Head of Field Unit (NOB)

December 7, 2025

A (least hardship)

FamilyFamily

NOB

National Professional Officer

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-01-01

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 supervisor exercises regular oversight and provides 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/HoFO. 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
Business Administration; Economics; International Relations;
Law; Management; Political Science;
or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Programme Mgmt
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
- Knowledge 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.
Desirable
Not specified.

Functional Skills
*UN-UN/UNHCR Mandate and Global Strategic Priorities
*IT-Computer Literacy
*PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework
(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.

Nature of the Position (Operational Context):

Over recent years, Mexico has evolved from being predominantly a country of origin and transit for refugees and asylum-seekers to becoming a significant country of destination for hundreds of thousands of individuals seeking international protection from within the region and beyond. The Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance (COMAR) has registered claims from more than one hundred nationalities. The exponential growth in the number of asylum applications - reaching a record high of over 140,000 in 2023, followed by approximately 80,000 in 2024 and around 40,000 in the first half of 2025 - continues to pose major challenges to Mexico’s asylum system. Currently, an average of 250 new asylum applications are submitted daily, mostly in Tapachula, Mexico City, Monterrey and Tijuana. UNHCR’s strategy in Mexico aims to safeguard the asylum space by strengthening the institutional capacity of COMAR and ensuring efficient processing and adjudication of claims, promoting access to alternative legal pathways for individuals with specific protection needs, and supporting regularization alternatives for those not in need of international protection, thereby safeguarding the integrity of the asylum system. Durable solutions form a central component of UNHCR’s engagement, with a particular focus on socioeconomic inclusion of asylum-seekers and refugees and on alleviating pressure on host communities. Communication and awareness-raising initiatives are critical to ensure that information on asylum procedures and access to durable solutions reaches target populations effectively. Mexico is a relevant country in the regional context and is fully engaged in the MIRPS, the Chile Plan of Action, and other relevant processes. The very dynamic relations between the US and Mexico in key aspects of human mobility require continuous adaptation and flexibility. The Office in Tijuana covers UNHCR´s intervention in Baja California and Sonora, focusing on the identification of forcibly displaced people, supporting their access to rights, services and fostering their local integration, in coordination with state and local authorities and the humanitarian actors present at local level.

Desired Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a dynamic and principled field leader with proven experience managing decentralized operations in complex humanitarian contexts. The incumbent will demonstrate strong operational oversight, strategic thinking, and the ability to represent UNHCR effectively at the local level, ensuring that protection and assistance activities are delivered in line with UNHCR’s mandate and standards.

Leadership and Operational Management:
The candidate must have a solid track record of managing field operations, including human, financial, and material resources, to ensure the well-being of persons of concern and UNHCR staff. Experience in supervising multi-functional teams, promoting staff welfare, and maintaining operational efficiency in challenging environments is essential. The incumbent should be able to guide and coach staff, fostering a culture of integrity, accountability, and collaboration.

Protection and Programme Oversight:
A strong understanding of international protection principles and UNHCR’s programme cycle is required. The candidate should be capable of assessing the needs of affected populations, planning and implementing assistance projects, and ensuring timely monitoring and reporting. Experience in managing individual protection cases and advocating for the rights of refugees and other persons of concern is highly desirable.

Representation and Stakeholder Engagement:
The successful candidate will represent UNHCR in inter-agency forums and with local authorities, requiring excellent communication and negotiation skills. The ability to build trust and influence stakeholders at the local level is critical to advancing UNHCR’s protection and solutions agenda. Experience in submitting project proposals and coordinating with NGOs and government counterparts is an asset.

Security and Risk Management:
The candidate must demonstrate awareness of security protocols and the ability to maintain up-to-date security measures for office and residential compounds. Experience in identifying and responding to potential threats, and ensuring staff safety and operational continuity, is essential.

Reporting and Compliance: Strong reporting skills are required, including the ability to prepare regular written and verbal updates for senior management. The candidate must ensure compliance with UNHCR’s global policies and standards across protection, programme, finance, human resources, and security functions.

Languages and Other Requirements:
• Fluency in English and Spanish is essential, with demonstrated ability to draft and communicate effectively in both languages.

Living and Working Conditions:

UNHCR in Tijuana provides an interesting and enriching working environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential. The region is also located in a seismically active zone, and earthquakes of light to moderate intensity have been recorded over recent years. Staff should remain aware of local emergency procedures and the city’s efficient civil protection response system. Additionally, air quality may be affected by the Santa Ana winds, which carry dust and pollutants across the border region, particularly during spring and autumn months.

