Snr 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). Senior Programme Officer

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The incumbent receives guidance from the Deputy Representative or the Representative. The incumbent is expected to supervise normally one or two professional staff and normally 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 Senior Programme Officer. S/he is also expected to stay abreast of the challenges posed to the country by the political context, the UN and humanitarian reform and institutional developments.

Externally the incumbent acts as adviser or representative of the Organization with authority to discuss problems and seek common ground on which to recommend solutions based on predetermined guidelines provided by higher authority. Contacts are predominantly with persons on subject matters of importance to Organization's programmes (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.
- Prioritized plans are developed taking into account UNHCR's  Global Strategic Priorities (GSPs), regional and country level priorities, resource availability, technical soundness and in compliance with established policies, guidelines, procedures and standards.
- Broad partnerships are developed and maintained with key stakeholders in order to maximize the response to finding solutions of problems affecting the persons of concern.
- 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 and field visits, contribute to 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.
- Develop the country operations plan for overall compliance with global strategic priorities and regional priorities as well as with annual programming/planning instructions.
- Advise the Representative on the gaps and problems in order to decide on resource allocation for operations.
- Manage 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.
- Manage a consultative process to ensure a consistent application of the organization's criteria and policies for the selection of implementing and operational partners.
- Initiate and/or 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.
- Ensure that technical support is provided to achieve UNHCR's strategic priorities.
- Ensure proper collection, use and monitoring of baselines, standards and indicators needed to measure and analyze UNHCR's performance, trends and target interventions.
- Ensure quality programmes by promoting use of UNHCR's corporate tools (e.g. Global Focus, Focus Client) to 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 and monitor audit compliance of the country operations, issuance of audit certificates for Implementing Partners, the audit reports issued by the Office of Internal of Oversight Services (OIOS) and external auditors.
- Ensure and monitor the implementation of IP Risk Management techniques and tools.
- Perform other duties 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 for a.
- 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 or equivalent in Business Administration, Social Science, Economics, International Relations or related field
- Minimum 10 years of previous job experience relevant to the function (12 years in case of 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
M002L3 - Managing Performance Level 3
M006L3 - Managing Resources Level 3
M005L3 - Leadership Level 3
M003L3 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 3
M004L3 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 3
X007L3 - Political Awareness Level 3
X001L3 - Analytical Thinking Level 3
X008L3 - Stakeholder Management Level 3 In order to enable the Organization to continue to exercise its mandate, a review of its staffing has led to the necessity to reinforce its human resources for a strengthened humanitarian response and intervention to assist some 11,876 refugees in CAR who have been exposed to the same risks as CAR nationals.

In this respect, the Snr. Programme Officer (P4) will be acting as adviser with authority to discuss problems and seek common ground on which to recommend solutions based on predetermined guidelines provided by the Representative for the CAR. The above mentioned staff member will also be undertaking contacts on subject matters of importance to Organizations Programme respectively with counterparts in other Organizations or at the working level in national Government.

Under the direct supervision of the Assistant Representative (Ops), the incumbent will have to set and reinforce parameters, criteria and deadlines for the design, review and report of operations. The s/m will also assist the Representative in clearing the submission of the country operation plan, funding submissions, appeals and report; negotiating partner agreements and enforce the compliance with UNHCR's global strategies, protocols and guidelines.  The incumbent will also be working closely with UNHCR Cluster leads to develop and implement projects that will reinforce UNHCR's ability to lead the clusters.  In view of the fluid nature of the crisis in the Central African Republic the incumbent will need to be innovative in designing and adapting programmes as the context requires.   Strong inter-personal skills will also be absolutely vital in this context, particularly in view of the significance of operational partnerships within the context of the Cluster approach. 

