Associate Programme Officer

Before submitting an application, UNHCR staff members intending to apply to this Job Opening are requested to consult the Recruitment and Assignments Policy (RAP, UNHCR/HCP/2017/2 and the Recruitment and Assignments Administrative Instruction (RAAI), UNHCR/AI/2017/7 OF 15 August 2017.

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:
- Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) in Business Administration, Law, Economics, Social Science or related field plus minimum 3 years of previous job experience relevant to the function. Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master's) plus 2 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 1 year of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted.
- Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not 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).
-  Knowledge of additional UN languages.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR Associate Programme Officer positions. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates. 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 <p>The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.</p>
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See below for this postion's Operational Context
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For those people applying for High Risk Duty Stations, we strongly encourage colleagues to read the country specific security and welfare profiles which can be found on the Intranet under Support Services - Duty of Care (https://intranet.unhcr.org/en/support-services/duty-of-care.html). These profiles have been specifically designed to answer some of the key questions (on security conditions, medical provisions, staff welfare, living and working conditions) potential applicants might have before deciding to apply. Ensuring staff are better informed is part of the increased attention UNHCR is paying to Duty of Care. This project is still in the pilot phase, and as such some of the information leaflets are being produced as we speak and might not be available yet. They will be soon, so keep checking. 

The Associate Programme Officer will be supervised by the Programme Officer and will assist in the development of programme strategies, operational priorities, support in conducting/participating to MFT assessment missions, monitoring IPs activities, meeting with partners, supporting finalization of contingency plans that respond to new and emerging operational challenges for the AOR, assist in developing the country operations plan in compliance with global strategic priorities and regional priorities as well as with annual programming/planning instructions and 3RP strategic objectives. The incumbent of this position must have prior demonstrated experience in programme management, evidence-based needs assessment, partnership management and excellent knowledge of UNHCR programme management tools (MSRP, FOCUS) and be able to support in consolidating data, presenting it and entering the relevant data into the systems as appropriate, as well as acting as a support to offices to maintain reviews of resource allocations and expenditures. Advanced skills in English drafting are essential. The incumbent may oversee some national staff so demonstrated experience/skills in management are an asset. Given the stressful nature of the emergency situation in southeast Turkey and its high demands, the incumbent will need to fit easily into a complex and highly operative and dynamic team. This staff member has to have a very positive attitude in facing challenges in a fast-moving environment and accept at times working beyond the established regular working hours. UNHCR set up in Southeast Turkey is consisting of a Sub-Office in Gaziantep covering three field Units based in Gaziantep (within the SO), Sanliurfa and Hatay. The Sub-Office also covers Northwest Syria via a dedicated cross-border unit, with coordinators covering the three UNHCR clusters and a program team covering the UNHCR operation. The two teams work separately as regards program management but back each other up, ensuring linkages between the two operations. This is an operation where support to the Government of Turkey is being provided in delivery of temporary protection and assistance to over 3 million Syrians, with over half of them located in SE Turkey. There is a small number in camps and the remaining caseload in urban and rural areas.

The SO program team works closely with the RO Ankara program team. While still highly centralized, the programming is increasingly being delegated to the SE Turkey team requiring the team to be fully engaged in all operational developments with the partners, the authorities, etc. Gaziantep is a ¿B¿ category duty station. The access to accommodation, supply and transport facilities is of relatively good level. Apartments and flats are available and generally in good condition with working services as water, gas and electricity. However during the last period due to increasing number of humanitarian community the related rental costs have increased substantially. In general terms in Turkey and particularly in Gaziantep it is very difficult to find Turkish population that can communicate in English language.

The work requires regular travelling within the AoR and to Ankara.

Current operational circumstances may require long working hours due to ongoing emergency mode. Even if no specifically UN targeted security constraints are present in the country, and the level of general criminality is low, during last period the security situation in Southeast Turkey and in Gaziantep has deteriorated also due to worsening of security situation along the border with Syria.  The current security level of Gaziantep duty station is level 3 while there are no known direct threats towards the United Nations and its staff in the area.  Good security awareness is needed. Although English is the only essential language, knowledge of another UN language, like Arabic would be an added asset

Please note that the closing date for all vacancies in the Add.4 to March 2018 Compendium is Wednesday 5 Septembe 2018 (midnight Geneva time).