Does UNHCR pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, UNHCR employees rate their compensation and benefits as 4.0 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at UNHCR. This rating has been stable over the past 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at UNHCR?

72% of UNHCR employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated UNHCR 3.3 out of 5 for work life balance, 3.9 for culture and values and 3.2 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at UNHCR?

Intern (84) , Protection Associate (30) , Senior Protection Assistant (22) , Internship (20) , Protection Assistant (20) , Registration Assistant (20) , Protection Officer (18) , Rsd Associate (18) , Associate (13) , Consultant (12) , Interpreter/Translator (12) , Administrative Assistant (11) , Interpreter (11) , Officer (11) , Associate Protection Officer (10)

What are the pros of working at UNHCR according to real employee reviews?

"Salary is good and high." ((in 77 reviews)); "Great people to work with and learn from" ((in 45 reviews)); "Colleagues were great team players" ((in 41 reviews)); "Great Working environment" ((in 29 reviews)); "Great team and you give back to people in" ((in 26 reviews))

What are the cons of working at UNHCR according to real employee reviews?

"No job security since our contracts where only for a year" ((in 26 reviews)); "seekers thus get sacrificed regularly on the altar of this revolving door of international managers." ((in 6 reviews)); "Too much bureaucracy" ((in 6 reviews)); "not much work to do" ((in 5 reviews)); "Leadership is focused on their own branding and external communications." ((in 4 reviews))

What are employees saying about UNHCR layoffs in 2026?

Explore Glassdoor’s employee reviews to understand what current and former employees are saying about UNHCR layoffs and their outlook for job security at UNHCR in 2026.

UNHCR reviews

3.8

72% would recommend to a friend

(841 total reviews)

António Guterres

75% approve of CEO

60% positive business outlook

Ratings by category

4.1

Diversity & inclusion

4.0

Compensation and benefits

3.9

Culture & values

3.3

Work/Life balance

3.2

Career opportunities

3.1

Senior management

UNHCR has an employee rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars, based on 841 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The UNHCR employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the ONG y Organizaciones sin fines de lucro industry (3.7 stars).

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Reviews by job title

841 reviews

3.0

May 22, 2015

working at UNHCR in a developed country

External relations officer

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Compelling cause and highly reputed UN organisation putting you at the core of some of the most challenging issues of the 21st century, namely humanitarian aid and forced migration. Very good salarial conditions.

Cons

very bureaucratic, hierarchical and un-social employment system. There are a lot of constraints with long working hours and poor work-life balance. Also lots of frustrated senior managers who then out their frustration on lower positioned or national staff. Extremely slow if not impossible development perspectives in-house.

4.0

Apr 16, 2015

Great insight into learning how a UN institution works

Intern

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

At the UNHCR, there are many opportunities to utilize a wide range of skills. Because I interned in the Supply Chain, I learned of the many ways items are sourced and brought over to refugee beneficiaries all over the globe. You'll improve your global networking abilities, but don't get too attached to your coworkers--chances are they're leaving for mission soon.

Cons

In its essence, the UNHCR is a bureaucratic institution. Do not expect to create great changes in a fast way. These guys are quite set in their ways, and no amount of altruism can change some of these guys' minds when it comes to thinking of a new way of doing something. Also, as an intern, you don't get paid, so there's that.

3.0

Mar 14, 2015

Act as liaison between extremely busy executives and other department leads on the needs of the Magazine.

Communication associate pi/mi

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

The vision and the passion of helping people. I count myself very lucky to be able to make a living doing work that is in alignment with my values and the things that I believe in.

Cons

Experience, A learning environment

Viewing 817 - 819 of 841 Reviews

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UNHCR reviews

Ratings by category

Ratings by demographic groups

Reviews by job title

working at UNHCR in a developed country

Great insight into learning how a UN institution works

Act as liaison between extremely busy executives and other department leads on the needs of the Magazine.

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