The knowledge of French is essential to properly communicate with the main stakeholders and other interlocutors in the Central African Republic The crisis in Central African Republic (CAR) remains fluid; as at 30 April 2017 the estimated number of internally displaced persons had increased to a total of 440,000 individuals. Since March 2017, new internal displacements occurred in various prefectures such as Ouham, Ouaka and Nana Gribizi, while in the capital city Bangui, return movements of internal displacement persons are observed; about 487,420 individuals fled the country to seek asylum in neighboring countries. Despite the security situation in CAR, the country hosts some 8,542 refugees mainly from Congo (DRC), South Sudan and Sudan in three camps in Zémio and Obo (Haut-Mbomou province) and Bambari (Ouaka province), as well as in urban areas within Bangui. Moreover, UNHCR leads three mains clusters in CAR including Protection; Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) and Shelter/NFIs. In a country with a population of 4.8 million, forced displacement is a striking feature of the crisis in CAR.  The recent Humanitarian Overview (HNO) found that in total 2.7 million people in CAR are in need of humanitarian assistance.  As a long-standing capacity of the agency, UNHCR funds protection monitoring projects with its partners. Protection monitoring is currently approached from a community angle in view of the scale of human rights situation.  To better compile data collected, analyze and disseminate information from its protection monitoring projects as well as interventions in Shelter/NFIs and CCCM sectors, UNHCR tremendously needs an Associate Information Management Officer. UNHCR has 8 offices in CAR: 1 Representation (Bangui), 1 Sub-Office (Bouar) and 5 Field Offices (Bambari, Kaga-Bandoro, Paoua, Obo, Zemio); in addition to a Field Unit in Berberati.
The country is landlocked with very limited travel possibilities and surrounded by countries with volatile and security problems (Chad, DRC, Sudan, and Cameroon). Volatile socio-political situation, social unrest and grievance in the capital city Bangui with frequent civil servants strikes causing interruption of health, education and civil service due to years of unpaid salaries. Power cuts are a norm causing insecurity in town. The population in Bangui including the expatriates is concerned about cases of criminalities as a direct result of the crisis. The country is totally dependent on Cameroon seaport situated 1,500 kms away causing regular shortage of basic domestic goods. Travel time from Douala (Cameroon) to Bangui for a truckload averages 4 days to a week because of very bad roads and several roadblocks. The country security level is between 3 and 5 restricting movement to official travel only. Currently the curfew applies from 10 pm to 5 am. This situation puts great stress on staff members. There are very limited medical infrastructures and services do not function properly. Nevertheless, a UN Dispensary provides basic medical care for the UN personnel. Staff are accommodated in UNHCR guesthouse until they arrange their own private accommodation inside the approved security perimeter in Bangui. Despite the peaceful organization of presidential and the first round of legislative elections, the security situation across the country, though still a concern, improved during the past five months, notably in the capital, Bangui and other key areas including Kaga Bandoro, Bouar, Bossangoa, and Berberati. The visit of Pope Francis to Bangui from 29 to 30 November 2015 and subsequent dialogue initiated by the Muslim and Christian as well as other non-Muslim communities led to a decrease in tension and violence in Bangui and throughout the country. Other crimes such as theft, abduction, and armed robbery, destruction of property, illegal detention of weapons, murder, torture and sexual violence continued throughout the country. The deployment of members of the Central African Armed Forces (FACA) in Bangui led to an improvement of the overall security situation. Movements, activities of, and clashes between opposing armed groups, particularly elements of former Séléka groups and the anti-balaka have increased in Basse-Kotto, Haute-Kotto, Ouaka and Nana Gribizi prefecture. Since December 2013, the Central African Republic (CAR) has been facing a deteriorating situation due to intensified violence and unrest. This situation has resulted in a humanitarian crisis, suffering for the populations and massive internal and external displacements. Evaluations conducted in the country at the height of the crisis early January indicated that more than 2.6 million of people (50% of the entire population) were in need of immediate humanitarian assistance. Under these conditions, the UN declared the Central African Republic as a Humanitarian Emergency Level 3. The total collapse of local administration as well as public services reinforced by the magnitude of crime, protection incidents and violations of human rights remains of great concern, in spite of the presence of international forces and large-scale interventions by humanitarian actors. Large displacement, destruction of property and loss of livelihoods have exacerbated vulnerabilities of already very fragile populations deprived of basic services. Overall, as of June 2016, there were some 391,400 people entangled in internal displacements in the country, including some 50,345 in IDP sites within the Capital city, Bangui.
Exactions continue to be reported especially in Bangui, the North-Western and South-Western parts of the country, including massive and targeted killings of Muslims who are still considered populations at risk, forced to stay in enclaves against they will.

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).