Deadline for Applications
February 13,
Hardship Level
H (no hardship
Family Type
Family
Family Type
Family
Residential location (if applicable)
Grade
DI
Staff Member / Affiliate Type
Professional
Reason
Regular > Regular Assignment
Target Start Date
Standard Job Description
Representative
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
As the High Commissioner's senior representative in the country, the Representative provides managerial leadership and oversight to ensure UNHCR's effective performance in the country of her/his assignment. The incumbent usually manages a budget of USD 6 million and above.
Reporting to the Director of the Bureau, the Representative is responsible and accountable for translating organizational and Bureau-wide objectives and policies into effective programmes. Through a continuous process of situational analysis, the Representative works with his/her team to identify strategic objectives and develop coherent, consistent and effective responses to the challenges faced. He/she is responsible for ensuring the adequate provision of technical support and guidance to the office to enable them to fulfil their accountabilities, including those outlined in the Terms of Reference of UNHCR offices as well as the Age, Gender and Diversity Accountability Framework.
The Representative works to ensure that UNHCR is widely perceived as an effective and trusted partner. S/he is responsible for creating effective networks, relationships, partnerships, and synergies with governments, NGOs, relevant regional political and other fora, civil society, forcibly displaced and stateless persons and other key strategic partners and actors. He/she lends visibility to important strategic issues, promotes concerted action and the commitment of sufficient resources and expertise to address important matters of concern to UNHCR. UNHCR is well integrated into the UN Resident Coordinator System.
In a complex and demanding political and operational environment, the Representative strives to build a dynamic and sufficiently capacitated team. S/he devolves appropriate authorities, facilitates the sharing of expertise and best practice and creates a climate of collaboration, which aims to empower and motivate colleagues to approach challenges with insight and innovation and to work toward achieving measurable and effective results. The Representative is responsible to ensure a vibrant Multi-Functional Team approach is established and employed at different stages of the operations management cycle, including in programme monitoring, and engaging the participation of relevant functions within the operation. S/he has a responsibility to inform the Bureau and other relevant parties at Headquarters of key political and operational developments in a timely manner.
The comports and actions of the Representative must always reflect the core values and principles embodied in UNHCR's mandate. A failure on the part of the Representative to adhere to these standards would have negative implications for UNHCR's credibility, operations and, ultimately, the protection and well-being of forcibly displaced and stateless persons to the Office.
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
Strategic Direction
- Stay abreast of the challenges posed by the local political context.
- Manage a consultative process within the country operations and with external partners.
- Develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy that generates political and financial support for UNHCR's operations. Mobilize financial support for UNHCR corporate priorities as well for country specific projects.
Operations
- Implement a results-oriented approach, engaging a robust Multi-Functional Team, for assessing, designing, delivering and monitoring the country operation.
- Ensure that the protection strategy is fully integrated into the country operations plan and that necessary resources are allocated to it.
- Ensure the country operation's adherence to UNHCR's policy on Age, Gender and Diversity Mainstreaming (AGDM).
- Ensure the country operation plans are consistent with the regional and global strategic priorities; manage a participatory process, with stakeholders, to apply UNHCR's standards and indicators in assessing and measuring the performance of the country operations.
- Promote accession to the Convention and Protocol and ensure the application of protection standards in the treatment of forcibly displaced and stateless persons, especially women and children.
- Ensure forcibly displaced and stateless persons, especially women and children, have access to relevant information; ensure that cases of sexual violence and abuse against girls and boys are reported and dealt with expeditiously.
- Ensure the engagement of UNHCR in the UNCT, UN common programming, planning and funding activities and to actively contribute in the establishment of the CCA/UNDAF and the consequent joint implementation activities.
- Participate in the Cluster approach, ensure UNHCR's Cluster Lead role and implement other IASC and inter-agency/UN policies.
- Ensure that risks to the operation's objectives are regularly assessed, priority risks are identified and risk treatments for the priority risks form an integral part of the operations plans.
Resource Management
- Ensure that staff and financial resources are commensurate with operational objectives.
- Ensure effective and efficient management of resources within the rules and procedures of UNHCR.
- Establish and manage local administrative mechanisms such as a Local Contracts (or Purchasing) Committee, Local Asset Management Board and APPC.
- Ensure local compliance with UNHCR's human resources (HR) policies including on gender, disabilities, diversity, ethics and HIV/AIDS.
- Manage a process of recruitment, assignment and reassignment of local staff for the country operation, in accordance UN/UNHCR rules and procedures.
- Where necessary, identify the most appropriate affiliate workforce and optimize its use.
