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Snr Prog Officer

Dadaab

  • Organization: UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
  • Location: Dadaab
  • Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Project and Programme Management
  • Closing Date: Closed

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 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.

- Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master's) in Business Administration, Social Science, Economics, International Relations or related field plus minimum 8 years of previous work experience relevant to the function. 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.
- Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.

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 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 Senior 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. 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 <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 them – before deciding to apply- to read the country specific security and welfare country 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). Ensuring staff are better informed is part of the increased attention UNHCR is paying to Duty of Care.

 

Staff after having applied to High Risk Duty Stations will have access to country specific information webinars with Field Safety Section (FSS) and Staff Welfare Section (SWS) colleagues and provided with a tool to test their psychological preparedness for serving in High Risk Duty Stations. Applicants who applied for a position in a High Risk country will receive, after the deadline for applications has expired, a joint invitation from the Staff Welfare Section (SWS) and the Field Safety Section (FSS) to participate in these webinars. During the Webinars, latest updates on security and well-being will be provided, and FSS and SWS will address questions raised by participants. Applicants are highly encouraged to benefit, when applicable, from all measures as they provide most up-to-date security and well-being information helpful to assess staff’s readiness to serve in a High Risk Duty Station. A Staff Welfare Officer will also be available, if and when required, to discuss with interested applicants the results of the psychological preparedness tool as well as readiness for assignment in High Risk Duty Stations.

 

The candidate is expected to facilitate the UNHCR Sub-Office Dadaab, in managing the refugee programme.  As head of Programme Unit, He/she will ensure counselling to UNHCR staff as well as UNHCR¿s IPs staff on UNHCR programme procedures and policies as well as guiding them on operational issue arising from IPs and Direct implementation. The incumbent of the post will lead the overall planning processes including the arrangement/facilitation of the Kenya Comprehensive Refugee Response Plan (KCRP).  She/he will be tasked to coordinate and facilitate the monitoring and evaluation of UNHCR programme delivery through Multi-Functional Team (MFT) jointly with the relevant field staff and the sector specialists in a complex environment. Kenya is a CRRF country, hence the incumbent should be conversant with this approach and have a good understanding of the Multi-Year Multi-Partner programming. The Dadaab operation is looking for a scale up of the CBI intervention and therefore good knowledge of the CBI implementation modalities is an asset for the incumbent. The incumbent should demonstrate competencies and skills in the effective management of the resources entrusted to her/him in a continuously evolving situation. The UNHCR Dadaab Operation provides protection and assistance to approx. 208,800 refugees, in Fafi and Dadaab Sub-Counties of Garissa County, located in the remote North Eastern Region of Kenya bordering Somalia. The UNHCR Dadaab Operations comprise a camp complex of three refugee camps namely: Hagadera (73,936), Ifo 1(65,376) and Dagahaley (69,488). The profile of the registered refugee population is 96.4% Somali, 3.23% Ethiopian and the rest seven other nationalities. Female persons of concern represent 51% of the total population; and 58% of the population are children. As of May 2016, no Asylum seeker in Dadaab is recognized on a prima facie basis and no individual refugee status determination has been undertaken since then. Currently, there are 1,264 asylum seekers awaiting refugee status determination at various stages in the adjudication process. The protection environment in Garissa County is characterized by a significant level of insecurity. As a result, humanitarian space is constrained and UNHCR¿s work is governed by stringent staff safety and security requirements. The overall goal of the programme is to offer protection and adequate basic needs assistance to the PoCs in Dadaab while at the same working on increasing self-reliance of refugees, bringing in sustainability in operation,  and providing opportunities for durable solutions (mainly repatriation to Somalia wherever it is feasible.)
The role of the position is to ensure the delivery of assistance and protection through UNHCR programmes and increase operational efficiency in the Programme Implementation and enhance effective coordination among all stakeholders in Dadaab. The operational goal is focused mainly on Assisting and Protecting refugees in camp context. There are many humanitarian actors on the ground, such as UN Agencies i.e. UNHCR, WFP, UNICEF and IOM; NGOs (national and international), local and central government authorities, host community, etc. There are 15 implementing partners (5 national NGOs, 1 Government counter- part and 9 international NGOs) that collaborate with UNHCR in 2018 in Dadaab operations. The town of Dadaab is located in the North-Eastern Province of Kenya. It is in a semi-arid area and is mostly dry plus hot all year round. Staff members must be willing to visit and work in the refugee camps routinely. The UNHCR Sub-Office Dadaab is located amongst the three refugee camps (Dagahaley, Ifo, and Hagadera), 80 km away from the Kenya-Somalia border. Due to the isolation of the duty station and ongoing security concerns, the duty station is categorized as hardship category `E¿ and ¿substantial¿ security level. The UN compound is surrounded by the Hesco fences and there is curfew in place from 6pm to 6am, when the external gate is closed. All movements outside the UN compound to and within the camps require armed police escort. International staff has one week R&R break (Rest and Recreation) after every 6 weeks in the operational area. There are limited banking facilities at Dadaab with only one bank in which staff may open a bank account, and withdraw cash with certain debit/credit cards. 

Internet and communications networks are available at the compound. Dadaab is a security level 4 duty station.
The security situation continues to be a challenge in SO Dadaab and the Snr Programme Officer needs to have undergone proper security training. Meanwhile, staff movements in the Dadaab Operation are restricted and all staff are obliged to adhere to security advisories.  Staying in the office compound is regulated by a curfew in effect during the night and the requirement to answer daily radio checks.

Field travel is subjected to military escorts and candidates from certain nationalities may face additional constraints in regards to their movements in the field/camps, which may affect the quality of their delivery. It would be advisable to check with this office prior to applying. Remoteness, isolation and lack of entertainment in social life are the factors to be also considered prior to applying.

Please note that the closing date for all vacancies in the September 2018 Compendium is Thursday 18 October  2018 (midnight Geneva time).

This vacancy is now closed.
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