Assc Prog Officer

Before submitting an application, UNHCR staff members intending to apply to this Job Opening are requested to consult the IOM-FOM issued for this Compendium / Fast Track exercise, as well as the  Revised Policy and Procedures on Assignments (UNHCR/HCP/2015/2 refers). Associate Programme Officer

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT:
The incumbent receives guidance from more senior programme staff in the operation, the Deputy Representative or the Representative. The incumbent may supervise some support staff. He/she may receive indirect guidance from other sections and units relevant to the country programme(s). UNHCR Manual, programme objectives, Operations Plans, UN and UNHCR financial/budgetary rules and regulations will guide the work of the Associate Programme Officer. S/he is also expected to stay abreast of the challenges posed to the region by the political context, the UN and humanitarian reform and institutional developments.

External contacts are predominantly with persons on subject matters of importance to Organization's programme (e.g. counterparts in other organizations or at working level in national Governments). 

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
Accountability:
- The needs of persons of concern in the country are assessed and analysed in a participatory manner and using an Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective to form a firm basis for planning.
- IP agreements are established in a timely manner, regularly monitored and reported on in compliance with established guidelines and procedures.

Responsibility:
- Through a consultative process within the country and field visits, stay involved in the development of the strategies, methodologies, contingency plans that respond to new and emerging operational challenges for the country.
- Assist in ensuring that global strategic priorities (GSP) and regional priorities as well as information on projected resource availability guide the planning parameters.
- Provide inputs for developing the country operations plan in compliance with global strategic priorities and regional priorities as well as with annual programming/planning instructions.
- Assist in organizing a consultative process to ensure a consistent application of the organization's criteria and policies for the selection of implementing and operational partners.
- Assist in managing the development of a broad network of partners, good coordination practices and the development of partner capacities.
- Assist in training UNHCR as well as implementing partners (IP) staff in UNHCR standard procedures related to the Results Based Programme management.
- Undertake proper collection, monitoring and use of baselines, standards and indicators needed to measure and analyze UNHCR's performance, trends and target interventions.
- Undertake field visits to evaluate and improve the planning, programming, implementation and monitoring of assistance projects.
- Assist in implementing the establishment of sound monitoring processes, in reviewing final reports and on progress in order to advise on any corrective actions required or the need for additional resources to reach planned target levels.
- Apply UNHCR's corporate tools (e.g. Global Focus, Focus Client) to record data and assess the technical soundness of the operation and generate data for evidence-based decisions at the country-level.
- Assist in keeping donor representatives briefed on developments and assist in the development of funding submissions, appeals and reports.
- Assist in monitoring compliance to the organization's resource allocation framework, providing support and taking corrective action where required.
- Assist in ensuring compliance in issuance of audit certificates for Implementing Partners.
- Monitor the implementation of IP Risk Management techniques and tools.
- Perform other duties as required.

Authority:
- Provide inputs for the country operations plan (including budgets, staffing levels and structures) as well as prepare inputs for funding submissions, appeals and reports.
- Represent UNHCR in UN and other fora on programme and technical issues as delegated by programme senior management.
- Enforce compliance with UNHCR's global strategies, protocols and guidelines.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
- University degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Law, Economics, Social Science or related field
- Minimum 4 years of previous job experience relevant to the function.
- Excellent knowledge of English and working knowledge of another UN language.

(In offices where the working language is not English, excellent knowledge of Un working language of duty station and working knowledge of English.)