Tijuana is the largest town of the state of Baja California, a border state with the United States. Tijuana is an important industrial and commercial center. The main economic activities in the region are tourism, finance, insurance, and real estate services. As such, it has a high-level infrastructure:

• Health: Tijuana has a highly classified medical infrastructure with some first-rate hospitals, such as Angeles Tijuana and Centro Medico Nova hospital.
• Education: there are public and private schools. All private schools are bilingual (English-Spanish), Howard Gardner, Pierre Faure School, among others.
• Housing: you can rent furnished and unfurnished apartments.
• Entertainment: Tijuana It has a diversity of entertainment, parks, cinemas, tourist attractions, sports parks, among many more.
• Climate: Tijuana According to the State Government, the climate of the municipality of Tijuana is of the Mediterranean type, temperate, semisteppe with temperatures ranging from 15 degrees the lowest to 36 degrees the highest. The hot season runs from March to October, the intensity of which can be felt between July and September with temperatures close to 28 ° C. Tijuana has considerable variation in monthly rainfall per season. The rainy season lasts 5.7 months, from October 26 to April 17, with a sliding interval of 31 days of rain. Hurricane and cyclone probability.
• Tijuana has an efficient civil protection system.
• Currency and exchange: Mexican peso. Dollars, euros and traveler’s checks can be exchanged at a currency exchange office.
• Communications: Internet is available almost everywhere, but in homes and offices, a contract must be made to access this service.
• Transportation: there are buses, public taxis, it is recommended to call an Uber or safe taxi sites.

Tijuana belongs to Security Risk Management with the current Global Threat Level. 3 Moderate. Among the most common crimes are robbery of businesses with violence and on the other hand, home burglary, homicide, kidnapping, robbery of pedestrians, and telephone fraud are also common. The crime has increasingly become a matter of concern, as the presence and activity of organized criminal groups have been gradually expanding in the downtown and surrounding areas. These groups are involved in illicit activities such as drug trafficking, extortion, and human smuggling, which at times lead to spikes in violence and armed confrontations. Demonstrations take place for various reasons, but they are regularly peaceful.

UNHCR staff must be security aware and apply security measures and avoid movement after dark. There is no curfew in Tijuana, however, the incidence in the night hours is high. During roadside missions, Security Clearance it’s Mandatory for Official Travels, overnight road travel is restricted. Staff deployed in Tijuana would be required to process an official US visa (G4) at the earliest (approbation subject to United States Government). Field activities along the Northern border and particularly in Baja California and Sonora state must be coordinated with local authorities and UNHCR Security (FSA based in Monterrey). Security Clearance is mandatory for all official travel, and overnight road missions are restricted.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• This position is advertised internally only, i.e., applications are open to:

- Internal candidates: staff members with an indefinite or fixed-term appointment in the same category as the position advertised, staff members who, at the date of the deadline for application, are serving at the grade of the position or one grade below or above, as well as any candidates serving at higher grades who fulfill the criteria as per the job advertisement.
- Former Staff (due to post abolition under special measures): Local FTA/IND contract holders whose posts were abolished due to structural changes, and who were separated as of 01 January 2025 (last working day 31 December 2024). Other types of former staff members are considered candidates with UNHCR experience for any location. Eligibility period for application: May 2025 – June 2026 vacancies.
- Candidates with UNHCR experience at the time of application: current staff members in other categories, staff members on temporary appointment, affiliate workforce and interns with at least 1 year of service, and staff loaned/seconded. Former UNHCR locally recruited staff members who held an indefinite or fixed-term appointment (within 2 years of separation for males and 5 years for females).

• Only Mexicans or candidates holding a permanent residency in México will be considered eligible. Candidates must attach proof of permanent residency in Mexico at the time of application.

• Staff members must serve for a minimum of one year following assignment before being considered eligible to apply for another position within the same category.

• Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme or as an intern, is subject to proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, independently of contract type and duration. The selected candidate(s) will be required to provide proof of vaccination prior to recruitment.

• Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on the grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.

• Only short-listed candidates will be notified. The recruitment process might/could include a written test and/or oral interview for this job opening. No late applications will be accepted.

• UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training, or any other fees).

• This position is offered under Fixed-Term Appointment, initially for a period of 1 year.

• Remuneration: A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For more information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, please visit the portal of the Office of HR Management of United Nations. UNHCR also offers comprehensive medical insurance and pension plans.

Spanish

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English

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Nature of Position:

Living and Working Conditions:

Additional Qualifications

Skills

IT-Computer Literacy, PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework, UN-UN/UNHCR Mandate and Global Strategic Priorities

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

Programme Management - Other

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

This position doesn't require a functional clearance