Head of Sub-Office

March 9 2026

E (most hardship)

Non FamilyNon FamilyDanger Pay

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.

1. A seasoned humanitarian leader with progressively responsible management experience and extensive field exposure in protection-focused operations demonstrated strategic vision sound judgement under pressure inclusive leadership robust financial oversight and effective high-level representation and negotiation skills.
2. Proven ability to lead multi-functional teams manage significant human and financial resources and deliver protection and solutions strategies in complex and politically sensitive environments.
grounding in international refugee and human rights law with demonstrated capacity to navigate constrained protection spaces respond to large-scale returns and mixed movements and advocate effectively while maintaining constructive engagement with government counterparts at multiple levels.
in working within and alongside inter-agency coordination frameworks and applying humanitariandevelopmentpeace nexus approaches to align immediate protection interventions with longer-term resilience and systems strengthening efforts.

Desirable Attributes:

Knowledge of Urdu and/or Pashto is a strong asset as is prior experience working with Afghan communities and authorities in the region would be an asset.

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

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

Location and Scope

UNHCRs Sub-Office Peshawar (SO Peshawar) manages operations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Province coordinating closely with the Country Office in Islamabad. Pakistan has traditionally ranked among the worlds largest refugee-hosting countries. Despite significant departures in recent years the country hosts approximately 1 million registered Afghan refugees the majority living within host communities and the remainder in refugee villages. KP hosts more than half this population across 39 populated refugee villages and includes one of the two main border crossings with Afghanistan.

Protection Environment

Since the Government launched its Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan (IFRP) in 2023 over 1.65 million Afghans have returned including approximately one million in 2025. Enforcement has intensified under Phases II and III with Afghan nationals facing increased arrest detention eviction and deportation regardless of documentation July 2025 Proof of Registration (PoR) cards were declared invalid and from September 2025 the denotification of refugee villages forced many families to relocate or the absence of a national asylum law these measures have significantly strained protection space heightening risks of homelessness family separation and arbitrary detention while driving sharp increases in protection incidents and demand for legal assistance.

Strategic Priorities and Partnerships

UNHCRs operational priorities focus on preserving protection space ensuring access to essential services (including health education legal assistance and community-based protection) and pursuing durable solutions. The Sub-Office coordinates closely with IOM on border monitoring legal assistance and joint advocacy; with UNICEF on education and child protection; and with UNFPA on gender-based violence prevention. UNHCR convenes the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees (SSAR) local Core Group and regular protection working group meetings.

Embedding the humanitariandevelopmentpeace nexus UNHCR partners with the World Bank Asian Development Bank GIZ JICA and UN agencies to strengthen national systems and promote refugee and host community self-reliancealigned with the SSAR framework jointly developed by Iran Pakistan Afghanistan and UNHCR in 2012.

Development Context

Pakistan faces considerable development challenges. Classified as a lower middle-income country it ranks 154 of 189 on the Human Development Index. Multi-dimensional poverty in KP reaches 73 per cent while economic shocks linked to COVID-19 and global instability have constrained fiscal space for social servicescompounding pressures on refugee-hosting communities and public systems.

Organizational Structure and Governance

The Head of Sub-Office (HoSO) reports to the Deputy Representative. The Sub-Office currently comprises 5 international staff members (to be reduced to 4 by June 2026) 51 national staff members and 38 affiliate workforce staff. The Sub-Office oversees one Field Unit located in Haripur which is scheduled to close in June 2026 as well as a Voluntary Repatriation Centre (VRC) in Nowshera District approximately one hours drive from Peshawar.

Operating under a considerable level of delegated authority the incumbent is responsible for the overall leadership and management of the Sub-Office including the VRC and staff deployed at the Torkham Border as well as partner staff at other border locations. This entails ensuring effective coordination oversight and smooth functioning of all operational and programmatic components under the Sub-Offices responsibility.

The incumbent is expected to manage the Sub-Office in close coordination with the Country Office maintaining strong oversight and accountability for the human financial and material resources allocated in full compliance with UNHCRs rules regulations policies and procedures.

The incumbent represents UNHCR with the provincial government which holds considerable administrative and budgetary authority in health education climate change human rights population and social welfare food and agriculture water supplies and sanitation and labour administration. The Federal Government oversees coordination alongside responsibility for finance defence natural resources and foreign affairs. Refugee issues fall under the Federal Government primarily through the Commissionerate for Afghan Refugees (CAR) which is present in the Province but is not firmly linked to the provincial government. The incumbent will need to deftly navigate interventions with provincial authorities and CAR aiming for a whole-of-government approach.

Peshawar is a Category E non-family high-risk duty station and experience in such environments is essential for this position.

Security Environment

KPs security environment remains tense and volatile. The 2430 km AfghanPakistan border is now nearly fully fenced with ongoing military operations along border areas. Regional instability following the August 2021 takeover in Afghanistan including the emergence of resistance groups and increased outreach by international terrorist organizations continues to influence domestic security dynamics. The HoSO serves as Area Security Coordinator and chairs the Area Security Management Team with critical responsibility for staff safety security risk management and operational continuity in a high-risk environment.

Living and Working Conditions:
Peshawar is a Category E non-family high-risk duty station. The Sub-Office is situated in University Town a safe and secure location approved by UNDSS. The office and guesthouse are located within the same compound. International staff and visitors reside in the guesthouse which consists of 11 self-contained rooms that are fully equipped and furnished with various amenities. All rooms have air conditioning hot water and satellite television. A gym is also available in the compound. Staff rely on dedicated chefs for daily meals.

Level 2 and 3 government and private health service providers are available; however for serious medical conditions patients are referred to Islamabad for treatment. The R&R cycle is six weeks. The electricity supply is unstable resulting in blackouts; however UNHCR has reliable backup power generators to ensure continuous electricity supply.

Known as the City on the Frontier Peshawars strategic location at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia has made it one of the most culturally vibrant and lively cities in the greater region. It is the major educational political and business centre of KP.

Temperatures in Peshawar vary considerably by season. Winter runs from mid-November to March with temperatures falling to approximately 4C. Summer extends from May to September with temperatures reaching up to 40C. Staff should bring heavy warm clothing for the winter months; cotton clothing is recommended for the summer months.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

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

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

Bi-Annual 2026 Compendium - Part B

Additional Information

This position doesnt require a functional clearance