Hardship LevelA (least hardship)
Family TypeFamily
Residential location (if applicable)
GradePR3
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeProfessional
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Remote work acceptedNo
Target Start Date2023-10-13
Job Posting End DateNovember 9, 2023
Standard Job Description
Programme Officer
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Programme Officer may be based in HQ, field/regional bureau, typically reporting to and be guided by the Senior Program officer and may supervise a small team of local and international staff. He/she may refer to UNHCR's Programme Manual (Chapter IV), UNHCR's corporate and regional strategic priorities, operation plans and other relevant institutional rules and regulations for further guidance.
The Programme Officer will provide programmatic guidance and support with regard to the implementation of protection and solutions strategies within available resources. S/he will coordinate with the other sections/units to ensure harmonized programmatic approaches at all levels and throughout the UNHCR Operations Management Cycle. S/he will work in line with the overall UNHCR directions which crucially require working with partners, including with persons of concern, governmental institutions and the private sector, ensuring that programme management is approached as per UNHCR's Strategic Directions, Global Strategic Priorities (GSPs), Global Compact for Refugees (GCR), corporate positions on SDGs.
The incumbent is expected to work in line with the multi-functional team (MFT) approach as defined within the Program Manual, ensuring the participation of relevant stakeholders in all phases of the Program Management Cycle.
All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.
Duties
- Support in assessing and analysing the needs of persons of concern in a participatory manner, using an Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective as basis for planning.
- Provide support on programmatic aspects of developing multi-year protection and solutions strategies and annual plans with corresponding priorities taking into account corporate priorities.
- Support Results Based Management and programme capacity in light of evolving requirements, programming approaches and gaps.
- Support the planning process in compliance with planning parameters outlined in the Programme Manual and the planning instructions.
- Review and analyse plans, mid-year and year-end reports of UNHCR office(s), ensuring quality assurance and compliance with established policies, guidelines, procedures and standards.
- Support in the provision of overall direction to broaden partnerships with key stakeholders in order to maximize the protection and solutions response for persons of concern.
- Provide support to ensure a consistent application of the framework for implementing with partners, including the effective implementation of the policy on selection and retention of partners, management of partnership agreements, risk-based project performance monitoring, and risk-based project audits, among others.
- Contribute to ensure consistent and coherent monitoring approaches, tools and systems in line with global standards and polices.
- Actively contribute to UNHCRs programming of community of practice and continuously contributing to improvements of programming tools and processes.
- Identify potential gaps and problems and in cooperation with other relevant sections recommend appropriate solutions to ensure the efficient implementation of programme activities.
- Oversee a timely and effective follow-up of internal and external audits observations and recommendations that relate to programmatic issues.
- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
- Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
For P3/NOC - 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree.
Field(s) of Education
Economics, Business Administration, Social Sciences
or other relevant field.
Essential
Demonstrated experience in programme management including familiarization with the OMC and sound knowledge Results Based-Management. Demonstrated experience in field operations, sound knowledge on the centrality of protection in programming, Joint Needs Assessments and the principles of targeting.
Desirable
Demonstrated experience in coordination within an inter-agency context and other actors, in a refugee or humanitarian context. Sound experience in program management training and capacity building activities.
Functional Skills
PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards)
PG-Results-Based Management
PG-UNHCR's Programmes
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.
All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.
As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.
This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.
Desired Candidate Profile The incumbent needs to have a good political acumen, strong capability to think outside of the boxes, be flexible and ready to adapt changes while ensuring accountability to the affected population, mitigation of risks and compliance of UNHCR’s relevant rules and regulations.
The incumbent should have good experience in programme, good knowledge of admin/finance and supply management, and could manage the areas of responsibility with minimal supervision. S/he should be fluent in verbal and written communication in English. As the office is relatively small, it is also important that the incumbent is a good team player and has good managerial skills including coaching and mentoring skills. S/he may require to act as Officer-in-charge when the Representative is away from the operation.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
,
,
Desired languagesRussian
,
,
Operational context
To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
UNHCR Azerbaijan has a small/medium size operation, with 3 international posts (Representative, Programme Officer and Protection Officer), supported by national colleagues (4 National officer posts, 18 General staff posts including 3 drivers), plus 7 affiliated staff post subject to availability of budget.
The negotiations of peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia are intensifying and picking up in dynamics, in addition to the Russian Federation and the European Union, the United States also facilitates the process as of 2023. Contrary to the expectations, security incidents regularly occur between the armed forces of the two countries undermining the peace process and there is a growing risk of major violence in and around Karabakh (the area under the control of the Russian peacekeepers).
The return of IDPs to the regained territories remains key priority for the government and serious efforts are underway to accelerate the process. However, the need for demining before construction and return continues to pose challenges and delays the process. Since 15 July 2022, 199 families/861 IDPs have returned mainly to Zangilan, Lachin and Tartar districts (as of 15 July 2023).
