Hardship LevelE (most hardship)
Family TypeNon Family with Residential Location
Family TypeNon Family with Residential LocationDanger Pay
Residential location (if applicable)
Addis Ababa,Eth Fed Dem Rep
GradeNOA
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeNational Professional Officer
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Remote work acceptedNo
Target Start Date2024-01-01
Job Posting End DateDecember 10, 2023
Standard Job Description
Assistant Project Control Officer
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Assistant Project Control Officer is part of the multi-functional team. In coordination with DFAM's Implementing Partnership Management Service, s/he is responsible and accountable for providing substantive support, guidance, and oversight on the effective management of the Enhanced Framework for Implementing with Partners (the Framework) as well as oversight on the effective management of Direct Implementation.
Complementary to programme management, s/he will support and conduct analysis and assessment of risks associated with partnerships and direct implementation, policy compliance, operational practices, mitigation measures and gaps and make technical recommendations or decisions in line with the principles of the Framework, of UN/UNHCR's financial rules, policies and regulations and operational context.
The incumbent prompts partnership integrity and other safeguarding mechanisms for ensuring sound stewardship and accountability of funds entrusted to partners or through direct implementation arrangements (e.g. contracts for the procurement of goods and/or services) to ensure resources are used in the most efficient and effective manner to attain the best results for persons of concern.
The Assistant Project Control Officer will promote dialogue and consultations for strengthening partnerships and have frequent contacts with UNHCR colleagues, particularly project control and programme staff. S/he may have contact with external stakeholders, such as UNHCR-funded partners, auditors, oversight bodies, and host governments on matters related to partnerships. The incumbent will be mindful of all dimensions of partnerships in accordance with the Principles of Partnership, the Code of Conduct, UN/UNHCR's financial rules, policies and regulations and other relevant documents.
In the Regional Bureaux, the incumbent works under the supervision of the Regional Controller. In the Country and Multi-Country Offices, the incumbent normally works under the direct supervision of the Representative or Deputy Representative, Head of Office or (Senior) Project Control Officer, as applicable.
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
- Participate in the annual assessment and planning cycle.
- Assist with the review of project agreements, ensuring that they are in conformity with Country Operation Plans and UNHCR's rules, policies and procedures.
- Assist with the formulation and implementation of a performance project monitoring plan in collaboration with the Programme Unit and MFT.
- Assist with the development of the direct implementation monitoring plan in collaboration with the Programme Unit and other relevant functions.
- Assist with the support of Programme and other relevant functions in the selection of implementation modalities.
- Contribute to tracking the management of project and direct implementation risks in collaboration with the Programme Unit, and report major risks to senior management.
- Contribute to reviewing, analysing and verifying Financial and Performance Partner Reports (PFR and -PPR), and to checking accuracy and consistency between PFR and PPR, in accordance with partnership agreements.
- Monitor, track and verify that expenditure for direct implementation by UNHCR is in line with the approved budget.
- Conduct reviews of the internal control systems of partners implementing projects and provide advice as required.
- Provide input on identified variants, risks and issues to partners, Programme Unit and escalate to management as required.
- Support timely project closure in coordination with the Programme Unit.
- Provide input to the mid- and end-year programme review process on issues related to project control.
- Maintain professional relationships with partners implementing projects and UNHCR's contractors.
- Keep up-to-date with all UNHCR rules, regulations and procedures necessary to perform these duties.
- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
- Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P1/NOA - 1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
Business Administration;
Economics;
Management;
or other relevant field.
Certificates and/or Licenses
Accounting;
Auditing;
Finance (CPA/CIA or equivalent);
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential:
Good knowledge of international auditing standards.
Desirable:
Good understanding of the workflows of major Enterprise Resource Planning financial modules (such as PeopleSoft, SAP or Oracle). Working experience with accrual accounting (such as IPSAS or IFRS).
Functional Skills
FI-Financial auditing
PM-Project Monitoring
FI-International Auditing Standards
DM-Data Collection and Analysis
CO-Reporting skills
EL-Monitoring and Evaluation
(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.
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
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.
