Head of National Office
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
Full-time Locallly Recruited Deadline for Applications
Hardship Level
Family Type
Family Type
Residential location (if applicable)
Grade
Staff Member / Affiliate Type
Reason
Regular > Regular AssignmentTarget Start Date
Standard Job Description
Head of National Office
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
Head of a UNHCR National Office acts under delegated authority of the UNHCR Representative (or the Deputy Representative), who exercises supervisory managerial responsibility over the position. The position reports and provides 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 UNHCR 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 (AOR) to the UNHCR Representative (or Deputy) on a regular and timely manner. Subject to the specific legal or socio economic or security developments in the AOR, the supervisor will direct and guide the Head of National Office (HoNO) to take the most appropriate course of action. The Head of UNHCR National Office will on request serve as a designated member of the UN Country Team, participating in relevant meetings including monthly UNCT meetings, engaging the involvement and advocacy of the supervisor as may be appropriate. S/he will also advise the UN Resident Coordinator in regard to UNHCR's issues of concern. The Head of the UNHCR National Office will also support the UN Designated Official as a member of the Security Management Team. Concerning overall physical security concerns, HoNO will liaise directly with the competent UN security coordinator while keeping the supervisor fully informed.
As the most senior UNHCR staff member within the given geographical area, s/he is required in consultation with the supervisor to liaise with relevant government officials, security organs in the area, Non-Governmental Organisations (both national and international which are based in the area), local opinion makers and the local media.
As the extended field representative of UNHCR at the front line of High Commissioner's operations, s/he remains as the effective advocate and assistant to the local authorities to ensure that the respective government authorities in the area implement their responsibilities emanating from the 1951 Convention 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.
- 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 P2/NOB - 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
Business Administration; Economics; International Relations;
Law; Management; Political Science; or other relevant field.
Certificates and/or Licenses
Programme Mgmt
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Knowledge 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.
Desirable
Not specified.
Functional Skills
*IT-Computer Literacy
*PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework
*MG-Office Management
*HR-Administration of Staff Contracts and Benefits
(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.
Desired Candidate Profile
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
,
English,
Desired languages
,
,
Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:
Nature of Position:
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is an international organization with the mandate to assist persons in need of international protection; asylum seekers; refugees; stateless persons; and internally displaced persons. The UNHCR operation in Angola is transitioning from a Representation to a National Office structure in line with broader strategic realignments and funding constraints. As the senior most UNHCR official remaining in the country, the incumbent will continue this structural transition from 1 October 2025, ensuring continuity of operations, preservation of institutional memory, and maintenance of a credible protection presence. The HoNO will be responsible for engaging proactively with government, civil society, and UNCT counterparts to ensure inclusion of forcibly displaced and stateless persons in national systems and joint programming under the UNSDCF. The operation is reliant on remote field monitoring and partner-led implementation in the north following closure of the Dundo Field Office, requiring robust oversight, risk management and compliance mechanisms. As the most senior UNHCR official in-country, the HoNO will ensure the continued application of UNHCR protection standards, risk mitigation practices, and accountability to affected populations. Leadership of the national team comprising the Programme Associate and Driver is expected, requiring a focus on staff mentoring, capacity development, and fostering an inclusive, accountable office culture.
The Head of the National Office position is based in Luanda, Angola and will report to the Representative of the MCO, Mozambique.
The office structure for the UNHCR Angola National Office will comprise of a total of three staff and the HoNO will have supervisory oversight for two national staff, a Programme Associate (G6) and a driver (G2). The post will be based in Luanda with the expectation of conducting missions across Angola.
The Head of National Office will be responsible for providing timely and quality strategic updates on Angola national office, including evidence-based input to inform the development of the new MCO Multi Year Strategy (MYS).
The Head of Office will oversee the development and implementation of the local protection strategy, including legal aid, documentation, voluntary repatriation, local integration, and efforts to prevent and reduce statelessness in line with Angola’s national commitments. The incumbent will ensure the office’s effective participation in the UN Country Team and promote the inclusion of forcibly displaced and stateless persons in national development, humanitarian, and peacebuilding frameworks, including through development of common country analysis to inform the UNSDCF.
The incumbent will support the MCO risk register development and ensure active engagement across identified treatment plans.
The incumbent will Ensure compliance with UNHCR’s internal control framework and monitor adherence to relevant policies and procedures including for effective and efficient financial resources management. S/he will also ensure the application of Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) principles across all aspects of the operation, and oversee data protection compliance with UNHCR’s personal data protection and privacy framework in all aspects of data handling and sharing, ensure adequate monitoring, quality assurance and compliance mechanisms are in place despite the absence of a physical field presence, lead efforts to develop and retain national staff capacity by providing continuous coaching and mentoring, fostering staff engagement, and promoting a culture of professionalism, inclusion, and accountability.
Living and Working Conditions:
The incumbent will be based in Luanda, the capital city of Angola. Luanda is the largest city in Angola with approximately 2.5 million inhabitants. Luanda is a family duty station category B. The city is considered security-stable, where staff members can rent apartments and/or houses with access to running water, electricity, internet, and cable TV.
Private houses and apartments/flats are rented either fully furnished (equipped generally with a generator due to frequent power cuts), or semi/ furnished or not furnished at all. The rentals vary depending on the above-mentioned categories. Payment in advance of six to twelve months rentals may be required by the landlord before occupancy. Monthly rental cost for a fully furnished apartment may vary between US$ 1500 to 2500 for a two-bedroom; US$ 2000 to 3000 for a three-bedroom and more than US$ 4000 for one independent house.
Most of the banks, markets, and hotels are open from 8:00 to 15:00 for 6 days a week. Some banks offer the possibility of opening accounts in foreign currencies. Within Luanda, health centres and hospitals are fully operational. Angola’s healthcare system is comprised of public and private services.
There exist public hospitals. Quality service rendered at public hospitals is below international standards and recurrent shortages of basic medicines and supplies occur.
Most of the UN staff are using private health clinics such as Luanda Medical Center, Girasol Clinic, Clinica Multiperfil, Clinica Sagrada Esperança, etc. Local pharmacies carry large stocks of medicines, mainly in Luanda. Staff with specific health conditions and under treatment should bring enough recommended/prescribed medicines.
There exist good private dentists in Luanda however, it is recommended that a thorough check-up and treatment if necessary be undertaken before travelling to Angola. Opticians are available in Luanda. For any serious illness or dental-related issues, it is usually necessary to seek treatment abroad. UNHCR currently does not have a payment guarantee in place with any provider, upfront payment is required.
There are several schools operated by foreign communities in Luanda in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Russian. Many private schools are functioning on a high fee-paying basis.
Additional Qualifications
Skills
Education
Certifications
Programme Management - OtherWork Experience
Competencies
Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaborationUNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Additional Information
Functional clearance
