The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), also known as the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization established in 1950 by the United Nations General Assembly. Its core mission is dedicated to saving lives, protecting the rights, and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people worldwide . UNHCR operates in 133 countries with over 17,000 staff members, ensuring that individuals fleeing violence, persecution, war, or disaster have the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge
UNHCR is committed to an equal opportunity employment policy, actively seeking talented individuals from diverse backgrounds to contribute to its mission. The organization’s work encompasses various fields, including legal protection, community services, health, public affairs, communications, and fundraising .
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Recruitment and Open Jobs
UNHCR offers a wide range of employment opportunities for professionals and support staff.
The organization offers a variety of roles across different disciplines, including:
- Legal protection
- Administration
- Community services
- Public affairs
- Health
UNHCR advertises most of its job vacancies on its official online recruitment platform. New opportunities are added regularly, so it’s a good idea to check the portal often. To stay up-to-date, you can also subscribe to the UNHCR Talent Outreach Newsletter to receive information about the latest career opportunities.
UNHCR is committed to a diverse workforce and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their background. They look for professionals who are passionate about their mission, willing to serve in challenging locations, and thrive in a multicultural environment.
Online Application Process
Applying for a job at UNHCR is done through their online platform. Here’s a general overview of the process:
- Find a suitable vacancy: Browse the job listings on the UNHCR careers portal.
- Review the requirements: Carefully read the job advertisement to ensure you meet all the requirements, including educational background, years of experience, and language skills. For international professional staff, proficiency in at least one of UNHCR’s two working languages (English and French) is required, as well as an intermediate level of a second official UN language.
- Complete the application form: The online form will require you to provide detailed information about your personal history, contact details, work experience, education, and skills.
- Submit your application: Once you have completed all the mandatory sections, you can submit your application.
- Wait for a response: After submission, your application will be reviewed. If you are shortlisted, UNHCR will contact you for an interview. It’s important to note that UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process.