Chief of Digital Identity and Registration Section

March 9 2026

H (no hardship)

FamilyFamily

PR5

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Chief of Digital Identity and Registration Section

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The UNHCR Data Transformation Strategy 2020-2025 envisions that by 2025 UNHCR becomes a trusted leader on data and information related to refugees and other forcibly displaced and stateless persons thereby enabling actions to protect and to empower them. The strategy stipulates investing in four complementary priority areas: data management and governance; information systems; capacities and skill development; and culture for evidence-informed decision-making. The strategy additionally envisages that data and information management functions in UNHCR are carried out in a complementary and inter-linked manner between Headquarters Divisions and Services Regional Bureaux country operations and key external partners including forcibly displaced and stateless persons.

The area where UNHCR has arguably the biggest operational data footprint is registration. With the roll-out of the global registration system (PRIMES) that establish the identities of refugees asylum-seekers stateless persons and (in exceptional cases) IDPs UNHCR is entrusted with the processing and handling of millions of identities most cases those records include biometric the current context of increasing reliance on digital versions of that identity fast-evolving technology and - importantly - states investing in digital identities UNHCR is presented with both a unique opportunity and an obligation to reconceptualize existing systems. As articulated in the Data Transformation Strategy this must be done with the individual (the user) at the core.

The Chief of Digital Identity Section will report to the Head of the Global Data Service and will lead three Units to manage and support identity management (registration) digital identity and population data management systems in all displacement settings.

The incumbent will coordinate with Headquarters entities the Regional Bureaux specific Country Operations and with external actors on relevant issues and will coordinate support across HQ multi-country and country offices to promote global consistency and integrity in registration and identity management processes and exercise overall responsibility and accountability to ensure consistently high-quality registration and identity management standards are adhered to in all Field Operations including in emergencies.

The Chief of Digital Identity Section is also expected to represent UNHCR at the HQ level in all matters of identity management and registration in intergovernmental consultations UN operational and policy related working groups and other external initiatives requiring registration and identity management expertise. Within the Global Data Service the incumbent acts as an advisor to senior management and governance mechanisms/bodies registration and biometrics matters including fundraising resource allocation and partnerships.


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
- Lead the strategic reconceptualization of UNHCR registration systems towards a digital identity system with a critical focus on safe secure effective mechanisms for unattended identity management and authentication i.e. user-driven processes replacing where possible UNHCR-driven processes.
- Coordinate the development and lead the implementation of UNHCRs strategy on digital identity to ensure that PRIMES tools are fit for purpose functional and available for UNHCR its partners and - critically - refugees and other forcibly displaced persons themselves. Build on the foundation of UNHCRs existing systems to mainstream digital identification practices to promote refugee protection and inclusion in national systems in the spirit of the Global Compact on Refugees.
- Promote fit-for-purpose identity management tools for the provision of assistance in camps access to services (such as health) and financial inclusion.
- Provide strategic direction business guidance and standards for implementation of registration processes and applications including strengthening UNHCR and Government capacity to design implement and support robust registration processes and quality data.
- Advocate for the implementation of approaches to include refugees and asylum-seekers into host States population registers and digital identity systems and the registration of birth marriages deaths and other vital events of forcibly displaced persons working towards the key goals under the 2018 Global Compact on Refugee relating to self-reliance financial inclusion and facilitating digital inclusion as well as the delivery of humanitarian assistance protection and solutions.
- Act as the overall business owner of PRIMES tools including the oversight of product delivery presentation and communication of development and deployment initiatives to governance entities in the PRIMES Executive and Steering Committees and UNHCRs ICT Governance Board.
- Oversee UNHCRs interoperability efforts of the PRIMES systems with governments sister agencies and other partners ensuring a secure and strategic sharing and transfer of personal identity data with external partner systems to facilitate data sharing for strengthened protection efficiency and programmatic integrity.
- Provide guidance on standards for design security and issuance of identity documentation or credentials in accordance with international standards of documentation and evidence of identity as well as work in partnership with Governments and other partners to include forcibly displaced and stateless persons in national identity and civil registration systems where appropriate.
- Engage in strategic external partnerships to advocate for and provide digital mechanisms to ensure trusted identities for forcibly displaced and stateless persons for inclusion to provide access to services such as SIM registration mobile money and access to other financial public and private sector services including through digital self-service applications.
- Build and lead a team ensuring integration coherence and synergy between UNCHRs agency role and interagency responsibilities.

- 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 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
Social sciences;
Demography;
Statistics;
Information technology;
Political Science;
Geography;
Law;
Business Administration;
Humanities
or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Training on Emergency Registration;
HCR Operational Data Management Learning Programme;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Demonstrated strategic leadership experience in registration/digital identity processes and systems. Proven ability to deliver complex innovative and scalable solutions. Expertise in individual identity management systems including both technological as well as legal and procedural dimensions of such systems. Demonstrated experience in managing diverse and global teams particularly as related to data management for operational use. Familiarity with UNHCR and interagency policies standards programmes and humanitarian operations in a variety of geographical locations and operational contexts. Strong team building managerial planning coordination and representation skills. Strong communication skills able to communicate effectively with diverse groups of stakeholders. Proficiency with basic computer applications including substantive proficiency in the use of the different versions of PRIMES applications.
Desirable
Knowledge of UNHCRs mandate for protection and solutions and relevant policies. Proficiency with individual data management software.

