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

Family

PR5

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-05-29

Senior Inter-Agency Coordinator

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Inter-Agency Coordinator is usually located in a Regional Office, Multi-Country Office, Regional Bureaux, Regional Refugee Coordinator's Office or in the Public Partnerships and Resource Mobilization Service in Headquarters. Only exceptionally would a country office have a Senior Inter Agency Coordinator at the P5 level. The incumbent plays a crucial role in ensuring UNHCR's approach to partnership and inter-agency processes is consistent, strategic and coherent. The main aim is to ensure that UNHCR fulfils its role to support the Government to lead the refugee response, coordinate other actors in the initial stages of a refugee emergency and adhere to UNHCR inter agency commitments in IDP situations. This should be done in line with UNHCRs Mandate, the Global Compact for Refugees, the IDP policy, and agreed inter agency commitments. More specifically, s/he is responsible for developing inter-agency engagement strategies and providing authoritative advice on coordination matters. S/he is the main interlocutor with UN agencies and NGO partners and advises the senior management on inter-agency processes and related positioning, coordination, advocacy, information, resource allocation, fundraising, reporting, and communication. S/he will also liaise with government entities, other UN agencies, NGOs, civil society actors, private sector media, other relevant actors through strong engagement in humanitarian inter agency processes, but also with a focus on development processes as they impact on UNHCR. The overall goal of the position is to strengthen and enhance the effectiveness of UNHCR's leadership roles and responses to situations affecting forcibly displaced and stateless persons to UNHCR (refugees, IDPs, stateless persons, returnees, host communities) through an open and transparent partnership approach. Moreover, the incumbent maintains close contact with the Division of External Relations (DER), Public Partnerships and Resource Mobilization Service, Sustainable Responses Service and New York Office (NYO) on emerging issues.

In the Regional Bureaux, the incumbent is responsible for ensuring in an effective and efficient manner which supports the Organization's Mandate, overall quality assurance and managerial support of operations, in line with the Bureau's 2nd line function, within the three lines of defence conceptual framework for effective control and risk management adopted by the UN system.

S/he will, further, cover the full spectrum of managerial oversight, manage performance and monitor the adherence of Country Operations to UNHCR's rules and regulations, monitoring, identifying and addressing any emerging issues and risks as appropriate. The incumbent also promotes a culture that is results-oriented, efficient and based on trust and pursues measures to ensure that inclusion, gender balance and diversity are taken into due consideration in staffing, resource allocation and representation at all levels throughout the AoR.

As a key custodian of the organization's standards of conduct, s/he will proactively establish a working environment where all personnel feel safe, heard, equipped and empowered to speak up; demonstrate no tolerance for sexism, gender inequality, discrimination of any kind, abuse of power, harassment or sexual harassment; foster ongoing dialogue on those matters; take seriously all issues of inappropriate behaviour and actions reported, whether formally or informally; and seek guidance and support as necessary to ensure that appropriate follow-up is taken, working on the basis of zero tolerance for any form of misconduct.

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
- Be responsible for ensuring UNHCR fulfils its coordination lead roles and responsibilities, in line with its mandate, the Global Compact on Refugees, the IDP Policy and cluster lead responsibilities.
- Develop UNHCR's inter-agency engagement strategy and advise senior managers to formulate and communicate UNHCR positions, internally and externally, providing briefing notes, talking points and issues papers for relevant discussions in-house, with partners, including UN agencies and NGOs, donors, ExCom and in inter-agency fora.
- Ensure proactive lead and/or participation in inter-agency fora to ensure that UNHCR, its Mandate and programmes are given due attention and reflected in linkage at the country level, bureaux and at the policy levels of humanitarian and development coordination systems.
- Promote UNHCR's policies and linkages within multilateral processes, including humanitarian and development processes as elaborated by the humanitarian working groups , the Inter Agency Standing Committee, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG), as well as in regional and country levels.
- Ensure effective and inclusive coordination mechanisms and tools are in place and provide authoritative advice to the senior managers on coordination matters, in line with the refugee coordination model and globally-agreed arrangements applicable in various situations (refugee-only; mixed refugee-IDPs; refugee and migrant movements).
- Coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors
- Promote preparedness, contingency planning and prevention, and facilitate sustainable solutions
- Negotiate UNHCR's positions with other agencies and facilitate negotiations and provision of support for consensus building
- Maintain frequent formal and informal contacts with his/her counterparts in other organisations.
- Maintain an open dialogue and information sharing with NGOs and civil society partners to enlarge UNHCR's support and tap into complementary resources/ support to refugees.
- Be responsible for furthering understanding within UNHCR on inter- agency issues and priorities and advising staff on policy developments and reform initiatives within the humanitarian sphere, as well as the broader UN and development processes. This includes updating key staff on the developments within the Inter Agency frameworks, UN reforms, Global Compact, as well as promoting and stimulating UNHCR's implementation of key reforms within the humanitarian and development architecture.
- Ensure internal institutional coherence and coordination of actions pursued for a strong refugee coordination system under government leadership where possible, with accompanying planning instruments in the delivery of refugee responses.
- Where there is lack of clarity as to UNHC's positions and priorities, identify where there are gaps or a lack of clarity and stimulate a process whereby policy will be clearly mapped out and agreed at the highest levels in the organisation.

For positions in the Regional Bureaux, Multi-Country Offices or RRC Offices only:
- Promote within relevant country operations coordinated approaches to decision making frameworks, especially in regards to humanitarian inter agency processes, but also with a focus on development processes as they impact on UNHCR in the field.
- Operationalize UNHCR's inter-agency policies and maintain an inclusive inter-agency regional approach
- Advise UNHCR's senior management on engagement in regional inter-agency processes, including regional Economic Commissions and regional UNSDG.
- Establish regional coordination mechanisms and/or consultation fora for situations led by UNHCR. This should include, inter alia: support to RRC (if appointed); information-management; reporting.
- Where applicable, coordinate the compilation of a regional refugee response plan (in some situations, this could be a regional refugee and migrant response plan or a refugee and resilience plan), as well as its monitoring and the tracking of financial contributions.
- Ensure timely preparedness and contingency planning across the region / multi-countries.
- Liaise with other UN agencies and other inter government agencies and fora at the regional level to find areas of cooperation, joint initiatives and where applicable negotiate joint agreements or work programmes to further protection and assistance for forcibly displaced and stateless persons.
- Ensure efficient and timely circulation of information to stakeholders, including through the production of regular and up-to-date information, key messages and regional situational analysis.
- Ensure effective coordination mechanisms are in place in country operations in line with globally-agreed arrangements and the refugee coordination model) and ensure support is provided in a timely manner.
- Advise Country Operations on how to facilitate UNHCR's catalytic and convener's role in the context of the Global Compact on Refugees.
- Advise Country Operations on how to engage in UNDAF processes.
- Organize regional-level capacity building, as required.
- Support the organization of annual regional NGO consultations and facilitate events as required.
- Alert the HQ (DER and DEPS) on issues related to coordination arrangements interface with development and humanitarian systems.

- 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
Law; Political Science; Economics, International Relations; Business Administration; Social Science; or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified.

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Experience of working in an inter-agency environment at field or Headquarters level. Experience of liaising with governments and/or the donor community. Thorough understanding of UNHCR's protection mandate and core mission. Thorough understanding of humanitarian coordination processes and recent inter-agency developments related to the IASC and the broader UN.

Desirable
Inter-agency coordination role. Drafting joint appeal/ refugee response plan/HRP. Experience with another UN agency or partner.

Functional Skills
MG-Coordination
(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:
1. Senior-level experience in coordination at humanitarian cluster and RCM settings, and through complex government relations in a politically sensitive environment.
2. Extensive operational experience, also at challenging field settings and camps, both in refugee and IDP contexts.
3. Extensive experience in protection with leadership roles at Country office level;
4. Experience in Inter Agency Coordination systems and settings;
5. Strong track record of drafting strategic planning documents;
6. Proved strong managerial skills

Desirable attributes:
• Adaptability to change in a dynamic context while still focusing on strategic objectives;
• Maturity, decisiveness

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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/destinations/traveler/none/bangladesh-s_cid=ncezid-dgmq-travel-single-001

Nature of Position:

