Head of Sub-Office

March 9, 2026

D

Non Family with Residential LocationNon Family with Residential Location

Accra, Ghana

PR4

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-02-06

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 Commissioner's 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 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 UNHCR¿s 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 one's own practice and deeds.
- Prepare and submit regular reports, both verbally and written, to the UNHCR Representative. 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.
- 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 UNHCR¿s 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
-Demonstrated senior leadership experience in managing protection and solutions operations, including oversight of refugee, IDP, returnee, and host community programming.
-Proven experience in implementing protection based sustainable programming, including the Global Refugee Forum (GRF) commitments and Humanitarian Development Peace (HDP) Nexus approaches.
-Experience coordinating with government authorities, development partners, and Inter-agency forums, including protection working groups and durable solutions structures.
-Proven Experience integrating forcibly displaced populations (refugees, IDPs, returnees) into national service delivery, development plans, and social protection systems.
-Strong operational management experience, ensuring effective protection delivery, accountability to affected populations, and compliance with risk management and anti fraud procedures.

Desired attributes
-Previous experience in complex emergencies or mixed migration settings, especially those involving IDP solutions, government led responses, or transitions to national service delivery.
- Experience working in similar displacement-affected contexts to Nigeria
-Training or certification in Protection (GBV, Child Protection), Durable Solutions, Programme Management, Inter Agency Coordination, or Registration/Data Systems.
-Knowledge of government social protection systems, SME/livelihoods programming, or local governance capacity strengthening.
-Capacity to ensure participatory approaches where forcibly displaced persons’ needs, capacities, and views inform the full programme cycle.

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Hazard:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Travel:

Most of the major roads within the Ogoja town itself are serviceable, however, most of the smaller streets remain untarred, or in a state of disrepair.  The exit route to Makurdi through Bekwarra, and in the evenings there may be huge delays to travelers’ and may even require the use of secondary paths to access or exit Ogoja due to the road quality. Another exit from Ogoja is through Enugu.

Nature of Position:

UNHCR Sub Office Ogoja, is implementing a multi-year, multi-stakeholder protection and solutions programme principally covering the Cameroonian Refugee Response Plan spread out in a wide geographic area across four States (Cross River, Benue, Taraba and Akwa Ibom), as well as an IDP operation response in the Middle Belt in Benue State of some 120,000 persons. The office reports directly to the Country Office in Abuja.

The Head of Office reports to the Representative and oversees the work of the staff in their office and other locations under it (e.g.: Calabar). This is a hands on function that helping design strategies, and primarily implementing projects agreed to with the Abuja office. oversight monitoring, ensuring protection, engaging with government officials on reception, and working on a daily basis with partners.

Since 2024, UNHCR Nigeria has strategically shifted to the implementation of its program to a sustainable protection-based response approach. The office has developed a blueprint of social-economic inclusion that provides a sectorial guide to the integration of refugee settlements into local government areas.

The incumbent will need to demonstrate a clear familiarity with the GRF and protection-based sustainable programming as she/he will be expected to help champion/advance the realization of the shift to sustainable programing in the sub – office which includes and is not limited to:

• Include refugees, IDPs, returnees and their host communities in National Government development plans.

• Strengthen its protection capacity and CBO/RLO

• Ensure the availability and access to durable solutions for refugees and IDPs

• Continue playing an active and constructive role in regional and sub-regional efforts to address the root causes of displacement.

• Promoting self-reliance and economic inclusion, prioritizing agriculture, and Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

• Inclusion of refugees and strengthening the implementation of national Social Protection Programmes, including data and analysis.

• Enhanced collaboration between Government and Development Partners in sustainable programing Undertake periodic targeted protection assessments on varied subjects e.g. an intention to return survey; a social-cohesion assessment; etc

• Participate in key strategic and coordination meetings related to state IDP action agenda, durable solutions, state plans (including the coordination between northeast and middle belt states)

• Make contributions towards UN system-wide Humanitarian-Development-Peace nexus products at the state level

S/he equally leads the review and regular updating of the comprehensive protection and solutions strategy under the area of responsibility (AoR), as well as providing periodic reports, analysis, and talking points as needed on the AOR. In view of the government Renewed Hope Agenda and guidance to humanitarian actors on finding solutions for IDPs in the middle belt the incumbent will closely work with interagency stakeholders in leading the roll-out of the Inter-Agency protection and solutions for IDPs, operationalize IDP policy to contribute to the visibility and heightened advocacy for protection interventions for IDPs, inform joint resource mobilization, leadership of protection working group in accordance to the IASC commitment and accountability. He/she will also be proactive in engaging with the BAY states Durable Solutions team in ensuring conformity with respect to the roll-out of the UNSG IDP Solutions Adviser, Piper plans that are centered around government leadership, ownership and accountability to affected populations. By end of 2025 UNHCR is working on enhancing a transition to more government led service delivery of GBV and CP services for IDPs in the country. Equally, the operation will be preparing for an eventual transition of all registration activities to the government and the need to ensure field preparedness for this, including hard-to-reach areas, will be essential.

The candidates previous experience in related ventures would be an added advantage.

The position requires proactive and ethical leadership in the planning and implementation of activities and strategies to respond to the protection needs of all the displaced and stateless population groups under UNHCR mandate along with the team in the sub-office.

S/he works closely with field teams to ensure timely, effective and efficient protection delivery and accountability to affected populations, and to promote risk management practices, anti-fraud procedures and policies.

S/he also ensures the intentional and systematic inclusion of the expressed needs, concerns, capacities and views of forcibly displaced persons, throughout the operations management cycle and further ensures that they have access to timely, accurate, and relevant information on their rights and entitlements. The participation of the affected population throughout the entire programme cycle will also need to be intentionally managed.

The incumbent may be the only international and the senior-most staff in the office.

Living and Working Conditions:

The duty station Ogoja hardship classification is D.

This assumes that staff members and their families can live in Ogoja safely and have access to basic social and economic infrastructures in the difficult living conditions.

Basic medical facilities exist in Ogoja to manage/stabilize urgent cases (for 24 hrs) before evacuation to Calabar (5 hrs. drive)/Enugu (3hrs drive) and then to Abuja/Lagos as needed.

Ogoja town is small, and everyone knows each other, including the staff of the United Nations. Hence precautions should be taken on individual social life and cultural awareness and considerations. There are no safe public transport or taxis. Because of the fluid and unpredictable security situation and very limited safe housing options, international staff have been requested to live in a designated UN-shared guest house protected by armed personnel. Ogoja has no electricity and relies on generators for those who can afford it.

The nearest airports are a 3.5-hour drive to Enugu (1 international flight only) or a 5-hour drive to Calabar (domestic flights), The capital Abuja is a 9-hour drive away. Enugu and Calabar are the closest locations away from the duty station which provides a change of scene in terms of isolation, local conditions, or relief from other adverse factors. The office facilitates the movement of staff to Enugu twice a month, to make purchases, medical referrals if necessary and change of environment.

Ogoja is not connected to most internet service providers making it difficult to communicate domestically and internationally. There are days when there is no network. The UN office and UN guesthouse have a WiFi. There are no functioning courier services in Ogoja, such services are only available in Calabar or Enugu Towns which supports Ogoja.
 

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

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Bi-Annual 2026 Compendium - Part B

Additional Information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance