and staff.

Key responsibilities include: (a) day‑to‑day oversight of protection and assistance delivery; (b) management of large-scale, multimillion dollar operations under chronic funding shortfalls; (c) ensuring compliance with UNHCR policies and accountability frameworks; (d) leading implementation of the Shirika Plan and GISEDP; (e) integrating disaster‑risk reduction into operations; (f) steering durable solutions; resettlement, voluntary repatriation where feasible, and socio-economic inclusion; (g) negotiating humanitarian access and advocating for refugee rights; (h) preparing for and responding to new influxes from Somalia and Ethiopia while promoting self-reliance; and (i) managing high‑level missions, donor engagement, and strategic partnerships.

Living and Working Conditions:

General Introduction

The operation in Dadaab is simultaneous a protracted refugee situation and a large number of new arrivals due to drought and insecurity in Somalia. The Dadaab Refugee Complex was established in 1991 to host refugees from Somalia fleeing the civil war.

Health Care facilities:

There is an equipped JMS clinic in the Dadaab Compound with a resident doctor and nurse to provide health care to UN and Partner staff in providing basic medical services and primary assistance in case of life-threatening illness which would eventually be evacuated to Garissa or Nairobi by road or air service ambulance. In case of treatment that requires a specialist, patients are referred to Nairobi.

Communications:

The Office and accommodation are connected to the PAMA satellite system. There are also three mobile service providers in the area namely: Safaricom, Airtel and Telkom. The Office of UNHCR Dadaab is connected to the Safaricom and Airtel service providers, which are considered to have the wider coverage in the country. All mobile phone service providers also offer internet access to their users. Satellite TV is available in the compound with a variety of channels both movies, news, entertainment and sports. We have a common TV room (upstairs at the mess) which is open to all staff members and guests. Staff members have personal TVs in their rooms and are connected to the common decoders. For UNHCR International staff members, it is optional to have an individual (DSTV) decoder that is paid at own cost.

Banking:

All staff coming to Dadaab are encouraged to open Bank accounts on arrival in Nairobi. There is one commercial bank in Dadaab (Equity Bank with ATM and all major international Visa cards accepted), postal services are also available. Staff and missions are encouraged to carry enough money to cover their needs or make other arrangements to receive money. Another popular means of transactions is thorough mobile phone company services; Safaricom (M-pesa), Orange money and Airtel (Airtel Money), these services are readily available in Dadaab town although sometimes they have liquidity problems which might delay in getting cash.

Accommodation:

Due to the challenging security situation, all international staff and most national staff live in the UNHCR compound. UNHCR Dadaab has 145 residential houses and 6 fabricated containers for both international and National staff members and 12 self-contained guest rooms for mission and official visitors.

The UN compound is surrounded by Hesco fences, and there is a curfew in place from 6 pm to 6 am, when the external gate is closed. All movement outside the UN compound to and within the camps requires armed police escort.

Security Situation: The security situation continues to be a challenge in SO Dadaab, and the staff needs to have undergone proper security training, including the mandatory SSAFE training. Meanwhile, staff movements in the Dadaab Operation are restricted, and all staff are obliged to adhere to security advisories. Staying in the office compound is regulated by a curfew in effect during the night and the requirement to answer daily radio checks.

Dadaab is at UN security level (SLS) 4 as a duty station.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

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

Certifications

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