Category/grade: General Service, G6
Location: San Pedro Sula, Honduras
Type of contract: Fixed-term appointment
Effective date of assignment: 01 June 2020
Date of Issue: 05 May 2020
Closing Date: 12 May 2020
Operational Context:
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is the UN Agency dedicated to protect the rights and seek durable solutions for refugees worldwide. UNHCR is in the field in over 125 countries. The National Office in Honduras opened in 2015 in order to strengthen UNHCR’s protection work in the region as part of the UNHCR’s Regional Protection and Solutions Strategy for the countries in the North of Central America (NCA).
Honduras is characterized by a situation of internal displacement due to high levels of violence, a protection and assistance challenge. The operation grew significantly in the last three years, but challenges and areas of intervention have increased as well. As of 2020 Honduras is a full stand-alone Representation. This has brought additional responsibilities in terms of operational capacity. Currently there are 35 staff members including both the Office in Tegucigalpa and the Field Office in San Pedro Sula, but the operation will increase to 68 staff members with additional Field Units (Choluteca and Ocotepeque). For 2020, 18 Project Partnership Agreements have been agreed.
General Overview:
The Programme Associate supports activities pertaining to partnership management, performance monitoring, ensuring quality assurance and compliance with established policies, guidelines, procedures and standards. The incumbent is supervised by the Associate Programme Officer and receives regular guidance and instructions from the supervisor on successive steps.
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 maintains regular contact on a working level on routine issues with other UNHCR offices, UN agencies, NGOs and government partners in the area to facilitate performing programme management functions. The duty of the incumbent is to support and monitor the activities assigned to him/her within the geographical area covered.
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.
Functional Statement:
Accountability **
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.
Responsibility
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 regard 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
Essential Minimum Qualifications and Experience:
Complete Secondary Education, plus advance training/certificate in Business Administration, Social Science, International Relations or related field.
Minimum six years of previous job experience in the field
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.)
IT-Computer Literacy.
Fluency in Spanish and working knowledge of English
Desirable Qualifications & Competencies:
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.
PG-Programme Management (project formulation, programme cycles and reporting standards)
PG-Results-Based Management
DM-Database Management
PG-Programme Analysis
PG-Assessments and Surveys
Required Competencies:
Core Competencies:
Accountability
Communication
Organizational Awareness
Teamwork & Collaboration
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Client & Result Orientation
Managerial Competencies:
Empowering and Building Trust**
Managing Resources**
Cross-Functional Competencies:
Analytical Thinking**
Planning and Organizing**
Stakeholder Management
Eligibility / External candidates:
External candidates: External candidates must meet the essential minimum requirements of the position and candidates not citizens of the country must comply with all eligibility requirements for employment in line with the prevailing legislative prerequisites in the country.[1]**
Remuneration:
A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, please visit the portal of the International Civil Service Commission at: http://icsc.un.org
[1] Completed and relevant university education can count as maximum 50% of the required years of work experience.
How to apply:
If you wish to be considered for this vacancy, please submit your letter of motivation, Personal History Form by e-mail clearly stating the position title, vacancy notice number and your Last Name in the subject line to: honduras@unhcr.org by the closing date 12 May 2020.
Personal History Form https://www.unhcr.org/how-to-apply.html?query=personal%20history%20form
No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a written test and/or oral interview. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing or any other fees).
UNHCR strongly encourages qualified female applicants for this position. UNHCR seeks to ensure that male and female employees are given equal career opportunities. UNHCR is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.
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