Hd Quality Assur & Sys Coord U

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.

Head of Quality Assurance and Systems Coordination Unit

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

UNHCR has a multi-billion US dollar annual budget, with most of its income dependant on voluntary contributions. As the UN agency for refugees dealing globally with humanitarian emergencies often unpredictable, UNHCR's capacity to plan and allocate resources in a prioritised, targeted manner for maximum benefit to the most vulnerable persons of concern, is of paramount importance.
DSPR consolidates functions related to strategic planning, budgeting, resource allocation, monitoring and reporting, as well as results management. The Division¿s mission is to guide and support strategic planning, including multi-year multi-partner planning; budgeting; ensure simplified, evidence-based and coherent annual planning and resource allocation; strengthen results-based management and reporting/analysis on impact and outcomes; and strengthen partner management and monitoring. This Division, first and foremost, will reinforce UNHCR in its planning and results-based management while supporting the Organization¿s commitment to devolve greater planning, budgeting and resource allocation responsibilities to Bureaux and country operations. The Division will need to simplify processes and systems; develop tools, guidance and normative frameworks that are more user-friendly; provide predictable and useful support to the Field; and ensure organizational coherence in achieving corporate strategic priorities.

The Division is composed of three main services:  (i) the Strategy Development and Programme Planning Service (SDPPS); (ii) the Annual Review and Budget Analysis Service (ARBAS); and (iii) the Implementation Management and Assurance Service (IMAS). 
IMAS is mandated to guide and support the implementation and programmatic management of UNHCR¿s activities and outputs in all country operations, whether implemented directly or with partners. 
IMAS is headed by a D1 and comprises two Units--the Operational and Partnership Management Unit (OPMU) and the Quality Assurance and Systems Coordination Unit (QASCU). 
The Service will work closely with the Enterprise Risk Management Unit to ensure integration of risk management in project design and management. 

The Head of the QASCU will manage two teams. 

This Unit will focus on systems, processes and capacities for quality assurance and due diligence of partner and direct implementation activities, drawing on applicable oversight and risk management frameworks to develop these systems and processes.  The Unit will guide and support the work of multi-functional teams and project control functions at the country level to ensure monitoring and oversight systems are effective, simple and timely while taking full advantage of new technologies.  Furthermore, the Unit will engage with external audit firms to provide independent reviews and audits of projects implemented by partners and to provide the Department of Finance and Administration with assurance on financial reports. 
The incumbent will work with the Inspector General¿s Office and Legal Affairs Service to ensure effective accountability for partner organizations where improper practices/conduct has been established. In line with the Grand Bargain, the QASCU will work with other UN organizations and Non-Government Organizations to ensure harmonization of procedures and systems.

The incumbent will work with a small team to develop and maintain, as well as support information management systems that support programme and project planning, assessment and monitoring, and operations management.  These include the results based management system, project elements of the Enterprise Resource Planning system, and the Partner Portal.  The QASCU will also take a lead role in the development of a project management/oversight system that will enable the Organization to seamlessly monitor the implementation of programmes and projects from financial and performance perspectives. 

The incumbent is expected to possess high level of proficiency, experience and knowledge in the areas of programme, project and partnership management, should be skilled in change management, with strong communication skills to liaise and coordinate with external stakeholders and other inter-agency actors and to have excellent level of team management and leadership skills, proven ethical practices and high level of inter-personal and emotional intelligence.

Duties
- Support the supervisor in defining and articulating the vision and the strategic direction for the Service, its deliverables and accountabilities.
- Support the supervisor in developing a due diligence and quality assurance framework for programmes, projects and operations to provide assurance to external and internal stakeholders that results are being achieved, resources are being responsibly managed and that risks are being optimally mitigated. 
- Manage the development of a system for managing and overseeing the implementation of programmes, projects and Operations from both performance and financial perspectives, linking with other relevant systems including the RBM system, the Enterprise Resource Planning system and the Partner Portal. 
- Ensure that adequate levels of innovation and automation are applied in developing tools and systems and in their implementation. 
- Oversee the application and operationalization of internal control mechanisms in the course of project and programme management, specifically to include internal control measures and mechanisms in the implementation strategies developed by the Division, applying practices of due diligence, oversight and risk management mechanisms.
- Foster team building within the Service and across Divisions and Bureaux to promote sound deliverables, while supporting plans for capacity building at Headquarters, regional and country levels.
- Bring coherence and build linkages among the systems and tools that tackles results and partnership management within and outside of the Organization.
- Provide regular updates on team dynamics, existing or foreseen gaps (gap analysis) on UNHCR or stakeholders¿ performance and any other ethical matters that would impact the Division¿s image and deliverables.  
- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P5 - 12 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 11 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 10 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Business Administration;
Systems Development;
Risk Management;
or other relevant field.
(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified.

Relevant Job Experience
Essential:
Knowledge and experience in programme management, systems development. Excellent knowledge of oversight mechanisms and risk management approaches, including practical experience with applying risk management in complex settings. Extensive Field and Headquarter experience including working with complex partnerships and various stakeholders. Relevant awareness of political and operational complexity of UN operations. Experience with project management and business process reengineering approaches, including Lean Six Sigma among others.

Desirable:
Relevant knowledge of UNHCR rules and regulations, compliance and accountability framework.

Functional Skills
IT-Computer Literacy
MS-Drafting, Documentation, Data Presentation
MS-Analysis
MG-Field Operations Management
CO-Cross-cultural communication
MS-Networking
CO-Strategic Communication
MG-Team Building
MG-Project Management
MG-Change Management (Tools/Design/Administration)
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.


This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. 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. C001L4 - Accountability Level 4
C002L4 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 4
C003L4 - Communication Level 4
C004L4 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 4
C005L4 - Client & Result Orientation Level 4
C006L4 - Organizational Awareness Level 4
M001L4 - Empowering and Building Trust Level 4
M002L4 - Managing Performance Level 4
M006L4 - Managing Resources Level 4
M005L4 - Leadership Level 4
M003L4 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 4
M004L4 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 4
X006L4 - Policy Development & Research Level 4
X005L4 - Planning and Organizing Level 4
X009L4 - Change Capability and Adaptability Level 4

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.

Please note that UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing, training or any other fees).

Please note that the closing date for vacancies in the  March 2020Compendium is Thursday 16 April 2020 (midnight Geneva time)