Head of Field Office

E (most hardship)

Non Family with Residential LocationNon Family with Residential LocationDanger Pay

Budapest Hungary

PR4

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

July 3 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 persons of concern to UNHCR) security (Physical security in relation to the UNCR 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 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 Commissioners 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 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 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/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 ones 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 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 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

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
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 UNHCRs Field level 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 ideal candidate will have extensive experience in team leadership and management particularly within UNHCR or similar humanitarian organizations. They should possess deep knowledge and practical experience in IDP response returns and durable solutions frameworks complemented by a strong command of UNHCR managerial practices programming guidelines policies and administrative procedures. Proven experience in emergency humanitarian response particularly in high-risk contexts along with expertise in early recovery development nexus approaches and external relations is essential. The position demands very strong diplomatic negotiation and advocacy skills.

The Kharkiv AOR continues to endure massive aerial attacks resulting in significant damage to homes and civilian infrastructure. Given the substantial investment in shelter programs within Kharkiv the incumbent should have demonstrated capability in managing large-scale emergency shelter and durable housing projects. Excellent interpersonal management and leadership skills are necessary to effectively coordinate diverse internal and external stakeholders. The incumbent is expected to be proactive innovative operational and solutions-oriented providing clear leadership mentorship and should provide space and lead open and new innovative approaches. Given Kharkivs frontline location the incumbent must demonstrate strong security awareness flexibility and resilience leading effective crisis management and risk mitigation strategies.

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

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

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has been present in Ukraine since 1994 and substantially increased its presence and response after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The geographical presence within Ukraine has significatively expanded to deliver the emergency response. The country office is located in the capital Kyiv and sub- and field offices are currently located in Dnipro Kyiv Lviv Odesa and Kharkiv.

The war in Ukraine has caused death and suffering on a dramatic scale. In 2025 more than 12.7 million people are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance and protection according to the 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan. Some 3.7 million people are internally displaced while around 6.8 million refugees from Ukraine are recorded across Europe and beyond. Some 75000 people including some of the most vulnerable notable older people and people with disabilities live in collective sites spread across the country. Ukraine also hosts asylum-seekers and refugees and is home to thousands of people who are stateless or at risk of statelessness.

The massive destruction of civilian infrastructure with the energy sector being particularly targeted has made life extremely challenging for millions of people who have lost their homes and livelihoods and has severely disrupted access to electricity water heating as well as critical services including healthcare education and social protection services. Humanitarian access continues to be hampered particularly in frontline areas as well as to areas under temporary occupation of the Russian Federation. Civilians remain exposed to serious risks to their physical security and integrity particularly in eastern and southern regions of Ukraine. The risk of GBV including sexual violence continues to prevail alongside family separations loss of housing and properties as well as identity and civil documentation. Populations displaced or otherwise affected by the war live in situations of deprivation following the loss or damage of their housing loss of income and often become dependent on an overstretched social protection system.

The Government of Ukraine maintains a strong lead role in responding to the needs of its population and UNHCR supports the Government and its central and local institutions to provide protection shelter/housing cash and in-kind assistance to displaced and other people impacted by the war. Currently UNHCR has MOUs with five-line ministries the First Ladys foundation as well as the Office of the Ombudsman 19 regional state administrations and agreements with 14 partners to deliver assistance and support the localization of the response.

Under the leadership of the UN Humanitarian Coordinator UNHCR operates as part of the Inter-agency humanitarian response working in close coordination with local authorities and humanitarian partners. UNHCR is leading three clusters - Protection Shelter and NFIs and CCCM. The strategic orientation of UNHCRs response is to reach people particularly those with specific vulnerabilities who remain in frontline and heavily affected areas with immediate relief while supporting displaced people and those who have remained in their homes or returned with protection advice housing support livelihoods advice and cash assistance to enable their recovery and attainment of durable solutions.

Protection needs to be truly at the center of this response as the highest critical needs of the population caused by the international armed conflict are in the area of protection. Since Ukraine is a highly sophisticated country with a strong government leadership and well-established administrative social protection and digital systems it is essential to design and deliver UNHCRs protection programs in a way which simultaneously addresses immediate needs and supports the further development of sustainable and inclusive national protection systems.

With the EU having voted to confirm Ukraines accession to the EU at the end of 2023 Ukraine will also embark on a series of substantial and long-term reforms in numerous sectors including justice and home affairs which presents an opportunity to contribute to strengthened and more inclusive protection asylum and statelessness reduction systems. Working closely with government authorities local community representatives and partners from the embassies UN civil society and international financial institutions amongst others is thus key to ensuring that UNHCRs response is closely aligned with and complementary of national and local strategies and recovery plans.

As the war continues new urgent humanitarian needs are created every day alongside protracted ones and peoples and communities efforts to recover and rebuild their lives in war-torn communities. Among the IDPs and refugees from Ukraine the majority express a hope and desire to return to their homes as soon as the security situation allows. The protection needs of the population thus need to be analyzed and addressed both from a humanitarian as well as from an early recovery and durable solutions perspective with UNHCR playing a leading role in this work.

