Project Control Officer

A (least hardship)

FamilyFamily

PR3

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

No

2023-03-24

April 20, 2023

Project Control Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Project Control Officer is part of the multi-functional team. In coordination with DFAM¿s Implementing Partnership Management Service, s/he is responsible and accountable for providing substantive support, guidance, and oversight on the effective management of the Enhanced Framework for Implementing with Partners (the Framework) as well as oversight on the effective management of Direct Implementation.
Complementary to programme management, s/he will support and conduct analysis and assessment of risks associated with partnerships and direct implementation, policy compliance, operational practices, mitigation measures, and gaps and make technical recommendations or decisions in line with the principles of the Framework, of UN/UNHCR¿s financial rules, policies and regulations and operational context.
The incumbent prompts partnership integrity and other safeguarding mechanisms for ensuring sound stewardship and accountability of funds entrusted to partners or through direct implementation arrangements (e.g. contracts for the procurement of goods and/or services) to ensure resources are used in the most efficient and effective manner to attain the best results for persons of concern.
The Project Control Officer will promote dialogue and consultations for strengthening partnerships and have frequent contacts with UNHCR colleagues, particularly project control and programme staff. S/he may have contact with external stakeholders, such as UNHCR-funded partners, auditors, oversight bodies, and host governments on matters related to partnerships. The incumbent will be mindful of all dimensions of partnerships in accordance with the Principles of Partnership, the Code of Conduct, UN/UNHCR¿s financial rules, policies and regulations, and other relevant documents.
In the Regional Bureaux, the incumbent works under the supervision of the Regional Controller. In the Country and Multi-Country Offices, the incumbent normally works under the direct supervision of the Representative or Deputy Representative, Head of Office or Senior Project Control Officer, as applicable.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR¿s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties
- Participate in the annual assessment and planning cycle.
- Participate in the development and implementation of partnership management objectives aligned with UNHCR¿s strategy and priorities.
- Participate in the development of the direct implementation monitoring plan in collaboration with the Programme Unit and other relevant functions.
- Support Programme and other relevant functions in the selection of implementation modalities.
- Support a coherent approach in the application of the Enhanced Framework for Implementing with Partners and compliance with its policies, principles, and procedures to ensure effective partnerships, as well as sound stewardship and accountability for the funds entrusted to partners.
- Pursue high-quality partnerships and integrity culture in UNHCR, among partners and UNHCR¿s contractors to mitigate misuse and wastage of resources, fraud and corruption, sexual abuse and exploitation, and other forms of misconduct; including recommendations to put in place safeguarding mechanisms and measures for detection, prevention, reporting, and addressing fraud, and other forms of partnership/ contractors misconduct.
- Ensure UNHCR management (country/bureau/global) and offices have access to high-quality and timely analytical insights and advice for enabling evidence-based operational decisions and accountability on project control, partnership and direct implementation management.
- Provide first-line support for project control, external and internal audit, evaluation, and other reviews pertaining to partnership and direct implementation management, and assist in gap analysis, establishing, measuring, and taking appropriate actions for addressing queries, recurrent weaknesses, and other findings.
- Ensure coherent practices of analysis and critical reviews of risk exposure and establishment of linkages of risk management with monitoring, financial management, project control, audit, and other processes related to partnership management and direct implementation to enhance effective delivery and optimum use of funds through partnerships or through direct implementation.
- Foster constructive dialogue and consultations with partners, UNHCR¿s contractors and other stakeholders to strengthen partnerships, interagency collaborations, and harmonisations.
- Contribute to strengthening the capacity of UNHCR and partners on partnership and direct implementation management.
- Seek innovative approaches in enhancing partnership and direct implementation management, gathering experiences, and sharing best practices and lessons learned among operations and partners.
- Contribute with inputs on reviews and enhancements of policies, procedures, and practices governing the framework for Implementing with Partners and the management of direct implementation.
- Perform other duties related to financial management as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P3/NOC - 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education

Accounting                            Business Administration;                   Economics;           Finance

Public Administration                          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
Experience in financial management, accounting, project management, internal control assessment, internal audit and/or external audit, risk management and demonstrated experience in field operations. Demonstrated experience in effective partnership management and multi-stakeholder coordination in humanitarian, emergency or development contexts. Good knowledge and understanding of UNHCR/UN rules, policies, and regulations regarding partnership and financial management, oversight and compliance. Proven analytical skills, and abilities for identification of gaps and finding solutions. Good level of computer literacy in particular, experience in computerized systems and software. Experience in communicating, building capacities, coordinating consultative processes and building consensus. Ability to contribute in policy and process reviews.

