JOB DESCRIPTION

E (most hardship)

Non Family with Residential Location

Non Family with Residential Location

Addis Ababa,Eth Fed Dem Rep

PR4

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2025-07-23

August 8, 2025

Head of Field Office

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
Head of a UNHCR Field Office (HoFO) is a senior managerial position within a given country operation. The incumbent carries the full delegated authority of the UNHCR Representative (or the country Manager or Head of Sub-Office) of the country, who will exercise entire supervisory managerial responsibility over the position. The position, on the other hand, provides all information on developments in relation to the protection (legal protection issues relating to the forcibly displaced and stateless persons), security (Physical security in relation to the UNCR staff and the forcibly displaced and stateless persons) and operational matters (programme and office management / administration) within the domain of its geographical area of responsibility to the UNHCR Representative (or the country manager) on a regular and timely manner. Subject to the specific legal or socio economic or security developments in the Area of Responsibility (AOR), Representative will direct and guide the Head of Field Office to take the most appropriate course of action. Concerning overall physical security concerns, HoFO will liaise directly with the competent UN security coordinator while keeping the UNHCR Representative fully informed.

While the functional responsibility of a Head of Field Office will always remain the same despite its grade level, the other parameters (therefore the depth and breadth of the competencies) such as the size of the population of concern to UNHCR, their specific legal/security concerns, volume of assistance, Number of operational / Implementing partners and the size of the Office (i.e. number of UNHCR staff and their grade levels) will determine the appropriate grade level. The operational autonomy also depends upon the same parameters/competencies.

As the most senior UNHCR staff member within the given geographical area, he/she is required to liaise with all the relevant senior government officials, security organs in the area, the Head of various Non-Governmental Organisations (both national and internationals based in the area), Civilian/tribal leaders/elders, local opinion makers and the local media net-work to ensure his/her assigned responsibilities are effectively and efficiently discharged.

As the extended field representative of UNHCR at the front line of High Commissioner’s operations, he/she remain as the effective advocate and assistant to the local authorities to ensure that the respective government authorities in the area implement their conventional responsibilities in favour of refugees and forcibly displaced and stateless persons.

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
– Monitor and report on the implementation of refugee conventional responsibilities and international obligations of the local authorities Vis a Vis the population of concern to UNHCR within the given geographical area; based on local situations/developments make appropriate recommendation to the UNHCR Representative/HoSO.
– Advocate and promote UNHCR standards concerning the treatment of asylum seekers, refugees and returnees as well as IDPs, where applicable; Advocate, promote and encourage the concerned authorities and local opinion makers to uphold established UNHCR standards that have become the international norms.
– Ensure that the basic needs of the concerned population are properly assessed with the participation of the beneficiaries themselves, the host governments and/or the competent Implementing partners and/or UNHCR itself.
– Subject to the needs, ensure that the planning, formulation and budgeting of identified assistance projects are done as per UNHCR programme cycle; upon approval of assistance project, ensure the timely implementation and rigorous monitoring of identified assistance activities
– Ensure through the subordinate staff that all deadlines for monitoring and reporting of UNHCR operational activities (i.e. include assistance as well as Administrative) are met on a regular basis.
– Manage all UNHCR resources, both human, financial/material, at an optimum level for the wellbeing of the concerned population and the UNHCR staff.
– Ensure that all security measures of UNHCR office (and residential, where ever applicable) compounds are always up to date; any security breaches and/or potential security threat should be reported immediately to competent UN security coordinator in the country.
– Ensure that staff welfare, both in terms of working and living conditions, are maintained at a satisfactory level within the constraints in the operational area; this requires remaining current in health and medical facilities locally available and evacuation options available in a moment of medical urgency.
– Guide, coach and advocate the subordinate staff to maintain highest standards of conduct and behaviour thorough one’s own practice and deeds.
– Prepare and submit regular reports, both verbally and written, to the UNHCR Representative/HoSO. In the event of substantial telephone conversation that leads to specific action or non-action, it should be recorded and share with the other party.
– Represent UNHCR in inter-agency fora and with local authorities in the AOR.
– Enforce compliance with UNHCR’s global protection, programme, finance, human resources and security policies and standards.
– Submit project proposals for assistance to refugees and other forcibly displaced and stateless persons to Representation or Sub-Office in coordination with local authorities and NGOs.

– 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 – 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
Human Resources Management;
Personnel Administration;
Law;
Political Science;
International Relations;
Economics;
or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
HCR Management Lrng Prg;
HCR Managing Operatns Lrng Prg;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
In-depth knowledge in all aspects of UNHCR¿s Field level operation.  Applied experience of protection principles, operational arrangements/standards in relation to protection, assistance, UNHCR office management and staff administration. Should be conversant in the current priorities in the organisation and existing mechanisms within the organisation to implement those priorities.
Desirable
Working experience both in UNHCR HQ and/or a Regional Office and the Field.

