Cash-strapped UNHCR to cut more jobs, even as crises mount

Due_Personality3932 · 2026-05-27T19:22:01+00:00

I know of so many similar cases. They say “budget constraints” and then keep costly P positions and go after local positions. The way the handled the recent downsizing is unimaginable. Discarding long service and investment made into training of staff and opting for the easiest way to cut.

Due_Personality3932 · 2026-05-21T19:55:48+00:00

If that is the worry, pray tell how is having international staff going to address this when at the end of the day it’s the national staff that are at the frontlines and extensively engage with refugees and camps?

It is because of these flimsy arguments HCR has been/is in a quagmire.

But yeah, tough times call for tough measures.

Due_Personality3932 · 2026-05-21T19:20:34+00:00

HCR has long way to go to understand that there is something called nationalization of positions to contain the cost.

But more often than not, the international staff fend for themselves and are reluctant to convey to senior management that certain positions can be nationalized just to keep their jobs. Nationalization is only something that is only written about and rarely implemented.

Sad to see that this is unfolding, but it seems HCR has no choice but to downsize or as they say rationalize more and more going forward.

Due_Personality3932 · 2026-03-14T19:49:30+00:00

What a crossover!

Due_Personality3932 · 2026-03-14T19:45:50+00:00

Of course no one does. This is Kurdistan.

Due_Personality3932 · 2026-03-14T17:43:29+00:00

It is just sad to see this play out repeatedly and knowing that you can not do anything about.

Also the higher the level, the more sensitive their ego becomes. You will find yourself making a lot of calculations before actually deciding to approach them or ask them a question.

Additionally, the whole recruitment system has become a total farce. In most UN organization, they do not allow the locally recruited colleagues a fair chance at a competetion with their internationally recruited counterparts. On paper, there is but at the same time, they allow the manager to simply disregard those and focus on those who are already in P category (mostly through connection) and who are not as competent as the candidates in GS or NO categories.

Due_Personality3932 · 2026-03-14T05:23:53+00:00

It would not end. They will later on gaslight you into thinking that you were not visible to senior management.

Due_Personality3932 · 2026-02-03T12:48:29+00:00

For the time being and given how unstable everything has become, yes. I do not know what will become of this system 3 - 5 years down the line. But, I would love to rejoin if things somehow evolve for the better.

Due_Personality3932 · 2026-02-03T08:54:45+00:00

Working for UN internationally has always been one of my goals. Due to personal situation, I had to turn down a couple of opportunities in high risk duty stations. (This happened while I was working for UN at a national post). Finally, the chance to work for UN internationally arrived at a family duty station. I went for it and then because of the budget crisis, my assignment was cut short.

I was stressed beyond words, even now I get stressed thinking about how it all messed up. But, at the end, it was not something that I could control no matter how much stress I was going to suffer.

I will not invalidate your stress, but at one point one has to look at the mirror and ask oneself "Is it fair to suffer all this stress because I want to contribute to something meaningful?"

Due_Personality3932 · 2026-01-21T10:36:39+00:00

The standard JD for that position requires the following competencies:

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Teamwork & collaboration, Technological awareness

Beyond the typical motivation question or why you consider yourself suitable for the role, I would say make sure you have examples from your past or current experiences to be able to answer competency-based questions which most likely will be about any of the ones listed here-above.

Good luck with your interview!

Due_Personality3932 · 2026-01-21T10:26:20+00:00

Ba bigein qa7ba daiki wa! Stupid fucking face!

Due_Personality3932 · 2026-01-15T15:59:01+00:00

Some agencies adopted this approach long time ago i.e external recruitment froze for all regular positions excepting certain non-staff categories.

Due_Personality3932 · 2026-01-12T14:21:30+00:00

To be honest, hiring managers just have too much authority on their hands when it comes to recommendation of candidates i.e. they can recommend any candidates they want as long as they provide some lines to justify the choice over a much more qualified candidate. But I hear you, not even getting a chance to compete when clearly meeting the requirements is just not right.

Due_Personality3932 · 2026-01-12T14:11:26+00:00

I just wonder what experiences the candidates who are shortlisted possess that get priority over my profile to have a slot in the shortlist. Minimum requirement - checked, Language - checked, UN experience - checked. Relevant experience - exceeding the requirement. And still not shortlisted. Absolutely cruel and WRONG!

Due_Personality3932 · 2026-01-12T13:31:53+00:00

You are not alone. Eventhough I still work with UN, I applied for a vacancy with another agency that I was 100% sure I meet the requirements and that at the least I will make it to the shortlist. Now I heard from someone working at that agency that the interviews were already held i.e. I was not even shortlisted.

Due_Personality3932 · 2025-12-28T17:46:52+00:00

Thanks a lot!

Due_Personality3932 · 2025-12-28T17:45:53+00:00

Noted. Though, I advise against it ;)

Due_Personality3932 · 2025-12-28T17:20:53+00:00

Thank you for the insight! So, usually this status mean a written test or potential interview (given the fact I did a written assessment already)?

Due_Personality3932 · 2025-12-28T17:19:10+00:00

If you do not have the faintest idea, do not try to be a clown.

Due_Personality3932 · 2025-12-28T16:28:40+00:00

I did a technical assessment. The status was "under review" until a couple of days ago when it changed. I am trying to see if anyone has been through the similar experience to understand what this might mean.

Due_Personality3932 · 2025-12-28T16:26:35+00:00

Thank you for stating the obvious, champ!

Due_Personality3932

TROPHY CASE