Representative @United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has announced a vacancy for a Representative in Washington, D.C., seeking an accomplished international leader to strengthen the agency’s political engagement, resource mobilization, and strategic partnerships in the United States.

The senior leadership position offers an opportunity to shape UNHCR’s engagement with the U.S. government, Congress, philanthropic organisations, civil society, and the private sector while advancing global refugee protection and humanitarian priorities.

Applications are open until July 21, 2026, with the successful candidate expected to begin the assignment on August 1, 2026.

Leading UNHCR’s Engagement in the United States

As UNHCR’s most senior representative in the United States, the Representative will provide strategic leadership for the Washington, D.C. office while serving as a member of the High Commissioner’s senior leadership team.

The role is responsible for translating UNHCR’s global priorities into effective advocacy, communications, fundraising, and partnership strategies that strengthen political and financial support for refugees and displaced populations worldwide.

Operating within a rapidly evolving political environment, the Representative will oversee efforts to position UNHCR as a trusted humanitarian partner while expanding engagement with influential stakeholders across the United States.

Driving Strategic Partnerships and Resource Mobilisation

A central responsibility of the position is strengthening relationships with key public and private sector partners that support refugee protection and humanitarian action.

The Representative will engage with:

• United States Executive Branch agencies.
• Members of Congress.
• State and local government authorities.
• Civil society organisations.
• Non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
• Faith-based institutions.
• Philanthropic foundations.
• Private sector partners.
• Think tanks.
• Media organisations.

The successful candidate will lead advocacy and fundraising initiatives designed to secure long-term political backing and financial resources for UNHCR’s global operations.

Providing Strategic Leadership

The Representative will guide the Washington office in delivering integrated advocacy, communications, donor engagement, and operational support while ensuring alignment with UNHCR’s global strategy.

Key leadership responsibilities include:

• Developing comprehensive external engagement strategies.
• Leading political advocacy and strategic communications.
• Supporting evidence-based policy engagement.
• Advising headquarters and country operations on U.S. political and funding developments.
• Strengthening institutional positioning within the United Nations system.
• Supporting organisational change and innovation.

The position also requires building multidisciplinary teams capable of responding effectively to evolving humanitarian and political challenges.

Strengthening Global Humanitarian Operations

Beyond managing the Washington office, the Representative will provide strategic support to UNHCR country operations around the world.

Core operational responsibilities include:

• Advising field operations on engagement with United States donors.
• Supporting preparation of U.S.-funded project proposals.
• Strengthening compliance with donor requirements.
• Promoting results-based management across programmes.
• Supporting knowledge management and institutional learning.
• Undertaking missions to humanitarian operations to strengthen donor engagement and advocacy.

The role also contributes to organisational planning by ensuring that developments in U.S. foreign assistance, humanitarian funding, and refugee policy are effectively communicated across UNHCR.

Managing Resources and Organisational Performance

The successful candidate will oversee the effective management of financial, operational, and human resources within the Washington office.

Responsibilities include:

• Leading resource mobilisation strategies.
• Managing donor engagement pipelines.
• Supervising recruitment and workforce planning.
• Supporting staff learning and development.
• Conducting performance management and coaching.
• Ensuring compliance with UNHCR administrative policies.
• Overseeing risk management and organisational governance.

The Representative will also ensure that the office maintains strong operational systems capable of supporting evolving humanitarian priorities.

Qualifications and Experience

UNHCR is seeking an experienced international leader with extensive expertise in humanitarian affairs, diplomacy, public policy, or international development.

Applicants should possess:

• At least 18 years of relevant professional experience with an undergraduate degree, 17 years with a graduate degree, or 16 years with a doctoral degree.
• A university degree in Business Administration, International Relations, Political Science, Social Science, Human Resources Management, International Law, or another relevant discipline.
• Proven leadership in politically sensitive and complex environments.
• Extensive experience in strategic communications and high-level advocacy.
• Strong negotiation and partnership development skills.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated expertise in strategic planning, organisational change, and results-based management.

Preferred Expertise

Candidates with experience in the following areas will be particularly competitive:

• United States political and legislative processes.
• Humanitarian financing and donor relations.
• Refugee protection and asylum policy.
• Foreign assistance programmes.
• Strategic communications and crisis communications.
• Resource mobilisation in complex political environments.

Knowledge of humanitarian diplomacy and international cooperation will be considered a significant advantage.

Core Competencies

The position requires exceptional leadership and strategic management capabilities.

Desired competencies include:

• Leadership and vision.
• Political awareness.
• Strategic planning.
• Negotiation and conflict resolution.
• Analytical thinking.
• Communication.
• Accountability.
• Resource management.
• Team leadership.
• Client and results orientation.

Successful candidates must also demonstrate a strong commitment to UNHCR’s values of professionalism, integrity, respect for diversity, and zero tolerance for discrimination, harassment, and abuse.

Advancing Global Refugee Protection

The Representative in Washington, D.C. will play a critical role in strengthening one of UNHCR’s most important international partnerships during a period of evolving humanitarian needs and shifting geopolitical dynamics.

By combining strategic diplomacy, resource mobilisation, advocacy, and organisational leadership, the successful candidate will help advance UNHCR’s mission to protect and assist millions of refugees, asylum seekers, stateless persons, and internally displaced people worldwide.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.