Head of Sub-Office

Please note that this vacancy is only open to eligible staff members who have been individually notified of their eligibility to apply for positions advertised in the Accelerated Posting Compendium.

June 12 2026

E (most hardship)

Non Family with Residential Location

Tunis Tunisia

PR4

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Head of Sub-Office

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
Head of a UNHCR Sub-Office (HoSO) 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) 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 to UNHCR) security (Physical security in relation to the UNCR staff and the forcibly displaced and stateless persons 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 the Sub-Office to take the most appropriate course of action. Concerning overall physical security concerns HoSO will liaise directly with the competent UN security coordinator while keeping the UNHCR Representative fully informed.
While the functional responsibility of a Head of a Sub-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 Commissioners operations he/she remains 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 addition staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core functional cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCRs 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.
- 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 ones own practice and deeds.
- Prepare and submit regular reports both verbally and written to the UNHCR 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 UNHCRs 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 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
Education & Professional Work Experience
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
Management Administration Personnel Administration Law
Political Science International Relation Economics
or other relevant field.
(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified.
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
In-depth knowledge in all 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. UNHCR Specific learning/training activities ( i.e. Learning Programme in Management & Operations).

Functional Skills
IT-Computer Literacy
UN-UN/UNHCR Mandate and Global Strategic Priorities
MG-Office Management
HR-Administration of Staff Contracts and Benefits
PR-International protection concepts and principles
(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.

Essential Attributes:
Solid leadership and senior managerial experience to manage large diverse teams of national and international staff.
Solid experience in Programme management and field operations while demonstrating a results- and solutions-oriented approach in the implementation of Programs while working hand in hand with Protection and other stakeholders within the operation.
Strong political awareness considerable diplomatic skills strong negotiation abilities and coordination skills to engage effectively with variety of stakeholders (government embassies donors UN agencies and NGOs) as well as Inter-Agency coordination forums.
The ability to guide and strategize program activities in protracted refugee situations based on the needs of the people served and in hardship operational environments.
Experience in managing field security within humanitarian operations including implementation of security risk management measures compliance with UN security policies and procedures contingency planning incident response coordination and maintaining operational continuity in volatile or high-risk environments. Familiarity with balancing programmatic delivery requirements with staff safety and security considerations is highly desirable.

Desirable Attributes:
The Sahrawi operation in Tindouf represents one of the protracted refugee situations globally. Due to the unique political circumstances surrounding the Sahrawi refugees there is no formal registration by UNHCR in Tindouf; the incumbent is expected to have the skills to handle politically sensitive matters.
Demonstrated experience in leading coordinating or contributing to the development implementation monitoring and reporting of Refugee Response Plans (RRP) or similar multi-stakeholder humanitarian response frameworks. This includes coordination with UN agencies NGOs donors and government counterparts resource mobilization results-based management and oversight of strategic priorities aligned with regional or country-level refugee response objectives.
Desirable languages include Arabic Spanish and French. While Arabic is the primary language for communicating with the predominantly Arabic-speaking refugee community and the Sahrawi authority Spanish also enables effective communication with many local stakeholders and INGO staff.

Operational context

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station please visit this link: of Position:

UNHCR has been accredited to the Peoples Democratic Republic of Algeria a signatory to the 1951 Convention relating to the status of refugees since 1984. It provides protection andassistanceto persons of concern in both camp andurban settings.

UNHCR is at the forefront of the humanitarian response for the Sahrawi Refugee Response Plan(SRRP) led by the Resident Coordinator(RC) andaims to address the need for a planning figure of 173600 Sahrawi acrossfive camps near Tindouf several of the eight sectors of support for the refugees and coordinates the efforts of partners and the Sahrawi population itself as well as leading the interaction with the host government through the multilateral directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It also leads the Sahrawi Refugee Partners platform for donors in Algiers and the UN-wide Subgroup for Communications and Fundraising. UNHCRs urban operation based in Algiers serves more than 14000 refugees and asylum-seekers from the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa. At the request of the Algerian authorities UNHCR undertakes registration and status determination for asylum-seekers and helps them to secure durable solutions once recognized as focuses on strengthening access to national systems and servicesincluding educationhealth GBVresponse childprotectionand support for persons with disabilities.

Under the direct supervision oftheRepresentativethe incumbent willprovideoverall management of theSub Office in Tindoufin an effective and efficient mannerthatsupports the organizations mandate.

S/he is also expected to stay abreast of the challenges posed to the country by the political context the UN and humanitarian reform and institutional to the unique political circumstances surrounding the Sahrawi refugees UNHCR has not conducted formal registration in the five camps near Tindouf. Data collection and personal information are managed by the Sahrawi themselves. Inquiries are directed to the relevant Sahrawi departments. There is no official sharing of personal data between UNHCR its partners and the Sahrawi except for occasional exchanges of aggregate data.

The position is required a strong operations and field/programmebackground; demonstratedmanagement experiencecoordinationof key stakeholders and counterpartsin the campsand the ability to work inremoteand hardshipareas.

S/he will be supervising the Programme FieldAdministration SupplyandProject Controlunitsunderthesub office.

Considering the variety ofkeystakeholdersandcounterparts(government embassies donors UNagenciesand NGOs)the incumbent is expected towork closely andmaintainaconstructive relationship with allstakeholders.

Being among seniorUNinternational staff in the duty station theincumbent fromtime to timemay be requested to cover the Area Security Coordinator (ASC)role; S/he is expected to have goodknowledge ofUN SecurityManagement.

Externally the incumbent acts as adviser or representative of the Organisation with authority to discuss problems and seek common ground on which to recommend solutions based on predetermined guidelines provided by the higher incumbent will act as Officer-In-Charge in the absence of the Representative.

Living and Working Conditions:

Tindouf is a townlocatedin Tindouf Wilaya (sub-administrative unit) in the south-west of Algeria with an approximate population of 50000. It is 2000 km away from Algiers the capital city of Algeria. The weather is characterized by extremely hot & dry during summer and cold during winter. Tindouf is currently classified as non-family duty station hardship level E (most hardship). There is no UNHCR accommodation in Tindouf. Staff are renting their housing and access to accommodation is fairly of acceptable standard. There are apartmentsrelatively ingood condition most are with functioning utilities such water gas and electricity. The average rental fee varies between USD 500 to 800. A Resident Security Measures (RSM) should be conducted by MINURSO Security in collaboration UNHCR FSA prior to renting a private accommodation by international staff.

Local banking facilities are available with a possibility of opening a USD bank account (birth certificate isrequiredto open an account). The system of credit cards (visa or master card) is not used in Tindouf while in Algiers it is limited to big hotels only. It is recommended toensure havingenough cash in Euros or USD prior to travel. The Algerian visa cannot be granted at the airport and must be obtained prior to arrival. Health facilities in Tindouf are limited and thereisno recreational or leisure facilities. Tindouf is served by a daily flight to the capital city Algiers by Air Algieri. Tindouf has R&R cycle of 8 weeks (56 days) with a designated R&R location of Tunis Tunisia.

The security level in Tindouf and all camps is MODERATE (3). All movements from Tindouf to the camps should always be escorted. There is a curfew in place from 00:00 to 06:00 in the morning. MINURSO conductsa radiocheck every movementof international staffwithinTindouf is restricted to a recommended zone. A security clearance isrequiredto enter Algeria (via TRIP hhtps://) and a mandatory security briefing is provided by MINURSO upon arrival. Security clearance is alsorequiredfor all UN personnel when travellinginternallywhich is processed through TRIP at.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

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

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

Accelerated Posting Compendium 2026 - Part B

Additional Information

This position doesnt require a functional clearance