Associate Programme Officer at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

UNHCR was created in 1950, during the aftermath of the Second World War, to help millions of Europeans who had fled or lost their homes. We had three years to complete our work and then disband. Today, over 65 years later, our organization is still hard at work, protecting and assisting refugees around the world.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:
   
Job Title: Associate Programme Officer

Job ID: 15626
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Salary Grade: P2   
Hardship Level: C
Family Location Type: Family
   
Organizational Context

• The incumbent receives guidance from more senior programme staff in the operation, the Deputy Representative or the Representative.
• The incumbent may supervise some support staff. He/she may receive indirect guidance from other sections and units relevant to the country programme(s). UNHCR Manual, programme objectives, Operations Plans, UN and UNHCR financial/budgetary rules and regulations will guide the work of the Associate Programme Officer. S/he is also expected to stay abreast of the challenges posed to the region by the political context, the UN and humanitarian reform and institutional developments.
• External contacts are predominantly with persons on subject matters of importance to Organization's programme (e.g. counterparts in other organizations or at working level in national Governments).

Functional Statement
Accountability:

• The needs of persons of concern in the country are assessed and analysed in a participatory manner and using an Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective to form a firm basis for planning.
• IP agreements are established in a timely manner, regularly monitored and reported on in compliance with established guidelines and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Through a consultative process within the country and field visits, stay involved in the development of the strategies, methodologies, contingency plans that respond to new and emerging operational challenges for the country.
• Assist in ensuring that global strategic priorities (GSP) and regional priorities as well as information on projected resource availability guide the planning parameters.
• Provide inputs for developing the country operations plan in compliance with global strategic priorities and regional priorities as well as with annual programming/planning instructions.
• Assist in organizing a consultative process to ensure a consistent application of the organization's criteria and policies for the selection of implementing and operational partners.
• Assist in managing the development of a broad network of partners, good coordination practices and the development of partner capacities.
• Assist in training UNHCR as well as implementing partners (IP) staff in UNHCR standard procedures related to the Results Based Programme management.
• Undertake proper collection, monitoring and use of baselines, standards and indicators needed to measure and analyze UNHCR's performance, trends and target interventions.
• Undertake field visits to evaluate and improve the planning, programming, implementation and monitoring of assistance projects.
• Assist in implementing the establishment of sound monitoring processes, in reviewing final reports and on progress in order to advise on any corrective actions required or the need for additional resources to reach planned target levels.
• Apply UNHCR's corporate tools (e.g. Global Focus, Focus Client) to record data and assess the technical soundness of the operation and generate data for evidence-based decisions at the country-level.
• Assist in keeping donor representatives briefed on developments and assist in the development of funding submissions, appeals and reports.
• Assist in monitoring compliance to the organization's resource allocation framework, providing support and taking corrective action where required.
• Assist in ensuring compliance in issuance of audit certificates for Implementing Partners.
• Monitor the implementation of IP Risk Management techniques and tools.
• Perform other duties as required.

Authority:

• Provide inputs for the country operations plan (including budgets, staffing levels and structures) as well as prepare inputs for funding submissions, appeals and reports.
• Represent UNHCR in UN and other fora on programme and technical issues as delegated by programme senior management.
• Enforce compliance with UNHCR's global strategies, protocols and guidelines.

Essential Minimum Qualifications and Professional Experience Required

• Undergraduate Degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) in Business Administration, Law, Economics, Social Science or related field plus minimum 3 years of previous job experience relevant to the function. Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master's) plus 2 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 1 year of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted.
• Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
• For National Officer positions, very good knowledge of local language and local institutions is essential.

Desirable Qualifications & Competencies:

• Completion of the UNHCR Learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of the position
• Good knowledge of UNHCR financial rules, procedures and processes
• Knowledge of another relevant UN language
• Knowledge of UNHCR specific programmes (MSRP, Focus, etc.)
• Computer skills (in MS office).
•  Knowledge of additional UN languages.
• This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR Associate Programme Officer positions. 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.

Position Competencies:

• C001L2 Accountability Level 2
• C002L2 Teamwork & Collaboration Level 2
• C003L2 Communication Level 2
• C004L2 Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 2
• C005L2 Client & Result Orientation Level 2
• C006L2 Organizational Awareness Level 2
• M001L2 Empowering and Building Trust Level 2
• M002L2 Managing Performance Level 2
• M006L2 Managing Resources Level 2
• X001L2 Analytical Thinking Level 2
• X005L2 Planning and Organizing Level 2
• X007L2 Political Awareness Level 2

Additional Information

• The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.
• For those people applying for High Risk Duty Stations, we strongly encourage colleagues to read the country specific security and welfare profiles which can be found on the Intranet under Support Services Duty of Care (https://intranet.unhcr.org/en/support-services/duty-of-care.html).
• These profiles have been specifically designed to answer some of the key questions (on security conditions, medical provisions, staff welfare, living and working conditions) potential applicants might have before deciding to apply.
• Ensuring staff are better informed is part of the increased attention UNHCR is paying to Duty of Care.
• This project is still in the pilot phase, and as such some of the information leaflets are being produced as we speak and might not be available yet. They will be soon, so keep checking.

