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

H (no hardship)

Family

PR4

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-05-29

Senior Executive Assistant to the AHC - Operations

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Senior Executive Assistant to the Assistant High Commissioner for Operations (AHC-O) works under the direct guidance of the AHC-O and supports the effective functioning of the AHC-O’s Office. The position is situated in the senior executive support function at Headquarters and requires close coordination with the Executive Office, the Senior Executive Team, Regional Bureaux, Headquarters divisions and services, and other relevant internal and external stakeholders.

The AHC-O provides leadership for UNHCR’s global operational activities, including emergency preparedness and response, security, programme and supply, and the advancement of sustainable responses to forced displacement through partnerships and innovative strategies. The AHC-O also ensures coordination across the Regional Bureaux.

The Senior Executive Assistant supports the AHC-O in managing information flows, identifying priority matters requiring the AHC-O’s attention, coordinating follow-up on decisions, and ensuring timely preparation for meetings, missions and engagements. The incumbent liaises with Directors of Bureaux and Divisions, senior managers at Headquarters and in the field, and external interlocutors on matters requiring the AHC-O’s attention or action.

The incumbent handles sensitive and, at times, confidential information relating to operational priorities, policy developments, field situations, senior-level decision-making and institutional follow-up. The role requires sound political judgement, discretion, strong drafting skills, organizational awareness and the ability to maintain a constructive flow of information between the AHC-O’s Office, Regional Bureaux, Headquarters entities and other counterparts.

S/he is also a core member of the Executive Office team.

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

• Manage the flow of information to and from the AHC-O’s Office, identify priority matters, secure and analyse documents, and take appropriate follow-up action.

• Read, screen and control incoming correspondence and documentation addressed to the AHC-O, identify priorities, flag issues requiring decision or guidance, initiate action and follow up to ensure timely implementation of decisions.

• Keep the AHC-O informed of developments in operations, emergency situations, security, programme, supply, sustainable responses, Regional Bureau coordination and other relevant operational or policy issues.

• Exchange high-level information, some of which may be confidential, on matters related to UNHCR’s global operational priorities and the AHC-O’s responsibilities.

• Maintain a measured, constructive and timely flow of information between the AHC-O’s Office, the Executive Office, Regional Bureaux, Headquarters divisions and services, and other relevant UNHCR entities.

• Liaise with Directors of Regional Bureaux, Divisions and Services, Representatives, responsible officers at Headquarters and in the field, and high-level external counterparts on matters requiring the AHC-O’s attention or action.

• Support the AHC-O in coordinating across the Regional Bureaux and relevant Headquarters entities, in line with the AHC-O’s responsibility to provide leadership for global operations and ensure coordination across Bureaux.

• Attend ad hoc operational task forces, senior-level coordination meetings and other internal or external meetings as required; prepare notes, minutes or records of decisions; and follow up on agreed actions.

• Prepare and coordinate the AHC-O’s mission programme, including screening requests for meetings and field visits, obtaining and organizing background material, preparing briefing packages and supporting follow-up after missions.

• Accompany the AHC-O on missions and to selected internal or external meetings, as required, to provide briefing support, note-taking, reporting and follow-up.

• Support the AHC-O’s engagement with the Division of Emergency and Programme Support, Sustainable Responses Service, Climate Action Team, Regional Bureaux and other relevant Headquarters entities under or linked to the AHC-O portfolio.

• Monitor pending issues and ensure systematic follow-up on decisions, requests and commitments affecting the AHC-O’s ability to act in a timely and informed manner.

• Support the day-to-day functioning of the AHC-O’s Office through workflow management, coordination, planning and administrative follow-up.

• Assist in the management of administrative, personnel and resource-related matters affecting the AHC-O’s Office, remaining informed of relevant financial, human resources and administrative procedures.

• Maintain awareness of operational, policy, political and institutional developments relevant to UNHCR’s operations, including emergencies, field security, programme management, supply, sustainable responses and inter-agency coordination.

• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

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

Business Administration; International Relations; Political Science;

Law; Public Administration; Humanitarian Affairs;

Development Studies; or another relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses

Not specified.

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

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Relevant previous professional work experience relevant to executive support, operational coordination, humanitarian operations, policy support, programme management, emergency response or senior-level coordination. Previous professional experience in the United Nations system, an international organization or a non-governmental organization in an international capacity. Prior field assignment, preferably in a complex or hardship duty station. Demonstrated understanding of UNHCR’s operational work, including field operations, emergency response, programme delivery, security, supply, coordination with Regional Bureaux and support to country operations. Proven ability to manage sensitive and confidential information with discretion, judgement and tact. Demonstrated political awareness, sound judgement and diplomacy in dealing with senior internal and external stakeholders. Strong drafting, editing and analytical skills, including the ability to prepare concise briefing notes, correspondence, talking points, records of meetings and follow-up documents for senior leadership. Proven ability to manage competing priorities, identify issues requiring senior-level attention, and follow up systematically on decisions and pending actions.

Desirable

Prior Headquarters and field experience. Experience supporting senior leadership in an executive office, regional bureau, country operation, emergency operation or Headquarters division. Good working knowledge of another UN language. Experience in emergency preparedness and response, field security, programme management, supply, sustainable responses, inter-agency coordination or humanitarian-development-peace collaboration. Familiarity with UNHCR administrative rules, regulations, procedures and decision-making processes.

Functional Skills

C

CO-Drafting and documentation

CO-Editing

CO-Strategic communication

CO-Preparation of key messages, talking points and speeches

MG-Coordination

MG-Policy development, evaluation, research and publication

PG-Programme management

FO-Operational activities in hardship duty stations

(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

Cross-Functional Competencies

Policy Development and Research

Political Awareness

Stakeholder Management

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 appointed candidate is politically astute and operationally grounded professional with substantial UNHCR or broader humanitarian experience, including prior field exposure. role requires discretion, resilience, tact and the ability to manage sensitive information in a fast-paced executive environment. Moreover, the following requirements are essential:
- Combined HQ/RB and field experience is essential.
- Demonstrated experience of field operations, emergency response and programme delivery to affected population.
- Prior experience in supporting senior leadership in an executive office, Regional Bureau, country operation, emergency operation or Headquarters division. through high-quality drafting, sound judgement, effective coordination and disciplined follow-up.

Desirable Attributes:
Good working knowledge of another UN language would further strengthen the profile.

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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 Senior Executive Assistant to the AHC-O supports one of UNHCR’s senior leadership functions at Headquarters. The role requires the ability to work under pressure, anticipate information needs, coordinate across multiple organizational layers, and ensure that the AHC-O receives timely, accurate and action-oriented support on operational matters.

The AHC-O portfolio covers global operational leadership, including emergency preparedness and response, field security, programme and supply, sustainable responses and coordination across Regional Bureaux. The role must therefore combine executive support skills with a strong understanding of field realities, operational risk, institutional priorities and senior-level decision-making.

Living and Working Conditions:

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CO-Drafting and Documentation, CO-Editing, CO-Preparation of key messages/talking points/speeches, CO-Strategic Communication, Extraction & Preparation of Metalliferous Ores, FO-Operational activities in hardship duty stations, MG-Coordination, MG-Management Planning, MG-Policy Development, Evaluation, Research, Publication, PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards)

Bachelor of Arts: Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts: Development Studies, Bachelor of Arts: International Relations, Bachelor of Arts: Law, Bachelor of Arts: Political Science, Bachelor of Arts: Public Administration

Certifications

Competencies

Accountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Policy research & development, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, 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