Senior Programme Associate

at  United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR

Grade
GS7
Staff Member / Affiliate Type
General Service
Reason
Temporary > Temporary Assignment/ Appointment
Hardship Level
H (no hardship)
Family Type
Family

Residential location (if applicable)
Target Start Date
2024-11-01
Target End Date
2024-12-31
Deadline for Applications
October 27, 2024
Standard Job Description
Senior Programme Associate
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Programme Associate would normally receive guidance from more senior programme staff in the operation/bureau/division. The incumbent normally supervises some support staff. S/he may receive indirect guidance from other sections and units relevant to the country/region programme(s). UNHCR Manual/Programme Chapter, Operations Plans, UN and UNHCR financial/budgetary rules and regulations will guide the work of the Senior Programme Associate. S/he is expected to stay abreast of the challenges posed to the region by the operational context, the UN and humanitarian reform and institutional developments.
The incumbent is expected to have contacts within the organization and outside the duty station, as well as with partners and other stakeholders to collect information, monitor programme activities and implement administrative requirements. The incumbent is expected to work in line with the multi-functional team (MFT) approach as defined within the Program Chapter, 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

• Support the assessment and analysis of the needs of persons of concern in the country in a participatory manner and using an Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective as basis for planning.
• Support Results Based management and programme capacity in light of evolving requirements, programming approaches and gaps.
• Participate in managing the development of a broad network of partners, good coordination practices and the development of partner capacities related to programme management.
• Assist in organizing and documenting the selection of partners in accordance with the policy on selection and retention of partners, ensuring due diligence to meet the requirements of projects.
• Support partnership agreements are established in a timely manner, regularly monitored and reported on in compliance with established guidelines and procedures included in the framework for implementing with partners.
• Review the implementation and performance of partnership agreements through field visits and appropriate physical monitoring if applicable, reviewing work plans, performance and financial reports.
• Support the planning process in compliance with planning parameters outlined in the Programme Manual and annual planning instructions.
• Contribute to the review and analysis of operations plans, mid-year and year-end reports, ensuring quality assurance and compliance with established policies, guidelines, procedures and standards. Generate and maintain records of implementation rate (performance progress and expenditures) on a regular basis.
• Follow up on any change in regards to alignment of results chain, verifying indicators, budget, prioritization, apportioning needed to measure programme performance, trends and target interventions, contributing to soundness of Operations Plan and enhancement of data quality.
• Assist in negotiating and drafting partnership agreements, ensuring that all components are developed in conformity with UNHCR’s financial rules and HQ instructions and guidance.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of MFT monitoring plans for activities implemented through partnerships and those under direct implementation in line with Programme Manual and programming instructions.
• Ensure compliance with issuance of audit certificates for partners in line with the Policy on Risk-Based Project Audits and follow up of internal and external audit recommendations related to programmatic issues.
• Use UNHCR’s corporate tools (e.g. Focus Client, Global Focus Insight and FOCUS Reader, MSRP) for core activities related to planning, budgeting, implementation and reporting, generating data for evidence-based programmatic decisions and analysis.
• Actively contribute to UNHCRs programming of community of practice and continuously contributing to improvements of programming tools and processes.
• Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G7 - 4 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher
Field(s) of Education
Not specified
Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Demonstrated experience in programme management, Operation Management Cycle and related processes. Knowledge and practical experience of Results Based-Management. Experience in programme management training and capacity building activities. Knowledge of MS office applications including advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, data management, etc.).
Desirable
Completion of UNHCR Learning Programmes or specific training relevant to function of the position including Programme Management Level 1, E-tutoring of PM1, Framework for Implementing with Partners Learning Programme.

