JOB DESCRIPTION

D

Family

Family

PR4

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2025-09-01

August 8, 2025

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 all information on developments in relation to the protection (legal protection issues relating to the forcibly displaced and stateless persons), security (Physical security in relation to the UNCR staff and the forcibly displaced and stateless persons) 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, he/she is required to liaise with all 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, he/she 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 forcibly displaced and stateless persons.

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 all deadlines for monitoring and reporting of UNHCR operational activities (i.e. include assistance as well as Administrative) are met on a regular basis.
– Manage all UNHCR resources, both human, financial/material, at an optimum level for the wellbeing of the concerned population and the UNHCR staff.
– Ensure that all 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.
– 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 forcibly displaced and stateless persons to 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 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
Human Resources Management;
Personnel Administration;
Law;
Political Science;
International Relations;
Economics;
or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
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 all aspects of UNHCR¿s Field level operation.  Applied experience 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-Microsoft Office Productivity Software
PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators
MG-Office Management
HR-Administration of Staff Contracts and Benefits
IT-Computer Literacy
(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 incumbent should have a demonstrated experience in leading and managing teams. S/he should have a strong background in protection. Substantial UNHCR experience, including of UNHCR rules and procedures, are critical. Have a strong understanding of UNHCR field management, programming, as well as policies. The incumbent should have experience in durable solutions, as well as emergency responses, linkages to early recovery and nexus approaches.
Strong interpersonal, management and leadership skills, as well as a mature approach, are necessary to effectively manage the team and coordinate with a variety of multi-functional stakeholders internally and externally. The incumbent is expected to be a leader, mentor, team-player, forward-looking, operational, and solutions-oriented. In addition, the s/he should provide space and lead open and new innovative approaches.

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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:

The Lebanon operation is fast moving and responding both to emergencies as well work on durable solutions. The incumbent will be expected to ensure an active and effective response to a very fluid situation. Under the delegated authority of the Representative, the HoFO will lead and manage the office in coordination with the Country Office in all protection, programme, operational matters, in a fast changing operational and security environment, navigating protection and assistance needs, and interagency coordination. The role requires the incumbent to regularly liaise and maintain positive and constructive relationships with relevant senior government officials on different administration levels, refugee and local communities, international and local NGOs. The Head of Office ensures appropriate responses to protection and operational requirements in a timely, accurate, and effective way.

Following the restructuring, the Field Office is built around the centrality of protection and protection field teams and, coordination and field support, with back up support from the country office and flexibility to engage with flexible workforce for the return programme depending on availability of funding. The following key functions are covered by the office:  Protection by presence, Liaison and negotiations with local governors, DRM and local authorities, Field monitoring e.g. basic assistance, shelter and access to services, emergency coordination, all protection partnerships, Interagency Coordination, Field representation (donors and other actors), conduct border monitoring and facilitate repatriation and respond to fast moving context.

Living and Working Conditions:

Lebanon remains a complex operational environment. The country is recovering from recent conflicts and displacement, as well as a prolonged economic crisis. It hosts 1.4 million Syrian refugees, according to the Government of Lebanon—the highest per capita globally—placing immense strain on basic services. While a transitional government was formed in early 2025, challenges are expected to continue, particularly in implementing a comprehensive plan for macroeconomic and financial stabilization.

A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon took effect on 26 November 2024, after more than a year of fighting that resulted in thousands of casualties and injuries, and affected up to 1.3 million people, including around 900,000 who were internally displaced. Despite the ceasefire, Israeli airstrikes in South Lebanon and the Bekaa have continued, causing further casualties and injuries.

Sporadic hostilities have persisted, including airstrikes in the southern governorates and the southern suburbs of Beirut. Unexploded ordnance has impacted communities, exacerbating protection concerns, limiting humanitarian access, and hindering relief and recovery efforts. While the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) dropped from nearly 900,000 to 90,021 by 30 April 2025, many returning IDPs have faced extensive damage to essential infrastructure and residential buildings.

The fall of the Assad regime in Syria has also driven regional shifts. Between December 2024 and May 2025, UNHCR estimates that approximately 501,126 Syrians crossed back into Syria via neighbouring countries, including 170,078 via or from Lebanon—half of whom were transiting or temporarily returning. Returns and movements occur through both official and unofficial border crossings, creating a fluid picture. At the same time, Lebanon has received nearly 110,000 new arrivals into the Baalbek-Hermel area of the Bekaa, as well as the Akkar and North Governorates. The latter influx is due to hostilities in Syria’s Tartous, Lattakia, Homs, and Hama Governorates since early March, with displacement ongoing.

UNHCR and its partners face a significant and unexpected funding shortfall in 2025, prompting a focus on lifesaving and core mandate activities. Reduced funding has already impacted critical sectors such as cash assistance, healthcare, and education.

UNHCR in Lebanon has a workforce of over 350 staff across the Country Office (CO) in Beirut and various Field Offices. This includes personnel in FO Beirut, Tripoli, and Zahle. As per the ICSC classification of March 2025, Beirut is designated as a ‘B’ family duty station, while Zahle and Tripoli are classified as ‘D’ family duty stations.

The overall situation in the region continues to be closely monitored. Applicants are advised to stay informed of developments in the security context, as these may affect the classification of duty stations.

Despite these challenges, Lebanon is showing signs of recovery. Housing and essential services, including healthcare and international schooling, are improving. However, trust in the banking sector remains low. International staff may open fresh USD accounts in local banks to facilitate transfers from foreign accounts and local USD transactions. The operation’s finance team will provide guidance on setting up these accounts, if needed.

UNLP holders are granted six-month, multiple-entry visas upon arrival, but these cannot be converted into residency permits. Residency is required for opening local bank accounts, signing long-term lease agreements, purchasing vehicles, registering children in international or national schools, and requesting visas for family members. International staff must obtain an official visa in their national passport before arrival, ideally through the nearest Embassy of Lebanon. UNHCR Lebanon’s administration will support this process prior to the staff member’s arrival in the country.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

HR-Administration of Staff Contracts and Benefits, IT-Computer Literacy, IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software, MG-Office Management, PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators

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 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

Add. 2 to the Bi-Annual 2025 Compendium – Part B

Additional Information

This position doesn”t require a functional clearance