Functional Skills
IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software
PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators
MG-Office Management
HR-Administration of Staff Contracts and Benefits
IT-Computer Literacy
(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.

Under the supervision of the Principal Situation Coordinator, the incumbent will be coordinating the protection, assistance and solutions activities in Sila Province. – The ideal candidate should have in-depth knowledge of all aspects of UNHCR’s mandate and global priorities, which includes updating of contingency planning, coordination of emergency response, development of operational strategies, application of protection principles, identification of effective and efficient operational arrangements. He/she should ideally be conversant with the current priorities of the operation and existing internal and external coordination mechanisms to implement those priorities. Past experience in inter-agency coordination is required. Furthermore, considering the complexity of the Chad’s context with multiple operational situations, past experience in Chad at a managerial position will be an asset for this position. He/She will be responsible for coordinating the implementation of a comprehensive protection strategy in these settings. Furthermore, he/she will be coordinating the engagement with provincial delegations in Ouaddai as well as the provincial Council to ensure refugees inclusion and to promote sustainably UNHCR programming for protection. Completion of UNHCR learning programmes, such as Protection Learning Programme and other relevant learning programmes specific to protection. Considering the scale of the operation in the East, the candidate shall have done Management Learning Programme.

The incumbent must be able to coordinate a team, have good people and team building skills. He/she is required to have negotiation skills and a team player.
– The incumbent is also required to liaise with all the relevant regional Government officials, security organs, the Heads of various Non-Governmental Organizations (both national and internationals based in the area), Civilian/tribal leaders/elders, local opinion makers and the local media network to ensure his/her assigned responsibilities are effectively and efficiently discharged.
– The incumbent must be able to fluently speak and write in French and English. Arabic would be desirable.

She/he should have previous experience in the region and/or working in complex operations in high-risk duty stations with large scale refugees and/or IDPs. Prior working experience in the Sahel region or in a large complex operation, ability to work under extreme pressure, in a highly stressful environment are desirable. The incumbent should possess good management skills within this complex and demanding environment. S/he must also have interpersonal skills such as empathy and willingness to take lead in coordinating with partners and external interlocutors, as well as support staff that serve in tough living and working conditions.

The Head of Field Office shall:
• have strong competencies of a skillful leader in guiding and supporting protection staff, addressing various operational challenges. He/she should possess a good level of maturity to be able to lead discussions with colleagues from numerous partner organizations in the management of a bureau.
• Experience in coordination in order to better engage various stakeholders within the framework of the emergency in the East of Chad
• Experience in resources management
• have strong competencies in protection delivery and other protection related field is essential
• Understand data set and assess the types of protection data useful for development actors
• Capacity to ensure coordination and consistency in the application of policies across the Field Office and in alignment with the sub-offices
• Showcase experience in implementing nexus HDP approach in the protection delivery.

He/she must have strong competencies of a skillful leader in guiding and supporting protection staff, addressing various operational challenges. He/she should possess a good level of maturity to be able to lead discussions with colleagues from numerous partner organizations in the management of the office. Proficiency in program management, sustainability initiatives, and data analysis is essential to support evidence-based decision-making and enhance the impact of protection strategies
To promote diversity within the operation, including geographic diversity, candidates from underrepresented nationalities in Chad operation are particularly encouraged to apply.

French

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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:

Chad, a landlocked country and one of the least developed in Central Africa, faces significant humanitarian challenges due to ongoing conflicts and instability in neighboring countries. It currently hosts refugees from Sudan, the Central African Republic (CAR), Nigeria, and Cameroon. The current context is shaped by the on-going emergency in the eastern part of the country, the continued instability in CAR, and the ongoing crisis around Lake Chad, which persists but nonetheless allows for the implementation of solutions. The complex situation in Chad calls for a reinforced Nexus approach, integrating humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding efforts to ensure a sustainable response and maintain the already fragile peaceful coexistence between refugees and vulnerable host populations.

Despite being one of the poorest countries in the world, Chad hosted more than 1.2 refugees and asylum seekers as of 3o September 2024, including 1,05 million Sudanese refugees living in Eastern Chad. Furthermore, due to recent crisis in Sudan, which escalated as of 15 April 2023, around 652,000 additional Sudanese refugees fleeing Darfur have sought safety in Chad’ s eastern border areas. Indeed, Chad has hosted more refugees in the first six months of the Sudan conflict than it has in the past 20 years and is now one of the top ten African countries facing the most acute multiple forced displacement crises.

