Assc Prog 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 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 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.

 

UNHCR Libya has been functioning throughout with the aid of national colleagues despite the challenges of the security situation in Libya. In early 2018, the evacuation status for the Libya operation was lifted and there is renewed impetus for international staff to return back to Libya and for the operation to be run fully from Tripoli. Under the direct supervision of the UNHCR Senior Programme Officer, the incumbent will need to demonstrate the capacity, skill set and competencies necessary to work in a challenging position in a highly complex operational context. The operation is currently drawing a lot of international attention due to the pressing global issues of mixed migration and it is developing a lot of innovative responses in finding alternatives to detention for many persons of concern including the emergency transit mechanisms and scaling up the resettlement programme that will require a lot of programming support. A good understanding of the regional dynamics is also very useful and experience and exposure in working in similar contexts will be particularly helpful. A solid understanding of protection principles will also be key to understanding the programming needs of this particular operational context, given the complexities of the operation. Experience in both refugee and IDP operations, in coordination structures and in emergency missions will also stand the incumbent in good stead.
UNHCR Libya is an operation that works with National and International NGOs as partners who implement various assistance projects for IDPs, Refugees and Asylum Seekers and Migrants on behalf of UNHCR. There are more than 187,000 IDPs and more than 56,000 Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Libya living in urban settings. The candidate should have some knowledge dealing with partnerships and coordination mechanisms. In light of management of partnership agreements, and current cash liquidity problems in Libya, it is expected that the candidate should have very good financial and project management skills inclusive of some good experience in remote management in a complex operation.
The candidate should possess excellent technical knowledge of UNHCR or UN Financial Rules,  UNHCR budgeting tools (FOCUS and MSRP), experience in managing large-scale programmes with multiple Donor earmarking, experience in the emergency operations, excellent reporting skills, knowledge of various Donor reporting requirements (including but not limited to EU, ECHO, PRM, etc). The candidate should also be willing to work in unstable working environment and sometimes beyond normal working hours when need be. Libya has, for generations been both a country of transit and destination. Yet, in the wake of more than seven years of conflict, political turmoil and widespread human rights violations and abuses, the magnitude of protection challenges and needs has exponentially increased. Overall in Libya, amidst a population of 6.5 million, the UN estimates that 1.1 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, of which 0.5 million are internally displaced or returnees. In addition, Libya continues to host some 50,000 refugees and asylum-seekers, mostly Syrian, Iraqi and Palestinian nationals; as well as an estimated 700,000 migrants, predominantly from western Africa, contributing to one of the most complex mixed-migration situations in Northern Africa.

Chronic human rights violations and abuses in the context of armed conflict, violence and insecurity, and disregard for the minimum standards of international humanitarian and human rights law characterize the absence of effective protection for large numbers of civilians in Libya. Forced displacement and family separation with the associated tearing of the social fabric have resulted in a high-risk environment for persons living in Libya, with children being particularly vulnerable. In addition, increased economic hardship as a result of the protracted crisis, coupled with a liquidity crisis, contributing to a collapse of the national infrastructure, social cohesion and the country¿s economy, have impaired access to safety, basic services, humanitarian aid and livelihoods, and compounded the protection risks of the population, refugees and migrants, in particular vulnerable groups. The present situation in Libya is unstable and the outlook uncertain. This creates ongoing pressures at work and in daily life as priorities are frequently upended for other urgent ad hoc tasks. The incumbent should be prepared to work under very challenging conditions and be able to manage stressful situations. In Tripoli, international staff are accommodated in designated compound sharing an apartment with one or two colleagues. The incumbent is also expected to demonstrate flexibility with regard to the lengthy and unpredictable visa process for Libya which may require to stay and remote management from Tunis. The position is based at the Country Office Tripoli. In view of the volatile security situation, international staff are accommodated at a designated compound from which free movement in/around Tripoli is restricted.
Movement and travel of international staff in Libya is permitted only with armoured vehicles. Libya is a highly sensitive and complex emergency, candidate should have previous working experience in an emergency context operation. Candidate is expected to build the capacity of national staff, partners, official channels and national stakeholders in Libya besides to communicate with them on a regular basis. Therefore, it is desirable that the staff speaks and writes in Arabic. Moreover experience in remote project management/monitoring will also contribute to the incumbent¿s preference.

Please note that the closing date for vacancies in the Addendum 4 is Thursday 28 February 2019 (midnight Geneva time)