Deputy Representative

A (least hardship)

FamilyFamily

PR5

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

July 11 2025

Deputy Representative

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
Direct supervision and guidance is received from the Representative. Advice and operational support may also be provided by the Director/Deputy Director of the Bureau and by other senior staff in the Bureau and in the support Divisions at Headquarters. The incumbent will also refer to policies standards rules and regulations which are in force within UNHCR.

Regular contacts with the Representative and staff at Headquarters and in the field to consult discuss operational issues and to seek common grounds for solutions on activities and programmes of importance to UNHCR and with persons on matters of great importance to UNHCRs programmes. These contacts may include heads of national/ international organizations embassies UN agencies and high officials/ ministers in the national government. UNHCR is well integrated into the UN Resident Coordinator System.

Decisions taken directly influence the design and operation of all of UNHCRs activities in the country of accreditation. Proposals will have a substantive effect on UNHCRs policy on a wide range of issues in the country programmes. Errors lead to significant damage to UNHCs major objectives in terms of time quality and money in the country and will have a major negative impact on the safety of refugees and other forcibly displaced and stateless persons. The Offices overall credibility and the safety of its staff may also suffer.

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
- Provide legal protection advice and guidance on matters of doctrine and policy to Representative the Heads of Offices and protection staff in the country.
- Provide advice and support to offices in the country operation on specific issues/problems faced related to asylum refugee protection and assistance including access to territory access to RSD and asylum procedures non-refoulement adequate reception and the implementation of durable solutions including developing a Protection Management Framework for each national office.
- Provide legal and programme related advice and guidance to offices in the country on developing and maintaining fair and effective asylum regimes in accordance with international standards and norms especially with regard to national asylum/refugee legislation and the building of local protection capacity.
- Provide legal and programme related advice and guidance on matters relating to the issue of asylum and migration to the Representative and offices in the country with particular emphasis on the problems of trafficking and smuggling.
- Provide guidance and leadership related to the implementation of the Age Gender Diversity Mainstreaming (AGDM) Participatory Assessments in sub-region and ensure the follow up on any identified gaps related to the reception and integration systems and structures in the region with relevant stakeholders.
- Keep abreast of and analyse trends and key issues related to legal protection and assistance in the country including preparing strategy and position papers with policy recommendations on specific protection assistance and durable solutions related issues relevant to the country.
- Directly supervise Protection and Programme sections and develop operations plan in accordance with the organizational policies and operational strategies.
- Assist the Representative in the promotion of UNHCR strategic goals and objectives in the country monitoring of the overall progress towards achieving them and in managing the Representation country office.
- 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.
- Serve as OIC of the Country Office when the Representative is on mission or leave.
- Any other duties as may be required or assigned by the Representative.
- Represent UNHCR in the meetings and fora related to the functions.
- Enforce local compliance with UNHCRs global protection programme finance and human resources and security policies and standards.
- Authorize payments as per the organizations 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
Education & Professional Work Experience
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
- High level of skill in management of broad programmes political decision making and negotiating.
Desirable
- Completion of UNHCR training programmes such as Protection Learning Programme Operations Management Learning Programme.
- Knowledge of geo-political realities and their socio-cultural implications.

Functional Skills
*MG-Field Operations Management
*UN-UN/UNHCR Inter-agency Policies Standards Programmes and Partnerships
*UN-UN/UNHCR Mandate and Global Strategic Priorities
*PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards)
UN-Analysis of geo-political realities and their socio-cultural implications
*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.

The ideal candidate should have at least 10 years of relevant mixed protection and programme/operations experience including experience in managing multi country complex operations building effective protection and solutions strategies high level advocacy building synergies with the UNCT Development actors and International Financial partners to enable effective integration and solutions.

Experience in both Protection and Programme management principles is essential. Demonstrated analytical and operational planning skills are required including experience in effective and efficient management of resources within the rules and procedures of UNHCR. Experience in creating effective networks relationships partnerships and synergies with governments development and financial actors private sector NGOs civil society forcibly displaced persons and all other key strategic partners and actors in the operations under his/her purview ensuring effective and efficient management of resources including fund raising within the rules and procedures of UNHCR.

