Snr Programme Officer

C

FamilyFamily

PR4

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

No

2023-03-24

April 20, 2023Senior 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.

As the candidate will be responsible for representing UNHCR at several fora for which excellent communication skills are essential. The incumbent must have diplomatic skills and the ability to courageously take quick decisions. In that sense, understanding of Programme and administration management principles is essential.
Apart from excellent functional competencies, the incumbent would also be expected to possess proven managerial and leadership skills.
The ideal candidate for this position should have the required academic preparation and demonstrated leadership abilities from previous field positions, particularly in large and complex IDP contexts. Prior working experience in the Sahel region would be an added advantage. Given the considerable and diverse workload, it is important that the applicant be motivated, hard-working and very well organized.
Since French is the official language of Burkina Faso, it is very necessary that the incumbent is fluent in French and very good in English.
For diversity purposes, female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

French

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Nature of Position:

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Representative, the Senior Programme Officer will provide strategic programmatic guidance and advice to senior management regarding the implementation of the country-operation’s protection and solutions strategies within available resources. S/he will coordinate with the other sections/units within the country 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 as well as UNHCR Burkina Faso’s MYMP Strategy (2022-2025) 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. The selected candidate will be expected to organize consultative processes for application of the organizations criteria and policies for the selection of implementing partners; manage the development of a broad network of partners, good coordination practices and the development of partner capacities; training of UNHCR as well as implementing partners (IP) staff in UNHCR standard procedures related to the Results Based Programme (RBM) management; application of UNHCR’s corporate tools (e.g. COMPASS, Global Focus, Focus Client).

The security situation in Burkina Faso has deteriorated at an unprecedented pace throughout 2022, with a resurgence of attacks by armed groups in various regions of the country. Armed groups continue to block cities and surrounding areas, as well as the supply of essential goods (food, fuel, medicine, etc.) to the North, Boucle du Mouhoun, East, Center-North, and the Sahel regions, by attacking convoys and destroying land communication routes. The context shows a significant increase in humanitarian needs in areas under the control of armed groups and in the reception areas of new internally displaced persons who have arrived despite the security situation and an unprecedented rainy season. The number of civilian casualties and the extent of population movements have reached an alarming level. As of 31 January 2023, 1,938,792 IDPs have fled their homes for safety.

Burkina Faso also hosts some 35,000 refugees and asylum seekers, mainly Malians. Refugees and asylum-seekers are all living in host communities (out of camp) in the surroundings of Dori, Djibo, Ouahigouya, Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso.

Living and Working Conditions:

Burkina Faso has basic infrastructures, including in the health sector.  In Ouagadougou, there are more than 20 health clinics, but only 7 recommended by the UN System.

Epidemics and other disease outbreaks are common in the operational area. Ouagadougou is duty station with family restrictions and education is generally in French, however there is also a US English school. Currently, international appointed staff members are not authorised to bring their families to Ouagadougou. Rest and Recuperation (R&R) has been recently established. The R&R cycle is 8 weeks. Banking services available include more than five international banks among which two are recommended by the UN System (United Bank of Africa (UBA) and Ecobank).

Hot and dry desert environment with high daylight temperature fluctuations. In the field, due to security restrictions, UNHCR has established four (4) well organized guest houses in Dori, Djibo, Ouahigouya and Fada-Ngourma where all staff are advised to reside during field missions.

Housing in Ouagadougou is mainly individual houses and are easily available.  Electricity is very expensive, and a backup generator is recommended.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

PG-Problem Analysis, PG-Programme Implementation, PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards), PG-Programme planning at country/bureau level

BA: Business Administration (Required), BA: Economics (Required), BA: International Relations (Required), BA: Social Science (Required)

Certifications

Programme Management - Other

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