Provide legal protection advice and guidance on matters of doctrine and policy to the Chief of Mission, Heads of Offices and protection staff in the country.
Provide advice and support to offices in the country operation on specific issues/problems faced related to asylum, refugee protection and assistance, including access to territory, access to RSD and asylum procedures, non-refoulement adequate reception and the implementation of durable solutions, including developing a Protection Management Framework for each national office.
Provide legal and programme related advice and guidance to offices in the country on developing and maintaining fair and effective asylum regimes in accordance with international standards and norms, especially with regard to national asylum/refugee legislation and the building of local protection capacity.
Provide legal and programme related advice and guidance on matters relating to the issue of asylum and migration to the Chief of Mission and offices in the country with particular emphasis on the problems of trafficking and smuggling.
Provide guidance and leadership related to the implementation of the Age, Gender Diversity Mainstreaming (AGDM) Participatory Assessments in sub-region and ensure the follow up on any identified gaps related to the reception and integration systems and structures in the region with relevant stakeholders.
Keep abreast of and analyse trends and key issues related to legal protection and assistance in the country, including preparing strategy and position papers with policy recommendations on specific protection, assistance and durable solutions related issues relevant to the country.
Directly supervise Protection and Programme sections and develop operations plan in accordance with the organizational policies and operational strategies.
Assist the Chief of Mission in the promotion of UNHCR strategic goals and objectives in the country, monitoring of the overall progress towards achieving them and in managing the Country Office.
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.
Serve as OIC of the Country Office when the Chie
Benefits
Vision insurance
Additional Information
Please note that this vacancy is only open to eligible staff members who have been individually notified of their eligibility to apply for positions advertised in the Accelerated Posting Compendium.
Deadline for Applications
June 12, 2026
Hardship Level
E (most hardship)
Family Type
Non Family with Residential LocationDanger Pay
Residential location (if applicable)
Tunis, Tunisia
Grade
PR5
Staff Member / Affiliate Type
Professional
Reason
Regular > Regular Assignment
Target Start Date
2026-05-26
Standard Job Description
Deputy Chief of Mission
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
Direct supervision and guidance is received from the Chief of Mission. Advice and operational support may also be provided by the Director/Deputy Director of the Bureau or the Regional Representative and by other senior staff in the Bureau (Head of Desk, Legal Advice Unit, and Resource Management Unit) and in the support Divisions at Headquarters. The incumbent will also refer to policies, standards, rules and regulations which are in force within UNHCR.
Regular contacts with Chief of Mission and staff at Headquarters and in the field, to consult, discuss operational issues, and to seek common grounds for solutions on activities and programmes of importance to UNHCR and with persons on matters of great importance to UNHCR's programmes. These contacts may include heads of national/ international organizations, embassies, UN agencies, and high officials/ ministers in the national government. UNHCR is well integrated into the UN Resident Coordinator System.
Decisions taken directly influence the design and operation of of UNHCR's activities in the country of accreditation. Proposals will have a substantive effect on UNHCR's policy on a wide range of issues in the country programmes. Errors lead to significant damage to UNHCR's major objectives in terms of time, quality, and money in the country and will have a major negative impact on the safety of refugees and other forcibly displaced and stateless persons. The Office's overall credibility and the safety of its staff may also suffer.
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.
Unhcr · Tripoli, Libya