Senior Regional Project Control 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.

Senior Regional 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. Regional Representative or Deputy Regional Representative. The incumbent is expected to supervise normally one or two professional staff, and normally supervises some support 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

- Quality assurance of project agreements is provided in accordance with applicable UNHCR rules and regulations.
- 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.
- Effective project risk management is carried out in collaboration with the programme unit.
- 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 of good quality, timely obtained, and recommendations are implemented.

Responsibility

- Contribute to the development of the Country Operations Plans and strategy with respect to project control within the region.
- Ensure that project control strategies in the region are in line with Global Strategic Priorities, as well as with annual programming and planning instructions.
- Support the selection and retention processes of implementing partners in the region, in accordance with UNHCR's rules, policies and procedures.
- Perform project control functions in the absence of a dedicated project control position in a specific country.
- Formulate and implement a project monitoring plan for the region, in collaboration with the programme unit and MFT.
- Track the management of risks for projects in the region, 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 region.
- 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.
- Advise senior management of the regional office and partners on identified gaps, variances and solutions.
- Prepare project control reports with the current status of programme implementation and financial status.
- Inform management of cases where UNHCR may not adhere to its obligations under project agreements.
- Manage the selection and engagement process of audit providers for projects within the region, and the execution of the audits, including obtaining reports, reviewing outcomes and following-up with recommendations.
- Participate in regional programme training for implementing partners and UNHCR staff as necessary, as well as brief staff and implementing partners on project control and risk management.
- Provide input to the mid- and end-year programme review process on issues related to project control and risk management in the region.
- 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 within the region, and escalate issues to senior management.
- Recommend acceptance or non-acceptance of IPRs and payment of instalments within the region.
- Advise on improvements related to project management and internal controls within the region.
- 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

- Graduate degree (equivalent of Master's) in Accounting, Finance, Public or Business Administration, Economics or related field, OR undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) in another field combined with a professional qualification in accounting, auditing or finance (CPA/CIA or equivalent) plus minimum 8 years of previous work experience in the field of accounting/finance, project management, business analysis, quality assurance and/or risk management, of which at least five years in an intergovernmental organization (United Nations or similar). Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) plus 9 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 7 years of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted.
- Excellent knowledge of international auditing standards, with a minimum of two years of practical experience in auditing.
- Good understanding of project and resource management.
- Excellent computer skills, in particular in MS Office applications
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
- Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

- Professional qualification in accounting, auditing or finance (CPA/CIA or equivalent).
- Project management accreditation highly desirable.
- Risk management certification.
- Good knowledge of UNHCR systems (such as Focus and MSRP).
- Excellent 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).
- Knowledge of additional UN languages.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR Senior Regional Project Control 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. 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
X003L3 - Technological Awareness Level 3
X001L3 - Analytical Thinking Level 3
X005L3 - Planning and Organizing Level 3 <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>
========================================================================================================
See below for this postion's Operational Context
========================================================================================================

