Knowing what to expect from the hiring and assessment process at UNHCR will help you succeed. Learn about all the steps you will need to take to get to your dream job at UNHCR.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives and protecting the rights of refugees, with the mandate to protect refugees,
forcibly displaced communities and stateless people, and assist in their voluntary repatriation.
The Interview Process
UNHCR recruitment process and job opportunities are advertised on a regular basis; please visit the UNHCR career page frequently.
- Find your Job
- Online application
- Confirmation email
- Screening
- Assessments and Competency-Based Interviews
- Appointment
- Job Offers
- Start your first day
Employment Assessment Test
As you can imagine, the process can vary greatly depending on the position you are looking to fill. Also, depending on your location, some branches may include additional evaluations.
Aptitude tests, Numerical, verbal, Hogan, SJT
Start practice today and improve your hiring chances
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Video
Common Interview Questions
Interviews for positions at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) can be quite rigorous, as the organization seeks individuals who are not only skilled but also deeply committed to its mission of protecting refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people.
UNHCR Refugee Interview Questions
- Can you describe your journey from your home country to your current location?
- Follow-up: What were the main challenges you faced during this journey?
- What were the reasons that led you to leave your home country?
- Follow-up: Can you provide specific incidents or events that influenced your decision?
- How has your experience been since arriving at the refugee camp or settlement?
- Follow-up: What are the primary needs or issues you have encountered here?
- Do you have any family members with you, and what are their current situations?
- Follow-up: Are there any specific needs or concerns related to your family?
- What kind of support or assistance do you believe would be most beneficial for you at this time?
- Follow-up: How can UNHCR or other organizations best support you in achieving your goals?
UNHCR Administrative Assistant Interview Questions
- Can you describe your experience with administrative tasks in a previous role?
- Follow-up: How do you prioritize your tasks to ensure efficiency?
- How do you handle confidential information, especially in a sensitive environment like UNHCR?
- Follow-up: Can you give an example of a situation where you maintained confidentiality?
- Describe a time when you had to manage multiple tasks simultaneously. How did you ensure everything was completed on time?
- Follow-up: What tools or techniques do you use for time management?
- How do you handle interactions with refugees or vulnerable individuals in your administrative role?
- Follow-up: What steps do you take to ensure your interactions are respectful and supportive?
- What experience do you have with administrative software and tools commonly used in non-profit or humanitarian organizations?
- Follow-up: Can you provide examples of specific software you have used and how it improved your work?
UNHCR Evaluation Officer Interview Questions
- Can you discuss your experience with program evaluation in a humanitarian context?
- Follow-up: What methodologies have you used in your evaluations?
- Describe a time when your evaluation led to significant changes or improvements in a program.
- Follow-up: What were the key findings and how did you present them?
- How do you ensure the reliability and validity of the data you collect during evaluations?
- Follow-up: What steps do you take to mitigate biases or errors?
- What are the key indicators you use to measure the effectiveness of a refugee assistance program?
- Follow-up: How do you determine which indicators are most relevant?
- How do you handle challenges or obstacles that arise during the evaluation process?
- Follow-up: Can you give an example of a particularly challenging evaluation and how you addressed it?
UNHCR Written Test Questions
You can expect questions that assess the skills, experience, and qualifications needed for the job role you’re applying for.
Here are some general types of questions you may encounter, depending on the position:
Analytical Questions
- You may be asked to analyze a situation, policy, or piece of data relevant to the role you’re applying for. For example, you might need to analyze a hypothetical refugee crisis and make recommendations for UNHCR’s action.
Subject Matter Expertise
- Depending on the role, you may get questions that test your specialized knowledge. For instance, a candidate for a legal position might be asked questions about international refugee law.
Situational or Behavioral Questions
- These questions will present you with scenarios you might encounter on the job, asking how you would handle them.
Communication Skills
- You may be required to draft a memo, write an email, or otherwise demonstrate your written communication skills. The content could be technical or managerial, depending on the position.
Quantitative Skills
- Roles that involve budgeting, data analysis, or other numerical skills may include quantitative questions. You may be asked to interpret data, create a budget, or solve a math problem.
Language Skills
- For positions requiring proficiency in multiple languages, you might be tested on your language skills, either through translation exercises or by having to answer questions in a language other than your first language.
Knowledge of UNHCR
- You may also be asked questions that assess your understanding of the UNHCR’s mandate, operations, and current challenges.
To prepare for the written test, you should:
- Carefully review the job description to understand the skills and experience needed for the role.
- Study any documents or materials related to the subject matter of the job.
- Practice your writing and, if necessary, quantitative skills.
- Familiarize yourself with the UNHCR’s mission, operations, and current events affecting the organization.
Competency-Based Interview UNHCR
Competency-based interviews are designed to assess specific skills, knowledge, and behavior that are critical for a particular role. In the context of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), such interviews are aimed at evaluating your qualifications for working in complex, often challenging environments that require a strong commitment to the values and mandate of the organization.
Here’s what you can expect and some tips for preparing:
Types of Competencies Assessed
- Leadership Skills: Ability to lead teams, make decisions, and influence others.
- Communication Skills: Clarity, diplomacy, and the ability to communicate effectively at all levels.
- Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to assess situations and come up with viable solutions.
- Teamwork: Ability to work in a multicultural environment and foster team spirit.
- Technical Skills: Depending on the role, specific technical skills may be assessed.
- Adaptability: Ability to adapt to changing conditions and work environments.
- Ethical Judgment: Ability to make ethical decisions aligned with UNHCR’s values and mandate.
Common Formats of Questions
Competency-based interview questions often start with phrases like:
- “Tell me about a time when you…”
- “Describe a situation where you had to…”
- “Give me an example of…”
Sample Questions
- Leadership: Tell me about a time you had to lead a team under a tight deadline.
- Communication: Describe a situation where you had to manage a conflict between team members.
- Problem-Solving: Can you share an example of a challenging problem you faced and how you resolved it?
- Teamwork: Tell me about a time you worked in a team with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
- Adaptability: Describe a situation where you had to quickly adapt to significant changes in your work environment.
- Technical Skills: Can you share an experience where your technical skills were crucial to project success?
