Job Description

Deadline for Applications

October 22, 2026

Hardship Level

E (most hardship)

Family Type

Non FamilyDanger Pay

Residential location (if applicable)

Grade

DI1

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Target Start Date

2026-10-08

Standard Job Description

Representative

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

As the High Commissioner's senior representative in the country, the Representative provides managerial leadership and oversight to ensure UNHCR's effective performance in the country of her/his assignment. The incumbent usually manages a budget of USD 6 million and above.

Reporting to the Director of the Bureau, the Representative is responsible and accountable for translating organizational and Bureau-wide objectives and policies into effective programmes. Through a continuous process of situational analysis, the Representative works with his/her team to identify strategic objectives and develop coherent, consistent and effective responses to the challenges faced. He/she is responsible for ensuring the adequate provision of technical support and guidance to the office to enable them to fulfil their accountabilities, including those outlined in the Terms of Reference of UNHCR offices as well as the Age, Gender and Diversity Accountability Framework.

The Representative works to ensure that UNHCR is widely perceived as an effective and trusted partner. S/he is responsible for creating effective networks, relationships, partnerships, and synergies with governments, NGOs, relevant regional political and other fora, civil society, forcibly displaced and stateless persons and other key strategic partners and actors. He/she lends visibility to important strategic issues, promotes concerted action and the commitment of sufficient resources and expertise to address important matters of concern to UNHCR. UNHCR is well integrated into the UN Resident Coordinator System.

In a complex and demanding political and operational environment, the Representative strives to build a dynamic and sufficiently capacitated team. S/he devolves appropriate authorities, facilitates the sharing of expertise and best practice and creates a climate of collaboration, which aims to empower and motivate colleagues to approach challenges with insight and innovation and to work toward achieving measurable and effective results. The Representative is responsible to ensure a vibrant Multi-Functional Team approach is established and employed at different stages of the operations management cycle, including in programme monitoring, and engaging the participation of relevant functions within the operation. S/he has a responsibility to inform the Bureau and other relevant parties at Headquarters of key political and operational developments in a timely manner.

The comports and actions of the Representative must always reflect the core values and principles embodied in UNHCR's mandate. A failure on the part of the Representative to adhere to these standards would have negative implications for UNHCR's credibility, operations and, ultimately, the protection and well-being of forcibly displaced and stateless persons to the Office.

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

Strategic Direction

• 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. Mobilize financial support for UNHCR corporate priorities as well for country specific projects.

Operations

• Implement a results-oriented approach, engaging a robust Multi-Functional Team, for assessing, designing, delivering and monitoring the country operation.
• 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 activities and to actively contribute in the establishment of the CCA/UNDAF and the consequent joint implementation activities.
• Participate in the Cluster approach, ensure UNHCR's Cluster Lead role and implement other IASC and inter-agency/UN policies.
• Ensure that risks to the operation's objectives are regularly assessed, priority risks are identified and risk treatments for the priority risks form an integral part of the operations plans.

Resource Management

• Ensure that staff and financial resources are commensurate with operational objectives.
• Ensure effective and efficient management of resources within the rules and procedures of UNHCR.
• Establish and manage local administrative mechanisms such as a Local Contracts (or Purchasing) Committee, Local Asset Management Board and APPC.
• Ensure local compliance with UNHCR's human resources (HR) policies including on gender, disabilities, diversity, ethics and HIV/AIDS.
• Manage a process of recruitment, assignment and reassignment of local staff for the country operation, in accordance UN/UNHCR rules and procedures.
• Where necessary, identify the most appropriate affiliate workforce and optimize its use.
• In coordination with the Global Learning Centre, ensure that the learning needs of UNHCR's workforce in the country are identified, assessed and addressed.
• Exercise effective managerial oversight, direction, guidance and support and conduct regular performance appraisals and coaching.

Security

• 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 MOSS/MORSS staff security rules, guidelines and procedures.
• Represent UNHCR in the UNCT/Humanitarian Country Team and other inter-agency fora.
• Decide on the country strategy and priorities, country operations plans, and approve the country operation's protection strategy.
• Enforce local compliance with UNHCR¿s global protection, programme, finance and human resources and security policies and standards.
• Negotiate and sign local agreements with implementing and operational partners.
• Authorize payments as per the organization's Delegation of Authority Plan (DOAP) and in accordance with UN/UNHCR rules and procedures.
• Modify operational projects and reallocate funds, within the approved budgets and in respect of donor earmarking.
• 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 D1 - 17 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 16 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 15 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education

Business Administration; International Relations; Law;

Political Science; Social Science; or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses

HCR Learning Prog; HCR Managing Operatns Lrng Prg;

(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

• Extensive knowledge of UNHCR operations and services. Extensive knowledge of UNHCR operations and services.
• A high level of skill 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 strategic planning, change processes, results-based management and reporting.
• Ability to lead formulation, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of operations.
• Ability to manage for results: translates strategic aims into achievable plans, with established priorities, monitors 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

• Knowledge of geo-political realities and their socio-cultural implications.

Functional Skills

MG-Client Relationship Management

MG-Change Management

PG-Programme Management (project formulation, programme cycles and reporting standards)

PG-Results-Based Management

UN-UN/UNHCR Inter-agency Policies, Standards, Programmes, and Partnerships

UN-UN/UNHCR Mandate and Global Strategic Priorities

MG-Field Operations Management

MG-Political Decision Making

MG-Country/Regional Office Representation

UN-Analysis of geo-political realities and their socio-cultural implications

(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.

Desired Candidate Profile

• Experience in senior leadership role in a politically sensitive and high security risk operation.
• Previous experience in the MENA region is desirable.
• Candidate shall possess a strong protection profile with leadership experience in both IDP and refugee contexts.
• Strong leadership skills to manage a diverse team in an extremely sensitive operational environment.
• Demonstrated diplomatic skills and proven experience in gaining trust of interlocutors at the highest level; and
• Proven record of managing large teams.

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

Desired languages

Arabic

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:

Entering the 11th year of conflict, the humanitarian crisis in Yemen is considered one of the worst in the world. In addition to the ongoing armed conflict, which has expanded and now includes the United States and Israel, the economy and the currency continue to collapse. The global COVID-19 turndown led to a sharp drop in remittances, the largest source of foreign currency and a lifeline for many families where 80% of people live below the poverty line. In addition, in the previous years, heavy seasonal rains and flooding devastated communities, causing deaths and injuries, again destroying infrastructure and livelihoods, and increasing diseases spread and displacement.

In addition, the conduct of the parties to the conflict has had a profound impact on aid operations ' particularly humanitarian access, aid delivery and independent data collection/assessments.

The dual system of governance, with two separate entities governing in Yemen adds to the complexity of the operating environment in Yemen. Whereas in Aden, an Internationally Recognized Government has a temporary seat, in Sanaa, de facto authorities administer the Northern part of the country. Balancing conduct between the two requires strength, diplomacy and tact.

UNHCR’s interventions focus on more than 4 million internally displaced and an estimated 150,000 refugees and asylum-seekers. Humanitarian access is severely constrained by administrative hurdles and ongoing fighting, with rapidly shifting frontlines. Detention of UN national staff, financial austerity, as well as the political and economic ramifications of the designation of the de facto authorities as a Foreign Terrorist Organization have further reduced the humanitarian footprint in the northern part of the country with only lifesaving activities conducted.

UNHCR retains a strong operational footprint in relation to protection of civilians (emergency response) shelter and NFIs, and IDP sites management (CCCM) in the framework of UNHCR and as Tri-Cluster lead with one of the largest cash programmes of UNHCR globally.

UNHCR operations are managed by the Country Office in Sanaa, with four field offices in Hodeidah, Saada, and Marib , as well as in the South of Yemen through the Sub-Office Aden.

The incumbent handles a complex, diverse, and challenging operation, ranging from coordinating the emergency and relief response for refugees, to managing the gradual inclusion of refugees in national services and systems, ensuring protection, and playing a leading role in the three UNHCR clusters on the IDP response. Finally, the Representative leads external relations work in view of the multiple fundraising and reporting obligations.

Living and Working Conditions:

Moderate climate, dry most of the year with temperatures going from 20 to 30 degrees. Sanaa is located at a highland 2,300 m above sea level. With difficulties in accessing quality healthcare, persons with pre-existing medical conditions must consider the implications of working in Yemen, and should take all possible steps to ensure that they are medically prepared, including carrying sufficient supplies of any necessary prescription or other medication.

Movement and travel of international staff is limited to and from the UN Compound, offices and implementation locations only. Very limited possibility for leisure and recreational facilities. Stressful work context, therefore capacity for self-care is very important and personal security awareness is critical. In order to support and protect the health and well-being of its workforce, time-off are granted to the international staff. Rest and Recuperation (R&R) in Yemen consists of a 4-week cycle.

All UN international staff reside in apartments, in the UN Common Accommodation Facility (UNCAF) in Sana’a, which are equipped with furniture, housekeeping services, mini market, Restaurant, Coffee Shop, Gym, Swimming Pool. Shopping tour can be arranged with security and admin every Wednesday to one of the malls in Sana’a, where staff can buy their needs.

Yemen is under Security Level V. The UN in general faces, as a result of those conflicts, three general types of risks: collateral damage due to the armed conflict, terrorism, especially in the south, but also sleeping cells in the north, crime due to the economic/financial collapse of Yemen and the dramatic rise in the needs of Yemenis to feed and to provide medical care for their families, and hazard due to long road travels in armored vehicles on narrow roads with no maintenance. The working and living space are well protected and are MOSS compliant. All physical security mitigation measures are in place, which include guards, secured walls, protected windows. The security situation dictates that all international UN personnel in Yemen must reside within UN or other UNDSS approved compounds.

Due to the unstable security situation, when travelling by road, UN International staff members must only move in armored vehicles. This includes pick-ups and drop-offs at offices and airports. International staff must not travel in soft skin vehicles or in public transport of any sort. All staff members must complete the mandatory SSAFE and online BSAFE training.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

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 Learning Program - UNHCR, Programme Management (PM) 1 - UNHCR

Work Experience

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: Internally Displaced Persons, Working with Persons of Concern: Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: Returned IDPs, Working with Persons of Concern: Returned 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, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration

UNHCR Salary Calculator

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Flash Vacancy Notice

Additional Information

Functional clearance

This position doesn't require a functional clearance