Associate Programme Officer

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

Since the escalation of the war in Ukraine, Slovakia has seen a rapid influx of persons fleeing hostilities and seeking protection. More than one million Ukrainian and third-country nationals (TCNs) in need of international protection have crossed the borders into Slovakia, 78 per cent of whom are women and children. Temporary protection (TP) status has been accessible to refugees arriving from Ukraine and their families since 1 March 2022 and as of end Decem-ber 2022 a total of 104,764 individuals have applied for temporary protection in Slovakia, with the Government estimating that an additional 10,000 Ukrainians are benefiting from tolerated stay, within the legal framework, and hence are not registered for protection in Slovakia. UN-HCR’s operations in Slovakia are part of the Multi-Country Office in Budapest, with a National Office in Bratislava and a Field Office in Kosice that were established in April 2022 to respond to the emerging needs. Under the supervision and guidance of the Programme Officer, the Associate Programme Officer collaborates closely with UNHCR’s Partners and Multi-Functional Team to make sure that the implementation of UNHCR’s programmes is proceed-ing as planned. S/he assists in undertaking proper collection and monitoring of data to meas-ure and analyze performance; this includes among others the undertaking of field visits and regular meetings with the partners alongside with other UNHCR’s units.

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Officer, the UN Volunteer will under-take the following tasks: • 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 stra-tegic priorities and regional priorities as well as with annual programming/planning in-structions; • Assist in organizing a consultative process to ensure a consistent application of the or-ganization’s criteria and policies for the selection of implementing and operational part-ners; • 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 stand-ard procedures related to the Results Based Programme (RBM) 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, implementa-tion 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 devel-opment of funding submissions, appeals and reports; • Assist in monitoring compliance to the organization’s resource allocation framework, providing support and assisting in corrective action where required; • Assist in establishing and handling Implementing Partners Reports.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by read-ing relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for in-stance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities; • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publica-tions/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible. • Perform other duties as may be required

Results/Expected Outputs: • The needs of persons of concern in the country are assessed and analysed in a participa-tory manner and using an Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective to form a firm basis for planning; • IP (Implementing Partners) agreements are established in a timely manner, regularly monitored and reported on in compliance with established guidelines and procedures; • Inputs are provided for the country operations plan (including budgets, staffing levels and structures) as well as prepare inputs for funding submissions, appeals and reports; • Participate in UN and other fora on programme and technical issues as delegated by pro-gramme senior management; • Enforce compliance with UNHCR’s global strategies, protocols and guidelines; • The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counter-parts, including Implementing Partners (IPs); • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment; • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the as-signment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

• Professionalism • Integrity • Teamwork and respect for diversity • Commitment to continuous learning • Planning and organizing • Communication • Flexibility • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNHCR’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

programme management, monitoring and evaluation.

This UNV assignment is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19 with WHO ap-proved vaccine, unless the UNHCR Medical Service approves an exemption from this requirement on medical grounds.

Desirable Qualifications and Skills: • Previous field experience is an advantage; • Familiar with UNHCR’s RBM approach and use of project/software is an asset; • Completion of the UNHCR Learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of the position; • Good knowledge of UNHCR financial rules, procedures and processes is an asset; • Knowledge of UNHCR specific programming tools (MSRP, Focus, etc.) is an asset. • Knowledge of UNHCR new RBM tool, COMPASS is an asset. • Previous exposure in UNHCR emergency operations is an advantage. • Experience in monitoring of field activities is an advantage.

Computer skills: Office Package (excellent knowledge of Word, good knowledge of Excel and Power Point) and Internet browsing.

Slovakia is a developed country with an advanced high-income economy. It also performs favourably in measurements of civil liberties, press freedom, internet freedom, democratic governance, and peacefulness. The country maintains a combination of a market economy with a comprehensive social security system, providing citizens with universal health care, free education, and one of the longest paid parental leaves in the OECD. Slovakia became an independent state on 1 January 1993 after the peaceful dissolution of Czechoslovakia. It has, nevertheless, remained a close partner with the Czech Republic. Both countries co-operate with Hungary and Poland in the Visegrád Group. In 2019, Zuzana Čaputová became Slovakia's first female president. The country has the beautiful Tatra Mountains, the Danube river and many historical places, including eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Bratislava offers good living conditions with a wide range of hotels, Airbnb and apartments and flats. Accommodation can be sourced using the services of property agencies, as well as through various online websites. International schools are available. Health care is relatively good, but there is a shortage of professionals in many occupations, including doctors and medical staff, making access to health care somewhat challenging.

No specific security conditions pertain to Slovakia. Bratislava is a safe metropolitan city, however, as in any other city, caution shall be exercised when using public transport to avoid pickpocketing. Political protests can happen at short notice and may turn violent. Large gatherings must be avoided.

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Coronavirus Please refer to Slovakia travel advice

UN Volunteer entitlements and allowances: The purpose of the allowances and entitlements paid to UN Volunteers is to enable UN Volunteers to sustain a secure standard of living at the duty stations in line with United Nations standards without incurring personal costs. The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward, or salary in exchange for the UN Volunteer’s service. Contingent on specific eligibility criteria, location of the volunteer assignment and contractual type and category, the payment of allowances will begin from the date of Commencement of Service For more information on entitlements please read the Condition of Service (https://explore.unv.org/cos). For information specific to your assignment please see below:

Monthly Living Allowance (Per month): USD 2100.56 Entry lump sum (one time payment): USD 4000 Exit allowance (for each month served, paid on completion of contract): $225 Medical and life insurance: Cigna Private Insurance

Leave entitlements: Annual leave: 2.5 days accrued per calendar month Certified sick leave: 30 days Uncertified sick leave: 7 days Learning leave: 10 working days per consecutive 12 months Maternity Leave: 16 weeks Paternity Leave: 10 days