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Senior Programme Associate

Dhaka

  • Organization: UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
  • Location: Dhaka
  • Grade: Administrative support - GS-7, General Service - No need for Higher Education - Locally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Administrative support
    • Project and Programme Management
  • Closing Date: 2024-10-15

Hardship Level

D

Family Type

Family

Family Type

Family

Residential location (if applicable)

Grade

GS7

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Remote work accepted

No

Target Start Date

2024-10-01

Deadline for Applications

October 15, 2024

Standard Job Description

Senior Programme Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Programme Associate would normally receive guidance from more senior programme staff in the operation/bureau/division. The incumbent normally supervises some support staff. S/he may receive indirect guidance from other sections and units relevant to the country/region programme(s). UNHCR Manual/Programme Chapter, Operations Plans, UN and UNHCR financial/budgetary rules and regulations will guide the work of the Senior Programme Associate. S/he is expected to stay abreast of the challenges posed to the region by the operational context, the UN and humanitarian reform and institutional developments.

The incumbent is expected to have contacts within the organization and outside the duty station, as well as with partners and other stakeholders to collect information, monitor programme activities and implement administrative requirements. The incumbent is expected to work in line with the multi-functional team (MFT) approach as defined within the Program Chapter, 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 the assessment and analysis of the needs of persons of concern in the country in a participatory manner and using an Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective as basis for planning.
- Support Results Based management and programme capacity in light of evolving requirements, programming approaches and gaps.
- Participate in managing the development of a broad network of partners, good coordination practices and the development of partner capacities related to programme management.
- Assist in organizing and documenting the selection of partners in accordance with the policy on selection and retention of partners, ensuring due diligence to meet the requirements of projects.
- Support partnership agreements are established in a timely manner, regularly monitored and reported on in compliance with established guidelines and procedures included in the framework for implementing with partners.
- Review the implementation and performance of partnership agreements through field visits and appropriate physical monitoring if applicable, reviewing work plans, performance and financial reports.
- Support the planning process in compliance with planning parameters outlined in the Programme Manual and annual planning instructions.
- Contribute to the review and analysis of operations plans, mid-year and year-end reports, ensuring quality assurance and compliance with established policies, guidelines, procedures and standards. Generate and maintain records of implementation rate (performance progress and expenditures) on a regular basis.
- Follow up on any change in regards to alignment of results chain, verifying indicators, budget, prioritization, apportioning needed to measure programme performance, trends and target interventions, contributing to soundness of Operations Plan and enhancement of data quality.
- Assist in negotiating and drafting partnership agreements, ensuring that all components are developed in conformity with UNHCR's financial rules and HQ instructions and guidance.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of MFT monitoring plans for activities implemented through partnerships and those under direct implementation in line with Programme Manual and programming instructions.
- Ensure compliance with issuance of audit certificates for partners in line with the Policy on Risk-Based Project Audits and follow up of internal and external audit recommendations related to programmatic issues.
- Use UNHCR's corporate tools (e.g. Focus Client, Global Focus Insight and FOCUS Reader, MSRP) for core activities related to planning, budgeting, implementation and reporting, generating data for evidence-based programmatic decisions and analysis.
- Actively contribute to UNHCRs programming of community of practice and continuously contributing to improvements of programming tools and processes.

- 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 G7 - 4 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not specified

Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Demonstrated experience in programme management, Operation Management Cycle and related processes. Knowledge and practical experience of Results Based-Management. Experience in programme management training and capacity building activities. Knowledge of MS office applications including advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, data management, etc.).

Desirable
Completion of UNHCR Learning Programmes or specific training relevant to function of the position including Programme Management Level 1, E-tutoring of PM1, Framework for Implementing with Partners Learning Programme.

Functional Skills
*IT-Computer Literacy
PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards)
PG-Results-Based Management
DM-Database Management
PG-Programme Analysis
PG-Development and monitoring of programme assessments and surveys
(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

In addition to the standard Job Description of the Senior Programme associate, the SM will perform the following duties:
• Lead MFT in the entire programme management cycle, including plan, get and show results.
• Lead capacity development activities in the AOR for both UNHCR and Partners.

Required/Desirable experiences and skills
• A minimum 3 years of demonstrated experiences in programme management, successfully coordinating a team, both within the organization and with external parties such as NGO partners, with limited supervision is required.
• Demonstrated experience in using UNHCR corporate tools including COMPASS, PROMS and Cloud ERP for preparing PFAs and workplan is required. (Limited to candidates with UNHCR experience).
• Experiences in facilitating training and capacity building initiatives for partners and MFTs are required.
• Field experiences such as conducting data collection, site visits, monitoring and directly engaging with the persons for whom UNHCR works is required.
• A satisfactory performance evaluation for the last three years (Limited to candidates with UNHCR experience).

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

,

,

Desired languages

,

,

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position

Over 926,000 Rohingya refugees reside in Bangladesh, the majority in 33 extremely overcrowded camps in the Ukhiya and Teknaf subdivisions of Cox’s Bazar District, now home to the world’s largest refugee settlement. Some 26,000 refugees also reside on Bhasan Char, an island located in the Bay of Bengal, 60 kilometres from the Bangladesh mainland.

As the Rohingya refugee response is well into its sixth year, and with the GoB remaining focused on voluntary repatriation, in safe, dignified and sustainable conditions, as the primary solution for Rohingya refugees, UNHCR and its partners continue to support the GoB to respond to the massive humanitarian and protection needs of Rohingya refugees and alleviate the pressure on the Bangladeshi host community and existing facilities and services.

The Senior Programme Associate is a member of the Programme team in Cox's Bazar, under the overall supervision of more senior Programme staff e.g. Assistant Programme Officer, Associate Programme Officer, or Programme Officer who will monitor the performance of the incumbent and provide regular guidance. The incumbent may also receive guidance from the Senior Programme Officer.

The Senior Programme Associate will manage a portfolio of partnerships including preparation of agreements, adhoc and periodic monitoring, verification/reporting and other responsibilities. The incumbent of the position is expected to effectively process transactions, plan, monitor, and report on expenditures against the Direct implementation budget in consultation with the MFT and more senior Programme staff. They are expected to provide indicator and budgetary inputs for donor proposals and reports in support of the Donor Relations team. The incumbent may also provide guidance and support to onboard new and less senior Programme staff.

UNHCR Programme Unit manages Operations budget, which is implemented either directly by UNHCR or through different implementing Partners. UNHCR Operation Cox’s Bazar has currently 19 national and international NGOs for implementation of activities in 14 refugee’s camps. UNHCR CXB works with partners to provide support to PoCs in sectors including protection, Health, shelter repairs/maintenance, WASH, livelihood, and distribution of NFIs.

The Senior Programme Associate, under the supervision of the Programme Officer will contribute to PA preparation and management of projects for refugees and other persons of concern through coordination with partners, and multi-functional /technical team. 

Living and Working Conditions

Additional Qualifications

Skills

DM-Database Management, IT-Computer Literacy, PG-Development and monitoring of programme assessments and surveys, PG-Programme Analysis, PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards), PG-Results-Based Management

Education

Certifications

Work Experience

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

UNHCR Salary Calculator

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Additional Information

Only Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the Assessment Exercises as applicable to this position. UNHCR has a zero-tolerance policy against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.

Functional clearance

This position doesn't require a functional clearance
We do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.