- In coordination with the Global Learning Centre, ensure that the learning needs of UNHCR's workforce in the country are identified, assessed and addressed.
- Exercise effective managerial oversight, direction, guidance and support and conduct regular performance appraisals and coaching.
Security
- In close collaboration with the Designated Official (DO), UNDSS and UN country team/Security Management Team (SMT), gather and analyse information on the local security situation and play an active role in the inter-agency security and contingency planning processes.
- 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.
- Represent UNHCR in the UNCT/Humanitarian Country Team and other inter-agency fora.
- Decide on the country strategy and priorities, country operations plans, and approve the country operation's protection strategy.
- Enforce local compliance with UNHCR¿s global protection, programme, finance and human resources and security policies and standards.
- Negotiate and sign local agreements with implementing and operational partners.
- Authorize payments as per the organization's 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
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For D1 - 17 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 16 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 15 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
Business Administration; International Relations; Law;
Political Science; Social Science; 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
- Extensive knowledge of UNHCR operations and services. Extensive knowledge of UNHCR operations and services.
- A high level of skill in management of broad programmes, political decision making and negotiating, as well as demonstrated tolerance to frequently changing and highly charged situations.
- Ability to lead strategic planning, change processes, results-based management and reporting.
- Ability to lead formulation, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of operations.
- Ability to manage for results: translates strategic aims into achievable plans, with established priorities, monitors them, making periodic adjustments as required.
- Ability to effectively represent UNHCR at the senior level in internal and external meetings and to build strong relationships with clients.
Desirable
- Knowledge of geo-political realities and their socio-cultural implications.
Functional Skills
MG-Client Relationship Management
MG-Change Management
PG-Programme Management (project formulation, programme cycles and reporting standards)
PG-Results-Based Management
UN-UN/UNHCR Inter-agency Policies, Standards, Programmes, and Partnerships
UN-UN/UNHCR Mandate and Global Strategic Priorities
MG-Field Operations Management
MG-Political Decision Making
MG-Country/Regional Office Representation
UN-Analysis of geo-political realities and their socio-cultural implications
(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.
Desired Candidate Profile
The Representative must demonstrate strong political acumen and senior representational leadership to position UNHCR effectively in a highly sensitive and evolving policy environment. S/he will be expected to lead high-level engagement with Government counterparts and other key stakeholders, and to advance UNHCR's priorities through diplomacy, advocacy and negotiation across a wide range of national and international fora.
Given Italy's central role in European asylum and migration debates, the incumbent must be well versed in the wider European context, including the implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, and key displacement dynamics in the Mediterranean and beyond and their impact on Italy. The role requires sustained and proactive engagement to maintain and, where possible, expand Italy's support to UNHCR, including governmental contributions and engagement with individual and private sources.
The incumbent must combine political leadership with proven operational experience, including the ability to steer agile and timely responses in an unpredictable arrivals environment and to coordinate effectively with UN sister agencies (including IOM and UNICEF) and NGO partners. At the same time, the Representative will be expected to provide visible leadership on solutions, including integration and complementary pathways, leveraging Italy's role as a frontrunner and ensuring initiatives translate into credible and scalable outcomes through strong partnerships.
The Representative will not only manage a challenging political environment but also lead a relatively large, highly experienced team, including long-serving and highly competent national staff. As such, the role requires a leader with a solid professional track record —grounded in operational experience and a proven representational track to ensure access to the government at the highest levels and provide clear direction to staff, partners, and operations in support of the organization's objectives
Fluency in Italian is essential. Knowledge of national governmental structures and institutions and their functioning is a strong asset.
In particular, candidates must possess:
•Strong political acumen, with the ability to anticipate shifts, assess risks and opportunities, and position UNHCR strategically.
•Senior representational leadership, including high-level government engagement and effective advocacy in complex political settings and to mobilize resources.
•Familiarity with EU asylum and migration dynamics and engagement with European institutions and Member States. (comment, keep the familiarly with EU asylum, but remove EU experience)
•Strong operational credibility, grounded in substantial field experience in forced displacement contexts and oversight of protection and/or solutions delivery.
•Partnership and coalition-building capacity, including engagement with municipalities, civil society and faith-based actors, public and private donors, and other stakeholders.
•Strong strategic communications skills, including confidence in public-facing representation and navigating sensitive narratives.
•Emergency readiness and adaptability, including leading or supporting rapid operational adjustments during spikes in needs or arrivals.
•Multi-country oversight ability, ensuring coherence and effective support to UNHCR's engagement in Italy, Malta and Cyprus will be considered an advantage but is not mandatory.
