Representative in Washington, D.C.

Job Posting Organization:
The job is posted by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which was established in 195

• The organization is dedicated to protecting the rights and well-being of refugees and displaced persons worldwide. UNHCR operates in over 130 countries and has a workforce of more than 18,000 employees. Its mission is to ensure that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another state, and to return home voluntarily, integrate locally, or resettle in a third country. UNHCR works to safeguard the rights of refugees and displaced people, providing them with essential services and support, and advocating for their protection and assistance.

Job Overview:
The Representative in Washington, D.C. serves as the senior representative of the High Commissioner in the United States, providing strategic vision and managerial leadership to ensure effective performance of UNHCR in the country. This role involves leading efforts to develop and sustain a robust network of support across the U.S., engaging with various stakeholders including government, civil society, philanthropy, and the private sector to advance UNHCR's mission. The Representative is responsible for translating the High Commissioner's objectives into effective advocacy and programmatic campaigns to generate political and financial support. The position requires continuous situational and political analysis to identify strategic objectives and develop coherent responses to challenges in a changing political climate. The Representative will also be a member of the senior leadership team, contributing to global strategy and decision-making, and ensuring that UNHCR is perceived as a trusted partner.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties of the Representative include staying informed about local political challenges and developing strategies to address them, managing consultative processes within the country operation and with external partners, and implementing a comprehensive external engagement strategy. The Representative will lead advocacy and fundraising initiatives, ensuring that UNHCR's mandate and operations are well understood and supported. They will provide strategic advisory support to UNHCR country offices on engagement with U.S. donors and compliance with funding requirements. The Representative will also oversee the office's resource mobilization strategy, manage local administrative mechanisms, and ensure compliance with UNHCR's policies. Additionally, the Representative will be responsible for security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security measures to protect staff and ensure compliance with security rules and guidelines.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must have a proven ability to lead high-level representation, political advocacy, strategic communications, and partnership development in complex contexts. They should demonstrate strong political judgment and the ability to navigate fast-changing environments while preserving institutional credibility. Essential qualifications include the ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management, and risk management. Candidates should also have the capacity to translate strategic objectives into practical plans and build strong relationships with stakeholders.

Educational Background:
The position requires an undergraduate degree with 18 years of relevant experience, a graduate degree with 17 years of experience, or a doctorate with 16 years of experience. Relevant fields of education include Business Administration, International Relations, Political Science, Social Science, Human Resources Management, law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">International Law, or other related fields.

Experience:
Candidates should have extensive experience in high-level representation and political advocacy, with a strong background in engaging senior government and civil society stakeholders. Experience in donor relations, strategic communications, and resource mobilization in politically complex environments is highly desirable. Proven capacity to lead and empower multidisciplinary teams under pressure is essential.

Languages:
Knowledge of English is mandatory, and proficiency in the UN working language of the duty station is required if not English. Additional languages are considered an asset but are not specified as mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as a Professional staff member and is a regular assignment. The target start date for the position is July 1, 202

• The role is full-time and involves a significant level of responsibility and leadership within the UNHCR framework. The Representative will be expected to uphold the core values and principles of UNHCR, ensuring that their actions reflect the organization's commitment to professionalism, integrity, and respect for diversity.