Representative

December 22, 2025

H (no hardship)

FamilyFamily

PR5

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2025-12-08

Representative

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
As the High Commissioner's senior representative in the country, the Representative provides managerial leadership and oversight to ensure UNHCR's effective performance in the country of her/his assignment. The incumbent usually manages a budget of less than USD 6 millions.

Reporting to the Director of the Bureau, the Representative is responsible and accountable for translating organizational and Bureau-wide objectives and policies into effective programmes. Through a continuous process of situational analysis, the Representative works with his/her team to identify strategic objectives and develop coherent, consistent and effective responses to the challenges faced. He/she is responsible for ensuring the adequate provision of technical support and guidance to the office to enable them to fulfil their accountabilities, including those outlined in the Terms of Reference of UNHCR offices as well as the Age, Gender and Diversity Accountability Framework. UNHCR is well integrated into the UN Resident Coordinator System.

The Representative works to ensure that UNHCR is widely perceived as an effective and trusted partner. S/he is responsible for creating effective networks, relationships, partnerships, and synergies with governments, NGOs, relevant regional political and other fora, civil society, forcibly displaced and stateless persons and other key strategic partners and actors. He/she lends visibility to important strategic issues, promotes concerted action and the commitment of sufficient resources and expertise to address important matters of concern to UNHCR.

In a complex and demanding political and operational environment, the Representative strives to build a dynamic and sufficiently capacitated team. S/he devolves appropriate authorities, facilitates the sharing of expertise and best practice and creates a climate of collaboration, which aims to empower and motivate colleagues to approach challenges with insight and innovation and to work toward achieving measurable and effective results. The Representative is responsible to ensure a vibrant Multi-Functional Team approach is established and employed at different stages of the operations management cycle, including in programme monitoring, and engaging the participation of relevant functions within the operation. S/he has a responsibility to inform the Bureau and other relevant parties at Headquarters of key political and operational developments in a timely manner.

The comports and actions of the Representative must always reflect the core values and principles embodied in UNHCR's mandate. A failure on the part of the Representative to adhere to these standards would have negative implications for UNHCR's credibility, operations and, ultimately, the protection and well-being of forcibly displaced and stateless persons to the Office.

