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Prog Officer

Homs

  • Organization: UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
  • Location: Homs
  • Grade: Mid level - P-3, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
  • 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). Programme Officer

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The incumbent receives guidance from the Senior Programme Officer, the Deputy Representative or the Representative. The incumbent may supervise some professional staff and supervises some support staff. S/he 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 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.
- The organizational fundraising actions are fully supported by maintaining regular contact with donor representatives and by submitting project funding submissions and appeals.

Responsibility
     
- Through a consultative process within the country and field visits, assist in the development of strategies, methodologies, contingency plans that respond to new and emerging operational challenges for the country.
- Ensure that global strategic priorities (GSP) and regional priorities as well as information on projected resource availability guide the planning parameters.
- Assist in developing the country operations plan in compliance with global strategic priorities and regional priorities as well as with annual programming/planning instructions.
- Assist in managing a consultative process to ensure a consistent application of UNHCR's policies/practices related to and where applicable to UN cooperation, integrated missions, "Delivering as One" initiative, Common Humanitarian Action Plans, UNDAF etc.
- Assist in the process to ensure a consistent application of the organization's criteria and policies for the selection of implementing and operational partners.
- Manage the development of a broad network of partners, good coordination practices and the development of partner capacities.
- Guide and train UNHCR as well as implementing partners (IP) staff in UNHCR standard procedures related to the Results Based Programme management.
- Undertake proper collection, use and monitoring 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.
- Implement the establishment of sound monitoring processes, review 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 managing a transparent, consultative and responsible process for the approval of the country-level budgets and the allocation of resources.
- Assist in monitoring compliance to the organization's resource allocation framework, providing support and taking corrective action where required.
- Ensure 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 funding submissions, appeals and reports;
- Negotiate implementing partner agreements;
- Represent UNHCR in UN fora dealing with operations management and programmatic issues;
- Enforce compliance with UNHCR's global strategies, protocols and guidelines;


ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

- University degree or equivalent in Economics, Business Administration, Social Science or related field
- Minimum 8 years of previous job experience relevant to the function (6 years in case of advanced university degree).
- 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

- 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) C001L3 - Accountability Level 3
C002L3 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 3
C003L3 - Communication Level 3
C004L3 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 3
C005L3 - Client & Result Orientation Level 3
C006L3 - Organizational Awareness Level 3
M001L3 - Empowering and Building Trust Level 3
M006L3 - Managing Resources Level 3
M003L3 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 3
M002L3 - Managing Performance Level 3
X001L3 - Analytical Thinking Level 3
X007L3 - Political Awareness Level 3
X008L3 - Stakeholder Management Level 3 Working under the supervision of the Senior Programme Officer, Homs, P4, the incumbent is expected to:

¿ Coordinate the input of Sub-Office Homs to the Country Operations Plan;
¿ Contribute to the design and development of the programme in the AOR of Sub-Office Homs, ensuring consistency with the Humanitarian Response Plan, Country Operations Plan and strategic directions of the Representative;
¿ Manage some 15 implementing partners and negotiate and finalize Project Partnership Agreements (PPAs);
¿ Conduct close monitoring of project implementation and expenditures;
¿ Maintain efficient financial control mechanisms to ensure compliance with UNHCR rules and procedures;
¿ Establish and maintain a coordination mechanism with implementing partners;
¿ Expand and diversify the implementing partner base and build and maintain operational partnerships with other stakeholders;
¿ Build the capacity of UNHCR and partner staff in programme management, through training and coaching;
¿ Provide functional support and guidance to field offices under the AOR of Sub-Office Homs;
¿ Represent UNHCR in inter-agency fora when required. External Environment
Political awareness, diplomacy, and good judgement are of the essence since the incumbent will have regular contacts with other UN agencies, international and national NGOs and government counterparts in a highly complex and sensitive environment.

Experience and Skills
Apart from strong proven functional competencies, the incumbent for this position is also expected to possess competencies in areas such as financial management. Previous programme experience at UNHCR, in different operations, is essential, as the incumbent needs to be fully conversant with UNHCR¿s programme policies, procedures and tools, especially in view of the fact that Sub-Office Homs will manage its own operational budget once fully decentralized in 2018. Solid stakeholder management skills, performance orientation, and a proactive and mature approach are also crucial for effective programme management in a challenging context like Syria. Good drafting skills would be an asset.

Interpersonal Skills
A great sense of initiative, leadership and teambuilding skills are required for this position. The latter skill is particularly important as the capacity of national staff working in programme needs to be raised in several important areas. Proven interpersonal skills are paramount to success with the national staff in Syria. After more than six years of conflict, more than half of Syria¿s pre-war population has been internally displaced or forced to flee the country. It is estimated that 13.5 million persons are in need of humanitarian assistance in Syria, including 6.3 million persons who are internally displaced. This includes 4.53 million people living in hard-to-reach locations, of whom 624,500 are living in besieged locations.

UNHCR¿s response for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Syria is structured around its lead agency responsibilities in the Protection and Community Services, Shelter and Non-Food Item (NFI) sectors and is delivered within the overall framework of the Humanitarian Response Plan. UNHCR also protects and assists some 40,000 refugees and asylum-seekers residing in Syria, mostly from Iraq. The Operating Level budget of the Syria operation currently amounts to more than USD 135 million.

While the security situation in Syria remains fluid, areas of stability are emerging, including through local reconciliation agreements and in the effective end of hostilities in some formerly disputed areas. As such, an increasing number of IDPs are returning to their places of origin. Should these IDP returns prove to be sustainable, there could also be a significant rise in refugee returns. UNHCR is currently expanding its presence and operational response to improve return conditions through community-based projects and identify and advocate for the resolution of return-related protection concerns. The UNHCR Representation in Syria is also being re-structured to upgrade and enlarge existing sub/field offices and establish new antennae offices in return areas. The on-going implementation of the decentralization management strategy will allow sub-offices to manage operational and administrative resources. Sub-Office Homs currently covers Homs and Hama Governorates and engages in a wide range of protection and legal activities, community-based initiatives, and emergency responses to displacement. In the context of expansion of the operation, and in view of decentralized programme management to sub-offices, programme capacity in Sub-Office Homs urgently needs to be strengthened. Currently, there is only one G5 staff working in programme, while one NOA programme position is in the process of being filled. Given the need for capacity-building, it is crucial that the incumbent of the position of Programme Officer, P3, Sub-Office Homs, comes to the job with strong functional experience and skills and is able to coach and train UNHCR and partner staff.

The position demands extensive programme skills in diverse circumstances and operations, both large and small, including ideally in emergencies. The incumbent must possess proven programme experience, technical knowledge of MSRP and FOCUS, networking capacities and communication skills with sensitive partners and counterparts. The incumbent should also have at least some exposure to IDP programmes or experience outside of camp-centric operations. The present unstable security situation in Syria creates on-going 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. As of 12 February 2012, Syria is officially a non-family duty station with a four-week R&R cycle (to Amman). Amman is also considered as APA for the Syria operation, with limited immunities and privileges granted for the staff and family members, such as only 6 months residency renewable. Amman is also considered as APA for the Syria operation, with limited immunities and privileges granted for the staff and family members, such as only 6 months residency renewable.

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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