Functional Skills
DM-Data Management
IT-IT Refugee Systems & Applications
MG-Coordination
RG-Civil Registry Systems Analysis
(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 JD the ideal candidate will be a seasoned senior leader with deep strategic technical and political expertise in digital identity registration and large scale population data systems.
The candidate must have substantial and demonstrable field experience including leadership roles in complex humanitarian settings where registration identity management and protection considerations intersect. They should have direct experience working with very large forcibly displaced and stateless populations including operational responsibility for caseloads of around 100000 FDSP ensuring sophisticated understanding of field realities operational risks and data driven decision making needs.
Extensive hands on expertise in Registration is essential.
Given DIRS central role in digital identity the candidate must have strong IT proficiency enabling them to engage effectively with technical teams and guide the development of interoperable secure and future ready identity systems.
The successful candidate will have a proven record of leading the design of registration processes managing institutional change and ensuring alignment between field needs and organizational strategy. They must have significant experience negotiating with governments high level authorities and strategic partners reflecting the political diplomacy required to transition registration responsibilities to national systems as envisioned in the DIRS strategic direction.

French

Spanish

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 Digital Identity and Registration Section (DIRS) is part of UNHCRs Global Data Service. The objective of DIRS is to develop and support standards and strategies for UNHCRs registration work which covers over 19 million refugees asylum-seekers and IDPs in over 120 countries worldwide with almost 7000 individuals (UNHCR and partners) involved in the process at various stages.

UNHCR is at the precipice of a new strategy towards inclusion and solutions which has direct ramifications on the way individual identity is managed. Over the coming five year period DIRS will lead the transformation of UNHCR identity management function which will shift increasingly away from a heavy foundational registry to an agile functional registry. UNHCRs posture and partnership approach will need to be overhauled.

Whilst new models around identity management will emerge digital identity and registration work will remain the foundation for a multitude of UNHCRs own core services such as document issuance refugee status determination financial assistance and inclusion as well as solutions such as resettlement or voluntary repatriation.

Under the overall supervision of the Head of the Global Data Service (GDS) the Chief of DIRS will develop and implement a strategic roadmap to advance the digital transformation of registration itself and the transition of the registration imperative (where possible) from UNHCR to government authorities. He or she will build and maintain close relations with the key Divisions in HQ notably DIPS DEPS as well as SRS and ITS. Close and structured coordination as well as strategic alignment with UNHCRs six regional offices as well as country operations will be instrumental to the success. The role includes in equal measure normative or policy work as well as technical and technological aspects.

Given the fast-changing landscape of digital identity he or she will also need to engage national actors the private sector civil society and international organizations in a structured and strategic manner. This is particularly important to update and iterate standards and policy work for and on behalf of UNHCR.

Since the Chief of DIRS will be expected to accompany a major transformation of UNHCRs registration work prior experience in the area of registration national identity management document issuance trust and risk or related areas are essential.

Living and Working Conditions:

Copenhagen is classified as a Category H duty station with all amenities and excellent infrastructure.

Because of Denmark s northern location in Europe the number of daylight hours varies significantly. During winter the sun rises at about 08:00 and sets at about 15:30 whereas in summer the sun rises at about 03:30 and sets as late as 23:00.

Denmark is located in a temperate climate zone. Average daytime temperatures range from 2 C (35.6 F) in January to 20 C (68 F) in August. The average wind speed is 7.6 m/s which explains why Denmark is one of the worlds largest exporters of wind turbines. Rainy days are likely all year round while snowfall happens once in a while during winter.

The UN City is located at one of Copenhagens newest harbor side developments and is just a 30 minute walk from the city centre. We are also close to Copenhagens ferry terminal and only minutes away from the Copenhagen s main public transport system; with bus 26 located approximately 10 minutes away from the office and Nordhavn train station located approximately 800m from the office. Our address is Marmorvej 51 2100 Copenhagen.

Security Considerations
No specific security conditions pertain to this post. Copenhagen is a safe environment.
Copenhagen is relatively safe however as in any other big city you should watch out for pickpockets when using public transport and pay attention to wallets jewelry and purses when walking alone. Also be aware that some areas are not as safe as others.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

RG-Digital Identity and Registration Change Management RG-Planning and Developing Registration Strategy RG-UNHCR Registration Standards and SOPs

Bachelor of Arts: Business Administration Bachelor of Arts: Demography Bachelor of Arts: Geography Bachelor of Arts: Humanities Bachelor of Arts: Information Technology Bachelor of Arts: Law Bachelor of Arts: Political Science Bachelor of Arts: Social Science Bachelor of Arts: Statistics

Certifications

Emergency Registration - Other HCR Operational Data Management Learning Program - UNHCR

Field Operations Number of Persons of Concern Served Protection Registration Workforce to Supervise Working with Persons of Concern: Internally Displaced Persons Working with Persons of Concern: Refugees

Competencies

Accountability Client & results orientation Commitment to continuous learning Communication Empowering & building trust Innovation & creativity Judgement & decision making Leadership Managing performance Managing resource Organizational awareness Stakeholder management Strategic planning & visions Teamwork & collaboration Technological awareness

Bi-Annual 2026 Compendium - Part B

Additional Information

This position doesnt require a functional clearance