E (most hardship)
Non Family
Non FamilyDanger Pay
Residential location (if applicable)
PR4
Staff Member / Affiliate Type
Professional
Reason
Regular > Regular Assignment
No
2023-03-24
April 20, 2023
Senior Project Control Officer
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior 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 Senior 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 or Head of Office, 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 and contribute to the annual assessment and planning cycle.
- Participate in and contribute to 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 and oversee 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.
- Champion and pursue high quality partnerships and integrity culture in UNHCR, among partners and UNHCR¿s contractors to mitigate misuse and wastage of resources, fraud and corruptions, sexual abuse and exploitation, and other forms of misconduct, including assessing and putting in place safeguards 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, evaluations, 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 relate to partnership agreement 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 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.
- Participate and 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 P4/NOD - 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
Business Administration; Economics; 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
BU-Budgeting
BU-UN/UNHCR budgetary cycle and procedures
MG-Resource Management
(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.
Desired Candidate Profile
The incumbent should have a proven track record exercising project control functions in a large-scale IDP, refugee or returnee operation. Experience managing risk and undertaking oversight duties in an operational context in which an integrated UN mission is present will be desirable. Professional work supporting compliance with accountability responsibilities in a country under bilateral or multilateral sanctions measures will be advantageous
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
,
,
Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
UNHCR and UN agencies jointly run JMS Level 1 medical clinic and satellite located in ICON compound. UNHCR and WFP have contracted IQARUS international to provide medical interventions under the AFMAT clinics in Kabul and Field Offices. Staff members on special prescription should travel with sufficient quantity of medication. Medical facilities for referral in Kabul include German Clinic, French Medical Institute for Mothers & Children (FMIC) and Blossom Health Center. Seasonal air pollution occurs in Afghanistan and contributes to comorbidities that are known to worsen outcomes among those infected with COVID-19.
To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
Nature of Position:
The situation in Afghanistan is dynamically complex and continues to deteriorate, especially for the human rights of women and girls. The country is in general experiencing wholescale erosion of fundamental human rights for everyone. The international community, with the donor partners, united nations, and humanitarian country team at the vanguard, has taken a firm and principled stand in support of the people of Afghanistan by meeting their humanitarian assistance and basic human needs in this context. This situation, in the operational context, has resulted in heightened oversight and risk management as donor partners have increased their demands for accountability, monitoring and reporting on how resources are utilized in Afghanistan.
The Senior Project Control Officer reports directly to the Representative. The incumbent will supervise 2 international and another 2 national staff who are based in the Country office as well as provide coordination and technical guidance to the project control functionaries based at the three sub-offices. The latter will be done in liaison with the respective heads of sub-national offices, who are responsible for the routine supervision of the project control function at the field location.
The primary functions of project control unit are to complement programme management through provision of support that is necessary for the design of UNHCR funded projects and other activities which are undertaken through UNHCR direct Implementation. The Incumbent will be responsible for the planning and implementation of oversight and compliance plans which include risk-based project monitoring plans, quality assurance of Partnership Agreements, financial verification of funded project, coordination of project audits and evaluations, ensure synchrony between financial and operational performance, participation in multi-functional monitoring activities and reviews, tracking project risk management, and supporting project closure. It is essential to maintain segregation of duties between project control and programme functions for effective accountability and oversight.
By the end of 2022, the operation implemented through 17 NGO Partners (both National and International), including one Partnership Agreement with the De facto Authorities’ line Ministry (Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation). The incumbent of the Senior Project Control Function, in the Afghanistan Operation, is also instrumental in ensuring that the humanitarian assistance delivered, by UNHCR and its partners, is in compliance with the United Nations Sanctions regime as stipulated in United Nations Security Council Resolution 2615. The Senior Project Control Officer plays a vital role in maintaining harmonious and effective partnerships, thus requiring good inter-personal skills as well as in-depth knowledge of the UNHCR partnership management principles. As a result, the incumbent needs to be very mindful of all dimensions of partnerships while interacting with partners (in accordance with the Principles of Partnership, the Code of Conduct, and other relevant UNHCR guidelines and Administrative Instructions). To this end, the Afghanistan context requires familiarity with the implementation of humanitarian principles in complex large-scale IDP, refugee and returnee operations, especially with regard to dealing with de facto authorities who regularly interfere with the independence and impartiality of aid organisations.
Further, a substantial part of the estimated US$ 260 Million OL budget targeting various Protection and humanitarian assistance projects was delivered directly by UNHCR mainly through Cash Based Initiatives (CBI) across the 34 Provinces of Afghanistan. The incumbent will therefore be required to develop and execute adequate oversight and control mechanisms necessary to ensure that directly Implemented activities follow relevant UNHCR rules and procedures. In addition, the operation is focused on implementing a solutions-oriented assistance programme focused on an area based approach in which the humanitarian-development-peace nexus is at the core.
Project control unit coordinates all aspects related to external project audits and to some degree operational internal audits, it is therefore desirable that the incumbent should have prior experience working with both internal and external auditors.
Living and Working Conditions:
Afghanistan is a high-risk country with a very complex operational environment, characterized by uncertainty and frequent security incidents. Movement by all personnel is restricted, coordinated and monitored by the security officers. UNHCR in Kabul is located within the ICON Compound on the Supreme road of the Police district 9. It occupies 40 MOSS compliant rooms for staff accommodation with each room having its own washroom and other facilities. Offices are within the ICON compound. No visits except in UN compounds and Embassies which is frustrating, stressful to cope.
Outdoor air quality is a health concern in Kabul. The degree of exposure and concentration of air pollutants can be detrimental to breathing problems, development of chronic diseases and deterioration of health status in individuals with chronic diseases. Office provides air purifiers both in the office and accommodation.
Security situation is unstable, volatile, unpredictable with rise 2022-2023. A daily radio check is mandatory. All movements is strictly by Armoured Vehicle or by air. A 4 weeks R&R cycle is applicable for the duty station and staff are highly encouraged not to delay. Considering the serious restrictions on staff movement, it is crucial to demonstrate a record of maintaining a positive attitude whenever confronted with adversity and restraints in social life. Staff interested in the position should be mentally, psychologically, and physically fit and ready to face situations when required to be locked down in compound bunkers for an extended period due to security incidents.
Additional Qualifications
Skills
BA: Accounting (Required), BA: Business Administration (Required), BA: Economics (Required), BA: Finance (Required), BA: Public Professions (Required)
Certifications
Certified Public Accountant - Other
Annual Budget OL in Operation/Office, Number of Persons of Concern Served, Number of Workforce in Operation/Work Setting, Workforce to Supervise, Working with Persons of Concern: Asylum Seekers, Working with Persons of Concern: Internally Displaced Persons, Working with Persons of Concern: Others of Concern, Working with Persons of Concern: Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: Returned IDPs, Working with Persons of Concern: Returned Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: Stateless
Competencies
Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration, Technological awareness
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Compendium
March 2023 Compendium - Part B
Additional Information
This position requires Functional Clearance