Eastern Chad: A New and unprecedented Refugee Crisis
Since the conflict erupted in Sudan on 15 April 2023, Chad has seen an influx of over 650,000 new refugees, adding to the over 400,000 Sudanese refugees who have been in eastern Chad since 2003. This sudden and massive arrival of refugees has placed immense pressure on the already overstretched resources and infrastructure in the region. In addition to the need for immediate humanitarian assistance, the influx highlights the importance of implementing long-term development solutions as soon as possible to support both refugees and host communities. As of mid-2024, the refugee influx is on-going and the situation in neighboring Darfur is further deteriorating. It is expected that up to 250,000 additional refugees could cross the border by end of 2024 and that more could also arrive at the beginning of 2025.

Mixed movements: The movement of refugees and migrants throughout the Sahel and North Africa, including many who seek to reach Europe in mixed flows across the Mediterranean Sea, continues to take a devastating toll on human life – particularly during dangerous journeys through the Sahara Desert and at sea. In addition, the women, men, and children undertaking such movements are exposed to heightened protection risks including human trafficking, sexual violence, forced labor and slavery, among other forms of exploitation, as well as arbitrary detention, torture, and extrajudicial killings.

The factors which push people to cross international borders, despite the attendant risks, include serious human rights violations, armed conflict, insecurity, climate change, and economic conditions.

A lack of effective State protection in countries along the Central Mediterranean route, coupled with limited access to solutions for those in need of international protection through resettlement and complementary pathways, contributes to these mixed flows.

Chad has made significant advancements in its refugee policy frameworks. Key legislative measures include the Asylum Law enacted in 2020, the Decree on Legal Aid from 2019, the Ordinance on Civil Registration and Vital Statistics introduced in 2020, the Decree regulating Biometric ID Cards from 2019, and the Law for the Protection and Assistance of IDPs implemented in 2023. This decree offers opportunities to sustainably improve the living conditions of refugees and host communities through, among others, an Emergency Development Response aiming to deliver rapid progress on sustainable development priorities. This has encouraged an earlier than usual response from a number of development actors. Actors such as the World Bank, AfDB, ISDB, EU INTPA, AFD and the BMZ are launching or scaling up resilience programmes supporting refugee hosting zones. Also, MOUs have been signed with Chadian Bar Association, ENA (Ecole Nationale d’Administration), INKOMOKO, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Water etc.

UNHCR’s multi-year strategy for Chad from 2025 to 2028 is driven by a clear vision: forcibly displaced and stateless people should find legal protection, access to basic needs, and pathways to durable solutions that enable them to rebuild their lives with dignity. This vision centers on strengthening protection frameworks and promoting socio-economic integration through advancing a coordinated approach between humanitarian aid and long-term development.

To achieve its vision of ensuring protection and assistance to forcibly displaced and stateless people, UNHCR has identified five key strategic priorities in Chad. Firstly, its immediate focus is on providing humanitarian assistance and responding to emergencies by addressing the urgent needs of new arrivals and internally displaced persons. Secondly, UNHCR aims at strengthening the implementation of the asylum law and other pertinent laws to bolster legal protection for forcibly displaced people and those at risk of statelessness. Thirdly, UNHCR will continue to strengthen advocacy for the socio-economic effective integration of forcibly displaced and stateless individuals into the fabric of society. Fourthly, UNHCR seeks to foster durable solutions such as local integration, voluntary repatriation, and resettlement. Finally, recognizing the importance of development interventions in ensuring the sustainability of UNHCR’s work and peaceful coexistence between forcibly displaced and host populations, UNHCR will continue to encourage investment in refugee-hosting areas through partnerships with major development actors, government authorities, and other stakeholders to meet the socio-economic needs of both refugees and host communities. This vision will allow for the gradual transformation of the sites into ‘urban areas’ within the framework of an out-of-camp strategy, bringing together refugees and host populations while benefiting from an integrated approach to development projects. The national response plan of Chad for the Sudan emergency, which will be launched in 2024 coupled with the upcoming local elections for the materialization of the Decentralization, will be a tool to reinforce the implementation of this vision. It will enable better coordination between government actors, peace/security actors, humanitarian actors, and development actors, aiming to gradually reduce dependence on humanitarian aid.
In summary, seven strategic protection axis will be implemented to contribute to the achievement of the overall vision of the operation:
Strategic axis 1: Promote the enrollment of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Integrated Population Management and Secure Documents System (SIGPTS)

