Deadline for Applications
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Residential location (if applicable)
Grade
Staff Member / Affiliate Type
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Regular > Regular AssignmentTarget Start Date
Standard Job Description
Deputy Representative
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
Direct supervision and guidance is received from the Representative. Advice and operational support may also be provided by the Director/Deputy Director of the Bureau 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 the 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 all of UNHCR's 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 UNHC'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 UNHCR's 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.
- Any other duties as may be required or assigned by the Representative.
- 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
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P5 - 12 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 11 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 10 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
Business Administration; International Relations; Law;
Political Science; Social Science; Human Resources Management;
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
- High level of skill in management of broad programmes, political decision making and negotiating.
Desirable
- Completion of UNHCR training programmes, such as Protection Learning Programme, Operations Management Learning Programme.
- Knowledge of geo-political realities and their socio-cultural implications.
Functional Skills
*MG-Field Operations Management
*UN-UN/UNHCR Inter-agency Policies, Standards, Programmes, and Partnerships
*UN-UN/UNHCR Mandate and Global Strategic Priorities
*PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards)
UN-Analysis of geo-political realities and their socio-cultural implications
*MG-Political Decision Making
(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
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
,
,
Desired languages
,
,
Operational context
To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:
The Deputy Representative serves as a senior management figure within UNHCR Mali, reporting directly to the Country Representative and providing strategic and technical leadership on protection-related matters. The role oversees three key support areas: General Protection, Protection Cluster Coordination, and legal framework strengthening in collaboration with national institutions.
The incumbent is responsible for designing and implementing a comprehensive protection and solutions strategy that addresses the needs of all persons of concern to UNHCR in Mali. This includes refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and repatriates. The Deputy Representative frequently acts as the Representative, engaging with senior government officials, diplomatic missions, donors, and UN agencies.
Mali remains one of the most complex and unstable environments in the Sahel, affected by overlapping security, political, and humanitarian crises. Since 2012, cycles of violence, military coups, and the withdrawal of international forces have weakened state presence and limited access to basic services. Armed groups continue to exploit local grievances and governance gaps, particularly in the Liptako-Gourma tri-border area. Climate shocks such as droughts and floods further strain the resilience of host and displaced communities.
As of mid-August 2025, the refugee population has surged from 66,000 in January 2024 to over 250,000, while the number of IDPs exceeds 402,000 (July 2025). Protection risks remain high due to conflict, natural disasters, and systemic violations.
The Malian government prioritizes national security, peacebuilding, and reconciliation as key pillars for development. All cooperation with Mali must align with three core principles: respect for Mali’s sovereignty, strategic choices and partners, and the vital interests of the Malian people. These principles shape and sometimes constrain humanitarian engagement and response implementation.
Holding the presidency of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES), Mali organized the 1st High-Level Humanitarian Forum of the AES member countries, held in Bamako from 07 to 09 August 2025, with the participation of the Ministers in charge of humanitarian affairs of the three AES countries, as well as those of the invited countries (Chad, Mauritania, Togo). In the final communiqué, the ministers approved the establishment of a framework for consultation on the humanitarian situation in the ESA area, encouraged the integration of the climate-security-peace and development dynamic into humanitarian interventions, approved the diversification of the mobilization of funding and committed to strengthening the mechanisms of the community approach and accountability in humanitarian assistance.
UN agencies among other international actors are invited to support the effective implementation of the recommendations of the forum.
In recent months, the operational context has evolved, marked by increased displacement and shifting dynamics among local actors. Collaboration with these actors is also changing, as our strategy increasingly focuses on sustainable responses. This new approach must be integrated into protection strategy and planning. The incumbent will be responsible for driving and leading this strategic shift.
The complexity and sensitivity of the protection environment have intensified, with increasingly mixed and protracted displacement settings. At the same time, rapid emergency responses are required in a context of prolonged humanitarian crises and volatile security conditions. To address these challenges, the operation continues to develop diverse and innovative protection and inclusion responses tailored to evolving humanitarian needs.
The position is based in Bamako, a UN-designated D duty station offering reasonable accommodation, public services, and amenities. Supermarkets provide a mix of local and imported goods. Power outages are frequent, necessitating the use of generators. Medical services are available through the UN Clinic and local hospitals.
The climate is predominantly hot and dry, with a rainy season from May to September. Road traffic is congested and accidents are common, posing risks to staff mobility.
Security Situation
Bamako is rated at security level 4 (substantial) on a scale of 1 to 6, with central and northern regions at level 5 (high). Despite Bamako’s relative stability, security threats persist, including terrorism, civil unrest, and crime. UN staff are advised to avoid non-UNDSS-approved accommodations and implement residential security measures.
Terrorist threats remain credible, as evidenced by past attacks and ongoing communications from extremist groups targeting UN personnel. Civil unrest, including demonstrations and strikes, is frequent and can disrupt operations. The socio-political climate remains tense, with anti-foreign sentiment and support for military actors influencing public discourse.
Crime, including armed assaults and robberies, has expanded across Bamako, particularly in expatriate neighborhoods during late hours. Road safety is a concern due to widespread disregard for traffic regulations.
Additional Qualifications
Skills
Education
Certifications
HCR Learning Program - UNHCR, Programme Management (PM) 1 - UNHCRWork Experience
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 & collaborationUNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Additional Information
Functional clearance