Category/grade: General Service, G6
Location: Tegucigalpa, 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 Project Control Associate supports oversight of projects including the formulation of a monitoring plan, quality assurance, and verification. The incumbent will work under the supervision of the Associate Project Control Officer and will receive regular guidance and instructions from the supervisor on successive steps.
The duty of the incumbent is to support, monitor and report on the activities assigned to him/her within the geographical area covered. This includes supporting the review of project partnership agreements, project audit, monitoring through financial verifications 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.
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).
The incumbent will support the Multi Functional Team while working with partners to ensure capacity building and full compliance of UNHCR policies and guidance. Project control guidance and administrative instructions, Framework for Implementing with Partners, UNHCR Manual/Programme Chapter, Operations Plans, UN and UNHCR financial/budgetary rules and regulations will guide the work of the Project Control Associate.
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.
Excellent inter-personal skills and the ability to interact with government officials and other stakeholders is required. Sensitive political context requires ability to work collaboratively with government and civil society partners. Fluency of English is desirable. Communication and analytical skills are required.
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 **
Quality assurance of project agreements is provided in accordance with applicable UNHCR rules and regulations.
Resources transferred to implementing partners are utilized for the intended purposes and in accordance with project agreements.
Performance delivery and financial expenditure reported by implementing partners are accurate and consistent.
Supervisors are promptly informed of risks and major variances in the execution of projects (budgets, finance, implementation or timeframe).**
Responsibility
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 installment or a disbursement, confirming the status of installments 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.
Perform other duties as required.
Authority **
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.
Essential Minimum Qualifications and Experience:
Secondary education, together with training/certificate in Accounting, Auditing, Business Administration, Finance, Project Management or related field.
Minimum six years of previous job experience in the field of accounting/finance, auditing, project management, business analysis, quality assurance and/or risk management.
Excellent computer skills, in particular in MS Office applications.
Excellent communication skills.
Fluency in Spanish and working knowledge of English
Desirable Qualifications & Competencies:
Good knowledge of United Nations financial rules and procedures.
Good understanding of accrual accounting (such as IPSAS or IFRS).
Working experience with ERP financial modules (such as PeopleSoft, Oracle or SAP).
Required Competencies:
Managerial Competencies:
Judgement and Decision Making**
Managing Resources**
Cross-Functional Competencies:
Political Awareness
Planning and Organizing**
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:
Submission of Applications:
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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