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 LocationDanger Pay

Nairobi (CO), Kenya

PR5

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-05-26

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, socio-economic, or security developments in the Area of Responsibility (AOR), the 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 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, forcibly displaced and stateless persons 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-à-vis the forcibly displaced and stateless persons to UNHCR within the given geographical area; based on local situations/developments, make appropriate recommendations 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 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 the 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 and financial/material, at an optimum level for the well-being of the forcibly displaced and stateless persons and the UNHCR staff.

• Ensure that all security measures of UNHCR office (and residential, wherever applicable) compounds are always up to date; any security breaches and/or potential security threats should be reported immediately to the 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 the highest standards of conduct and behaviour through one’s own practice and deeds.

• Prepare and submit regular reports, both verbal 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 shared with the other party.

• 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 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 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

Human Resources Management; Personnel Administration; Law;

Political Science; International Relations; Economics;

or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses

HCR Management Learning Programme; HCR Managing Operations Learning Programme

(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;

MG-Office Management;

PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators;

HR-Administration of Staff Contracts and Benefits;

(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

Competency Requirements

All jobs at UNHCR require six core competencies and may also require managerial competencies and/or cross-functional competencies. The six core competencies are listed below.

Core Competencies

Accountability

Communication

Organizational Awareness

Teamwork & Collaboration

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies

Empowering and Building Trust

Judgement and Decision Making

Leadership

Managing Performance

Managing Resources

Strategic Planning and Vision

Cross-Functional Competencies

Analytical Thinking

Planning and Organizing

Political Awareness

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:
• Extensive senior-level managerial and operational experience in complex humanitarian emergencies with strong and proven protection background, and extensive experience leading complex IDP operations in volatile, high-risk and politically constrained environments.
• Demonstrated ability to place protection at the core of strategy and operations, ensuring principled, context-sensitive and rights-based delivery of assistance at scale, while advancing durable solutions and safeguarding humanitarian space.
• Strong ability to lead the implementation of MYMP strategy, balancing ambition with operational realism, optimizing limited resources, and ensuring results-based management.
• Demonstrated commitment to operationalizing the HDP Nexus through protection-focused joint analysis, planning and programming, strengthening resilience, social cohesion, and pathways out of displacement.
• Proven ability to lead large multidisciplinary teams and manage substantial financial, administrative and operational resources in high-risk environments.
• Demonstrated capacity to represent UNHCR effectively with senior government authorities, UN agencies, donors, security actors, NGOs and local communities, including experience in inter-agency coordination and humanitarian leadership mechanisms.
• Fluency in French is essential.
Desirable Attributes
• Proven capacity to ensure compliance with UNHCR protection, programme, finance, security and administrative standards and procedures and ability to translate protection analysis into coherent, cost-effective programmes that deliver measurable impact for displaced and host communities in resource-constrained settings.
• Demonstrated resilience and the ability to maintain sound judgment, professionalism, and calm leadership while working effectively under sustained pressure, including in contexts of heightened insecurity, operational uncertainty, and rapidly deteriorating security environments involving armed actors.
• Previous experience in large-scale emergency or conflict operations involving armed groups, mass displacement and severe protection risks would be a strong asset. Experience working in hardship duty stations and non-family duty stations under emergency or conflict settings.
• Proven willingness and operational commitment to remain at duty station during critical security situations when operational continuity is required, including flexibility to postpone leave when necessary, in the interest of emergency response and staff safety.
• Strong negotiation, communication, and diplomatic skills with local authorities, community leaders, and humanitarian stakeholders, combined with a proven staff welfare and team management approach that prioritizes morale, well-being, and duty of care in challenging environments.
• Experience managing operations with numerous operational and implementing partners, coupled with familiarity with the operational context of the Great Lakes region and/or Eastern DRC, considered a strong asset.
• Strong experience in security management, risk analysis and crisis decision-making in volatile and rapidly evolving operational contexts.
• Excellent drafting, analytical and reporting skills, including the ability to provide timely strategic recommendations to senior management.

French

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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:

Eastern DRC continues to grapple with one of the most complex humanitarian crises globally, characterized by recurring conflict, widespread displacement as well as emergency and protracted protection challenges. Together with other humanitarian stakeholders, UNHCR supports governmental authorities in North Kivu in responding to the needs of over 1 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) and 2 million IDP returnees as well as nearly 160,000 refugees and asylum seekers through a broad protection and solutions-oriented strategy that integrates emergency response, transitional support and durable solutions.

The Head of Sub-Office (HoSO) in Goma reports to the Representative and operates in an exceptionally sensitive and politically complex environment where parts of the Area of Responsibility may be under the control of both internationally recognized government authorities and de facto armed or non-state actors. In this context, the position requires demonstrated exceptional diplomatic judgment, political awareness, and operational neutrality in managing relations with all relevant interlocutors strictly within the framework of UN principles and humanitarian engagement.

The position requires maintaining effective operational access and humanitarian dialogue while preserving UNHCR’s impartiality, independence, and credibility at all times. The incumbent must carefully navigate this dual-authority environment in a manner that protects the organization, its personnel, and its humanitarian mandate from any perception of political alignment or formal association with parties to the conflict.

Given the highly volatile and fragmented security environment, the Head of Sub-Office must provide calm and strategic leadership to offices and teams operating across areas controlled by different authorities and armed actors. The HoSO is expected to ensure continuity of humanitarian operations, maintain staff safety and welfare, and support field teams facing severe operational and security pressures. This requires a high level of discretion, sound risk-based decision-making, and the ability to engage constructively with multiple stakeholders while maintaining strict adherence to humanitarian principles, UN security frameworks, and organizational accountability standards.

Living and Working Conditions:

• Housing/accommodation Available through UN-approved providers.
• Healthcare Available but limited, thus cases requiring advanced treatment are referred to Kinshasa, South Africa or Kenya.
• Ongoing Ebola outbreak
• Education Limited international schooling options in Goma but international schools are available in Kinshasa.
• Security Goma is classified as category D non-family with residential location and danger pay. 6-week cycle for rest and recuperation. Goma experiences insecurity due to armed group activities in surrounding areas. Movement is subject to UNDSS protocols and staff must remain security conscious.
• Other Services Other basic services are available in Goma except banking services that are currently suspended.
• Access to utilities (Internet, electricity and water) can be limited in certain time
• Banking Goma is under rebel control. All banks are closed for the time being. Both local currency (Francs Congolais) and US$ are accepted. But one need to cross border to cash money in Gisenyi in Rwanda. The banking operation may require at least 2 to 3 hours including cross-border formalities.
  

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

HCR 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