Bhai Raja Panday

UNHCR

Date of birth

1951-07-29

Profile

Distinguished humanitarian professional, legal expert and former international civil servant with over three decades of experience with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). His career included senior legal, protection, operational and leadership positions across Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the Caucasus, working extensively with refugees and displaced populations affected by conflict. He has provided leadership in complex humanitarian settings, promoted international humanitarian and refugee protection principles, and contributed to political reconciliation efforts in Myanmar. Following his retirement, he has remained engaged in social initiatives, including Rotary, where he chartered the Rotary Club of Himalayan Golfers.

Experience

  • Representative, UNHCR (2008–2011) — Led and managed the overall UNHCR programme.

  • Operations Manager, UNHCR, Juba, South Sudan (2006–2007) — Served as Chief Executive of UNHCR operations.

  • Deputy Regional Representative, UNHCR, Bangkok (2002–2006) — Oversaw regional protection and assistance functions covering Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.

  • Head of Sub-Office, UNHCR, Stavrapol, Russia (1999–2001) — Managed UNHCR operations in the Caucasus.

  • Chief of Mission, UNHCR, Damascus, Syria (1995–1999) — Led UNHCR operations in Syria.

  • Assistant/Deputy Regional Representative, UNHCR, Cairo, Egypt (1991–1995) — Coordinated protection activities across Qatar, Bahrain, Yemen, the Emirates and Lebanon.

  • Senior Repatriation Officer, UNHCR, Tehran (1989–1991) — Managed there patriation of Afghan refugees.

  • Earlier UNHCR assignments included Protection Officer in Somalia and Pakistan and Assistant Legal Advisor for Asia in Bangkok.

Institutional Affilation

  • United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) – Former International Civil Servant

  • Rotary Club of Himalayan Golfers–Charter President

Core Areas of Expertise and Experience

  • Humanitarian and refugee protection

  • International refugee law and protection principles

  • Legal support and advisory services

  • Strategic planning and protection frameworks

  • Humanitarian operations and emergency management

  • Leadership and organisational management

  • Government and NGO relations

  • Programme and resource management

  • Staff development, coaching and performance management

  • Negotiation, communication and stakeholder engagement

Areas of Interest for contributions

  • Refugee protection and international humanitarian law

  • Humanitarian response, displacement and repatriation

  • Strategic leadership and management of humanitarian programmes

  • Protectionpolicy,legaladviceandinstitutionalcapacity building

Academic Qualification

  • LL.M., Yale University, United States, 1982–1983

  • Master of Comparative Law, Delhi University, India, 1979–1981

  • LL.B., Delhi University, India, 1975–1978

  • B.Sc.,TribhuvanUniversity,Nepal,1972–1975

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