Representative in Washington, D.C.

Overview

The Representative in Washington, D.C. provides strategic vision and managerial leadership to ensure UNHCR's effective performance in the country. The role involves developing and sustaining a robust network of support, engaging stakeholders to advance UNHCR's mission, and generating political and financial support.

Key Responsibilities

• Stay abreast of local political context and develop strategies.
• Manage consultative processes and develop external engagement strategies.
• Lead and oversee advocacy and fundraising initiatives.
• Serve as a member of the senior leadership team.
• Develop and implement communications and narrative approaches.
• Analyze and communicate US policy, funding, and political developments.
• Provide strategic advisory support to UNHCR country offices.
• Implement a results-oriented approach.
• Ensure alignment with regional and global strategic priorities.
• Ensure engagement in UNCT and UN common programming.
• Assess and manage risks to operational objectives.
• Establish and maintain a knowledge-management framework.
• Undertake missions to operational contexts.
• Ensure office structure and capabilities align with strategic demands.
• Direct and oversee resource mobilization strategy.
• Ensure effective and efficient management of resources.
• Establish and manage local administrative mechanisms.
• Ensure local compliance with HR policies.
• Manage recruitment, assignment, and reassignment of local staff.
• Identify and optimize affiliate workforce use.
• Ensure learning needs are identified and addressed.
• Exercise managerial oversight, direction, guidance, and support.
• Gather and analyze local security situation information.
• Ensure appropriate security measures are in place.
• Represent UNHCR in UNCT/Humanitarian Country Team.
• Decide on country strategy and priorities.
• Enforce local compliance with UNHCR policies.
• Negotiate and sign local agreements.
• Authorize payments.
• Modify operational projects and reallocate funds.
• Lead risk assessments and discussions.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Required Experience

18 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 17 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 16 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree. Proven ability to lead high-level representation, political advocacy, strategic communications, partnership development and negotiation in complex and politically sensitive contexts. Demonstrated capacity to engage senior government, legislative, diplomatic, inter-agency, private sector, philanthropic, media and civil society stakeholders. Strong political judgement and ability to navigate fast changing and highly charged environments while preserving institutional credibility, humanitarian principles and operational independence. Ability to lead strategic planning, change processes, results-based management, risk management, evidence-based advocacy and organizational positioning. Proven capacity to translate strategic objectives into practical plans, establish priorities, monitor implementation and adjust course as required. Ability to lead and empower a multidisciplinary team under pressure and to build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Knowledge of US political, legislative, budgetary and foreign assistance processes, including congressional dynamics, humanitarian funding mechanisms, resettlement policy, private philanthropy and the broader public debate on asylum, migration, refugee protection and multilateral cooperation is desirable. Experience in donor relations, strategic communications, crisis communications or resource mobilization in a major donor or politically complex environment would be an asset.

Qualifications

Undergraduate degree; or Graduate degree; or Doctorate degree. Field(s) of Education: Business Administration; International Relations; Political Science; Social Science; Human Resources Management; International Law; or other relevant field.

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