UNHCR Headquarters Organization

Explore the details and competencies of the various UNHCR HQ divisions.

Emergency supplies at one of our warehouses in Pakistan are prepared for delivery to support flood-affected people in the country © UNHCR/Usman Ghani
Emergency supplies at one of our warehouses in Pakistan are prepared for delivery to support flood-affected people in the country © UNHCR/Usman Ghani
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Executive Direction and Management (EDM) [English] [French]

UNHCR’s Executive Direction and Management (EDM) reports to the High Commissioner and includes the Deputy High Commissioner, the Assistant High Commissioner for Operations), the Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, the Chef de Cabinet and their staff. The Executive Office ensures management and accountability while providing the vision for the organization and setting operational priorities and strategies.

Division of External Relations (DER) [English] [French]

Reporting to the Deputy High Commissioner, the Division of External Relations (DER) mobilizes public, political and financial support so that UNHCR is best able to meet its global accountabilities to all forcibly displaced and stateless people. DER manages UNHCR´s external communication, public and private donor relations and resource mobilization, archives and records management while developing effective partnerships with UN agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), governments and corporate partners.

Division of Emergency, Security and Supply (DESS) [English] [French]

Reporting to the Assistant High Commissioner (Operations), the Division of Emergency, Security and Supply (DESS) is responsible for providing strategic direction, support, and oversight to regional and country offices in relation to emergency preparedness and response, supply chain management, and the security of colleagues and forcibly displaced and stateless persons.

Division of Financial and Administrative Management (DFAM) [English] [French]

Reporting to the Deputy High Commissioner, the Division of Financial and Administrative Management (DFAM) is responsible for safeguarding and reporting on UNHCR's financial resources. As the owner of the internal control framework, DFAM sets and maintains financial and administrative systems, policies and procedures, with the aim of promoting cost-effective and transparent use of these resources.

Division of Human Resources (DHR) [English] [French]

Reporting to the Deputy High Commissioner, the Division of Human Resources (DHR) works in partnership with UNHCR operations around the world and in support of approximately 20,000 highly dedicated, diverse, and mobile UNHCR colleagues. DHR is comprised of five services: Human Resources Operational Partnership Service (HROPS), Assignments and Talent Mobilization Service (ATMS), Staff Health and Well-being Service (SHWS), Human Resources Staff Services (HRSS), Global Learning and Development Centre (GLDC) as well as the Human Resources Systems and People Analytics (HRSPAS) and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Section. The overall people function serves a global workforce that currently includes 15,985 staff members and 4,660 affiliates, serving in 133 countries.

Division of International Protection (DIP) [English] [French]

Reporting to the Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, the Division of International Protection (DIP) leads the development of international law and protection policy relating to forced displacement and statelessness. The Division provides the necessary thematic, functional, and operational support and guidance to Regional Bureaux and Country Operations - to enhance protection delivery globally, and contributes to ensuring global coherence, consistent application of international law, and of UNHCR’s positions and policies, as well as cross-regional fertilization.

Division of Information Systems & Telecommunications (DIST) [English] [French]

Reporting to the Deputy High Commissioner, the Division of Information Systems and Telecommunications provides a secure and evolving digital ecosystem for UNHCR across the globe, ensuring the right information and communications solutions are designed, developed and maintained in a cost-effective, timely and secure manner, enabling UNHCR to fulfil its mandate. Furthermore, in line with the UNHCR Policy on Emergency Preparedness and Response [UNHCR/HCP/2023/01], DIST is responsible for supporting information technology (IT) emergency preparedness and response, including provision of overall IT coordination capacity in line with the Refugee Coordination Model.

Division of Resilience and Solutions (DRS) [English] [French]

Reporting to the Assistant High Commissioner for Operations, the Division of Resilience and Solutions (DRS) brings together the expertise of its specialized services to foster resilience, advocate for long-term solutions, and deliver essential technical services to forcibly displaced and stateless people in realization of the objectives outlined in the Global Compact for Refugees (GCR).

Division of Strategic Planning and Results (DSPR) [English] [French]

Reporting to the Deputy High Commissioner, the Division of Strategic Planning and Results (DSPR) was established in January 2020 and is UNHCR’s newest division. DSPR’s mission is to transform how UNHCR plans, implements and monitors its strategies and allocates its resources.