***For National Officer positions, very good knowledge of local language and local institutions is essential.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES:
- Completion of the UNHCR Learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of the position
- Good knowledge of UNHCR financial rules, procedures and processes
- Knowledge of another relevant UN language
- Knowledge of UNHCR specific programmes (MSRP, Focus, etc.)
- Computer skills (in MS office) C001L2 - Accountability Level 2
C002L2 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 2
C003L2 - Communication Level 2
C004L2 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 2
C005L2 - Client & Result Orientation Level 2
C006L2 - Organizational Awareness Level 2
M001L2 - Empowering and Building Trust Level 2
M002L2 - Managing Performance Level 2
M006L2 - Managing Resources Level 2
X001L2 - Analytical Thinking Level 2
X005L2 - Planning and Organizing Level 2
X007L2 - Political Awareness Level 2 The person selected for this post will be responsible for leading and coordinating all aspects of the programme cycle, including planning, implementation and monitoring. Experience in programming for operations involving UNHCR¿s two international mandates will be highly valued. The incumbent must have demonstrated command of FOCUS and MSRP. It is highly desirable for the candidate to have completed satisfactorily the Programme Management Level Two (PM2) learning programme. The position requires frequent field visits to monitor implementation of activities, identify opportunities and constraints and any adjustments needed. Additionally, the incumbent must be able to contribute to the development and implementation of a multi-year protection strategy that is solutions-oriented and based on a consultative process with partners. The incumbent must also have the ability to forge strong partnerships with government entities, other UN agencies, and NGOs to facilitate the operation¿s objectives. Fluency in English is required and proficiency in Spanish is highly desirable; in case of equally qualified candidates, fluency in Spanish will be considered as a key selection criteria. More specifically, the incumbent should possess: ability to work collaboratively with partner and government counterparts in highly sensitive political context; excellent communication, diplomatic and analytical skills; ability to come up with innovative and creative solutions to operational challenges; experience in applying the AGD approach and participation in multi-functional teams; ability to guide and train UNHCR staff as well as implementing partners on standard procedures related to the Results Based Programme management teams; experience in the use and monitoring of baselines, standards and indicators needed to measure and analyze UNHCR¿s performance, trends and target interventions, and ability to undertake field visits to evaluate and improve the planning, programming, implementation and monitoring of assistance projects University degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Law, Economics, Social Science or related field
- Minimum 4 years of previous job experience relevant to the function.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, flexibility and organizational skills with strong capacity in multitasking. Demonstrated computer skills, particularly in data management.
- Excellent knowledge of English and working knowledge of another UN language. UNHCR¿s operations in the Dominican Republic focus on nationality and refugee protection issues. In May 2014 Congress passed Law 169-14 to address the consequences of the 2013 ruling on nationality of the Dominican Republic¿s Constitutional Court. UNHCR is currently working with the authorities and other actors to determine the size of the population that found an effective nationality solution under said law. Since May 2014, important steps have been taken by the Dominican Republic to confirm Dominican nationality through the validation of birth certificates of individuals born in the country to two migrant parents. Thousands of individuals also are believed to have been issued their Dominican civil documents in 2016. Other individuals are expected to be eligible for naturalization as of mid-2017. For those individuals who did not benefit from Law 169-14, the Dominican authorities have given assurances that they will look into any cases they receive to find additional nationality solutions. At the same time, the Dominican Republic is party to the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol and has a legal and institutional framework to conduct refugee status determination. With some 1,400 refugees and asylum-seekers, the country hosts one of the largest refugee populations in the Caribbean. In 2016, the Government expressed interest to introduce changes in the asylum system in light of international standards. UNHCR is engaged with the Dominican authorities, other UN agencies, IOM and with NGO partners in the identification and registration of persons who need to resolve their nationality status. UNHCR also examines the situation of asylum-seekers and is engaged in supporting responsible government institutions in conducting individual status determination. In 2016, the overall budget (OL) stands at some USD 3,500,000 and the Office works with 6 implementing partners. The Dominican Republic is a relatively safe environment and therefore there are no significant UN-imposed restrictions. Local mosquito transmission of Zika virus infection (Zika) has been reported, which means that mosquitoes in the area are infected with Zika virus and are spreading it to people. The country is exposed to hurricanes from June to November and its territory is located on the fault line, with yearly experiences hundreds of minor to medium earthquakes (5.8 on Richter scale) with reports of minor damages. A security briefing will be provided upon arrival by the UNDSS colleague located in Santo Domingo. Incumbent will be supervising General Service staff members at the G5 level.

Please note that the closing date for all vacancies in the Add. 3 to March 2017 Compendium is Thursday, 3 August 2017 (midnight Geneva time).