From 2003 to 2005 MacLeod was head of Early Warning and Emergency Preparedness for UNHCR. In 2005, MacLeod worked as Chief of Operations of the United Nations Emergency Coordination Center which provided information and coordination to the NGOs and United Nations agencies delivering aid and relief after the Pakistan earthquake. MacLeod then became the first 'Relief to Recovery Transition' specialist, ensuring no drop-off in service delivery to the people in the transitional period. He remained in Pakistan until 2008. MacLeod left the United Nations in 2009 after a year-long deployment to The Philippines.