Desired Candidate Profile The desired candidate should have knowledge and proven experience and skills in working in project control, performance monitoring, and financial management and verification of projects as well as programs, which may not necessarily be in humanitarian settings. In particular, the candidate should have worked in remote contexts, where financial transactions, implementation of activities by partners and access to areas of implementation may be subject to contextual challenges. Melkadida is a remote location whose operations are faced with a myriad of logistical, communications, security and accessibility challenges.
The desired candidate should hold experience and relevant skills in working on projects implemented by or in coordination with government counterparts, including local administrations.
The candidate should have demonstrated capacity and skills to cross-validate financial transactions with delivery of outputs, oversee, support and guide partners in implementation of projects as well build the capacity as necessary.
Melkadida is an operation in a society that conducts itself through strong cultural and political norms and institutions hence that candidate should have demonstrated intercultural sensitivity and proven capacity and experience in effectively working in politically sensitive and complex fragile contexts.
Good leadership, and strong interpersonal, social and teamworking skills are highly desirable given the nature of the duty station with all staff living and working in the same compound. Also, the position requires working with a variety of partners, including those that are affiliated to local communities, traditional institutions, and strong government counterparts. The candidate, therefore, will have to be flexible, politically savvy, a team player, cooperative and sensitive to the local context.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
,
,
Desired languagesSomali
,
,
Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
Nature of Position:
Ethiopia is home to the second largest refugee population in Africa, currently hosting close 1 million registered refugees and asylum seekers, mainly from South Sudan, Somalia, Sudan, Eritrea, and Yemen. The Government of Ethiopia allows humanitarian access and protection to those seeking asylum in its territory. UNHCR works closely with its government counterpart, the Refugee & Returnee Services (RRS), to ensure access to asylum territory and the safe and dignified reception and processing/registration of asylum-seekers. UNHCR recognizes the global need for a broader, cultural shift from long-term care and maintenance to self-reliance and solutions-oriented planning and programming in its refugee operations within the context of the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF).
As a result of insecurity and climatic effects in Somalia, since 2009, over 213,000 refugees fled from Somalia to Ethiopia and are accommodated in five refugee camps which a gradually transofforming into peri-urban settlements in the Dollo Ado/Melkadida area in the South-eastern part of Ethiopia under the purview of Sub Office Melkadida . On the refugee response, SOMEL works with the government counterpart RRS as well as half a dozen NGOs and different local authorities, focusing on meeting basic needs, while promoting self-reliance and socio-economic inclusion. UNHCR also responds to an IDP situation of over 725,000 internally displaced persons across three zone under the SOMEL AoR. SOMEL provides some assistasnce and protection services to internally displaced people. Here, the operation's interventions includes protection profiling and monitoring, CRI distributions and aMulti-Purpose Cash for IDP Protetcion programme. The incumbent is therefore expected to support both refugee and IDP response programming, with a particular focus on solutions.
The Assistant Project Control Officer is a member of the Executive Team and reports to the Head of Sub Office (HoSO). Under the direct supervision of the HoSO, the incumbent's responsibilities and tasks include oversight, monitoring, auditing, and control in nature that ensure that projects and programs funded by UNHCR are monitored and controlled as regards to performance and accountability.
As part of the SOMEL multi-functional team and working in coordination with the Project Control function and CO and RB level, as well as UNHCR's Division of Finance and Administrative Management (DFAM), the incumbent is responsible and accountable for providing substantive support, guidance, and oversight on the effective management of the Enhanced Framework for Implementing with Partners (the Framework) as well as oversight on the effective management of Direct Implementation. Complementary to programme management, s/he will support and conduct analysis and assessment of risks associated with partnerships and direct implementation, policy compliance, operational practices, mitigation measures and gaps and make technical recommendations or decisions in line with the principles of the Framework, of UN/UNHCR’s financial rules, policies and regulations and operational context.
Project Control functions are key for the SOMEL operation as they provide an oversight role in ensuring compliance, providing reasonable assurance that funds allocated to partners are closely monitored, coordinating audits and also continuously working with the teams to review existing internal controls, enforce compliance and recommend improvements where necessary.
