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Associate Project Ctrl Officer

Arua

  • Organization: UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
  • Location: Arua
  • Grade: Junior level - P-2, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Operations and Administrations
    • Administrative support
    • Public Policy and Administration
  • Closing Date: Closed

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 Project Control Officer

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The primary functions of project control are to complement programme management and provide support for oversight of projects including the formulation of a monitoring plan, quality assurance, and verification. Other activities of project control include: review of project agreements, project audit, monitoring that there is synchrony between financial and operational performance, participation in multi-functional monitoring activities and reviews, tracking project risk management, and supporting project closure. It is essential to maintain segregation of duties between project control and programme functions for effective accountability and oversight. Therefore, the incumbent should report directly to the same senior management level as programme, i.e. Country Representative, Deputy Representative, Head of Office. The incumbent may supervise national staff.

Project Control Officers play a very important role in maintaining harmonious and effective partnerships, and often interact with implementing partners. As a result, incumbents need to be very mindful of all dimensions of partnerships in their interaction with partners (in accordance with the Principles of Partnership, the Code of Conduct and other relevant documents).

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

Accountability

- A project monitoring plan is in place and implemented in collaboration with multi-functional teams (MFT).
- Assurance of project implementation and delivery of expected results within budget/resources, timeframe, and in accordance with project agreements is provided.
- Resources transferred to implementing partners are utilized for the intended purposes and in accordance with project agreements.
- Performance delivery and financial expenditure reported by implementing partners are accurate and consistent.
- Sufficient and adequate internal controls are in place for the management of projects and activities.
- Programme and senior management are promptly informed of major variances and risks in the execution of projects (budgets, finance, implementation or timeframe).
- Project audit certificates are obtained in a timely manner, and recommendations are implemented.

Responsibility

- Participate in the operation's annual assessment and planning cycle.
- Review that project agreements are in conformity with Country Operation Plans and UNHCR's rules, policies and procedures.
- Formulate and implement a project monitoring plan in collaboration with the programme unit and MFT.
- Track the management of project risks in collaboration with the programme unit, and report major risks to senior management.
- Review, analyze and verify Financial and Performance Implementing Partner Reports (Part I-IPFR and Part II-IPR), and check accuracy and consistency between IPFR and IPR, in accordance with project agreements.
- Undertake missions within the geographical area of responsibility.
- Monitor, track and verify that expenditure for direct implementation by UNHCR is in line with the approved budget.
- Conduct reviews of the internal control systems of implementing partners and provide advice as required.
- Provide feedback and recommendations of identified variants, risks and issues to the partner, programme unit and escalate to management as required.
- Prepare project control reports with the current status of programme implementation and financial status.
- Carry out timely project closure in coordination with the programme unit.
- Provide input to the mid- and end-year programme review process on issues related to project control and risk management.
- Maintain professional relationships with implementing partners.
- Keep up-to-date with all UNHCR rules, regulations and procedures necessary to perform these duties.
- Perform other duties as required.

Authority

- Report on financial and operational performance and risks related to projects, and escalate issues to senior management.
- Recommend acceptance or non-acceptance of IPRs and payment of instalments.
- Advise on improvements related to project management and internal controls.
- Contact implementing partners for project related matters.
- Have unlimited access to financial and operational records relating to projects.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

- University Degree in Accounting, Finance, Public or Business Administration, Economics or related field, OR university degree in another field combined with a professional qualification in accounting, auditing or finance (CPA/CIA or equivalent).
- Minimum four years of previous job experience in the field of accounting/finance, project management, business analysis, quality assurance and/or risk management.
- Good knowledge of international auditing standards.
- Excellent computer skills, in particular in MS Office applications
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
- Excellent knowledge of English and working knowledge of another UN language.

(In offices where the working language is not English, excellent knowledge of 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

- Professional qualification in accounting, auditing or finance (CPA/CIA or equivalent).
- Working experience of at least one year in an intergovernmental organization (United Nations or similar).
- Good knowledge of United Nations financial rules and procedures.
- Good understanding of the workflows of major Entreprise Resource Planning financial modules (such as PeopleSoft, SAP or Oracle).
- Working experience with accrual accounting (such as IPSAS or IFRS). 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
M003L2 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 2
M006L2 - Managing Resources Level 2
X001L2 - Analytical Thinking Level 2
X004L2 - Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Level 2
X007L2 - Political Awareness Level 2 The incumbent should have excellent knowledge of UNHCR financial rules and the Financial and Accountability Framework, and should be conversant with the international accounting and auditing standards. S/he should hold a professional qualification in accounting, auditing or finance (CPA/CIA or equivalent). Project Management accreditation is highly desirable.  Apart from excellent functional competencies, the incumbent is also expected to possess proven analytical skills and political awareness.  

The incumbent must also be conversant with MSRP and FOCUS.
The incumbent must be able to conduct is a regular manner Audit exercise in the operation, to make UNHCR operation compliant to rules and regulations. After the 2016 clashes which occurred in Juba between Vice-president Riek Machar¿s and President Salva Kiir¿s allies, the political situation in South Sudan remains unpredictable and very volatile.  DRC has already received 77,473 refugees as of 30 April 2017.  UNHCR protection monitors deployed at main entry points in Ituri and Haut-Uele provinces provide daily information and reports on the situation.  Due to the growing number of arriving refugees and the worsening security situation at the border between DRC and South Sudan, DRC authorities have instructed all refugees living in the border villages to be relocated deeper into the country.  Facing this situation, UNHCR recently opened three offices (FU Aba, FO Dungu and FO Aru).  Due to the central location, banking facilities as well as the presence of MONUSCO forces, Aru has been selected to become a Sub Office.
UNHCR supports the DRC Government, through the National Commission for Refugees (CNR) by ensuring protection of refugees and asylum seekers through capacity building and regular coaching. UNHCR works in cooperation with national and international partners, and in collaboration with other UN agencies such as UNICEF, UNFPA, WFP, IOM and UNHABITAT and the peacekeeping mission in Congo DRC, MONUSCO.
The budget for the South Sudan Operation amounts to approx. USD 5,963,532 in 2017. The Associate Project Control will complement SO Aru's programme management and provide support for oversight of projects including the formulation of a monitoring plan, quality assurance, and verification. Other activities of project control will include: review of project agreements, project audit, monitoring that there is synchrony between financial and operational performance, participation in multi-functional monitoring activities and reviews, tracking project risk management, and supporting project closure. It is essential to maintain segregation of duties between project control and programme functions for effective accountability and oversight.
Therefore, the incumbent will report directly to the Head of Sub-Office.  S/he will also receive guidance from the Senior Regional Project Control Officer in Kinshasa. Aru is a small town located in the Ituri Province, near Uganda border.  Its population was estimated to be 26,290 in 2004.  Aru has a small airport but no public electricity grid as of 2010.  
The quality of the water is poor and most of the time is not available at night time. Housing opportunities are also very poor and of low quality. The climate is tropical wet and dry.  There are very limited medical facilities in Aru that are not equipped to deal with serious medical cases.  Evacuation opportunities are limited since there are only 2 flights per week. However, air ambulance evacuation can be organized for life threatening emergencies during day time.  Candidates with conditions requiring regular treatment or medical supervision should be appropriately advised. Malaria is the most common disease. As a general advice, applicants for the post should be psychologically prepared for the aforementioned context.  The Office is of the view that, all things being equal, the two year SAL should be upheld to avoid burnout.
There are limited banking facilities at Aru. Telephone network are not very reliable but the Office has effective PAMA and Wifi. Aru is a security level 3 duty station with a six weeks R&R periodicity. Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

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).

This vacancy is now closed.
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