As of April 2026, Bangladesh hosts more than 1,1 million Rohingya refugees, 78% of whom are women and children. Most refugees live in 33 extremely congested camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf sub-districts of Cox’s Bazar, and 37,028 reside on Bhasan Char, an island in the Bay of Bengal, 60 km from the Bangladesh mainland. August 2024 marked seven years since the Rohingya crisis when more than 700,000 Rohingya women, men, and children fled Myanmar to Bangladesh, joining hundreds of thousands who sought and found refuge in the country in previous years. Yet, comprehensive solutions for Rohingya refugees remain elusive. While voluntary repatriation constitutes the main durable solution, a return in significant numbers in the immediate future is highly unlikely due to the ongoing developments following the military coup in Myanmar in February 2021 and the resurgence end 2023, of active armed conflict in Rakhine State where the million Rohingya refugees come from. Conditions in Myanmar are not presently considered conducive for the safe, voluntary, sustainable, and dignified return of Rohingya refugees.

With the escalation of the conflict in Northern Rakhine State since November 2023, the operation in Bangladesh has experienced the spill overs in the refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar. On the one hand, UNHCR and partners have been recording a significant increase in security incidents in the camps, including homicides and abductions. UNHCR has also seen an emerging trend of organised groups recruiting refugees to engage them in the armed conflict in Myanmar. The compromised civilian and humanitarian character of asylum in the camps has heightened risks for refugees, refugee volunteers (the backbone of the humanitarian response) and humanitarian workers. On the other hand, the operation has been recording new arrivals in the camps despite the Government’s closed-door policy at the border with Myanmar. New arrivals are extremely vulnerable, many have suffered injuries as they were fleeing; there are over 149,000 or more new arrivals as of April 2026. The government has authorized their assistance but without registration.

In late 2025, a leaner, more agile coordination structure was endorsed by partners and the Government of Bangladesh, requesting UNHCR to assume the coordination leadership function. New structure is to replace the hybrid coordination structure established in 2017, led by the UN Resident Coordinator, the UNHCR Representative and IOM Chief of Mission (i.e., Inter-Sector Coordination Group). The streamlined structure was launched in early 2026 with the objective to ensure timely and collective responses to funding gaps and emergencies, as well as continued progress on transforming the response to deliver essential services and assistance.

In the newly established Rohingya Coordination Platform (RCP), the UNHCR Representative oversees a monthly Rohingya Coordination Team (RCT) meeting as the principal strategic and operational decision-making platform for the response. The RCT will be supported by the Secretariat and Sector/Cross-Cutting Coordinators led by respective UN/NGO lead agencies forming a reduced Rohingya Coordination Platform (RCP) coordinating more than 150 UN and NGO partners contributing to the Government-led response. The UN Resident Coordinator, as the highest-ranking representative of the UN Development System in Bangladesh, is to chair the UN Country Team (UNCT) and a newly created Humanitarian Team (HT), comprised of UN agencies and representatives of donors, NGOs, international financial institutions and other key partners to provide regular national-level consultation on, and coordination of, humanitarian assistance in Bangladesh, including natural disasters, the Rohingya response and mixed emergency scenarios involving a largescale natural disaster impacting both populations in Cox’s Bazar.

The Senior Inter-Agency Coordinator of the Rohingya Coordination Platform based in Cox’s Bazar ensures the overall coordination of the Rohingya response, and supervises a Secretariat composed of around 10 staff.

The RCP is responsible for cross-cutting issues, emergency preparedness and response, information management, humanitarian access/liaison, PSEA/SH, and development of operational policy guidance and planning documents (Including the Joint Response Plan and Operational Plan).

The Senior Inter-Agency Coordinator manages the Rohingya response’s unique and complex coordination architecture, which draws from both the Refugee Coordination Model and the Interagency Cluster Approach. Although appointed by UNHCR, the Senior Inter-Agency Coordinator must remain neutral and act as an ’honest broker’ within the humanitarian collective. The Senior Inter-Agency Coordinator reports to the UNHCR Representative, who is ultimately accountable for the refugee response in Bangladesh and provide the RCP Coordinator with key strategic, technical and operational guidance.

