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

Compare 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

2.0

Nov 8, 2014

Good organisation, clear mandate, noble cause

Anonymous

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

I worked in Geneva, HQ and it is a very safe and nice place, the office is easily accessible, colleagues from all over the world and working hrs are good.

Cons

No carrer growth, no recognition of achievements, talent retention is non existent, many useless people in perm jobs who are dead wood and prevent younger ones from getting ahead by any means. Lots of back stabbing, rumours and pointless restructures lead to a very low morale. In the end was happy yo leave.

1.0

Oct 29, 2014

Just Terrible

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

There are very few bright spots working at this place. The only one I can think of is that for full time employees, vacation and holidays are OK and there is a 401k match.

Cons

The management is horrible, practically incompetent. There is little to no respect for others and their expertise or opinions. The turnover is incredibly high. I can't even count how many Executive Directors there have been in the past couple years. So don't even bother getting to know any fundraisers, they will be gone in a matter of weeks. Don't be fooled by these bogus positive reviews they are posting -- avoid working at this place at all costs, in all locations, at all levels. There is no room for growth, learning, or employee development. The organizational culture is terrible, and makes you sick having to go into the office every day.

4.0

Aug 19, 2014

Rewarding work in the field but difficult to get in (as regular staff)

Associate protection officer (unv)

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

rewarding humanitarian work; positive impact for persons in need; great colleagues and team spirit

Cons

very bureaucratic; budget constraints limiting the possible assistance provided in the field; unfair advantage if you know people at headquarters

Viewing 823 - 825 of 841 Reviews

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UNHCR

UNHCR reviews

Ratings by category

Ratings by demographic groups

Reviews by job title

Good organisation, clear mandate, noble cause

Just Terrible

Rewarding work in the field but difficult to get in (as regular staff)

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