Asst Representative (Prog)

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). Assistant Representative (Programme)

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The Assistant Representative (Programme) will function under direct supervision of the UNHCR Representative.  Advice and operational support may also be provided by the Director/Deputy Director of the Bureau or the Regional Representative and by other senior staff in the Bureau and in the support Divisions at Headquarters. The incumbent will advise and assist the Representative in the overall management of UNHCR's programme activities and issues of concern within the country operation in an effective and efficient manner which supports the Organization's mandate.  The incumbent will also have direct working relationship/arrangement with the Head of UNHCR offices in the country operation. He/she will also have a responsibility to monitor, coach, and guide and intervene with the staff within the country.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

Accountability

- UNHCR's country operation is designed to meet the needs of all persons of concern.
- UNHCR's country operation has effective partners to meet the needs of all persons of concern.
- UNHCR's country operation is technically sound and thus better able to meet the needs of persons of concern.
- UNHCR has a workforce in the country that meets the current and future needs of the organization.
- UNHCR provides a healthy, safe and respectful working environment for its workforce in the country.

Responsibility

- Assist the Representative in the overall management of UNHCR's programme activities within the country of assignment in an effective and efficient manner which supports the Organization's mandate.
- Verify the standards of assistance for project activities at country level, ensuring consistency with UNHCR's country strategy and policies, and their integration with protection functions.
- Assist the Representative in developing contacts and networks with other government agencies, UN agencies, and NGOs to foster mutual cooperation and ensure that activities are coordinated and integrated to best effect.
- Develop country-specific management tools for project monitoring and control; ensure the effective and efficient use of financial and material resources within the rules and procedures of UNHCR.
- Manage personnel through regular performance appraisals, coaching, and assessments of staff training and development needs
- Ensure that essential services for the general welfare of staff i.a. living and working conditions, health, education, recreation, etc. are in place.  This includes the establishment  of proper and efficient mechanisms to assist staff suffering from work-related pressure or post traumatic stress.
- Play an active role in the Security Management Team (SMT) in the relevant country and the inter-agency security and contingency planning process; ensure that appropriate security measures and evacuation plans are in place to protect UNHCR staff; and that security guidelines and procedures as outlined by the Designated Offcial and UNDSS are complied with.
- Report and provide recommendations/solutions to the Representative on political, socio-economic, and cultural developments that may effect the situation of refugees in the country.
- Act as Officer-in-Charge in the absence of the Representative as required.

Authority

- Set and enforce parameters, criteria and deadlines for the design, review and report of operations.
- Clear the submission of the country operations plan (including budgets, staffing levels and structures) as well as of funding submissions, appeals and report.
- Negotiate implementing partner agreements.
- Represent UNHCR in UN and other operations management and programmatic fora.
- Enforce compliance with UNHCR's global strategies, protocols and guidelines.
- Approve recommendations and advice on the technical capacity required of UNHCR and its partners.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

- Advanced University degree in Business Administration, Economics, International Law, Political Science, International Relations or a related field.
- Job experience: at least 15 years of relevant work experience in progressively responsible functions; preferably within the UN.
- 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.)