Desirable
Innovation and technology skills in financial, risks and fraud management. Professional qualification in accounting (CPA, CMA or CA, CFE, ERM, or equivalent). Training in UNHCR's protection and management learning programmes. Capacity building skills.

Functional Skills
*MG-Resource Management
BU-UN/UNHCR Budgetary cycle
BU-Budgeting
(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.

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

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.

This position is the only Project Control Officer in the entire MCO Panama area of responsibility and as such has a heavy workload. The incumbent supervises one other G7 staff. An ability to work under pressure, with very different PPA partners who have varying degrees of expertise and compliance with UNHCR procedures, while maintaining a calm and balanced demeanour are essential. Experience with project control is crucial, with a thorough understanding of relevant policies. The incumbent is also risk and audit focal point so willingness to engage on these issues and previous experience doing so is preferred. The incumbent must be comfortable in English and Spanish, written and spoken.

Spanish

,

,

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Nature of Position:

MCO Panama covers 9 countries (Aruba, Belize, Cuba, Curacao, Guyana, Nicaragua, Panama, Surinam and Trinidad and Tobago) with very diverse realities. Some of these operations have NO offices but others do not. Likewise, some countries have programme staff and / or partners but this is not the case for all.
Reporting to the Representative in the current set-up, the Project Control Officer will be responsible for supporting all MCO Panama AOR operations with oversight and project control. The incumbent of this position will be responsible for:
- responding to specific requests for assistance and support from operations including on developing robust SOPs;
- participating in and sometimes leading processes to harmonise & standardise responses within AOR and with other operations in the region;

- undertaking regular in-person and remote verification exercises (financial and otherwise);

- liaising closely with Programme staff in particular with regard to PPAs, project monitoring, PSEA checklists etc.
- directly supporting our partner in Nicaragua, where UNHCR has no staff /presence;

- acting as focal point for audits, including partner audits, OIOS, BoA as applicable;

- risk focal point for the AOR;

- capacity building / coaching of staff in the AOR;

- managing one other staff member.

Living and Working Conditions:

Panama City is classified as an A duty station (family) and has good infrastructure (health, housing, banking, transportation, telecommunications, and recreational facilities) and good supply of goods and services, with no particular health hazards.

In terms of security Panama is relatively safe compared to other cities throughout Latin America and it is rated as security level 2 (low). The city is a communication hub, and it is possible to fly to all countries of the region with direct flights and it offers good option for travelling in general.

The UNHCR Multi-Country Office is located in the Canal Zone, in a green area outside the city centre, called ‘Ciudad del Saber’ where most of the other UN agencies are also located, as well as international schools, NGOs and research centres.

The cost of living is relatively high for the region (reflected in the post adjustment) especially for housing and health, but it is easy to find accommodation on the private market, including in the area of the office in houses or in the city centre towers in modern apartments. Most of the food is imported except for sea products and some fruits and vegetables. There is a wide range of international schools, several of them offering IB curriculum including some in the office area.

In terms of recreational activities Panama being a hub for the purchasing of goods for neighbouring countries, the city offers a lot of malls, and doing shopping and going to malls is a common weekend activity. Cultural offer is limited but there is a good offer of restaurants and a dynamic nightlife. Beaches on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts are reachable within one hour by car or by boat directly from the city, and there are some options for hiking too. There is also a relatively good range of sports activities.

As other fast-growing cities, in Panama the traffic is heavy at peak hours and considered an issue for people living in Panama City. The climate is hot and humid with a rainy season lasting 8 months a year.

For the everyday life it is recommended to have Spanish knowledge as English is not widely spoken in the shops and services.

The government offers the possibility for UN spouses to get work permits and provides UN staff members with tax exemption cards for shops and restaurants.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

PM-Project Assurance, PM-Project Monitoring, RM-Internal control management, RM-Project risk management

BA: Auditing

Certifications

Programme/Planning, Project Control

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Teamwork & collaboration, Technological awareness

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

March 2023 Compendium - Part B

Additional Information

This position requires Functional Clearance