Mandate
UNAMA currently operates 23 field offices throughout Afghanistan (eight regional offices and 15 provincial offices). Security Council Resolution 1917 (2010) reaffirms the importance of strengthening and expanding the presence of UNAMA and other UN agencies, funds and programmes in the provinces.

Structures
The eight regional offices typically oversee UNAMA’s work in several provinces while provincial offices ensure action and follow-up at provincial and district level.

Roles and Responsibilities
Field offices complement UNAMA’s policy work at the strategic level in Kabul by engaging with local authorities, representatives of Afghan society and various international partners and institutions at the regional, provincial and district level. The offices regularly report on developments throughout the country. They also serve as a platform for UN programmes and agencies in the regions and coordinate the various contributions of the UN family for Afghanistan at the sub-national level, as well as that of other actors in the international community.

A Unique Asset
Field staff are often highly specialized, combining intimate knowledge about the local area, tribal structures, political and social dynamics with a close working relationship with local authorities and international partners in the area. UNAMA’s activities in the field are tailored to the realities in each province but typically field offices engage in political affairs, governance and rule of law, development coordination and humanitarian affairs, human rights and public outreach. Some offices also have military and police advisors attached, ensuring liaison and information sharing with the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Provincial Reconstruction Teams.

UNAMA’s field offices are a unique asset for the UN’s long term engagement in the country. They implement and communicate UNAMA’s policies and programmes throughout the country and provide invaluable insight, information and advice to UNAMA’s senior leadership, assisting the head of mission and senior programme managers in Kabul when taking decisions at the strategic level.