Minimum requirements
•At least one prior Representative/Deputy Representative/Senior Head of Office-type assignment, or equivalent accountability for external relations and office leadership; and
•Direct experience working in or knowledge of European asylum and migration dossiers.
•Multiple years of field-based operational experience
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
Italian
,
,
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:
UNHCR's Office in Italy supports the Country Office in Cyprus and oversees the National Office in Malta. The Representative of MCO Rome is also accredited to Malta, San Marino and the Holy See.
Southern Europe remains a major entry point for refugees and migrants, particularly through the Central and Eastern Mediterranean routes. Sea and land arrivals, secondary movements, and complex protection needs continue to strain national asylum and reception systems. Italy remains among the primary EU entry points for persons seeking international protection and a key actor in search and rescue (SAR) and disembarkation arrangements due to its proximity to North Africa. Malta, despite its small size, is periodically exposed to Central Mediterranean movements and disembarkations, where limited reception capacity can be quickly overstretched. Cyprus, facing high numbers of asylum claims relative to its population and capacity, remains under sustained pressure due to overcrowded reception facilities and the need to strengthen asylum procedures and reception systems. The Vatican is not a primary asylum destination but remains an engaged partner through political advocacy, moral leadership, and support to resettlement and complementary pathways, including community sponsorship and humanitarian corridors. San Marino is a rather peripheral counterpart in terms of engagement on refugee issues.
Italy has become a strategic partner for UNHCR as the EU moves from adopting to implementing the Pact on Migration and Asylum. Migration remains a top government priority, shaped by sustained mixed movements, pressure on reception and asylum systems, EU debates on responsibility-sharing, and a growing focus on the external dimension—returns, partnerships with third countries, and innovative arrangements—where Italy has positioned itself as a leading actor. The domestic environment is also likely to remain marked by tensions between the Government and NGOs and between the executive and judiciary on asylum-related measures, making UNHCR's engagement essential to preserve asylum as a credible and sustainable institution and support effective governance and protection outcomes.
At the same time, solutions are increasingly central to UNHCR's role and Italy is engaged on integration and complementary pathways, including community sponsorship and humanitarian corridors. Collaboration requires dedicated expertise in operational delivery, partnership-building, and coordination to translate policy commitments into scalable solutions outcomes. In this context, sustained and politically informed engagement with Government counterparts remains a core operational function, requiring continuous political analysis, policy positioning, and coordinated advocacy across domestic and international dimensions.
Living and Working Conditions:
* Rome is a HQ Duty Station. Italy has a strong UN presence (more than 10 Agencies Programmes and Funds totaling more than 6'000 staff) and is offering high standard of living conditions and relatively high cost of living.
* There is no RC System hence no formal inter-agency coordination system other than the DO for Security related matters. FAO leads the UN team and collaborates closely with Rome based WFP and IFAD HQ.
* The Italian authorities will issue a visa and residence permit to UNHCR international staff members. Before arriving at a new duty station, finding an accommodation will be a priority. There are some limited facilities to access Duty Free privileges. Buying a new vehicle is a lengthy process while buying second hand is even more complex. The public transport system is relatively reliable, and most colleagues have elected to reside in the office neighborhood.
* A valid driving license issued by a European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) member state is automatically accepted in all other member states. People with EU/EEA-issued driver's license who take up residence in Italy are not required to exchange it for an Italian license.
* Holders of a standard driving license issued from a non-EU/EEA country may drive in Italy using the foreign license for up to one year after obtaining residency.
* Medical care is up to international standards.
* UN International expatriates are covered by the medical insurance provided from their workplace. No additional medical coverage is required. A list of English-speaking doctors can be provided, upon request, by the FAO Medical Services.
* There are several international schools in Rome. The academic year for schools in Italy is from September to June. Generally, schools have long waiting lists and it is advisable to register your child at school as soon as possible. You should also find out about the specific admission requirements at the school. Transfer certificates from previous schools and academic records are usually required. Contracts are made between the school and private individuals regarding payments of school fees.
* This means any deposits and commitments to pay fees are your responsibility and not the UN's.
Additional Qualifications
Skills
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
Annual Budget OL in Operation/Office, Number of Persons of Concern Served, Number of Workforce in Operation/Work Setting, Workforce to Supervise, Working with Persons of Concern: Asylum Seekers, Working with Persons of Concern: Others of Concern, Working with Persons of Concern: Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: Stateless
Competencies
Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Managing performance, Managing resource, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration
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Compendium
Flash Vacancy Notice - January 2026
Additional Information
Functional clearance
This position doesn't require a functional clearance