Hardship LevelE (most hardship)
Family TypeNon Family
Family TypeNon FamilyDanger Pay
Residential location (if applicable)
GradeNOA
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeNational Professional Officer
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Target Start Date2024-09-01
Job Posting End DateJuly 25, 2024
Standard Job Description
Assistant Programme Officer
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Assistant Programme Officer may be based in HQ, field/regional bureau, and would normally receive guidance from more senior programme staff in the operation/bureau/division and may supervise a small team of local staff. The incumbent 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 Assistant Programme Officer will support the provision of programmatic guidance and support with regard to the implementation of protection and solutions strategies within available resources. The incumbent will play a role in coordinating 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,
- Assist the planning process in compliance with planning parameters outlined in the Programme Manual and the planning instructions
- Contribute to the review and analyse of plans, mid-year and year-end reports of UNHCR offices in the region, ensuring quality assurance and compliance with established policies, guidelines, procedures and standards.
- Assist with the provision of overall direction to broaden partnerships with key stakeholders in order to maximize the protection and solutions response for persons of concern.
- Contribute to the successful 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 within the Area of Responsibility (AoR), in line with global standards and polices.
- Actively contribute to UNHCRs programming of community of practice and continuously contribute 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
- Assist in 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
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P1/NOA - 1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
Economics
Business Administration
Social Sciences
or other relevant field.
Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified
Relevant Job Experience
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-UNHCR's Programmes
PG-Results-Based Management
PG-Stakeholder management and coordination with Implementing Partners (Gov/NGO/Corporate)
PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards)
(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 Strong organizational skills, knowledge of UNHCR direct implementation practices, and effective communication are crucial. Coordination and stakeholder management skills, complemented by technical knowledge of COMPASS, Cloud ERP and PROMS are essential. To succeed, the incumbent must have strong interpersonal skills, flexibility, creativity, patience, and adaptability. Political awareness, diplomacy, and good judgement are vital due to regular contact with other UN Agencies, NGOs, and Government counterparts in a complex and sensitive environment. Additionally, the incumbent should have good presentation and training facilitation skills to provide training to UNHCR and partner staff.
1. Working experience in UNHCR’s Programme Management Cycle (Plan, Get, and Show phases) including effective project management skills, both under direct implementation and through funded partners.
2. Demonstrated experience in UNHCR Cash-Based Interventions (CBI) complemented by proven presentation and training facilitation skills.
3. Proven technical knowledge of technical Programme tools (including COMPASS, Cloud ERP and PROMS) and extensive working experience with UNHCR's programme policies and procedures.
4. Proven working experience in coordinating with multiple stakeholders within an inter-agency humanitarian emergency context.
Shortlisting
Shortlisted candidates will be required to sit for an eliminatory written test, and only the candidates who pass the test will be called for the oral interview. The eliminatory test pass threshold is set at 60%. Scores of the written test will not be combined with the overall scoring.
When completing the application, candidates are required to list all their language skills – including their mother tongue. The three broad levels are A1/A2 (\"Basic User\"), B1/B2 (\"Independent User\"), and C1/C2 (\"Proficient User\").
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
,
,
Desired languages
,
,
Operational context
To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel.
Sub Office Homs covers the governorates of Homs, Hama, and the southern part of Idleb. It works in synergy with the Country Office to implement the Country Operational Plan. Due to budget cuts anticipated in 2025, the operation is merging functions to enhance efficiency and reduce costs. This position includes key elements of Cash-Based Interventions (CBI) designed to provide beneficiaries with greater dignity and choice in meeting their needs. The incumbent reports to the Programme Officer at the SO and maintains technical contact with the Programme CBI Officer at the CO Damascus.
In addition to the standard responsibilities of an Assistant Programme Officer, the incumbent must be well-versed in UNHCR's programme policies, procedures, and tools. They will work closely with partners, including local and international NGOs, government entities, and other stakeholders. The incumbent will be actively engaged in the Multi-Functional Team approach as defined in the Programme Manual, ensuring stakeholder participation throughout the Programme Management Cycle and will conduct monitoring missions within the area of responsibility, often engaging with people in extremely vulnerable conditions. The role requires proactivity, patience, and utmost respect for beneficiaries, in line with UNHCR's Code of Conduct and zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse.
The incumbent will provide backup support within the Programme Unit during absences and will maintain good working relationships with peers at the SO to facilitate coordination.
Living and Working Conditions:
Additional Qualifications
SkillsPG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards), PG-Results-Based Management, PG-Stakeholder management and coordination with Implementing Partners (Gov/NGO/Corporate), PG-UNHCR's Programmes
EducationBachelor of Arts (BA): Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Economics, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Social Science
Certifications
Work Experience
CompetenciesAccountability, Change capability & adaptability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Judgement & decision making, Managing performance, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Teamwork & collaboration
UNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Additional Information
Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance