Head of Field Office

November 23, 2025

D

Non Family with Residential LocationNon Family with Residential Location

Addis Ababa,Eth Fed Dem Rep

NOB

National Professional Officer

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-06-01

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 information on developments in relation to the protection (legal protection issues relating to the persons of concern to UNHCR), security (Physical security in relation to the UNCR staff and the persons of concern to UNHCR) 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, s/he is required to liaise with 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, s/he 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 others of concern to UNHCR.

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 deadlines for monitoring and reporting of UNHCR operational activities (i.e. include assistance as well as Administrative) 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, 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.
- 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 P2/NOB - 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree

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

Certificates and/or Licenses
HCR Learning Prog; 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 aspects of UNHCR mandate and its Field level application.
- Applied knowledge 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-Computer Literacy
*UN-UN/UNHCR Inter-agency Policies, Standards, Programmes, and Partnerships
*UN-UN/UNHCR Mandate and Global Strategic Priorities
*PR-International protection concepts and principles
*MG-Field Operations Management
*MG-Office Management
(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.

The desired candidate profile for the Head of Field Office position should encompass a combination of education, experience, skills, and personal qualities that makes the candidate well suited to the role and the operational context. The incumbent should have proven competencies and experience in refugee and IDP settings, and being a part of a Durable Solutions Working Group is crucial for the position.

The incumbent should have:
1. The incumbent should have proven competencies and experience in solutions/development programming, protection advocacy and programme management, (to be put in order of what is deemed essential and what is deemed to be an advantage).
2. This position requires a candidate with good liaison skills, strong interpersonal, negotiation, communication, as well as diplomacy skills. Incumbent will be required to liaise with relevant senior Afar regional government officials, security organs in the area, the Head of various Non-Governmental Organisations Organizations (both national and internationals based in the area), local media network to ensure his/her assigned responsibilities are effectively and efficiently discharged.
3. S/He must have the capacity to work in the context where inter-agency coordination and collaboration are difficult yet essential. The operation is politically very sensitive and humanitarian organizations must maintain their neutrality to prevent being accused by officials of side-lining.
4. The incumbent should have an extensive experience in durable solutions and costed action plan.
5. The position requires a candidate with experience in managing an office and/or humanitarian organization, especially in a very sensitive and hardship environment.
6. S/He must have an experience in managing resources (human, finance, material, etc.) within an organizational setting and/or with an NGO.
7. Experience in handling sensitive and security information will be an asset
8. S/he must also have the capacity to communicate, especially during meeting with local officials and community leaders who mostly speak Amharic or Afar language

Personal Qualities:
 Adaptability and resilience: The incumbent should be capable of working in a challenging and sometimes volatile operational context, including emergency situations. He/she is also expected to have a proactive and mature attitude and to be able to perform well in stressful situations.
 Cultural sensitivity: An understanding and appreciation of the local culture in the Afar region and a respectful approach to working with diverse population.
 Strong teamwork and collaboration: The ability to effectively work in a team and foster a collaborative work environment.
 Integrity and ethical conduct: Highest standards of professional and ethical behavior in all protection-related activities.

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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:

Afar National Regional state (ARS) is one of Ethiopia’s eleven Regional States located in the North-eastern part of the country. Afar region has an international border with Eritrea in the North-East and Djibouti to the East and shares regional borders with other regional states i.e Tigray region in the North-West, Amhara region in the southwest and Oromia and Somali regions in the South. According to Disaster Risk Management and Food Security Commission (DRMFSC), Afar region has a population of 2,100,000 individuals of which 1,165,000 people need humanitarian assistance.  

 

The region is prone to both natural and man-made hazards that have led to mortalities, insufficient access to safe drinking water, unprecedented levels of food insecurity and malnutrition, displacements, limited access to health and school services, deterioration of quantity and quality of pastoral livelihood, and loss of properties. Among these, conflict, erratic rainfall, seasonal flooding, drought-like conditions, earthquake, and epidemic prone diseases (cholera, malaria, measles, smallpox) have been challenges that considerably deteriorate the humanitarian situation in the region.

 

Since July 2021, UNHCR has scaled up its interventions in Afar Region following the conflict in Tigray Region and subsequent internal displacements. With its partners, UNHCR is responding to the emergency caused by internal displacement by distributing core relief items, emergency shelter kits. It has enhanced its protection activities and actively participated to the coordination of the response together with the UN Sister Agencies, (I)NGOs as to support the regional authorities of Afar to respond to the multiple and urgent needs. As of January 2022, the Afar Region, according to governmental sources, counted approximately 413,000 IDPs. However, with the engagement of all humanitarian actors, including the government party, DRM, and UNHCR, most of the IDPs were returned to their place of origin as of the beginning of 2023.

 

According to data recently shared by the Disaster Risk Management Commission (DRMFSC) and OCHA, there are currently approximately 139,000 internally displaced people and 222,000 returnees in Afar. The response brings together international, national, Government agencies and UN agencies in cluster structures to provide integrated response plans. Key areas of focus for effective response include participation to coordination mechanisms and cluster support, participation in planning, and in needs assessments, provision of CRI, capacity building and support for local government departments, advocacy and campaigns to highlight the plight of affected communities, and support to data management.

 

According to data from early May 2025, the Afar region is home to approximately 62,000 refugees, mainly Eritreans registered in two refugee camps located in Berhale and Aysaita.  However, over 50% of all Eritrean refugees registered in Afar do not reside in refugee camps and are living within the host communities due to close cultural ties and similarities between both communities on both sides of the border.

 

Ethiopia hosts one of the largest refugees and internally displaced populations in the world. Leading the way in the CRRF roll out, the country has adopted progressive laws and policies, which offer opportunities for better protection and solutions. It is also faced with challenges, including the conflict that broke out in Tigray in November 2020 and escalated to Afar and Amhara regions for two years until a peace agreement was signed between the Federal Government and the Tigray Forces in November 2022.

