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As part of the Office for Political and General Assembly Affairs the Division of Human Rights was responsible for United Nations human rights activities, namely in achieving international cooperation in solving problems of a humanitarian nature, assisting in the promotion of universal respect for and the realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms. The programme of work included servicing the UN bodies dealing with human rights, including the Commission on Human Rights, the Commission on the Status of Women, the Sub-Commission on the Prevention of Discrimination, the Sub-Commission on Freedom of Information and the Ad Hoc Commission on Questions of Prisoners of War.

Effective 15 June 1974 the Division of Human Rights was transferred from United Nations Headquarters to the United Nations Office Geneva. On substantive matters, the Division continued to report to the Under-Secretary-General for Political and General Affairs. Mark Schreiber served as Division Director from 02.1966 to 02.1977, when he was succeeded by T.C. van Boven, who had been the representative of the Netherlands on the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities. Mark Schreiber was subsequently elected to the Sub-Commission (Belgium).

In 1982 the Division of Human Rights (DHR) became the Centre for Human Rights (CHR) and Kurt Herndl succeeded Theo van Boven as Director. At this time the Centre has a staff of 48 professionals officers and 33 general service members. Activities were financed within the UN programme budget. In 01.1983 the Head of the CHR was reclassified to the level of Assistant-Secretary-General for Human Rights. In 11.1986, the Secretary-General designated the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, Mr. Jan Martenson, as the Head of the Centre for Human Rights, effective 03.1987. In 1992 Antoine Blanca succeeded Jan Martenson as Under-Secretary-General, Director General of UNOG and Head of the Centre for Human Rights, reporting directly to the Secretary-General.

From 1993 to 1994 Ibrahima Fall served as Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the Center. José Ayala Lasso was appointed as the first High Commissioner in 04.1994, serving until 03.1997. The Centre for Human Rights and the Office of the High Commissioner were consolidated in 1997 into a single Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and in 1998 the OHCHR moved from the Palais des Nations to Palais Wilson.

From 1997 to 2002 Mary Robinson of Ireland held the post of High Commissioner. She was succeeded by Sergio Vieira de Mello, who served as High Commissioner from 2002 until his death in Baghdad in August 2003, at which time Bertrand Ramcharan was named Acting High Commissioner. Louise Arbour of Canada was appointed High Commissioner in 2004.

The main functions of the Director were:

• to ensure the most effective use of the facilities of the UNOG;
• to exercise administrative authority over all members of the United Nations staff attached to UNOG;
• to represent the Secretary-General with the Swiss Federal Government and the local authorities at Geneva;
• to carry out such duties as may be specifically delegated to him from Headquarters.
  (Secretary General's Bulletin SGB/82 dated 1 July 1948)

The Director of UNOG reported directly to the Assistant Secretary-General in charge of Conference and General Services.
The Assistant Secretary-General in charge of Conference and General Services represented UNOG as a whole at Headquarters.
All communications to UNOG were channelled through Assistant Secretary-General in charge of Conference and General Services.
All correspondence from UNOG to Headquarters were forwarded to the Assistant Secretary-General in charge of Conference and General Services which was responsible for proper routing of these communications at Headquarters.
In 1955, the report of the Survey Group addressed to the Secretary-General suggested that it would accord "to the Director a large measure of authority in respect of the substantive activities of the Office, and possibly provide also, in the field of administration, for a post of Deputy Under-Secretary" (Doc. A/3049, p. 3).

In 1959, the Director is called " Director of the European Office of the United Nations, Representing the Secretary-General " (Yearbook 1959, IC/Geneva/744 29 January 1960) before being denominated in 1960 "Under-Secretary, Director of the European Office of the United Nations" (IC/Geneva 789 27 December 1960).
As of 1 March 1960, the Director was named " Under-Secretary " (ST/SGB/123 1 March 1960).
From 1 January 1966, the position of UNOG Director was changed to Director-General of UNOG. The Deputy Director was changed to Assistant Director-General.(IC/ Geneva/1133)