JOB DESCRIPTION

E (most hardship)

Non Family with Residential Location

Non Family with Residential Location

Addis Ababa,Eth Fed Dem Rep

NOA

National Professional Officer

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2025-10-01

August 6, 2025

Head of Field Unit

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The position is under direct supervision and guidance of the Representative/Head of Sub/Field-Office on issues concerning programme, protection, external relations, etc. Advice and operational support may also be received from other senior staff and support units at the Branch Office and from the Bureau at Headquarters.
The incumbent represents UNHCR at the field level. S/he will persuade and obtain assistance of others on matters of non-routine significance. Contacts predominantly with persons on subject matters of importance to Organization’s programmes (e.g. counterparts in other organizations or at working level in national Governments).

While the functional responsibility of a Head of Field Unit will 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. The Field Unit managed by the incumbent has no other professional position and less than 6 General Service positions. The supervisor exercises substantive oversight and provides regular guidance, direction and support to the incumbent.

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-à-vis the population of concern to UNHCR within the AOR.
– Advocate and promote UNHCR standards concerning the treatment of persons of concern.
– 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 monitoring of identified assistance activities.
– Ensure through the subordinate staff that deadlines for monitoring and reporting of UNHCR operational activities are met on a regular basis.
– Manage UNHCR resources, both human, financial/material, at an optimum level for the wellbeing of the concerned population and the UNHCR staff.
– Ensure that security measures of UNHCR office (and residential, wherever 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.
– 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.
– Any other responsibilities/functions deemed necessary or as delegated by the UNHCR Representative of the country in order to meet the level of the services in the organization.
– 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 persons of concern to UNHCR 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 P1/NOA – 1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Business Administration; Economics; International Relations;
Law; Management; Political Science;
or other relevant field.

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

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Applied knowledge of protection principles, operational arrangements/standards in relation to protection, assistance, UNHCR office management and staff administration.

Desirable
Not specified.

Functional Skills
*PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework
*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.

1.Desired Candidate Profile: Head of Field Unit (NOA), in Amdjaras
The ideal candidate should possess the following key attributes:
1. Demonstrated experience leading and coordinating humanitarian operations in remote, high-pressure environments. Proven experience managing an office, including oversight of protection, assistance, and logistics activities.
2. Solid understanding of UNHCR’s protection mandate with experience in engaging host and refugee communities, local authorities, and partners.
3. Capacity to work effectively under challenging conditions with limited infrastructure and resources.
4. Demonstrated resilience, problem-solving skills, and cultural sensitivity in multicultural field environments.

French

,

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English

,

,

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:

The ongoing crisis in Sudan, particularly since April 2023, has triggered a large-scale influx of refugees into eastern Chad. The Ennedi-Est region, previously less impacted by population movements, is now hosting a newly established large refugee camp ( Ourecassoni) in Amdjarass, which has become a critical location for UNHCR’s humanitarian response in this remote area. The field Unit in Amdjaras will be overseeing only Ourecassoni refugee camp, the largest in the whole eastern chap operation with close to 75,000 refugees- both the old refugees from 2004 and the ongoing wave of arrivals from 2023. The camp is still expanding as the influx continues.
Due to the current UNHCR restructuration globally, the Office in Amdjaras has been nationalized from Field Office to Field Unit headed by a National Officer. The Head of Field Office in Amdjarass, at NOA level, plays a pivotal role in coordinating the emergency response, managing protection and assistance activities, and supervising a team of over ten national staff and may continue to receive mission’s support by international staff. The office is responsible for day-to-day operations in a rapidly evolving context marked by logistical constraints, limited access, and increasing humanitarian needs. There is no bank in Amdjaras and receives a return UNHAS flight once a week from Abeche/Ndjamena.
The incumbent ensures strong field-level presence of UNHCR, represents the organization to local authorities and partners, and oversees planning, monitoring, and implementation of programs. They also play a key role in ongoing needs assessments, coordination with humanitarian actors, and addressing sensitive protection issues linked to the newly arrived Sudanese refugees. The incumbent will report to the Head of Office in Iriba.

Living and Working Conditions:

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Bachelor of Arts: Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts: Economics, Bachelor of Arts: International Relations, Bachelor of Arts: Law, Bachelor of Arts: Management, 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, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaboration

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

Compendium

Additional Information

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Shortlisted candidates may be invited to undertake written and or oral test.

This position doesn”t require a functional clearance