UNOG Registry

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)