JOB DESCRIPTION

H (no hardship)

Family

Family

PR4

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2025-08-01

August 8, 2025

Head of National Office

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
Head of a UNHCR National Office is a senior managerial position within a given country operation. The incumbent acts under delegated authority of the UNHCR Regional Representative (or the Deputy Regional Representative). The position reports and 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 UNHCR 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 Regional Representative (or Deputy) on a regular and timely manner. The Head of UNHCR National Office will, on request, serve as a designated member of the UN Country Team, participating in relevant meetings including monthly UNCT meetings, engaging the involvement and advocacy of the Regional Representative as may be appropriate. S/he will also advise the UN Resident Coordinator regarding UNHCR¿s issues of concern. The Head of the UNHCR National Office will also support the UN Designated Official as a member of the Security Management Team. Concerning overall physical security concerns, HoNO will liaise directly with the competent UN security coordinator while keeping the UNHCR Regional/Deputy Regional Representative fully informed.

As the most senior UNHCR staff member within the given geographical area, the Head of National Office liaises with relevant government officials, security organs in the area, Non-Governmental Organisations (both national and international which are based in the area), local opinion makers and the local media.

As the extended field representative of UNHCR at the front line of High Commissioner’s operations, s/he remains as the effective advocate and assistant to the local authorities to ensure that the respective government authorities in the area implement their responsibilities emanating from the 1951 Convention 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
– 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.
– Implement a results-oriented approach for assessing, designing and delivering the country operation focused on Asylum Seekers and Refugees.
– 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 persons of concern especially women and children.
– Ensure persons of concern, 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.
– Ensure that staff and financial resources are commensurate with operational objectives liaising with the Regional Representation Office.
– Exercise effective managerial oversight, direction, guidance and support and conduct regular performance appraisals and coaching.
– 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 Minimum Operational Security Standards (MOSS)/ Minimum Operational Residential Security Standards (MORSS) staff security rules, guidelines and procedures.
– Represent UNHCR in the inter-agency fora and with national authorities.
– Develop country strategy and priorities, country operations plans, and approve the country operation’s protection strategy for validation by the Regional Representative.
– Enforce local compliance with UNHCR¿s global protection, programme, finance and human resources and security policies and standards.

– 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/NOD – 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
Business Administration; International Relations; Law;
Political Science; Social Science; Human Resources Management;
or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
HCR Country of Origin Inf Learning Program; HCR Management Learning Program; HCR RSD Learning Programme;
(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.
Experience 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 formulation, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of operations. Ability to manage for results: translate strategic aims into achievable plans, with established priorities, monitor 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
Not specified.

Functional Skills
*EL-Monitoring and Evaluation
*PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards)
*MG-Country/Regional Office Representation
*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.

In addition to the competencies required from a Head of National Office, the successful candidate should have:

– Proven skills as a manager, including successfully leading and motivating collaborative teams in a high-pressure environment;
– A good understanding of and experience in the European context, including the European Union legislative, institutional and political framework, and the European asylum system (CEAS), including specifically the role of the EUAA;
– Experience in developing and implementing sustainable and durable solutions, focusing on livelihood and integration strategies and innovative partnerships with development partners;
– Given challenging relations with the GoM, experience and demonstrated diplomatic skills in cultivating relationships with authorities and government, particularly to advance UNHCR’s protection priorities; ability to establish wide-ranging and high-level contacts within GoM, diplomatic missions and partners who can assist with joint advocacy;
– Varied prior experience within UNHCR including field and advocacy-focused operations, experience in managing and responding to situations characterized by irregular movements;
– Strong communication and negotiation skills, including in mobilizing resources;
– Experience in politically sensitive contexts.

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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:

Based in Malta the Head of National Office reports to Multi-Country Office in Rome Italy with a dotted reporting line for European Agency for Asylum (EUAA) matters to MCO Belgium in Brussels.

The island is at the heart of the Central Mediterranean route and of strategic importance due to its proximity to Libya and other North African states. Mixed movements, including rescue at sea, disembarkation and relocation within Europe are important challenges posed to the Government of Malta (GoM) which requires a sound understanding of intra-European dynamics linked to migration management, fast and fair RSD procedure and responsibility sharing (including relocation). A wide-ranging and high-level contacts within GoM, diplomatic missions and partners who can assist with joint advocacy and resource mobilization is required.

In the last few years, Malta has seen less and less arrivals using the Central Mediterranean  route.  In 2024, there were 238 arrivals, 37% less compared to 2023 (380).  the arrivals mainly originated from Bangladesh (47%), Syria (19%), and few from Pakistan, Egypt, and Eritrea.

In the first quarter of 2025, there were 27 refugees and migrant who arrived in Malta.

The existing reception systems has shortcomings. EUAA has stepped in and supports GoM in the provision of information, registration, RSD and implementation of European Dublin procedures. GoM continues to rely on UNHCR ‘s support for information provision, identification of SGBV and other PWSN referrals, community mobilization and protection monitoring.

UNHCR ‘s main goals in Malta are to:

–           Advocate and support the implementation of fast and fair RSD procedures;
–           Support coordination between actors engaged in rescue at sea, disembarkation and  post-disembarkation activities;
–           Monitor and engage in disembarkation procedures and reception conditions (inc. detention centres);
–           Support GoM in obtaining adequate support from Europe;
–           Strengthen integration, access to family reunification;
–           Establish statelessness procedures.

Living and Working Conditions:

Working & Living Conditions : The cost of living in Malta has historically been lower than in most of the countries of Western and Central Europe. In the last 5 years inflation has oscillated between 0.31% and 1.37% yearly. This situation is changing rapidly as the costs of housing, insurance and general products rises. Living standards in Malta are good and compare well with those of continental Europe. Education, health and sanitation facilities are of a very high standard and available to all. Expat Insider 2018 Quality of Life Index ranked Malta 38th in the world. Indices for Malta are high in terms of its leisure and culture, the environment, freedom, health, safety and security, and climate. Annual living costs in Malta are still lower than most of the developed European Countries. Safety and security are high.

Security Considerations : Malta is a H Duty Station with a 5 years SAL. The security situation in Malta does not require any special care by UN personnel travelling to Malta but travellers are urged to practice the same good, common-sense personal security precautions that are part of everyday life, particularly when spending time in areas frequented by tourists. Extra caution should be taken in the Paceville nightclub area. Travelers should secure their passports and valuables and be aware of pickpockets, purse snatchers and theft from parked cars. Visitors should always lock their car when parking and should not leave luggage and valuables visible inside parked vehicles. In Malta, driving is on the left. Taxi services from the Malta International Airport to all locations in Malta are based on a fixed tariff. When taking a taxi, it is suggested that visitors inquire and agree on a fare beforehand.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

EL-Monitoring and Evaluation, MG-Country/Regional Office Representation, MG-Political Decision Making, PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards)

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 Country of Origin Information Learning Program – UNHCR, HCR Management Learning Program – UNHCR, HCR RSD Learning Program – 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