Organization: UNHCR
Location: Semera
Deadline: July 22, 2022
Job Description
This position is advertised open to Group 1, Group 2, if applicable, and external applicants. Project Control Associate
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The primary functions of project control are to complement programme management and provide support for oversight of projects including the formulation of a monitoring plan, quality assurance, and verification. Other activities of project control include: review of project agreements, project audit, monitoring that there is 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. Where there is no Project Control Officer, General Service staff performing project control functions should report directly to the Head of Office.
The Project Control Associate receives general guidance and work plans from the supervisor. They work independently on regular assignments under the supervision of the Project Control Officer or to the same management level as programme. The incumbent may supervise other general service staff.
Project Control staff play a very important role in maintaining harmonious and effective partnerships, and often interact with implementing partners. As a result, incumbents need to be very mindful of all dimensions of partnerships in their interaction with partners (in accordance with the Principles of Partnership, the Code of Conduct and other relevant documents).
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
– Contribute to reviewing the internal control systems of implementing partners.
– Contribute to reviewing that IP agreements are in conformity with Country Operation Plans and UNHCR¿s rules, policies and procedures.
– Monitor that a complete record is maintained for all projects.
– Contribute to reviewing, analysing and verifying Financial and Performance Implementing Partner Reports (Part I-IPFR and Part II-IPR), and to checking accuracy and consistency between IPFR and IPR, in accordance with project agreements.
– Ensure that the funds obligated under an IP agreement permit the payment of the next instalment or a disbursement, confirming the status of instalments already paid.
– Support timely project closure in coordination with the programme unit.
– Bring to the attention of supervisors and programme officers any significant variances at the office level in: budget execution, percentage of project execution, time schedule, and quality of projects against specifications or terms and conditions.
– Maintain professional relationships with implementing partners.
– Keep up to date with all UNHCR rules, regulations and procedures necessary to perform these duties.
– Escalate IP issues to supervisors.
– Recommend acceptance or non-acceptance of IPRs and payment of instalments.
– Contact implementing partners for project related matters.
– Have unlimited access to financial and operational records relating to projects.
– Perform other related 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
Not applicable.
Certificates and/or Licenses
Accounting;
Auditing;
Business Administration;
Finance;
Project Management;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Not specified.
Desirable
Not specified.
Functional Skills
FI-Financial Accrual Accounting under internationally accepted standards (IFRS,IPSAS,etc)
FI-Financial auditing
MG-Project Management
PM-Project Assurance
RM-Risk Management
IT-ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) Functional Knowledge
IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software
IT-Computer Literacy
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Core Competencies
Accountability
Communication
Organizational Awareness
Teamwork & Collaboration
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Client & Result Orientation
Managerial Competencies
Judgement and Decision Making
Managing Resources
Cross-Functional Competencies
Planning and Organizing
Political Awareness
Language Requirements
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. Competencies as defined in Job Profile Please note that UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing, training or any other fees).
All applicants must be Nationals of the country and be locally recruited within the country of their employment.
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.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
========================================================================================================
See below for this position’s Operational Context
======================================================================================================== Nature of the Position
The Project Control Associate works under the supervision of the Assistant Programme Officer in Semera. The Office in Samara plays a crucial coordination role in supporting IDPs and PoCs across the region, namely refugees and IDPs.
The UNHCR Field Office Samara consists of two Field Unit; UNHCR Field Unit Aysaita, and UNHCR Field Unit Serdo. The refugee camp of Serdo counts as of May 2022 close to 6, 235 refugees. While Aysaita refugee camp counts 26,149 refugees as of May 2022. Aysaita is 70km far from Samara, Serdo is about 40 far from Samara.
Since July 2021, UNHCR has scaled up its interventions in Afar Region following the conflict in Tigray Region and subsequent internal displacements. With its partners, UNHCR is responding to the emergency caused by internal displacement by distributing core relief items, and emergency shelter kits; enhancing its protection activities and actively participating to the coordination of the response together with the UN Sister Agencies, (I)NGOs as to support the regional authorities of Afar to respond to the multiple and urgent needs. As of January 2022, the estimated displacement in Afar Region according to governmental sources amounts to 413,000 IDPs. UNHCR is therefore increasing its staffing resources to respond to the additional needs, including the provision of relief assistance, protection and coordination.
The primary functions of project control are to complement programme management and provide support for oversight of projects including the formulation of a monitoring plan, quality assurance, and verification. Other activities of project control include a review of project agreements, project audit, monitoring that there is synchrony between financial and operational performance, participation in multi-functional monitoring activities and reviews, tracking project risk management, and supporting project closure.
The Project Control Associate receives general guidance and work plans from the supervisor. They work independently on regular assignments under the supervision of the Project Control Officer or at the same management level as programme. The incumbent may supervise other general service staff.
Project Control staff play a very important role in maintaining harmonious and effective partnerships, and often interact with implementing partners. As a result, incumbents need to be very mindful of all dimensions of partnerships in their interaction with partners (in accordance with the Principles of Partnership, the Code of Conduct and other relevant documents).
Living and Working Conditions
Staff members should be prepared to operate under challenging conditions with limited resources in the Semera UNHCR Field Office and camps, Asaita and Berhale.
The Field Office deals primarily with several local camp environments with inherent risks to staff safety and health. Regardless of information campaigns, there are realistically few, or no COVID-19 protocols adhered to by the camp(s) population. Staff wear masks but will often work within large groups of refugees who do not. There are several clinics and pharmacies within a 5 km radius of Samara that offer basic services. The nearest hospital, run by the government, is located 10km away. It is recommended that staff with prescriptions should come with at least 3 months of prescription medication. There are, however, daily one -hour flights to the capital city, Addis Ababa, which could facilitate the replenishment of medical and other supplies. The region is extremely hot, especially from May to September. Consequently, the region is open for business from 7:00 am until 6:00 pm with most commercial and government entities closing between 12:00 noon to 03:00 pm.
Presently, being a newly opened office, the Samara Field Office does not offer guest house services. Staff will have to rent in nearby hotels or subject to availability, seek accommodation in the WFP guest house.
Banking services including ATM, Visa and Mastercard services are available in this town.
The Closing Date for Submission of Application is Sunday 24 July 2022 (Mid Night Ethiopia Time).