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

2026-05-26

Senior Policy Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The role of the Senior Policy Officer is to coordinate the preparation of and to share guidance, positions, strategic advice, on relevant protection and solutions policies and their application and context-specific interpretation within the region, building on comprehensive responses outlined in the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR). The incumbent may be based in the Division/Field/Regional Bureau. S/he will normally report to and be guided by the Deputy Director/Senior Policy Adviser/Chief of Section and may supervise a small team of local and international staff.

The Senior Policy Officer will provide strategic advice and draft UNHCR positions on assigned protection and solutions issues and areas, coordinating closely within the office, as well as with other HQs Services, Regional Bureaux, field offices and operations.

The incumbent will also support and assist operations in the development and review of protection and solutions and other country-specific strategies and ensure their alignment with regional/Bureau/corporate priorities.

The incumbent will have contact with a wide variety of internal and external audiences ranging from staff in the region, public-at-large, diplomats, scholars, civil society and staff from other UN and regional organizations with the overall objective of staying abreast of protection and solutions developments, drawing attention to the problem of human displacement. This will happen in the context of disseminating information, gathering support for UNHCR's activities and advocacy on asylum, displacement and statelessness issues in the region.

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
- Support the coordination and preparation of guidance, positions and strategic advice, on relevant protection and solutions and regional partnerships policies and their application and context-specific interpretation. Reflect on Major global developments influencing UNHCR's work, such as the Global Compact on Refugees and UNHCR's support to applying comprehensive responses included therein.
- Develop, evaluate, and summarise information related to protection and solutions, political, legal, social and economic development perspectives in the region, ensuring overall harmonization and coherence of the Bureau's solution strategies, policies and operations, including in line with UNHCR's contribution to reinforce comprehensive responses at national and regional levels.
- Provide prompt, principled and accurate guidance and advice on the interpretation and application of international instruments relating to forcibly displaced and stateless persons, global protection positions and policies and, as required, on the development of situation/country-specific guidance, in coordination with other relevant UNHCR operations and entities.
- Contribute to the effective representation and engagement with strategy and policy development and evaluation processes on selected cross-cutting policy issues, both within UNHCR and, as appropriate, on the inter-agency level or with relevance to government-led comprehensive responses at national or regional levels in the area of responsibility (AoR).
- Participate in the preparation of UNHCR strategies, positions and public papers on assigned thematic and geographical areas, situations or issues.
- Contribute to fostering and maintaining new partnerships with UN, whole-of-government, including local authorities as applicable, the private sector, development partners, regional organizations and other actors geared towards achieving solutions in line with the GCR and application of comprehensive responses.
- Assist in the preparations for high-level events, including regional meetings, ExCom, Standing Committee, NGO Consultations, Protection Dialogues and others, by contributing to the preparation, drafting, and editing of various protection and solutions positions and policy papers.
- Contribute to and coordinate the preparation of oral and written briefings and background notes, talking points, reports and other documents as required.
- In the regional bureaux, support and assist operations in the development and review of protection and solutions and other country-specific strategies and ensure their alignment with regional/Bureau/corporate priorities. Assist the Bureau in the review of operations plans.
- Undertake Multi-Functional protection and solutions review missions to the field as required.

- 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
Public Policy; Public Administration; Law; International Relations; Political Science; Human Rights; or other relevant field.

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Experience in policy analysis and development in international context. Experience in managing a variety of internal and external relationships in a cross-cultural professional environment. Experience in drafting and editing, in particular on protection and solutions strategies, advocacy strategies, or partnership building.

Desirable
Experience in coordination of UN interventions with other actors, in a refugee or humanitarian context. Solid experience in lobbying and advocacy with Government and other institutions. Strong experience in conducting research, fact sheets, global appeals, speeches and concept papers.

Functional Skills
UN-Policy Advocacy in UNHCR
MG-Policy Development, Evaluation, Research, Publication
CO-Drafting and Documentation
(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:

- Proven experience in global multilateral processes and fora, including GCR related high level events (such as GRF. HC dialogue on protection, etc).

- Demonstrated experience at HQ, or RB, or field operations, facilitating the implementation of the Global Compact on Refugees, including through engagement with operational delivery, partnerships, and/or solutions-oriented programming.

- Proven experience to engage with and influence senior government counterparts and sustain multi-stakeholder partnerships, particularly with municipalities, parliamentarians, academia, civil society, and people with lived experience relevant to UNHCR mandate,

- Demonstrated experience in communication and/or resource mobilization.

Desirable Attributes:

- Strong analytical, drafting, and communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, strategic, and policy-relevant outputs under pressure.
- Demonstrated capacity to work in small teams with a high degree of flexibility, including willingness to engage in hands-on implementation and event-related delivery (particularly in GRF cycles).
As the position is based in Geneva with extensive engagement with the GRF Co-Host Switzerland, knowledge of French is desirable, with additional languages relevant to liaise with GRF Co-convenors (Spanish, Arabic) as assets.

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

The position is based in Geneva, Switzerland, and can accommodate the specific needs for qualified candidates.

Nature of Position:

The position is part of the Global Compact on Refugees and Multi-stakeholder Section, and reports to the Chief of Section (Senior Policy Adviser). Under the AHC-P’s oversight, the Section functions as both a policy steward and an operational enabler for the Compact.

The Section ensures coherent implementation of the GCR across UNHCR by serving as the reference entity in-house to support GCR operationalization and actings as a neutral engine for organizing major GCR processes—including the Global Refugee Forum, Progress Reviews, and the High Commissioner’s Dialogue. It also facilitates the development and monitoring of individual and multi-stakeholder pledges through a dedicated database. It drives high‑level advocacy by engaging whole‑of‑society actors to mobilize political will and translate global commitments into practical action. Specifically, the Section is responsible for nurturing strategic partnerships with faith leaders, parliamentarians, cities and academia and contributes to advancing meaningful refugee participant. It reports on GCR progress through data, evidence, and communications products such as the GCR Indicator Report and the GCR Digital Platform. The Section also underpins operationalization of the GCR across UNHCR, ensures alignment with key policy frameworks (including the GCM, UN80, and humanitarian reform initiatives), strengthens meaningful refugee participation, and maintains momentum by linking GCR priorities to global political and development processes such as the G7, G20, Financing for Development, the World Social Summit, and the 2030 Agenda mechanisms.

The Section works closely with the Bureaux, Divisions, and Regional and Country Offices.

The Senior Policy Officer will be responsible for overseeing and nurturing strategic partnerships with specific GCR stakeholders, namely: faith leaders, academia, cities, parliamentarians, NGOs. The incumbent will also be expected to further advance UNHCR’s efforts towards meaningful refugee participation, coordinating with relevant entities in-house and contributing to policy development in this area. The incumbent will also be expected to formulate and contribute to GCR advocacy efforts and strategy, as well as support resource mobilization efforts. The role will also entail coordinating multi-functional and multi-stakeholder processes, especially during event years (GRF, High-Commissioner Dialogue). Given the small size of the team, the incumbent will be expected to engage in day-to-day implementation work, and be ready to take on tasks outside standard TORs, especially regarding support in organizing and preparing GCR-related events.

Living and Working Conditions:

The position is based in Geneva, Switzerland. The incumbent will be required to travel, sometimes on short notice. Living and working conditions in Switzerland are up to the level of a highly developed country, where easy access to quality schooling, services, medical support, and higher education is available. The position requires residence in Geneva and cannot be undertaken remotely, although some teleworking is possible, after discussions with the manager.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Bachelor of Arts: Human Rights, Bachelor of Arts: International Relations, Bachelor of Arts: Law, Bachelor of Arts: Political Science, Bachelor of Arts: Public Administration, Bachelor of Arts: Public Policy

Certifications

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Managing performance, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Policy research & development, 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