 

These Northern regions were greatly affected by the confrontations with mass casualties and large-scale displacements while many Ethiopians fled to neighboring Sudan. Despite the peace agreement, the overall security situation in Afar and neighboring Tigray region remains complex, fluid, and unpredictable hindering effective delivery of lifesaving assistance to the affected population.

 

The Northern conflict had an impact on the refugee population throughout Afar and triggered secondary movements of refugees into the region, with all Berhale refugees seeking refuge in host communities, and the opening of the Serdo refugee camp some forty kilometers from Semera. As of 30 April 2025, the total population of refugees registered under level 3 standards in Berhale is 31,700. Around 53% of the refugees in the Berhale camp are women, and the majority are young people, with children making up almost 60% of the population, and young people aged between 15 and 24 around 18%. The average family size is 4.5 people. The total population of the host community and surrounding villages in Berhale Woreda is estimated at 110,469. Like the refugee population, the host population is predominantly young, with almost 60% children, and the average family size is 5.

 

Following the Northern conflict and its severe consequences, and after more than three years without a real presence in Berhale , where most of its programmes were implemented by founded partners, UNHCR reopened a field unit in this town in April 2024 and is therefore increasing its staff resources to respond to the needs of forcibly displaced people, mainly refugees and IDPs returnees living in zones 2 and 4. This response consists of providing assistance, protection and ensuring coordination.

 

Similarly, the total population of refugees registered under level 3 standards in Aysaita is 31,200. Around 53% of the refugees in the Aysaita camp are women, and the majority are young people, with children making up almost 60% of the population, and young people aged between 15 and 24 around 18%. The average family size is 4.6 people. The total population of the host community and surrounding villages is estimated at 64,400. Like the refugee population, the host population is predominantly young, with almost 60% children, and the average family size is 5.

 

Under the supervision of the Deputy Representative, the Head of Field Office Semera ensures overall field activities and services delivery for refugees living inside and outside the camps in Afar and for IDPs and IDP returnees in the neighboring Woredas. 

 

The Head of Field Office supports the Field Team in operationalizing protection monitoring systems and is responsible for sharing quality information on the needs of forcibly displaced populations as well as on the impact of UNHCR's programmatic activities designed to address those needs. In this capacity, he or she will work with all sections of the Semera Field Office. The incumbent liaises with partners and represents UNHCR in coordination meetings at camp level and produces reports with clear recommendations.

 

The incumbent may receive indirect guidance from other sections and units relevant to the country/regional programme(s). UNHCR Manual, programme and protection objectives, Operations Plans, UN and UNHCR financial/budgetary rules and regulations will guide the work of the incumbent.

 

The incumbent will supervise staff in the office (Programme, Project Control, Supply, Admin, Protection). S/he has daily contacts with staff in the various field offices and with the functional units at the Country/Regional Office. S/he also has close liaison with a range of local civilian and military authorities and counterparts in NGOs and UN agencies to discuss matters of common interest.

 

The UNHCR Field Office in Samara covers two refugee camps (Barahle, and Aysaita) and leads mainly the provision of basic services and protection for approximately 62,000 refugees residing mainly in the two locations in Aysaita, and Barahle areas. Aysaita is 70km far from Samara Barahle is about 480km far from Samara.

Living and Working Conditions:

Staff members should be prepared to operate under challenging conditions with limited resources in the Samara UNHCR Field Office. The Field Office deals primarily with several local camp environments with inherent risks to staff safety and health. Regardless of information campaigns, there are realistically few, or no COVID-19 protocols adhered to by the camp(s) and host population. Some staff wear masks but will often work within large groups of refugees who do not. There is no facility offering quality health services in Semera. However, some public facilities do exist with limited sub-standard services in Dubti Hospital, located 10km away from Semera. It is recommended that staff with prescriptions should come with at least 3 months of prescription medication. For most health issues, even minor, staff will most likely fly to Addis Ababa for proper health care.

 

There are daily one-hour regular flights to the capital city, Addis Ababa, which could facilitate the replenishment of medical and other supplies. There are two flights per day throughout the week. The region is extremely hot, especially from May to September. Consequently, the region is open for business from 7:00 am until 6:00 pm with most commercial and government entities closing between 12:00 noon to 03:00 pm.

 

Presently, the Samara Field Office does not offer guest house services. Staff will have to rent in nearby hotels or subject to availability, seek accommodation in the WFP guest house or rent a house in the town of Semera. Banking services including ATM, Visa and Mastercard services are available in this town, yet they regularly run out of cash.

 

It is advised in some hotel facilities to exercise caution with regards to respecting Islamic rules and customs. Seek guidance and orientation from your Admin officer upon arrival.

 

Semera is the capital city of Afar Region in Ethiopia. It is located around 600 kilometres (372 miles) north of the capital Addis.

 

Regular commercial flights between Addis Ababa and Semera are operational. Staff members can also rely sometimes on road convoy and should be prepared to operate under challenging conditions with extremely limited resources. The office deals primarily with several displacement sites environment with inherent risks to staff health.
 

Additional Qualifications

Skills

IT-Computer Literacy, MG-Field Operations Management, MG-Office Management, PR-International protection concepts and principles, UN-UN/UNHCR Inter-agency Policies, Standards, Programmes, and Partnerships, UN-UN/UNHCR Mandate and Global Strategic Priorities

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 Learning Program - UNHCR, 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

Additional Information

 Position is opened to ONLY Ethiopian nationals
 Women are strongly encouraged to apply in order to promote gender-balance within UNHCR.
 Candidates may be subjected to assessment (written or oral interview).

This position doesn't require a functional clearance