The incumbent prompts partnership integrity and other safeguarding mechanisms for ensuring sound stewardship and accountability of funds entrusted to partners or through direct implementation arrangements (e.g., contracts for the procurement of goods and/or services) to ensure resources are used in the most efficient and effective manner to attain the best results for persons of concern.
The Assistant Project Control Officer will promote dialogue and consultations for strengthening partnerships and have frequent contacts with UNHCR colleagues, particularly project control and programme staff. S/he may have contact with external stakeholders, such as UNHCR-funded partners, auditors, oversight bodies, and host governments on matters related to partnerships. The incumbent will be mindful of all dimensions of partnerships in accordance with the Principles of Partnership, the Code of Conduct, UN/UNHCR’s financial rules, policies and regulations and other relevant documents.
UNHCR recognizes the global need for a broader, cultural shift from long-term care and maintenance to self-reliance and solutions-oriented planning and programming in its refugee operations within the context of the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF). SOMEL’s strategic direction on implementation and partnership reflects that.
Living and Working Conditions
Melkadida is a non-family E duty station with limited services. Accommodation of staff is provided by UNHCR in its compound with a monthly rental charge of around USD 81 per month for national staff. All staff living in the UNHCR provided accommodation must pay their accommodation in accordance with the UNHCR Policy of UNHCR Provided Accommodation in the Field issued under the IOM/FOM 020/021/2012 dated 28 Feb 2012 as well as the Administrative Instruction on the Measures in Support of Personnel in High-Risk Duty Station (Non-Family Duty Stations Where Danger Pay Applies), UNHCR/AI/2018/11 dated 15 August 2018. Most accommodations are fully furnished, with a single room and living room with an open kitchen. They include their own duvet bed and bed sheet, private bathrooms, desk, AC, lamp, and closet. WIFI is available across the compound including apartments. There are no local or international banking facilities and limited medical facilities; however, a UN clinic staffed by a trained doctor and nurse is available in the compound for limited basic services.
UNHAS operates flights on three days per week between Addis Ababa and Melkadida. Due to road insecurity, road travel to Addis, which takes more than two days, is not advised except under unavoidable circumstances. The road network within the region is very poor; the next tarmac road is several hundred kilometers away. Given the remote nature of the duty station, there are very few items that can be purchased in Melkadida, particularly food items and other personal items that staff may need. It is therefore advised that you bring such items with you. Cleaning services take place from Monday to Friday.
A laundry room in the compound is available from 7:30 am until 6pm with a laundry attendant who cleans only UNHCR beddings. All staff are advised to do their own laundry or pay a cleaner for the service. There are 2 canteens available within the compound, and all personnel are required to pay for their meals in advance. There are a variety of recreational facilities within the compound, these include a fitness centre (gym) games ground (volleyball and basketball) and a relaxation centre.
The climate is classified as dry/semi-desert. The hottest season of the region is in March/April and temperature may rise to 45 °C. The weather condition is hot throughout the year.
According to the UN Security Level System, which ranks security levels from 1 (minimum risk) to 6 (very high risk), Melkadida is classified as Substantial Level 4. The Applicable Security Risk Management (SRM) requires a curfew for UN staff from 5:30pm (for vehicles) and 7pm (on foot), except in the case of emergency. Security Briefing is mandatory upon arrival. The security situation in Melkadida is volatile due to a variety of factors, including incursions of Al-Shabaab in the AOR.
Security, remoteness, isolation, and lack of entertainment in social life are therefore some of the factors to be also considered prior to applying.
Additional Qualifications
SkillsPartnership Evaluation, Risk Based Approach, RM-Project risk management
EducationBachelor of Arts (BA): Accounting, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Administration, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Economics, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Finance, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Public Administration
CertificationsAccounting - Other, Association of Chartered Certified Accountant - ACCA, Auditing - Other, Certif. Practicing Accountant - Other, Chartered Accountant (CA) - Other, Chartered Institute of Management Accountants - CIMA, Institute of Management Accountants - Other
Work Experience
CompetenciesAccountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Teamwork & collaboration
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Compendium
Additional InformationOnly shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
A written test (eliminatory or complementary) and oral interviews may be administered for shortlisted candidates.
Functional clearanceThis position requires Functional Clearance