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
Strategic Direction
- Stay abreast of the challenges posed by the local political context.
- Manage a consultative process within the country operations and with external partners.
- Develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy that generates political and financial support for UNHCR's operations. Mobilize financial support for UNHCR corporate priorities as well for country specific projects.
Operations
- Implement a results-oriented approach, engaging a robust Multi-Functional Team, for assessing, designing, delivering and monitoring the country operation.
- Ensure that the protection strategy is fully integrated into the country operations plan and that necessary resources are allocated to it.
- Ensure the country operation's adherence to UNHCR's policy on Age, Gender and Diversity Mainstreaming (AGDM).
- Ensure the country operation plans are consistent with the regional and global strategic priorities; manage a participatory process, with stakeholders, to apply UNHCR's standards and indicators in assessing and measuring the performance of the country operations.
- Promote accession to the Convention and Protocol, and ensure the application of protection standards in the treatment of forcibly displaced and stateless persons especially women and children.
- Ensure forcibly displaced and stateless persons, especially women and children, have access to relevant information; ensure that cases of sexual violence and abuse against girls and boys are reported and dealt with expeditiously.
- Ensure the engagement of UNHCR in the UNCT, UN common programming, planning and funding activities and to actively contribute in the establishment of the CCA/UNDAF and the consequent joint implementation activities.
- Participate in the Cluster approach, ensure UNHCR's Cluster Lead role and implement other IASC and inter-agency/UN policies.
- Ensure that risks to the operation's objectives are regularly assessed, priority risks are identified and risk treatments for the priority risks form an integral part of the operations plans.
Resource Management
- Ensure that staff and financial resources are commensurate with operational objectives.
- Ensure effective and efficient management of resources within the rules and procedures of UNHCR.
- Establish and manage local administrative mechanisms such as a Local Contracts (or Purchasing) Committee, Local Asset Management Board and APPC.
- Ensure local compliance with UNHCR's human resources (HR) policies including on gender, disabilities, diversity, ethics and HIV/AIDS.
- Manage a process of recruitment, assignment and reassignment of local staff for the country operation, in accordance UN/UNHCR rules and procedures.
- Where necessary, identify the most appropriate affiliate workforce and optimize its use.
- In coordination with the Global Learning Centre, ensure that the learning needs of UNHCR's workforce in the country are identified, assessed and addressed.
- Exercise effective managerial oversight, direction, guidance and support and conduct regular performance appraisals and coaching.
Security
- In close collaboration with the Designated Official (DO), UNDSS and UN country team/Security Management Team (SMT), gather and analyse information on the local security situation and play an active role in the inter-agency security and contingency planning processes.
- 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
- Represent UNHCR in the UNCT/Humanitarian Country Team and other inter-agency fora.
- Decide on the country strategy and priorities, country operations plans, and approve the country operation's protection strategy.
- Enforce local compliance with UNHCR's global protection, programme, finance and human resources and security policies and standards.
- Negotiate and sign local agreements with implementing and operational partners.
- 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 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
- Senior positions in a large governmental or international agency. Extensive knowledge of UNHCR operations and services.
- A high level of skill in management of broad programmes, political decision making and negotiating, as well as demonstrated tolerance to frequently changing and highly charged situations.
- Ability to lead strategic planning, change processes, results-based management and reporting.
- Ability to lead formulation, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of operations.
- Ability to manage for results: translates strategic aims into achievable plans, with established priorities, monitors them, making periodic adjustments as required.
- Ability to effectively represent UNHCR at the senior level in internal and external meetings and to build strong relationships with clients.
Desirable
- Knowledge of geo-political realities and their socio-cultural implications.

Functional Skills
*IT-Computer Literacy
*PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards)
*PG-Results-Based Management
*MG-Field Operations Management
*UN-UN/UNHCR Inter-agency Policies, Standards, Programmes, and Partnerships
*UN-UN/UNHCR Mandate and Global Strategic Priorities
*MG-Political Decision Making
*MG-Change Management
*MG-Country/Regional Office Representation
*MG-Client Relationship Management
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.

The candidate should have:

• Proven leadership skills and experience within UNHCR in large operations and advocacy-focused offices. Previous experience in a senior management role is required;
• Broad operational experience and solid protection background - robust programme, PI, fundraising/PSP experience would be an asset.
• A good general understanding of the European context, including the European Union legislative, institutional and political framework, and the European Union asylum system;
• Strong communication skills with demonstrated success in using these skills to further UNHCR’s protection priorities and resource mobilization efforts.
• Ability to effectively represent the Office's global concerns as well as those related to the Spanish domestic system;
• Strong managerial skills, including the ability to manage multiple competing demands and diverse team in a high-pressure political environment;
• Political acumen and demonstrated experience in engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, including central and local government authorities, NGOs, the judiciary and the public;
• Demonstrated ability to identify new partnerships and represent UNHCR in large and diverse fora;
• Ability to ignite the UNHCR knowledge, accountabilities and integrity principles and oversight to ensure UNHCR’s effective performance in the country;
• Fluency in written and spoken Spanish is essential;
• Excellent knowledge of English, including drafting ability, is required.

