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 Programme Officer
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Programme Officer may be based in HQ, field/regional bureau, typically reporting to and be guided by the Chief of Section/Deputy Director/Operations Manager and may supervise a small team of local and international staff. He/she may refer to UNHCR's Programme Manual (Chapter IV), UNHCR's corporate and regional strategic priorities, operation plans and other relevant institutional rules and regulations for further guidance.
The Senior Programme Officer will provide strategic programmatic guidance and advice to senior management with regard to the implementation of country or Bureau level protection and solutions strategies within available resources. S/he will coordinate with the other sections/units within the Bureau and/or office(s) across the country/region to ensure harmonized programmatic approaches at all levels and throughout the UNHCR Operations Management Cycle. S/he will work in line with the overall UNHCR directions which crucially require working with partners, including with persons of concern, governmental institutions and the private sector, ensuring that programme management is approached as per UNHCR's Strategic Directions, Global Strategic Priorities (GSPs), Global Compact for Refugees (GCR), corporate positions on SDGs.
The incumbent is expected to work in line with the multi-functional team (MFT) approach as defined within the Program Manual, ensuring the participation of relevant stakeholders in all phases of the Program Management Cycle.
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
- Oversee a coherent approach in assessing and analysing the needs of persons of concern in a participatory manner, using an Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective as basis for planning.
- Provide guidance to office(s) on programmatic aspects of developing multi-year protection and solutions strategies and annual plans with corresponding priorities taking into account corporate priorities.
- Support Results Based Management and programme capacity in light of evolving requirements, programming approaches and gaps.
- Support the planning process in compliance with planning parameters outlined in the Programme Manual and the planning instructions.
- Ensure effective and results-based resource allocation in the planning processes and cost efficiency in the delivery of outputs.
- Review and analyse plans, mid-year and year-end reports of UNHCR office(s), ensuring quality assurance and compliance with established policies, guidelines, procedures and standards.
- Support the provision overall direction to broaden partnerships with key stakeholders in order to maximize the protection and solutions response for persons of concern.
- Guide and provide directions to office(s) in operationalising new and emerging policies, strategies and partnerships, including in an inter-agency context, identifying opportunities and innovative solutions and ensuring compliance with existing standards.
- Guide office(s) in managing a consultative process to ensure a consistent application of the framework for implementing with partners, including the effective implementation of the policy on selection and retention of partners, management of partnership agreements, risk-based project performance monitoring, and risk-based project audits, among others.
- Actively contribute to UNHCRs programming of community of practice and continuously contributing to improvements of programming tools and processes.
- Identify potential gaps and problems and in cooperation with other relevant sections recommend appropriate solutions to ensure the efficient implementation of programme activities
- Develop comprehensive assistance programmes that compliment activities implemented from other operational partners.
- Oversee a timely and effective follow-up of internal and external audits observations and recommendations that relate to programmatic issues.
Job Descriptions for all UNHCR jobs will also include the following as part of the 'Duties':
- Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
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, Social Science, Economics, International Relations or other relevant field.
Certificates and/or Licenses
Programme Management
Essential:
Demonstrated experience in developing and managing humanitarian projects and programmes including the allocation and management of resources. Sound knowledge of the UNHCR Operations Management Cycle Knowledge and practical experience on Results Based-Management. Demonstrated experience in field operations. Sound knowledge on the centrality of protection in programming. Enhanced knowledge on Joint Needs Assessments and the principles of targeting.
Desirable:
Demonstrated experience in coordination within an inter-agency context and other actors, in a refugee or humanitarian context. Solid experience in training and capacity building activities.
Functional Skills
PG-Resource planning
PG-Needs Assessment and Response Analysis
PG-Stakeholder management and coordination with Implementing Partners (Gov/NGO/Corporate)
PG-UNHCR's Programmes
PG-Results-Based 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 Senior Programme Officer should have a broad range of skills including solid analytical, drafting, diplomacy, stakeholder management skills as well as leadership and management skills as the incumbent will be supervising programme and shelter units. Experience in complex operations, emergency management including understanding of the humanitarian coordination architecture related to IDPs is essential. The operation has a multiple-year strategy to address the Return and Reintegration of IDPs and returnees. Having multiple donors funding might impact the levels of OL during the year. Major component of 2023 OPS OL is devoted to new flagship program of support to IDP return/Reintegration (CARE) with $30 million budget, of which $20.6 million will be distributed as cash grants to POCs.
Ability to build consensus and maintain team spirit in a difficult operational context like Afghanistan. Strong cultural sensitivity and emotional intelligence is required to lead and effectively coordinate a multi-cultural team comprising inter-agency process in the effective implementation of the programme cycle.
Strong capacity-building skills are an asset, particularly the ability to provide daily, on-the-job coaching/mentoring of national colleagues as well as Partners in the Operation.
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 Senior Programme Officer will work under the direct supervision of the Assistant Representative (Operations). The incumbent will be responsible for the implementation and oversight of all UNHCR programme activities and projects in Afghanistan. He/she will head the Programme Unit in Kabul which currently has one international P3 Regional Project Coordinator and seven national staff. Moreover, Snr. Programme Officer also supervises the Shelter Unit, with one P3 Shelter Officer, 5 national staff and 3 international deployed engineers. He/she will be responsible for providing functional guidance to the international and national Programme staff in all the Sub and Field Offices. The incumbent is required to have proven knowledge of IDP operations. Given the volume of programme workload and regular interactions with the partners, the incumbent should be able to provide strategic directions to all actors. With the security constraints of the Afghanistan operation, he/she should have good programming experience and creativity to optimize implementation modalities. The incumbent should be prepared to undertake regular field missions in the country.
In 2018, 15,699 refugees returned to Afghanistan, which reflects a significant reduction from the 58,817 who returned in 2017 and 372,577 in 2016. Following a tumultuous year in 2018 with nearly 550,000 Afghans displaced ' with the highest number of civilian causalities since records were maintained ' the conflict in Afghanistan is likely to continue with similar intensity, geographical coverage and a more fragmented and emboldened insurgency. Amidst the uncertainties surrounding the ongoing Peace Talks, the downward trend of returns continued with only 3,039 refugees returning in the first six months of 2019.
Within the regional framework of the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees (SSAR), UNHCR continues to facilitate a protection and solutions dialogue through the Tripartite and Quadripartite platforms between Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran. As part of this, Afghanistan has committed to renewed efforts to seek sustainable reintegration of displaced Afghans and to promote national development and had endorsed the (CRRF) in 2018 and the Global Compact on Refugees. Aligned with the national priorities, UNHCR Afghanistan 's Multi-Year Protection and Solutions Strategy aims to deliver the following three strategic objectives: Effectively respond to protection risks of persons of concern, Empower communities to mitigate protection risks and strengthen communities ' resilience, peaceful coexistence and Engage Government, partners and diverse actors for sustainable solutions
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
BU-Budgeting, FI-General Financial Management, PG-Resource planning, PG-Results-Based Management, UN-UN/UNHCR Inter-agency Policies, Standards, Programmes, and Partnerships
BA: Business Administration (Required), BA: Economics (Required), BA: International Relations (Required), BA: Social Science (Required)
Certifications
Programme Management - 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: Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: Returned Refugees
Competencies
Accountability, Analytical thinking, Change capability & adaptability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Managing performance, Managing resource, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Compendium
March 2023 Compendium - Part B
Additional Information
This position doesn't require a functional clearance
