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.

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 related 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
- Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) in Economics, Business Administration, Social Science or related field plus minimum 6 years of previous job experience relevant to the function. Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master's) plus 5 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 4 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 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
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 <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
======================================================================================================== Strong analytical and prioritization skills.

Excellent drafting skills.

Excellent verbal and written proficiencies in English and Spanish (which is the official language in Colombia) are essential.

The incumbent of this position must have experience in programme management, and solid knowledge of UNHCR programme management tools (MSRP, Focus, etc.). He/she must be able to support in consolidating data 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.

The incumbent must have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to work in multicultural groups. Capacity to build and maintain strategic alliances with stakeholders, UN organizations and NGOs is important.
The incumbent will oversee several national staff so demonstrated experience/skills in management are important to the position.

The position involves frequent travel to field locations as well as training of partners, so readiness to travel and good presentation skills are a must.

This being an emergency operation, candidates must be able to work under stress and keep tight deadlines. UNHCR Colombia, which traditionally was an IDP focused operation, is shifting to a mixed operation addressing an L2 emergency operation to respond to the arrival of over 1 million Venezuelans and an estimated 300,000 Colombian returnees from Venezuela, while also continuing to address new internal displacement (some 100,000 new IDPs every year) and durable solutions efforts for the over 7.6 million registered IDPs (protracted caseload).

UNHCR Colombia is one of the countries piloting the Multi-Year Multi-Partner Protection and Solutions Strategy (2018-2020), focusing on strengthening the asylum system and ensuring effective emergency response, continued work with State and civil society for the protection of IDPs and prevention of new displacement, as well as contributions to durable solutions and peace-building.

It is against this operational context that the Colombian government, donor countries and the UN are working both on an emergency response and inclusion agenda for the large number of Venezuelan refugees and migrants in the country, as well as contributing to the implementation of Colombia¿s own post-conflict agenda. This includes an increased emphasis on finding durable solutions for displaced populations within and outside Colombia. One of UNHCR¿s main challenges is to work with the government and UN (development) agencies on comprehensive solutions while maintaining a focus on and providing visibility of the impact of the continuous violence generated by illegal armed groups and ongoing forced displacement in various regions of the country. It is against this operational context that the Colombian government, donor countries and the UN are working both on an emergency response and inclusion agenda for the large number of Venezuelan refugees and migrants in the country, as well as contributing to the implementation of Colombia¿s own post-conflict agenda. This includes an increased emphasis on finding durable solutions for displaced populations within and outside Colombia. One of UNHCR¿s main challenges is to work with the government and UN (development) agencies on comprehensive solutions while maintaining a focus on and providing visibility of the impact of the continuous violence generated by illegal armed groups and ongoing forced displacement in various regions of the country.

An estimated 1 million Venezuelans are now staying in Colombia, with an average of 5,000 a day continuing to arrive, about half of whom continue on to other countries while the other half stays in Colombia. It is expected that by end 2018, over 600,000 of the Venezuelans in Colombia will have some form of legal status including access to basic services and the right to work.

The main protection risks facing the vulnerable Venezuelans include: lack of documentation, risk of refoulement, lack of access to health and education, SGBV, trafficking, forced recruitment, and xenophobia. UNHCR supports the Government¿s efforts to enhance its asylum system and respond to the humanitarian and protection needs of Venezuelans. At national level, UNHCR co-leads (together with IOM) the Inter-Agency Border Group to coordinate humanitarian actors¿ support to the situation. There is no robust registration system in place to address the increasing number of Venezuelan arrivals, ensure effective individual case management, and referral pathways to service providers.

UNHCR Colombia has a Branch Office in Bogota, which oversees three Sub Offices in Cucuta, Medellin, and Pasto as well as a new Field Office in Barranquilla reporting directly to Bogotá. Each Sub Office oversees two field offices: SO Cucuta oversees FO Arauca and FO Riohacha; SO Medellin oversees FO Quibdo and FO Apartado; SO Pasto oversees FO Buenaventura and FO Mocoa. Bogota is an A category duty station.
Colombia is a large country (1,141,748 km2); its population is estimated at 49-50 million (census ongoing).
Located 2,600 meters above the sea level, Bogota is the capital of the country, with over 8 million inhabitants. The climate is cool (average temperature 17 degrees Celsius) and rainy for most of the year.
National and different international banks have offices in Bogota, and ATMs can be found all around the city.
Temperatures in Bogota vary from 3°C to 23 °C.
Very good health facilities can be found in Bogota and in other capital cities in the country.
Bogota offers a huge amount of leisure and cultural activities; interesting museums, libraries, parks, cinemas, very good restaurants. There are also many outdoor, leisure and sports activities available in the surroundings of the city, and road travel outside of the city is relatively safe.
A very large number of excellent international schools are located in Bogota.
The public transport system is insufficient for the needs of the city and heavy traffic as well as air pollution are parts of everyday life. The Colombian Military Forces have gained control of urban areas and main connection routes, improving general security conditions through the country and forcing illegal armed groups inland, however armed confrontations continue in some remote areas of the country.

Safety and security issues continue to be a concern. Though the situation improved significantly in recent years, common crime and isolated attacks by illegal armed groups continue to affect important cities.

Staff must ensure to have functioning communication means with the UN Security and keep abreast of the security situation in the capital or any travel inland through the normal channels of communication.

All official missions are to be conducted with full compliance to MOSS requirements, considering destination, transportation selected and activities carried out. S/he is expected to stay abreast of UNHCR rules and regulations and ensure they are abided by UNHCR and its partners. UNHCR Manual, programme objectives, Operations Plans, UN and UNHCR financial/budgetary rules and regulations will also guide the work of the Programme Officer.

Please note that the closing date for all vacancies in this Flash Vacancy is Tuesday 18 December 2018 (midnight Geneva time).