The Head of Field Office in Kharkiv will lead UNHCRs strategic operational response in one of Ukraines most severely affected regions. Kharkiv oblast remains a complex and challenging operational environment marked by significant humanitarian needs ongoing security risks and extensive infrastructural damage. As the senior UNHCR representative in Kharkiv the incumbent is expected to effectively lead and guide a diverse team across various functions including protection shelter and partnership management. Additionally the incumbent will prioritize direct humanitarian assistance ensuring protection interventions reach vulnerable populations including internally displaced persons returnees host communities and persons at risk of statelessness.

Kharkiv is a frontline location. The incumbent leads effective crisis management and risk mitigation strategies and strengthening and maintaining strong relationships with regional and local authorities civil society organizations international partners and inter-agency coordination mechanisms will be critical. Furthermore the Head of Field Office will oversee efforts to support early recovery facilitating durable solutions and integration activities aligning closely with local and national recovery plans. The position ensures UNHCRs interventions complement and government-led responses maintaining protection at the core of the humanitarian and development nexus.

Living and Working Conditions:

Ukraine is currently designated as a non-family country location with Dnipro and Kharkiv classified as E duty stations and Odesa as a D duty station with 4-week R&R cycle whereas Kyiv and Lviv are classified as D duty station with 6-week RR Cycle and Budapest being a designated R&R location for all duty stations. English is not widely spoken access to hard currency is possible from local banks (rents are normally paid in USD). International staff rent private apartments in the cities of their duty stations. The quality of life is of average European standard with relatively solid infrastructure. However the volatile security situation which includes frequent missile and drone attacks that trigger air raid alarms requiring immediate move to the shelters (frequently during nights) affects the living and working environment on everyday basis resulting with sleep deprivation high levels of stress affecting the staff welfare and wellbeing. In addition due to massive attacks on the countrys critical infrastructure there are frequent and prolonged electricity power cuts coupled with lack of generators in private multistorey buildings and apartments which may also affect elevators heating water and possible sewage systems leading to an overall unpredictable and at times difficult living situation especially in winter. Due to the state of war there is a country wide curfew in place from 00:00-05:00 every day. Also all airports are closed and air-traffic is not available resulting in travel within and in and out from/to Ukraine being done mainly by car and local trains supported by official shuttle for Poland and Moldova border crossing. Average train ride combined with shuttle by road from Kyiv to Poland Hungary or Moldova airports ranges from 11-17 hours with train tickets selling very quickly. Movement between different locations within and outside Ukraine is not allowed during workdays and weekends/public holidays unless there is a specific approval from the Agency Representative.

Security:

The international armed conflict in Ukraine is ongoing and the Russian Federation Armed Forces temporarily occupy parts of Donetsk Luhansk Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions. The frontline is the primary area of kinetic military operations particularly in the eastern and southeastern regions and north of Kharkiv. Cruise missiles ballistic missiles aero-ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been targeting vital civilian and military sites including airports since the start of the invasion. As a result commercial air travel is suspended and vehicles and trains are the only modes of transportation. Since 2023 there has been an increase in attacks targeting civilian infrastructure throughout the country.

Whilst the UN has not been targeted directly the threat of collateral damage continues to remain in place with cases of UNHCR IPs reporting collateral damages and several humanitarian workers recorded as been killed and injured since the start of the full-scale invasion. The UN Security Management System (UNSMS) applies a comprehensive Security Risk Management (SRM) process to identify security threats and evaluate risk levels. The security risk levels are regularly reviewed. Currently the most significant threats and hazards are associated with the international armed conflict with current risk levels ranging from high to Very High or Unacceptable in areas with ongoing hostilities.

This has resulted in a decrease of humanitarian space making it difficult and sometimes impossible to access people in need in frontline areas. When assessing risk levels the security personnel and the UNHCR Representative as part of the countrys Security Management Team adhere to the SRM process as defined by the UNSMS. In general the projected risk level in all three SRM areas where the UN/HCR operates is High.

Therefore applicants for positions in Ukraine should be prepared to work in a highly dynamic security environment where unexpected events occur frequently. Air raids are common and staff may be required to work from bunkers or underground car parks metro stations and other locations for extended periods. Power and water outages are to be expected and will make life more challenging during the winter months. Depending on the evolution of the war disruptions to public services such as shops banks and restaurants may occur. Curfews are in place throughout the country and mission travel must be authorized by the Representative or designated managers subject to the completion of mandatory BSAFE SSAFE and IFAK training and security clearance procedures. Private trips within the country are prohibited for international staff.

The Field Security Unit works closely with UNDSS and other interlocutors of the UNSMS to ensure that program activities can be implemented within the acceptable level of risk by following the required measures and procedures set up and approved by the Designated Official. Due to the countrys evolving operational and security environment UNHCR needs to maintain strong security contingency preparedness supporting its mandate of providing protection and assistance to people in need.

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

Education

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

Work Experience

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

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Additional Information

This position doesnt require a functional clearance