• Strategic axis 2: Ensure the availability of protection and socio-economic data and their provision for livelihood activities, to development actors and to Nexus HPD coordination.
• Strategic axis 3: Strengthen community protection and AAP and use community mobilization as a central instrument for implementing the multisectoral response
• Strategic axis 4: Promote and support the Government in the development of policies or strategies for access to protection services including refugees, including in emergency situations, and support the Government in their implementation
• Strategic axis 5: Promote the search for sustainable solutions including complementary paths through education and professional training
• Strategic axis 6: Promote local solutions for IDPs by contributing to the operationalization of the SG Action Program
• Strategic axis 7: In partnership with the SNU and Development agencies, promote the out-of-camp approach and urbanization by facilitating access to basic social services (education, health, WASH, AGR) in the villages of settlement of refugees and IDPs.
• Strategic axis 8: Use the route-based approach to provide protection and solutions to people we serve in mixed movements
• These strategic priorities reflect a balanced approach to addressing the immediate humanitarian needs of displaced populations (considering also that further sudden influxes of refugees cannot be excluded), while laying the groundwork for longer-term solutions. UNHCR’s strategy is built on a collaborative approach that brings together humanitarian and development actors in refugee hosting areas, with a focus on creating sustainable systems and fostering community resilience.  In that regard, UNHCR will support the transition of CNARR into an Agency for autonomy for sustainability, autonomy and institutionalization.

By 2028, UNHCR Chad envisions a future where refugees, IDPs, returnees, stateless people and host communities thrive together through integrated and sustainable development. This vision centers on strengthening protection frameworks and promoting socioeconomic integration by fostering synergies between coordinated humanitarian and long-term development support from the outset, especially by building coalitions with development partners under government leadership. In order to realize this vision and progress towards Inclusion, Protection and Solutions, UNHCR will continue to become more strategic in ensuring refugees and host communities are considered and included in wider development efforts by Chad with the support of development actors. This is where UNHCR can act as a catalyst in facilitating the engagement of development actors in refugee settings by strategically supporting and informing policy openings, policy priorities and development objectives of Chad.

•  The high level of responsibilities, including the need to coordinate activities (which goes beyond the functions of a Field Unit).
• Abeche will continue to serve as a strategic hub.
• Number of Persons of Concern (POC) in the camps:
  • Gaga: 10,254 new Sudanese refugees (and 35,027 old caseloads + births).
  • Kouchaguine-Moura: 3,123 new Sudanese refugees (and 16,288 old caseloads + births).
  • Abeche: 7,347 new Sudanese refugees (and 588 old caseloads + births).

Living and Working Conditions:

Candidates applying to positions in Chad should be prepared to work under challenging conditions and be able to manage stressful situations. All the duty stations in Chad are classified E, except N’Djamena which is at D.

In terms of working and living conditions, Farchana is a small town that has only very basic infrastructure with very limited leisure and recreational facilities. There are no banking facilities in Farchana. The nearest bank facility is in Abeche where ATMs are also operational. Malaria is prevalent and all staff need to be vigilant by taking the relevant measures. Farchana is an E non-family location. There are also very limited health facilities available locally.
UNHCR managed guest houses provide and facilitate accommodation to UNHCR staff.
All communications within the office and with external partners such as Government and humanitarian agencies are conducted in French. Fluent French (both written and spoken) is essential for this position. However, working knowledge of English, especially written, is also required as reports, internal as well as external, are requested in English.
R&R circle is every 8 weeks.

There are specific security measures to be taken into consideration. Aside from the mandatory security briefing provided to the staff upon arrival in N’Djamena with specific location information and requirements:

• All UN personnel must complete their BSAFE training online
• Per the classification of roads, all road movements between cities should be accompanied by an armed escort in the SRM East zone. These movements are conditioned by a granted security clearance through TRIP
• Unless exceptionally allowed all road movements between cities must be started after 6 a.m. and completed by 6 p.m.
• All movements of UNSMS vehicles in Abeche are allowed only between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m, while all movements of UNSMS vehicles in Farchana, Goz Beida, Iriba, Amdjarass and Guéréda are allowed only between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Bachelor of Arts: Economics, Bachelor of Arts: International Relations, Bachelor of Arts: Law, Bachelor of Arts: Management, Bachelor of Arts: Personnel Administration, Bachelor of Arts: Political Science

Certifications

HCR Management Learning Program – UNHCR, Programme Management (PM) 1 – UNHCR

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, Political awareness, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration

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

Compendium

Add. 2 to the Bi-Annual 2025 Compendium – Part B

Additional Information

This position doesn”t require a functional clearance