Functional Skills

• IT-Computer Literacy

PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards)
PG-Results-Based Management
DM-Database Management
PG-Programme Analysis
PG-Development and monitoring of programme assessments and surveys
(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 Associate will work under the supervision of the Head of Office at UNHCR Ireland on a specific project funded by the European Commission (DG Reform – Technical Support Instrument) over an 18-month period in close co-ordination with the requesting authority, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
Accordingly his/her duties and responsibilities will be more focused than set out below in the standard job description.
The project aims to embed trauma informed practice in the provision of accommodation to applicants for international protection in Ireland. Central to the achievement of this aim will be the development of a training framework, materials, and resources for delivery to International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) officials and private service provider staff on trauma informed approaches in the provision of accommodation to international protection applicants. In addition, a number of reports will be published over the course of the project to document the work.
The Senior Programme Associate will work closely with a consultant specialised in this area as well as other UNHCR colleagues and contracted service providers to drive delivery of the project. The incumbent will oversee the day-to-day implementation of the project, co-ordinating with UNHCR colleagues, both at the national and regional level, managing the budget, assessing risks and taking appropriate mitigation measures, ensuring completion of the project outputs and reporting on progress and results in a timely fashion.

Required experience and skills:

• Project management skills and experience
• Experience of working with EU funds or on similar projects.
• Technical expertise and attention to detail;
• Effective communication, drafting and reporting skills;
• Negotiation and expectation management skills;
• Risk management;
• Results-based management;
• Experience of working with vulnerable persons/asylum seekers/refugees;
• Minimum 4 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Remuneration will be in line with the salary scale applicable to staff in the General Service Category in Ireland at the G7 grade (see https://onehr.un.org/media/salarySurvey/salaryScale/dutyStationDocs/files-1713903064237.xlsx).
Functional Clearance
This position doesn’t require a functional clearance
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level)
,
,
Desired languages
,
,
Additional Qualifications
Skills
DM-Database Management, IT-Computer Literacy, PG-Development and monitoring of programme assessments and surveys, PG-Programme Analysis, PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards), PG-Results-Based Management
Education
Certifications
Work Experience
UNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Other information
Only candidates with a legal right to reside and work in Ireland will be considered

• Support the assessment and analysis of the needs of persons of concern in the country in a participatory manner and using an Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective as basis for planning.
• Support Results Based management and programme capacity in light of evolving requirements, programming approaches and gaps.
• Participate in managing the development of a broad network of partners, good coordination practices and the development of partner capacities related to programme management.
• Assist in organizing and documenting the selection of partners in accordance with the policy on selection and retention of partners, ensuring due diligence to meet the requirements of projects.
• Support partnership agreements are established in a timely manner, regularly monitored and reported on in compliance with established guidelines and procedures included in the framework for implementing with partners.
• Review the implementation and performance of partnership agreements through field visits and appropriate physical monitoring if applicable, reviewing work plans, performance and financial reports.
• Support the planning process in compliance with planning parameters outlined in the Programme Manual and annual planning instructions.
• Contribute to the review and analysis of operations plans, mid-year and year-end reports, ensuring quality assurance and compliance with established policies, guidelines, procedures and standards. Generate and maintain records of implementation rate (performance progress and expenditures) on a regular basis.
• Follow up on any change in regards to alignment of results chain, verifying indicators, budget, prioritization, apportioning needed to measure programme performance, trends and target interventions, contributing to soundness of Operations Plan and enhancement of data quality.
• Assist in negotiating and drafting partnership agreements, ensuring that all components are developed in conformity with UNHCR’s financial rules and HQ instructions and guidance.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of MFT monitoring plans for activities implemented through partnerships and those under direct implementation in line with Programme Manual and programming instructions.
• Ensure compliance with issuance of audit certificates for partners in line with the Policy on Risk-Based Project Audits and follow up of internal and external audit recommendations related to programmatic issues.
• Use UNHCR’s corporate tools (e.g. Focus Client, Global Focus Insight and FOCUS Reader, MSRP) for core activities related to planning, budgeting, implementation and reporting, generating data for evidence-based programmatic decisions and analysis.
• Actively contribute to UNHCRs programming of community of practice and continuously contributing to improvements of programming tools and processes.
• Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
• Perform other related duties as required