Deadline for Applications

December 22, 2025

Hardship Level

H (no hardship)

Family Type

Family

Family Type

Family

Residential location (if applicable)

Grade

PR4

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Target Start Date

2025-12-08

Standard Job Description

Deputy Representative

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
Direct supervision and guidance is received from the Representative at P5 level. Advice and operational support may also be provided by the Director/Deputy Director of the Bureau or the Regional Representative and by other senior staff in the Bureau and in the support Divisions at Headquarters. The incumbent will also refer to policies, standards, rules and regulations which are in force within UNHCR.

Regular contacts with Representative and staff at Headquarters and in the field, to consult, discuss operational issues, and to seek common grounds for solutions on activities and programmes of importance to UNHCR and with persons on matters of great importance to UNHCR”s programmes. These contacts may include heads of national/ international organizations, embassies, UN agencies, and high officials/ ministers in the national government. UNHCR is well integrated into the UN Resident Coordinator System.

Decisions taken directly influence the design and operation of UNHCRcs activities in the country of accreditation. Proposals will have a substantive effect on UNHCR”s policy on a wide range of issues in the country programmes. Errors lead to significant damage to UNHCR”s major objectives in terms of time, quality, and money in the country and will have a major negative impact on the safety of refugees and other forcibly displaced and stateless persons. The Office”s overall credibility and the safety of its staff may also suffer.

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 UNHCRs core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties
– Provide legal protection advice and guidance on matters of doctrine and policy to Representative, the Heads of Offices and protection staff in the country.
– Provide advice and support to offices in the country operation on specific issues/problems faced related to asylum, refugee protection and assistance, including access to territory, access to RSD and asylum procedures, non-refoulement adequate reception and the implementation of durable solutions, including developing a Protection Management Framework for each national office.
– Provide legal and programme related advice and guidance to offices in the country on developing and maintaining fair and effective asylum regimes in accordance with international standards and norms, especially with regard to national asylum/refugee legislation and the building of local protection capacity.
– Provide legal and programme related advice and guidance on matters relating to the issue of asylum and migration to the Representative and offices in the country with particular emphasis on the problems of trafficking and smuggling.
– Provide guidance and leadership related to the implementation of the Age, Gender Diversity Mainstreaming (AGDM) Participatory Assessments in sub-region and ensure the follow up on any identified gaps related to the reception and integration systems and structures in the region with relevant stakeholders.
– Keep abreast of and analyse trends and key issues related to legal protection and assistance in the country, including preparing strategy and position papers with policy recommendations on specific protection, assistance and durable solutions related issues relevant to the country.
– Directly supervise Protection and Programme sections and develop operations plan in accordance with the organizational policies and operational strategies.
– Assist the Representative in the promotion of UNHCR strategic goals and objectives in the country, monitoring of the overall progress towards achieving them and in managing the Representation country office.
– Ensure that appropriate security measures are in place to protect staff, and that the country operation complies with UN MOSS/MORSS staff security rules, guidelines and procedures.
– Serve as OIC of the Country Office when the Representative is on mission or leave.
– Represent UNHCR in the meetings and fora related to the functions.
– Enforce local compliance with UNHCR”s global protection, programme, finance and human resources and security policies and standards.
– Authorize payments as per the organization”s Delegation of Authority Plan (DOAP) and in accordance with UN/UNHCR rules and procedures.
– Modify operational projects and reallocate funds, within the approved budgets and in respect of donor earmarking.

– 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
Business Administration; International Relations; Political Science;
Social Science; or other relevant field.

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

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
9 years of previous work experience relevant to the function, with more than 6 years in international capacity. Senior positions in a large governmental or international agency. Extensive knowledge of UNHCR operations and services. Experience in in management of broad programmes, political decision making and negotiating.

Desirable
Knowledge of geo-political realities and their socio-cultural implications.

Functional Skills
*PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards)
*UN-UN/UNHCR Inter-agency Policies, Standards, Programmes, and Partnerships
*UN-UN/UNHCR Mandate and Global Strategic Priorities
*MG-Field Operations Management
*MG-Political Decision Making
UN-Analysis of geo-political realities and their socio-cultural implications
(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.

Desired Candidate Profile

A solid Protection practitioner, s/he should have extensive theoretical knowledge and also be experienced in operational procedures and practices in protection delivery, with a solutions-oriented approach. Good coordination, planning and sound, proven leadership, interpersonal, team building, capacity development and management skills are essential, as is the ability to link legislation, advocacy work and operational interventions with protection and solutions outcomes, ensuring that basic human rights are enjoyed by refugees and asylum-seekers. Working in a politically sensitive environment, sound judgment, vision, negotiation skills, analytical skills and political awareness are essential, as is the ability to communicate clearly UNHCR’s positions. Greece being a EU Member State and the EU and its institutions being major players in UNHCR, knowledge and experience of EU institutions (e.g. DG Home, FRONTEX, the EU Asylum Agency) and European legislation would be an asset. Knowledge of other European languages, especially Greek, would also be an asset.

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

,

,

Desired languages

French

,

Greek

,

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

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

Nature of Position:

Currently, some 142,000 asylum-seekers and refugees are hosted in Greece. In 2025 (October), some 35,000 people arrived either by sea or land. UNHCR provides expert advice to the State and evidence-based information that helps inform programmes and policies for asylum-seekers and refugees. Access to international protection, identifying durable solutions and support to vulnerable asylum-seekers and refugees, such as unaccompanied children and survivors of gender-based violence, are UNHCR’s key priorities. UNHCR also works with national and local authorities, the private sector, civil society and refugee communities to advance protection solutions and inclusion, develop support networks and create employability and training opportunities for refugees. While seriously affected by the staffing and budget cuts this year, the Office’s two main priorities remain Protection (access to territory and asylum essentially) and Solutions (with the focus on employability and strengthening national protection systems), while retaining a readiness to respond to new arrivals, with a focus on immediate support to the most vulnerable. This is in line with the office’s supervisory responsibility, unique mandate expertise, trusted relation with the Government and key stakeholders and direct engagement with refugees. UNHCR Greece plays a strong advocacy role since continued support is needed, particularly from EU countries and EU institutions in providing immediate protection to those most at-risk through sufficient resources, ensuring capacity in the country and responsibility-sharing. UNHCR will continue to assist Greek authorities in responding to both short and long-term challenges.

The Deputy Representative – Protection will oversee, in close consultation and collaboration with the Representative, the development and regular update of the protection strategy and ensure its implementation in the country, overseeing the Protection and Information Management teams in the Country Office. He/she will also lead the work of field offices, and lead multifunctional teams as necessary. Her/his tasks will also involve identifying, managing and mitigating protection and operational risks; anticipating emerging issues and proposing solutions; ensuring the best use of information management tools to advance protection and solutions, and addressing issues emerging in the field, and especially those that may affect UNHCR”s operations country-wide. Leadership of inter-agency working groups will also be part of the Deputy Representative”s – Protection portfolio.

Living and Working Conditions:

Athens is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens is a family duty station, classified as H by ICSC. Public Transportation and medical facilities are well-developed and easily accessible. The educational institutions at all levels as well as international schools are available. The climate can be described as Mediterranean, with hot and dry summers and cool and mild winters.

In accordance with UNDSS security risk assessment, the whole Greek operation is classified as Security Level 2 (low). Security Clearance is required for travelling in the country.

For more detailed information please consult the continuously updated living conditions booklet on the Intranet.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Analytical Thinking, Field Operations, Legal Advocacy, MG-Coordination, Migration Policies, Negotiation, Policy Advocacy, Political Advocacy, Political Awareness, Refugee Law

Education

Bachelor of Arts: Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts: International Relations, Bachelor of Arts: Political Science, Bachelor of Arts: Social Science

Certifications

HCR Protection Learning Program – UNHCR

Work Experience

Field Operations, Number of Workforce in Operation/Work Setting, Office Context: Field, Workforce to Supervise, Working with Persons of Concern: Asylum Seekers, Working with Persons of Concern: Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: Stateless

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

UNHCR Salary Calculator

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

Compendium

Flash Vacancy Notice

Additional Information

Functional clearance

This position doesn”t require a functional clearance