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.

The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org).

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Field Office Yei, the UN Volunteer will undertake 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 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 (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, 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 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 reading 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 publications/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.

• Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client oriented.

• Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations.

• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.

• Planning and organizing effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work un-der pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent pro-jects/activities.

• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender.

• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;

• Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, re-mote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary.

• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance, and commitment towards the UN core values.

Programme management, monitoring and evaluation. Previous field experience is an advantage.

• Familiar with UNHCR’s Result Based Management 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.

The Yei Field Office was opened in September 2004 and was charged with receiving returnees mainly from Uganda, Kenya, Central Africa Republic (CAR) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The Yei field office with its operational area is termed Greater Yei, comprising of four counties of Yei, Morobo, Lainya and Kajo-Keji in Central Equatoria state.

Greater Yei counties have favorable agricultural climate and fertile soil suitable for agricultural production. Majority of the population of Greater Yei are subsistence farmers and they depend on agriculture and other livelihood sources.

Prior to the conflict, Yei was often referred to as the ‘breadbasket of South Sudan’ due to abundant agricultural land and used to supply fruits, vegetables, seedlings, and cash crops such as coffee. Conflict severed the supply routes and resulted in insecurity in the rural farming areas, impeding both trade and agricultural production.

The Greater Yei is also known as a commercial hub not only South Sudanese nationals but also for foreigners from Uganda, Congo, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eretria, and Central African Republic.

With the outbreak of fighting in July 2016, which started in Juba and spread to other states in South Sudan, the security and geo-political landscape of the Yei River State changed drastically. However, with the positive development of the revitalized peace agreement, the security situation in Central Equatoria has improved, but remains unpredictable.

UNHCR Field Office Yei is classified as an 'E' non-family duty station in a culturally sensitive setting with poor leisure facilities. It is classified as a Security Level IV with a UN im-posed curfew after dark hours due to security risks.

Vaccination: The highly recommended vaccination in South Sudan is Yellow Fever. Please note that without evidence of yellow fever vaccination, access to South Sudan is restricted.

Communication: There are few mobile telephone companies which include ZAIN & MTN providing services and sim cards can be easily bought with cash after registration by the service provider. There are no fixed telephone lines in South Sudan/Yei.

Medical: UN personnel are provided medical services at UNMISS clinic/hospitals. There are limited medical facilities in Yei and health services for all UN staff include UN level I clinic located within UNMISS compound. There are also local hospitals which serves per-sons in need for medical assistance.

Banking: There are no banking facilities in Yei except Juba.

Accommodation: UNHCR compound is located within Yei town. Accommodation rooms are equipped with all necessary furniture; it is small but decent. All rooms are provided with in-house services. There is decent gym with some sports equipment.

There is running and clean water, good internet and electricity provided base where the incumbent will stay. There is a decent UNHCR gym with some sports equipment within accommodation compound.

R&R cycle for all duty stations in South Sudan is 6 weeks and all international staff re-sides at UNHCR provided accommodation. UN curfew is from 20:00 to 06:00. In all UN-HCR compounds, regardless of the location. Please complete with the required information as per country Living Conditions