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

A (least hardship)

Family

PR4

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-08-01

Senior Operations Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Senior Operations Officer normally works under the direct supervision of the Senior Operations Coordinator or Head of the Office and may have alternative reporting relationships depending on the structure and size of the Operation. S/he and will be the focal person responsible for liaising with Partners through sector meetings and other coordination mechanisms in the Area of responsibility (AoR). S/he will liaise with relevant sections at HQ/Region/Field on a wide range of issues concerning the operations such as protection, resource mobilization and allocations, human resources, budget, compliance, staff welfare and security matters. The incumbent may supervise professional and/or support staff. S/he will actively support the regional operational planning process, reporting and monitoring as well as mapping of areas where forcibly displaced and stateless people are currently located in the AoR. The incumbent will contribute to progress on issues such as negotiations on Partnership Project agreements, contractual service agreements, and management of Administrative Budgets related to the AoR.

Within UNHCR, the incumbent has regular contact with other sections/units at Headquarters and with field offices on issues related UNHCR's programme in the operations/countries within the AoR. External contacts are with, UN agencies and NGOs on UNHCR's programmes in the operations/countries covered under the AoR.

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

• Serve as the focal point for the operations within the AoR and follow up on situational realities, challenges and developments which may have an impact on the refugees, IDP situations, and other forcibly displaced and stateless people.

• Analyse information received concerning new refugee situations in the AoR and present coherent, consistent and credible proposals to address the emergency needs.

• Manage the process of gathering information, preparation of analytical papers and formulating recommendations for action for the operations within the AoR.

• Contribute to the preparation of action plans to address any operational/legal gaps that have been identified; and ensure advice/guidance is provided to field offices to improve the delivery of assistance of refugees and other forcibly displaced and stateless people.

• Provide guidance and support for communication, and sharing of best practices amongst countries/operations in the AoR as well as with other entities in the field and at Headquarters.

• Coordinate with field offices for provision of timely, coherent, consistent, quality information about their operations.

• In the bureaux, support senior staff in the preparation of the official submissions to the meetings of the Budget Committee and Contracts' Committee, and advocate for resources required for the operations to meet their objectives, especially during Annual Planning Reviews, Mid-Year Reviews and ad hoc resource allocation consultations. Analyse Country offices' requests concerning material requirements and staffing and initiate/coordinate appropriate action to provide Country offices with relevant and timely decisions and direction.

• In the field, coordinate and supervise the field activities in the areas of protection and programme in the AoR. Build the capacity of local partners and civil society through training and other initiatives. Liaise with local Government authorities and operational partners on issues relating to the protection and assistance of forcibly displaced and stateless people. Supervise and monitor the implementation of UNHCR projects.

• Monitor the implementation of programmes within the AoR through regular missions and participate in on-going needs assessments.

• Keep the various sections and technical units at the Bureau and HQ informed on issues related to the implementation of UNHCR's programmes within the AoR.

• Maintain a wide range of external contacts with Permanent Missions, donors, and civil society organization.

• Provide administrative and operational support across a range of programme activities, including but not limited to processing field requests related to financial transactions, procurement actions, and documentation for internal review and approval processes (e.g., Committee on Contracts, Budget Committee), ensuring compliance with relevant procedures and timelines.

• 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 P4/NOD - 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

Political Science; Economics; Social Science;

Business Administration; Law; or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses

Programme Management;

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

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Experience in field operations. At least 5 years of relevant experience in an international capacity. Understanding of UNHCR mandate and operations.

Desirable

Strong operational background and political awareness. Experience working with UNHCR; or other UN entities or partners preferably in the area of refugee or humanitarian operations. Proven track record in emergency preparedness, response and management.

Functional Skills

MG-Field Operations Management;

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

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

Judgement and Decision Making

Managing Resources

Empowering and Building Trust

Managing Performance

Cross-Functional Competencies

Analytical Thinking

Planning and Organizing

Negotiation and Conflict Resolution

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
Strong field experience in humanitarian or complex operational environments, with demonstrated ability to coordinate and manage multi-functional operations effectively.
Solid experience in programme management, supply chain oversight, and administrative processes, with a clear understanding of how these functions interact to support delivery with proven ability to ensure operational coherence across programme, supply, finance, and administration is essential.
Strong analytical skills and the ability to translate complex operational information into practical recommendations.
Experience in operational planning, resource allocation, monitoring, and reporting, as well as familiarity with UNHCR systems and processes, including partnership management and compliance frameworks.
Experience in risk management and oversight is required, including the ability to identify operational risks, support mitigation measures, and ensure adherence to rules, procedures, and accountability standards.
Experience engaging with government authorities, UN agencies, and NGOs, including within inter-agency coordination mechanisms, is essential
Experience in supporting decision-making processes through practical and solution-oriented approaches.
Experience in a variety of geographical and operational contexts, strong communication skills, and experience in audit-related processes, including audit preparation, follow-up, compliance, or implementation of recommendations, are essential.
Fluency in English and Spanish is required.

DESIRABLE
Experience in mixed movement contexts and familiarity with the operational landscape in Latin America would be an asset.

Spanish

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

Mexico remains one of the most significant countries of destination for asylum-seekers and refugees in the Americas, receiving individuals from over 100 nationalities. The scale and complexity of mixed movements continue to place sustained pressure on national systems and require a coordinated, multi-sectoral response. UNHCR’s operation in Mexico focuses on ensuring access to asylum, strengthening institutional capacity, and advancing durable solutions, particularly through inclusion and regularization pathways. The operational environment is dynamic and politically sensitive, shaped by regional migration trends, evolving policy frameworks, and increasing resource constraints. The operation is transitioning towards a more streamlined footprint, with reduced budgets, fewer partners, and a consolidation of field presence, requiring enhanced prioritization, efficiency, and risk management.

Within this context, the Senior Operations Officer plays a key role in ensuring coherent and efficient operational delivery across programme, supply, and administrative functions. The incumbent supports the senior management team in translating strategic priorities into implementable operational plans and ensuring alignment between protection objectives and operational modalities.

The position requires strong cross-functional coordination, linking programme implementation, resource planning, supply chain management, and administrative processes to enable timely and accountable delivery. The Senior Operations Officer contributes to operational planning, monitoring, and reporting, ensuring that activities are implemented in line with UNHCR policies, procedures, and available resources.

The incumbent supports oversight of resource utilization, partnership management, and compliance, and contributes to strengthening operational effectiveness through improved planning, prioritization, and performance monitoring. The role also includes supporting risk management processes, ensuring that operational risks are identified, monitored, and mitigated in line with organizational standards. The position requires close collaboration with internal stakeholders across functions and locations, as well as engagement with government counterparts, UN agencies, NGOs, and other partners to support coordinated responses. Given the scale and complexity of the Mexico operation, the Senior Operations Officer is expected to support decentralized teams across multiple locations, ensuring consistency, quality, and accountability in operational delivery.

Living and Working Conditions:

Mexico City (CDMX) is the capital of the United Mexican States. It is a Category A, family duty station with well-developed infrastructure, services, and amenities.

• Health: Mexico City offers high-quality healthcare with numerous internationally accredited hospitals and specialized medical facilities.
• Education: A wide range of government and private schools are available. Most private institutions offer bilingual (English–Spanish) curricula, and there are several international schools following U.S., British, German, French, and Japanese systems.
• Housing: Apartments and houses are readily available, both furnished and unfurnished. Real estate agents are widely used. All international staff must obtain UN security clearance of their residences prior to signing any lease. Due to seismic activity, certain areas of the city are restricted for residential selection.
• Climate and Seismic Activity: Mexico City enjoys a generally pleasant, temperate climate, although sudden weather changes are common. Heavy rains may cause localized flooding during the rainy season. The city lies within the Circum-Pacific Seismic Belt, one of the most active seismic regions in the world. Earthquakes are frequent and can occasionally cause infrastructure damage; staff are advised to familiarize themselves with emergency and preparedness procedures upon arrival.
• Currency and Exchange: The official currency is the Mexican Peso (MXN). U.S. Dollars, Euros, and traveller’s cheques can be exchanged at authorized currency exchange offices.
• Communications: Internet and telecommunications services are reliable and widely available. Contracts are required for household and office connections.
• Transportation: Public transportation is extensive and includes buses and a subway system. For taxis, staff are strongly encouraged to use registered “taxis de sitio” or reliable ride-hailing services such as Uber.
• Security: Mexico City is classified as Security Risk Management (SRM) Level 2 – Low to Medium Risk. There is no record of direct threats against UNHCR. However, as in many large urban areas with high population density, common crime remains a concern, particularly theft, fraud, extortion, and robbery. During the first half of 2025, the Mexico City government reported that high-impact crimes (such as homicide, violent robbery, and kidnapping) had declined by up to 62% compared to previous periods. Demonstrations, marches, and blockades occur frequently on major roads, often linked to social, political, or labour issues. While generally peaceful, these events can temporarily disrupt mobility and create localized security risks. Overall, the security situation is stable and improving, with crime rates expected to continue declining through 2025, provided current prevention, intelligence, and response measures remain in place.
  

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Bachelor of Arts: Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts: Economics, Bachelor of Arts: Law, Bachelor of Arts: Political Science, Bachelor of Arts: Social Science

Certifications

Programme Management - Other

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Managing performance, Managing resource, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, 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