There is a very slight increase of the total number of asylum seekers for the first half of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. However, the land borders remained closed with some chances to reopen before the end of the year, depending, most likely, on the political and security developments in the wider region. There has been a change in the country’s policy towards Iranian nationals, mirroring the political tensions after the assault on the Azerbaijan’s Embassy in Tehran, and as of June 2023 Iranians will stop receiving visa upon arrival at the airport/s. Iranian citizens can still obtain visa through an Electronic Visa Portal or at the Consulate General in Tabriz. Azerbaijan’s nationals are advised not to travel in Iran by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In terms of stateless the dynamics to tackle the issue in the country are intensifying. The government continues to process and naturalize the documented stateless people and in parallel identification campaign results with identification of new stateless people that are referred for documentation.
Country Programs and Projects
Currently, the operation provides supports to internal displaced persons (IDPs), refugees and asylums (including mandate refugees) and stateless individuals. The key government counterparts are: the State Committee for Refugee and IDP Affairs for IDPs (State Committee) and State Migration Services (SMS) for refugees and issues about statelessness. For IDPs, in selected locations, UNHCR is supporting with legal assistance, community mobilization, gender empowerment and explosive ordinance risk education (EORE) activities through law firm and three national NGO partners. There are ongoing discussions with the government to expand the current IDP projects to return locations. The operation also provides technical supports to the State Committee. For refugees, UNHCR is managing a refugee reception centre in Baku, and provides legal assistance and counselling, social assistance to selected vulnerable refugees and targeted cash based assistance to refugees meeting with the criteria. This is in addition to the capacity building of relevant government officials on refugee protection. We also work closely with SMS in reduction of stateless individuals.
The 2023 comprehensive budget (OP) for the operation stands at USD 7,400,591 while the prioritized budget for 2023 (OL) is USD 4,360,994.
The incumbent will lead the Programme unit and provide operational advice to the Representative. S/he will also supervise the Supply unit and oversee the Administration/Finance unit of UNHCR country operation. The Programme Officer shall be responsible for the implementation of general administrative and resource management tasks as delegated by the Representative. S/he will work with the team to provide general guidance and work plans for identifying work priorities and appropriate approaches; and ensure compliance and meeting all relevant deadlines in term of operation cycle. S/he will establish and maintain efficient administrative control mechanisms to ensure compliance with UN administrative, financial and human resources rules and procedures. The incumbent will maintain frequent external contacts with counterparts in other organizations or at working level in national government on issues of importance to Organization's programme. S/he will act as adviser or representative of the Organization with relevant counterparts to discuss challenges and seek common grounds and recommend solutions based on predetermined UN and HCR guidelines and strategy. S/he will also serve as a member of the Local Contracts Committee.
In coordination with Human Resources and Field Security, s/he will undertake periodic reviews to ensure that the Office premises are set up and staff recruitment and retention are managed in line with the organizational policies and if necessary, any related issues are brought to the attention of DHR.
Despite the relatively small budget, the country operation has a challenging and dynamic political environment.
Baku is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and of the Caucasus region. Officially, about 25% of all inhabitants of the country live in Baku's metropolitan area. Baku is the sole metropolis in Azerbaijan. Baku is divided into twelve administrative districts and 48 townships. The city is the scientific, cultural, and industrial centre of Azerbaijan. In recent years, Baku has become an important venue for international events. It hosted the 57th Eurovision Song Contest in 2012, the 2015 European Games, 4th Islamic Solidarity Games, the F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix since 2016, hosted the final of the 2018–19 UEFA Europa League.
The city has international airport that also handles domestic flights, international schools and hospitals are available in the city as well as network of banking that provide for international transactions. However, the banking sector has its limitation and often private international transactions are subject to scrutiny.
Accommodation for expats is available in Baku and there are a significant number of reliable agents offer their services. Office support in identifying agent and temporary accommodation is available.
Transportation. Public transportation is available, including bus transport and Baku Metro. Taxi service and car rental are also available in the city.
The office operates a small fleet of vehicles which is available for official purposes.
Entry and Exit Requirements:
Citizens of certain nationality are required Visa to enter the country by air as land border crossings remain closed at this time.
Additional Qualifications
SkillsMG-Resource Management, SC-UN/UNHCR Procurement Rules and Procedures
EducationBachelor of Arts (BA): Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Economics, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Social Science
CertificationsHCR Learning Program - UNHCR
Work ExperienceAnnual Budget OL in Operation/Office, Number of Persons of Concern Served, Number of Workforce in Operation/Work Setting, Workforce to Supervise, Working with Persons of Concern: Asylum Seekers, Working with Persons of Concern: Internally Displaced Persons, Working with Persons of Concern: Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: Stateless
CompetenciesAccountability, Analytical thinking, Change capability & adaptability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Managing performance, Managing resource, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Teamwork & collaboration
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Additional Information
Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance