Programme and Project 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.

Assignment is renewable on an annual basis (1 July - 30 June) up to a maximum of 4 years. Contract renewals are granted based on Mission mandate, availability of budget, operational necessity and satisfactory performance.

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Duty station can change in the course of an assignment based on operational necessity; UN Volunteers may be required to work and travel anywhere in the area of operations of the host organization, including in remote locations.

. The UN Volunteer Programme Manager will report to the Senior Political Affairs Officer and the Director of the Political Affairs Division or a designated officer and will be responsible for the following duties: - Programme/Project Management 1. Provide substantive and technical support in programme management of the activities of the Political Affairs Division and its regional offices. Participate in the management of progammes and projects, their implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, and others as assigned. 2. Development relevant programme and project documentation, including narratives, detailed budgets, meeting minutes, financial overviews, expense reports, supporting administrative documents, and others as assigned. 3. Develop comprehensive budgets in a flexible manner, adapted to particular projects and implementation environment. Coordinate with relevant Political Affairs Officers (PAOs) activities related to budget and funding (programme/ project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, expense reports, internal financial documents etc.) and prepare related documents/reports (donor relations, pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.). 4. Keep abreast of projects’ implementation, including expenses, technical and administrative adjustments, perform relevant amendments, and advise on potential obstacles, recommending relevant technical, administrative and financial solutions. 5. Coordinate with other sections, including the Mission Support Division, Procurement and Acquisition, Finance and Budget, etc. to regularly provide administrative, technical and financial advice/support to the Political Affairs Division and its regional offices. Act as focal point for other sections to follow upon approval procedures and processes. 6. Review relevant documents and reports; identify problems and issues to be addressed and propose corrective actions; liaise with relevant parties; identify and track follow-up actions, provide guidance to PAOs during all project phases.
7. Provide substantive and technical advice to relevant PAOs during the implementation of programmes and projects and support relevant PAOs in ensuring coherence between project implementation and Mission’s mandate implementation, as well as PAD workplan implementation. - Strategic and operational planning 8. Advise PAD leadership on aligning the Division’s strategic planning with Mission Mandate’s implementation. 9. Help PAD coordinate the implementation of its workplan in compliance with the Mission Mandate. 10. Conduct monitoring and evaluation of PAD’s workplan implementation. 11. Support the development of PAD Units’ work plans and ensure activities are aligned to best practices and PAD strategic objectives. 12. Support PAD contribution to the Mission’s joint planning activities; and 13. Handle all information and database management in relation to planning, monitoring, and reporting functions, including budgeting, financial reporting.
- Results-based budgeting 14. Oversee the timely development of PAD Results-Based Budgeting framework. 15. Prepare RBB's planning assumptions and logical framework, a tool for linking the Mission's outputs with its strategic objectives.
16. Oversee reporting of activities against the RBB framework.

• Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; 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. • 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 under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities. • Teamwork and respect for diversity: 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 communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts, and local interlocutors coming from diverse backgrounds; 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, remote, and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel 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, project management, project coordination, finances and accounting, and/or business administration in international organizations is required.
Professional experience in development programming in post-conflict environments is highly desirable.
Relevant training and qualification certifications are highly desirable. Proficient computer skills, in particular Excel and Word, database management, are required.

The Central African Republic is a non-family duty station with a difficult security and working environment. Security instructions from the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) need to be strictly complied with in all duty stations. The country security level is 4, restricting movement to official travel only. Currently a curfew applies from 10 pm to 5 am.

The country is landlocked, with very limited travel possibilities, and surrounded by countries with volatile and security problems (Cameroon, Chad, DRC, Sudan, South Sudan). There is an unstable socio-political situation and social unrest and grievance, in particular in the capital city Bangui, with frequent civil servant strikes causing interruption of health, education and civil service, due to years of unpaid salaries. Power cuts are a norm, causing insecurity in the city. The population in Bangui, including the expatriates, is concerned about increasing crime as a direct result of the March 2013 coup by the SELEKA, a coalition of rebel groups, and events in December 2013 that carried the country into chaos. The country is entirely dependent on the Cameroon seaport, situated 1500 km away, causing regular shortage of basic domestic goods. Travel time for a truck from Douala in Cameroon to Bangui averages a week because of bad roads and roadblocks along the way.

This situation puts tremendous stress on personnel. There are very limited medical infrastructures and services do not function properly. Living conditions are difficult due to the high cost of living and the scarcity of basic products and food. Supermarkets having a variety of food and consumer goods are available but are costly. Fresh vegetables and fruits are available in the market.

There is no MINUSCA guesthouse in Bangui. Private accommodation possibilities are limited and getting a house that is compliant with UN security measures can take several weeks. UN personnel in Bangui live on the local economy by renting apartments and houses. In comparison to a few years ago, more accommodation is available now, but at high cost. Sharing accommodation is recommended. Currently all serving UN Volunteers have access to decent accommodation ensuring minimum standards of comfort. The average monthly cost for accommodation varies from around 1000 USD for a small apartment with basic furniture, but no power generator and interrupted running water supply, to 2,000+ USD with all commodities.

A UN dispensary provides basic medical care for UN personnel and a UN hospital has been operational since August 2014. A Level II Hospital run by a military medical team exists as well.

Only four airlines officially recognized by the UN System serve the country: Air France (twice a week), Royal Air Maroc (twice a week), Kenya Airways (three flights per week) and Asky (three flights per week). Flights are sometimes subject to cancellation when security situation volatility increases.

A Rest & Recuperation (R&R) scheme has been re-established since August 2013 and maintained for all CAR duty stations at a 6-week frequency.

The Central African Republic is a unique country and MINUSCA is a unique operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural and security awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.