The incumbent must have a proven ability to deputize the Representative and provide advice and guidance on matters of policy protection external relations advocacy and office management including HR finance planning and procurement.

The Deputy Representative should possess excellent interpersonal and diplomatic skills to manage stakeholder relations at senior level. Extensive experience in engaging and communicating effectively with high-level government authorities UN agencies international and regional institutions private institutions and NGOs is a plus.

Political/institutional awareness coupled with strong analytical skills to understand the geopolitical and economic context in the region are highly desirable. Familiarity with the African / AU political economic and social context is an asset.

The Deputy Representative must demonstrate managerial and leadership skills and a collaborative approach to management. S/he must be able to lead and manage very diverse teams for results. S/he should have a genuine commitment to staff welfare and to promoting harmonious work relations between and within offices and units.

Excellent communications and drafting skills in English.

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

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

of Position:

The general situation in Southern Africa remains stable despite growing tensions related to disputed election results conflict human rights violations and governance concerns. The region is in the process of operationalizing the Global Compact on Refugees with a focus on applying comprehensive refugee responses through a regional approach. However increasing movements of asylum seekers from other parts of Africa and Asia continue to raise concerns among authorities leading to restricted access to territory and asylum procedures in several countries. This has resulted in significant backlogs in refugee status determination (RSD) compounded by mixed migratory flows. Asylum systems in Southern African countries remain weak and rudimentary heavily reliant on UNHCRs technical support to function effectively. Meanwhile the Indian Ocean States do not have established asylum systems due to their non-accession to the 1951 Refugee Convention. UNHCR is actively promoting accession to international and regional refugee instruments in these countries while also enhancing efforts to find comprehensive solutions that ease pressure on host nations.

The Deputy Representative reports directly to the UNHCR Representative (D1 level) and plays a critical role in policy implementation operational coordination and external engagement. The incumbent is expected to travel across countries covered by the Multi-Country Office (MCO) including Botswana Comoros Eswatini Lesotho Madagascar Mauritius Namibia and Seychelles to strengthen partnerships provide technical support and enhance protection and solutions efforts in line with UNHCRs mandate.The incumbent will advise and assist the Representative in the overall management of UNHCRs programme and administrative activities and issues of concern within the country operation in an effective and efficient manner which supports the Organizations mandate. The incumbent will also have direct working relationship/arrangement with the Head of UNHCR offices within the country. He/she will also have a responsibility to monitor coach and guide and intervene with the staff in the country. UNHCR is well integrated into the UN Resident Coordinator System.

The incumbent is expected to work in line with the multi-functional team (MFT) approach as defined within the Program Manual ensuring the participation of relevant stakeholders in all phases of the Program Management Cycle. S/he is expected to work closely with colleagues from other units including Risk Management Project Control Resource Management Protection and Administration.

Living and Working Conditions:

Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province in South Africa. It is one of the countrys two capital cities serving as the executive (administrative) and de facto national capital. The other is Cape Town the legislative capital. The Central Business District (CBD) of Pretoria has been the traditional center of government and commerce although today many corporate offices small businesses shops and government departments are situated in the sprawling suburbs of the city rather than the CBD. The city has a population of approximatelywith an influx of foreign nationals. Pretoria has over the years had very diverse cultural influences and this is reflected in the architectural styles that can be found in the city. The main languages spoken in Pretoria are Pedi Afrikaans Tswana Tsonga Zulu and English. Ndebele and Sotho are also widely spoken. The living class in Pretoria can be classified as middle to high income earners.

The living conditions in South Africa are generally very good. Housing and basic commodities are readily available. The country has an abundance of health providers of all sectors. The countrys infrastructure and communication facilities are of international standard and are amongst the best in the African continent. Crime continues to be of concern. Burglaries (house break-ins) and car-jacking are common. ATM fraud is also rampant as well as cyber-crime - financial related.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

MG-Field Operations Management MG-Political Decision Making PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards) 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

Education

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

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 Stakeholder management Strategic planning & visions Teamwork & collaboration

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Additional Information

This position doesnt require a functional clearance