Desirable Attributes

• The Associate Programme Officer will assist the Senior Programme Officer in country level programme management issues including budget target monitoring across the offices, coordination of country level submissions including the Country Operations Plan and in country level reporting. Therefore, the ideal candidate would have the  following attributes:
• Proficiency in the use of UNHCR co-operate tools (Focus and msrp) including the preparation of analytical reports for management decision making
• Some experienced in capacity building (including training) of partners, as well as thematic training of the multi-functional team and the coaching of national staff.
• Ability to lead and work in a multi-functional team in all stages of the programme cycle
• Experience in the sourcing and managing of country-based funding mechanisms including UN Pooled Fund and CERF.

Current Situation:

• Nigeria is a vast federation with 36 states and one Federal Capital Territory (FCT). According to the 2018 Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO), the six affected states of Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe and Taraba have 10.2 million people estimated to be in need of humanitarian assistance in 2018, of whom 52 per cent are women and girls, and 48 per cent are men and boys. The Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) is targeting 6.1 millions persons in 2018. UNHCR Nigeria has two ongoing emergencies operating under Level 3 (North East) and level 2 (South East).
• The Emergency level 3 has been declared since August 2016 in NE Nigeria as the scale of the humanitarian disaster caused by years of the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East became more apparent. Throughout the second half of 2015 and most of 2016, the Nigerian military, in collaboration with the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) pursued a strong counter-insurgency offensive, recapturing the main towns and the majority of villages that had fallen under the control of Boko Haram. These military successes exposed the extreme humanitarian disaster that was the lot of the millions of people trapped in Boko Haram captivity for almost five years. Presently, the security and humanitarian situation in North East Nigeria is still very unstable, seriously impacting humanitarian assistance, humanitarian access and response priorities set by authorities and humanitarian actors alike. However, the Federal Government and the State Government are planning for the return of IDPs in their areas of origin.
• UNHCR has been providing ongoing support in terms of protection and assistance despite the security challenges and has increased its presence in key strategic locations with four field units and a sub office in the North East.

Working and Living Conditions:

• UNHCR Nigeria consists of a Representation at the Branch Office in the Federal Capital City, Abuja, a Field Office in Lagos, a Sub-Office in Maiduguri (Borno State), a Field Unit in Damaturu (Yobe State), a Field Office in Yola (Adamawa State) a Field Office in Adikpo (Benue State), a Field Office in Ikom (Cross River State) and a Sub Office in Calabar (Cross River State) under the direct supervision of the Branch Office. UNHCR Nigeria has 102 staff members in Nigeria with 39 international and 63 national staff members.
• The UNHCR Representation acts as a liaison office with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission and coordinates with various departments to ensure information dissemination, capacity building, participation at various events towards ensuring the dynamic growth of the UNHCR-ECOWAS Cooperation and expansion of the protection space for persons of concern in West Africa.
• Other activities of the Office in Nigeria include providing support to the Government of Nigeria through the National Commission for Refugees and some other agencies of Government; and working with other UN agencies within various theme groups. With the objective of expanding the protection space for the benefit of all persons of concern in Nigeria.
• Abuja is a C duty station with good living conditions. The cost of accommodation is very high (yearly rent payment required) and safety is still a concern.

Security Considerations:

• Abuja is a family duty station while Maiduguri is a no family duty station.
• The security situation requires international staff deployed to Nigeria to undertake security briefings on terrorism related issues. Borno State is at security level 4 while Yobe and Adamawa states are at level 3 (except some LGA). The South-East of Nigeria is at level 2.
• Accessibility to affected populations in the North East is difficult due to the volatile security situation. Adequate security measures and equipment, including armoured vehicles, are required to operate in the area.

Additional Factors
A good supervision skills.

• Capacity to undertake field missions in the North East and the South East of Nigeria.
• A good knowledge of programme management and UNHCR programme Manual, result base management framework, UNHCR financial/budgetary rules and regulations will guide the work of the Associate Programme Officer.
• A good coordination and interaction capacity with regards to partners, UN counterparts and Government structures
• S/he is also expected to stay abreast of the challenges posed to the region by the political context, the UN and humanitarian reform and institutional developments.

Current Situation (continued)

• UNHCR is operating in 24 Local Government Areas (LGA) in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. In Borno State, 4 humanitarian Hubs have been setup to provide offices and guesthouses to humanitarian field mission. So far, field missions are undertaken through air travel.
• In addition to the L3 emergency in NE Nigeria, another L2 emergency has been declared since February 2018 in SE Nigeria due to ongoing violence in the western regions of Cameroon which caused tens of thousands of Cameroonians to flee and seek safety in Nigeria. What began in 2016 with civil society-led demonstrations over alleged marginalisation of the Anglophone regions escalated in October 2017 after the attempted unilateral declaration of independence by the Ambazonia Governing Council of Southern Cameroon.
• UNHCR is working together with the Nigerian authorities to register and assist the refugees in Cross River, Taraba and Benue states. In 2018, UNHCR has signed a partnership agreement with 18 partners including 3 international NGOs. The Programme team in Nigeria has 1 Senior Programme position, 1 National Officer Position, 2 Programme Associates in Abuja. In Maiduguri there are 1 Programme Office and 2 Programme Associates.

Application Closing Date
5th September, 2018.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online