The Senior Inter-Agency Coordinator also engages with Government authorities at the operational level (the Government’s Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner, the Deputy Commissioner and various other government departments), while also providing support to the SEG co-chairs in advocacy with the Government at the national level.

Furthermore, the Senior Inter-Agency Coordinator helps ensure the smooth functioning of the Sectors together with the Sector Lead Agencies, coordinates external relations, resource mobilization (around the JRP), information management and strategic communications to support the Rohingya response. S/he ensures the development and implementation of effective and coherent interagency approaches to key cross-cutting issues, including emergency preparedness, gender and PSEA, the centrality of protection, AAP.

The Senior Inter-Agency Coordinator will be overseeing a recently adopted streamlined coordination structure, including a new sector configuration and clear accountability lines between the various decision-making platforms. S/he is also tasked to coordinate a rationalization agenda that seeks to ensure that the presence of actors and delivery of services is cost-effective, mutually reinforcing, avoiding duplication and addressing critical gaps, that the response is predictable, efficient, timely and well-coordinated across sectors and camps, and that the humanitarian community is transparent and accountable in its action.

Living and Working Conditions:

Cox's Bazar is a beach city located in the southeastern corner of Bangladesh about 298 kilometers from Dhaka, the capital city. It is classified as a category D family duty station with a 2-year Standard Assignment Length (SAL). Educational resources are limited, and international schools spanning primary to secondary levels are exclusively located in Dhaka. Health services are somewhat also limited in Cox's Bazar, with more reliable facilities accessible in Dhaka while excellent medical care is accessible in Bangkok, which is the R&R location. Throughout the year, there are prevalent risks of malaria and dengue necessitating recommended vaccinations against Japanese Encephalitis and Diphtheria.

As a prominent tourist destination in Bangladesh, Cox's Bazar draws visitors due to its scenic location at the Bay of Bengal and its expansive beach stretching over 120km to the tip of the peninsula, with several hotels and restaurants. Leisure and recreational facilities generally focus on beach activities and hotel-based activities (swimming pools, gyms, restaurants). Despite its significance, the city's infrastructure and shopping options are quite basic, catering to its relatively small population of 250,000 individuals. Vegetables, fruits, cereals and meat products (fish, chicken, mutton and beef) are available. International staff typically reside in privately rented or serviced apartments, meeting fundamental standards.

The climate of Bangladesh is mostly determined by its location in the tropical monsoon climate region: high temperatures, heavy rainfall, and generally excessive humidity, with distinct seasonal variations. The annual average temperature in Cox's Bazar is a maximum of 30.1 °C (86.2 °F) and a minimum of 22.0 °C (71.6 °F).

Rest and Recuperation (R&R) cycle in Cox's Bazar spans 8 weeks, with Bangkok, Thailand being the designated R&R location. Flights connecting Cox's Bazar to Dhaka operate daily but only during daylight hours. Flight from Dhaka to Cox’s Bazar takes one hour. The main airlines serving the airport are Biman Bangladesh Airlines, US-Bangla Airlines, Novoair and Air Astra. Banking facilities and ATM machines are available in Cox's Bazar, and credit/debit cards are generally accepted to withdraw only in local currency Bangladeshi Taka (BDT). However, for those considering bringing family members, especially young children, it is advisable to consult HR for comprehensive information since educational and medical facilities may not be sufficient.

The workweek is from Sunday to Thursday and working hours from 8:00 to 17:00 hrs with one hour lunch break.

Health hazards in the duty station include road crash, work overload, natural disasters, mental health problems, substance use and abuse, heart disease, metabolic disease (diabetes), vector-borne disease, water and food-borne disease, SGBV, other infectious diseases and environmental hazards.

The General Threat Assessment in Cox’s Bazar is level 3 moderate. Given the current situation in the area, All UN official movements should be completed during daytime hours (Sunrise to sunset). All international personnel should return to their homes before 2300 hours. Crowded local markets should be avoided. Security Clearance is required and can be requested via TRIP at https://dss.un.org Requests for clearance should be submitted 7 days prior to travel.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

MG-Coordination

Bachelor of Arts: Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts: Economics, Bachelor of Arts: International Relations, Bachelor of Arts: Law, Bachelor of Arts: Political Science, Bachelor of Arts: Social 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, Stakeholder management, 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