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

- Solid UNHCR experience from both the Field and Headquarters.
- UNHCR specific learning/ training activities (i.e Management Learning Programme, Protection Learning Programme).
- Proficiency in local language(s) in the given region. C001L4 - Accountability Level 4
C002L4 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 4
C003L4 - Communication Level 4
C004L4 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 4
C005L4 - Client & Result Orientation Level 4
C006L4 - Organizational Awareness Level 4
M001L4 - Empowering and Building Trust Level 4
M002L4 - Managing Performance Level 4
M006L4 - Managing Resources Level 4
M005L4 - Leadership Level 4
M003L4 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 4
M004L4 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 4
X007L4 - Political Awareness Level 4
X001L4 - Analytical Thinking Level 4
X008L4 - Stakeholder Management Level 4 The Assistant Representative (Programme) will report to the Deputy Representative (Administration/Programme).  The incumbent will supervise the work of the Senior Program Officer, three Programme Officers and several national staff, including the cash assistance team. In addition, s/he will provide strategic guidance and advice on all programmatic issues to 6 field offices. As the humanitarian response is prolonged, and the operation is moving towards decentralization, the office is focusing on increasingly transferring capacity and responsibility to national staff. It is therefore essential that the incumbent be an effective team builder and advocate for this approach. S/he should continue to assemble a cohesive, capable team of national colleagues that work effectively for the office¿s strategic goals. The incumbent of this position must possess demonstrated functional skills and knowledge in Programme, solid resource management experience, strong analytical skills and the ability and courage to take quick decisions. S/he must be solutions-oriented and have the capacity to anticipate problems and plan in advance. S/he should also have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a solid command of English.

The incumbent will manage a large and diverse workforce, therefore strong managerial skills are important for the successful performance of the duties assigned to this position. The incumbent will also lead a large Multi-Functional Team (MFT) in different exercises, including the Country Operations Plan, and will represent UNHCR in several inter-agency processes, such as the Humanitarian Response Plan, UN Strategic Framework, Programme Criticality, etc., and must therefore have proven leadership and coordination skills as well as a consultative and inclusive approach.

Political awareness and diplomacy are of essence since the incumbent will have regular contacts with other UN agencies, NGOs and government counterparts in a highly sensitive environment. With the Syrian conflict entering its seventh year, more than half of Syria's pre-war population has been internally displaced or forced to flee the country since the conflict erupted in March 2011. According to the Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO) 2017, around 13.5 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. Around 6.3 million people remain internally displaced, many on multiple occasions. UNHCR¿s response for IDPs in Syria is structured around its lead agency responsibilities in the Protection/Community Services, Shelter and NFI sectors and is delivered within the overall framework of the inter-agency Humanitarian Response Plan. UNHCR also protects and assists more than 45,000 refugees and asylum-seekers residing in Syria.  With over 5 million Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries and current spontaneous returns leading in the future to facilitate voluntary repatriation, it is envisaged that Syria will become the world¿s largest repatriation operation.  Accordingly, the Syria operation is expanding its presence, programmes and staffing in order to cater to IDP, returnee and refugee programmes.     

The Assistant Representative (Programme) will be part of UNHCR Syria¿s senior management team that comprises the Representative, Deputy Representatives and Assistant Representatives, and will have primary responsibility for the direct management and supervision of country programmes and operational budgets. S/he will provide strategic analysis, guidance and advice for the operation on all issues pertaining to Programme Management. With broad responsibilities for staff and material and financial resources, the incumbent of this position should have a proven record of having managed large-scale internal displacement and returnee programmes in an inter-agency context, as well as relevant experience with urban and camp-based refugee programmes. S/he will review established operational parameters and will ensure practical continuation and up scaling of implementation, regular review and formulation of strategy, enhanced monitoring and reporting, advocacy and donor outreach, and all with the capacity to communicate clearly to his/her staff senior management policies and decisions relating to the operation. Moreover, as challenges increase, the incumbent must have the ability to adapt, think on his/her feet, and re-define priorities and programmes in an innovative manner.

The incumbent of this position will be the main UNHCR interlocutor with international and national partners and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC), which is a central partner in this operation. S/he will also represent UNHCR in different inter-agency fora, including in the Programme Management Team. While senior government relations will remain the Representative¿s portfolio, the incumbent will have to maintain good direct working relations with focal points in ministries and other key government departments to ensure effective implementation of programmes. The present security situation in Syria creates pressures at work and in daily life as priorities are frequently upended for other urgent ad hoc tasks. The incumbent should be prepared to work under such conditions and be able to manage stressful situations. Syria is officially a non-family duty station with a four-week R&R cycle and the security situation remains volatile.

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).