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 Office of the MENA Director in Amman provides technical support to 6 countries in the region for Syria/Iraq situation, namely; Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, and Turkey. UNHCR operations under Syria/Iraq situation cover a wide variety of contexts - both urban and camp-based, as well as Refugees and IDPs.  The responsibilities and implementation of the programmes in the region are shared between UNHCR, UN agencies, host governments and implementing partners.  The large number of implementing partners has been steadily growing using a variety of implementing instruments such as sub-agreements, MOUs and service agreements. The Senior Regional Project Control Officer is responsible for maximizing the effective regional project control coordination role and support to countries in the region. To ensure proper financial management and project control of all operations in the region under Syria/Iraq Situation, the incumbent must possess adequate practical finance and project control experience, a strong technical grasp of UNHCR's financial rules and regulations, accountability policies and standards and the skills to translate these into practical support interventions.  The candidate will require extensive missions to the field. Since FOCUS and MSRP are used as the main Results Based Management and financial control tools, the candidate will also require solid technical skills in these areas as well as IPSAS. Training end-users in financial functions of these tools and developing other tools which can be used to capacitate offices in improving financial management and project control is also a requirement. With the Senior Regional Project Control Officer supporting governments, implementing partners and UN agencies, the incumbent will require excellent and demonstrated communication skills in English and knowledge in Arabic as an asset, as well as strong interpersonal skills in a politically sensitive and cross-cultural environment. The conflict in the Syrian Arab Republic continued to intensify in the first half of 2017 driving large-scale displacement, bringing the total number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to some 6.3 million and the number of Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries (Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey) to over 5 million. Since the beginning of April, more than 190,000 people have been displaced either from or within Ar-Raqqa Governorate by fighting. Those fleeing have sought shelter in multiple locations where UNHCR and its partners are providing families with shelter and much-needed emergency relief items. In Aleppo, six months on from the east Aleppo evacuations life for some is slowly restarting but there remains a massive humanitarian need. Overall, the lack of safe and unimpeded humanitarian access remains extremely challenging, and some 13.5 million people were estimated to be in need of humanitarian assistance, including 4.53 million people in need living in hard-to-reach locations. Despite the continued generosity of host governments and communities, many Syrian refugees have exhausted their savings and are facing poverty. Since January 2014, some 3 million people have been internally displaced in Iraq, adding to the 1 million people who were displaced between 2006 and 2007. More recently, as a result of the operations to retake Mosul, which started in October 2016, over 845,000 individuals are currently displaced from Mosul and its surrounding areas. In 10 July, the Prime Minister of Iraq officially declared victory over Mosul, highlighting the need to provide stability, start reconstruction works, and return displaced persons to their homes. Over 37,000 displaced families (an estimated 224,000 individuals) have so far returned to their areas of origin in east and west Mosul. UNHCR and its partners have assisted over 570,000 persons since October 2016, including 192,000 IDPs currently sheltered in the 18 camps set up or managed by UNHCR and its partners since July 2016, in response to the Mosul emergency. UNHCR will continue to provide shelter, basic household items, and protection support to families in need of assistance Meanwhile, the Middle East and North Africa region hosts over 257,000 registered Iraqi refugees, more than half of them in Turkey. Amman is classified as an "A" duty station.  There are very good health & education facilities available locally. Climate tends to be dry, sunny and cloudless from May to November. From December to February the weather is cool and wet and most of the country's rainfall occurs. Snowfall does occur in Jordan, especially on the eastern plateau and in areas to the north, but the average temperature in winter is above 7.2° C (45° F). Staff are renting private accommodation. 
Emergency operational environment. Current operational circumstances may require occasional long working hours. Jordan is a stable country strategically located between Israel/West Bank/Gaza, Syria and Saudi Arabia.  A constitutional monarchy, Jordan has a well-trained, equipped and alert security apparatus and well-structured and functional administrative machinery in all 12 governorates. The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is composed of three security level areas- North Jordan border zone west of Hadalat (0-5 kms of Jordan-Syria border inside Jordan) / North Jordan border zone from Hadalat to Iraqi border (0-5 kms of Jordan-Syria border inside Jordan) / Jordan (Jordan excluding 5km buffer zone from Syria Border). Jordan is currently at MINIMAL risk (including Azraq and Mufraq).  The North Jordan border zones from Hadalat to the east is at HIGH risk. The North Jordan border zone west of Hadalat is LOW risk.

Jordan has a fully structured UN security management structure. Jordan remains a stable kingdom and affords reasonable security and safety for UN staff. It currently is at Medium risk from Terrorism and Hazards and at Low risk from Armed conflict, Crime and Civil Unrest (SRM Jordan 2017). A Security Clearance is required for travel to this country, and internal travel within Jordan outside Greater Amman Municipal limits on TRIP at https://dss.un.org. Requests for clearance should be submitted 48 hours prior to travel.

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).