Programme Associate

Job Description

Programme Associate Organizational Setting and Work Relationships The Programme Associate would normally receive guidance from more senior programme staff in the operation/bureau/division. S/he may receive indirect guidance from other sections and units relevant to the country/region programme(s).

UNHCR Manual, Operations Plans, UN and UNHCR financial/budgetary rules and regulations will guide the work of the Programme Associate. S/he is expected to stay abreast of the challenges posed 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 will have to establish good working relationships with their peers at country level to facilitate the collection of information and other programme management related activities.

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

– Support the assessment and analysis of the needs of persons of concern in the country/region in a participatory manner and using an Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective as basis for planning.

– Assist in managing the development of a broad network of partners, good coordination practices and the development of partner capacities related to programme management if applicable.

– 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.

– Provide support to the field with technical advice to ensure 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.

– Support the implementation and performance of partnership agreements through field visits and appropriate physical monitoring if applicable, reviewing performance and financial reports.

– Support 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.

– Contribute to the review and analysis of operations plans, mid-year and year-end reports of the different UNHCR offices, 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.

– Follow up with UNHCR offices the compliance with issuance of audit certificates for partners in line with the Policy on Risk-Based Project Audits.

– Provide support to the field through technical advice and training on resource allocation processes and other 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.

– Support UNHCRs programming of community of practice and continuously contributing to improvements of programming tools and processes.

– Perform other duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications Education & Professional Work Experience Years of Experience / Degree Level

• For G6 – 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma;
• or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher.

Field(s) of Education

• n/a

Certificates and/or Licenses

• not specified

Relevant Job Experience

• Essential Demonstrated experience in programme management,
• Operation Management Cycle and related processes.
• Knowledge of Results Based-Management.
• Computer skills (in MS office) 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.
• Experience in programme management training and capacity building activities.

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.

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Nature of Position:

The ethnic conflict between the Guji and Gedeo people in April and June 2018 displaced an estimated number of 800,000 people in Gedeo and Guji zones. Besides, the joint missions conducted at East Guji showed the existence of  unaddressed protection needs whereby conflict induced displacement in Borena zone, Konso,Darashe, Ale, Segen and Amaro are the emergency operations which need due attention and follow up of the Field Office.

Though majority of IDPs  returned to their home in March 2019; access to assistance, inadequacy of assistance, and reported damage and losses have been reported as challenges by the returnees. From the onset of the emergency period  till the current stage of early recovery and rehabilitation ; UNHCR continued to support the Government effort by designing and funding various multi sectoral project activities to address the pressing needs of the IDP/returnee population in partnership with implementing partners; Action for the Needy in Ethiopia (ANE), Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY) and Dilla and Bule Hora Universities.

The Program Associate is supervised by the Head of Field Office in the field and performs a variety of functions related to the program in close consultation with Program Unit.

The incumbent receives guidance from relevant programme staff of Representation Office. He/she may receive indirect guidance from other sections and units relevant to the country programme(s). UNHCR Manual, Operations Plans, UN and UNHCR financial/budgetary rules and regulations will guide the work of the Programme Associate. S/he is expected to stay abreast of the challenges posed to the region by the political context, the UN and humanitarian reform and institutional developments.

The incumbent is expected to have contacts within the organization as well as with partners and other stakeholders to collect information, monitor programme activities and implement administrative requirements.

Living and Working Conditions:

The incumbent position will be based in Dilla which is the main town for the  Gedio zone. The Field Office is in charge of the IDP returnee operations of west Guji and Gedeo zones whereby East Guji , Boren and Konso IDP operations are often covered by the same Office.

The security situation of West Guji zone is recurrently unpredictable and volatile due to the ongoing military operations against unidentified armed groups by the Government particularly in some kebeles of the woredas hosting IDP returnees. Whereas the Gedeo zone is relatively calm though social tension remains prevalent on the kebeles bordering West Guji woredas.

Thus, movement restrictions to the field locations are often imposed by UNDSS based on the overall security circumstances, and curfew is in place , especially on transportation services which is usually limited to 6:00 pm.

The service facilities available at the location includes regular road transportation of asphalt grade from Bule hora town to Addis Ababa and vice versa whereas the air transport is available via Awasa airport, which is found on about 215 kilometre,   accommodations are available on rental basis through private arrangement.

The health service is accessible in the town  from Government general hospital , and other private medium clinics. Besides, the medical referrals are arranged to Dilla and Awasa which are located on the distance of 100 kilometre  and 198 kilometres  respectively.

Access to internet and phone services is available  but poor connectivity persists in the Operational area especially West Guji. Moreover, banking services including ATM are available at Commercial Bank of Ethiopia and various private banks such as Awash, Oromia International , Wegagen, Nib, Buna, Berhan, and Dashen etc.

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

Competencies

• Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

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

Compendium Additional Information

• An eliminatory or complementary written test for shortlisted candidates may be conducted which will be followed by competency-based interview.
• Female candidates are encouraged to apply