A diverse workforce
A diverse workforce
As a rights-based organization, we are committed to fostering an environment where all individuals feel safe, accepted, and treated with dignity, respect and fairness.
We believe that a broad range of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences strengthens our ability to protect and assist those forced to flee their homes.
A workforce that reflects the communities we serve enables us to develop effective and innovative responses to humanitarian crises. We are dedicated to ensuring equal access to opportunities at all levels of our organization and work to create an environment where every individual can thrive.
We encourage applications from all qualified candidates, irrespective of personal background. Our team is made up of skilled professionals who are committed to putting people first, making a meaningful impact, and working wherever they are needed to fulfill our mission.
Our values
- Our core values are integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity.
- We put people first – the needs of people forced to flee are at the heart of everything we do.
- We go wherever we are needed and get the job done – our staff work in more than 136 countries, often in extremely difficult conditions.
- We support resilience – we work with those in need, affording them dignity and respect.
- We protect people’s rights – we work to safeguard the rights of those who have been forced to flee their homes or are deprived of a nationality.
- We deliver the best possible outcome – we are focused on protecting refugees and displaced communities forced to flee and developing solutions to support people in their quest to restart their lives and build a better future.
Sexual exploitation and abuse
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has a zero tolerance policy against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA). SEA is unacceptable behaviour and prohibited conduct for UNHCR personnel. It constitutes acts of serious misconduct and is therefore grounds for disciplinary measures, including dismissal. Any concerns or suspicions about a possible case of SEA should be reported immediately to the Inspector General’s Office (IGO).
Gender equality
In September 2017, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres launched the UN System Strategy on Gender Parity, setting out actions to achieve gender balance by 2028. A key priority of the strategy is increasing the recruitment and advancement of women, particularly in middle to senior management, where gaps persist. UNHCR remains committed to fostering balanced representation at all levels, especially in leadership and technical roles. Recruitment and career advancement are based on merit, fairness, and equal opportunity.
By fostering a supportive and fair work environment, we aim to create conditions where all staff can thrive and contribute effectively to our mission.
Furthermore, to better support and balance personal, family and professional commitments, UNHCR staff members are entitled to:
- maternity leave with full pay, normally commencing from six up to two weeks prior to the anticipated date of delivery and extending for a total period of 16 weeks;
- adoption and surrogacy leave increased to 10 weeks;
- request eight weeks special leave with full pay to complement maternity leave, adoption leave and surrogacy leave;
- returning from maternity leave, a staff member may be authorised to work on 75 per cent basis whilst receiving full salary during that period so as to provide adequate child support during his or her first year of life, extended to adoption and surrogacy leave;
- workplace accommodation: authorization to travel out of the duty station from 32nd week of pregnancy.