Spanish

,

,

,

,

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:

By mid-2025, Spain was hosting around 470,000 people with refugee or other protection or humanitarian status, mainly from Ukraine (over 237,000 temporary protection holders), Venezuela and Syria. In addition, there were over 276,000 asylum-seekers, the majority hailing from Venezuela, Colombia, Peru and Mali, as well as some 10,700 stateless people. After two consecutive years recording increasing number of asylum applications, around 121,990 new asylum claims were registered in the country between January and October 2025, 13% lower compared to same period of 2024. In that same period of 2025, close to 31,000 arrivals of refugees and migrants by sea (Western Mediterranean and West Africa Atlantic routes) and land were recorded, a 38% decrease compared to 2024.The demographic profile includes diverse groups with specific needs, including children, of which a significant number are unaccompanied. Gender and diversity factors stress the importance of adequately identifying vulnerabilities as early as possible after arrival and adapting the services provided to these populations

 

In Spain, UNHCR advocates for the rights and protection of refugees, asylum-seekers, and stateless persons, not only at their arrival but also throughout the asylum procedure, paying special attention to those with specific needs. It also works to promote durable solutions, including integration and legal pathways, ensuring that those in need of international protection can rebuild their lives with dignity and security. Spain is a critical partner for UNHCR on protection globally, including on solidarity initiatives in Latin America and increasingly with a growing interest in supporting Routes Based Approaches in response to mixed movements of people to, through and from North Africa and the Sahel. The UNHCR Office in Spain has, by law, a role in the refugee status determination procedure. In this process, UNHCR's protection team collaborates closely with the Asylum and Refugee Office (OAR) of the Ministry of the Interior, as well as with the legal services of NGOs specializing in asylum issues, bar associations and other professionals related to the procedures – this may change in conjunction with proposed legislative reforms linked to the implementation of the EU Pact, all aspects of which will demand the Representatives close engagement in the short to medium term.

 

UNHCR’s office is located in Madrid, with field presence in strategic entry points such as Algeciras (covering Ceuta), Málaga and Tenerife in the Canary Islands. UNHCR teams in the field support the Spanish authorities in identifying persons in need of international protection, providing training and advice on asylum and refugee matters. In 2025, UNHCR Spain had to face important operational cuts that resulted in the closure of regular field presence in other entry points. UNHCR is also a contributor to the national protection network of partners, including authorities, NGOs, refugee-led organizations, UN agencies, the European Commission, and other allies. UNHCR Spain covers activities in Andorra, without a permanent presence or formal accreditation, though the government would be open to accreditation as a step towards greater engagement by UNHCR.

 

As the High Commissioner’s senior representative in the country, the Representative provides managerial leadership and oversight to ensure UNHCR’s effective performance in the country of her/his assignment. Reporting to the Director of the Regional Bureau for Europe, the Representative will lead UNHCR's engagement in Spain within the context of increasing mixed movements of people, the forthcoming implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum and resulting significant changes to the Common European Asylum System. S/he is expected to engage with counterparts to secure access to diverse sources of funding for solutions and inclusion, such as the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF). The Representative is also maintaining the positive and strong collaboration with Spain’s National Association Partner “España con Acnur”, which remains one of the top contributors of individual and unearmarked funds to UNHCR as well as a partner in various initiatives and campaigns. S/he is responsible for ensuring the adequate provision of technical support and guidance to the office to enable teams to fulfil their accountabilities.

Living and Working Conditions:

Madrid is a modern capital city with all necessary communications and good living conditions.

 
 

Additional Qualifications

Skills

IT-Computer Literacy, MG-Change Management, MG-Client Relationship Management, MG-Country/Regional Office Representation, MG-Field Operations Management, MG-Political Decision Making, PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards), PG-Results-Based Management, UN-Analysis of geo-political realities and their socio-cultural implications, UN-UN/UNHCR Inter-agency Policies, Standards, Programmes, and Partnerships, UN-UN/UNHCR Mandate and Global Strategic Priorities

Bachelor of Arts: Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts: Human Resources Management, Bachelor of Arts: International Relations, Bachelor of Arts: Law, Bachelor of Arts: Political Science, Bachelor of Arts: Social Science

Certifications

HCR 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, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration

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

Compendium

Flash Vacancy Notice

Additional Information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance